Tag: perseverance

encouragement, Uncategorized

Promised

by balm4thesoulLeave a Comment on Promised

I was promised a land flowing with milk and honey, if I would just follow Him. He said that I would be a fisher of men. I said yes and followed, never expecting to end up wandering the wilderness for forty years. So maybe it hasn’t been forty years but I thought this was just going to be an eleven day journey. No one told me I would have to lose friends and endure suffering. How many times do I have to go around this same mountain, listening to these same people complaining about the same things. I’m tired of sacrificing and I’m tired of seeing people I love die. I just want to rest in my Promised Land.

It’s not even possible for me to turn around at this point. I’ve seen too many miracles to stop believing. But oh, am I tired of walking on water one minute and sinking the next. Seriously, isn’t that the same mountain I saw last week?

I would absolutely love to tell you that I’m ready to step into my blessings but the truth is, I’m not. I haven’t learned to be thankful and have joy in every circumstance, that’s why I keep complaining about everything. I haven’t been able to fully let go of my past because I keep longing for the good ole days, which really weren’t all that great. I haven’t learned to completely trust God because when He tells me to do something crazy, I still worry about what people will think.

God knows the skills and training I’ll need once I receive His promises. He knows the giants that I’ll have to face and He knows if I had to face them now, I would run away. My faith muscles simply aren’t strong enough right now. So, I’ll continue to persevere and go around this same mountain, yet again and I’ll pray that this time, I can finally cross over into my blessings.

“When Pharaoh let the people go, God did not lead them on the road through the Philistine country, though that was shorter. For God said, ‘if they face war, they might change their minds and return to Egypt.'” Exodus 13:17 NIV

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Stop Lifting Up What Is Tearing You Down By Tammy Nicole Glover

by balm4thesoulLeave a Comment on Stop Lifting Up What Is Tearing You Down By Tammy Nicole Glover

“You’re blessed when you’re at the end of your rope. With less of you there is more of God and his rule.” Matthew 5:3 MSG

You have big problems in your life. You’re feeling overwhelmed, confused, frustrated and lost. Some of you may even be feeling as if you are at the end of your rope and if you don’t get some relief immediately, you will not make it. I ask you, how long are you willing to allow your circumstances to beat you down? How long will you allow yourself to remain stressed out? Have you truly forgotten who your Heavenly Father is?

Let me remind you that your Heavenly Father is God Almighy. He created the universe. He is the same God that led the Israelites into freedom. He is the same God that parted the Red Sea so that they could flee from pharoah’s army. He is the same God that protected Daniel in the lion’s den. He is the same God that heals sickness. He is the same God that sent His Son to die for you. He is the same God that rose Jesus from the dead. He is the same God that loves you. He is the same God that sees your struggle and has compassion for you.

His hand is waiting to lift you up but instead of reaching for His hand, you ignore it. You grab a hold of the very things that have been tearing you down. Do you really believe that He is unable to help you or are you too prideful to ask for His help? Do you refuse to go to him because you doubt or do you think you are unworthy of his help?

Please, listen to me, God is big enough, powerful enough and He loves you enough to see you through whatever you’re dealing with today. The same God that knows exactly how many hairs you have on your head is the same God that is patiently waiting for your call. When He hears his children cry out to Him for help, He moves swiftly. He will not allow his children to be bullied. He will give you strength, wisdom and favor. You don’t have to know how He will do it, you just have to trust Him and believe that He will provide whatever you need, when you need it. Stop magnifying your problems and recognize that God is able to do exceedingly and abundantly above all that you could ever imagine or think.

“With your help I can advance against a troop; with my God I can scale a wall.” Psalm 18:29 NIV

“The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and he helps me.” Psalm 28:7 NIV

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Step Back By Tammy Nicole Glover

by balm4thesoulLeave a Comment on Step Back By Tammy Nicole Glover

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him and he will make your paths straight.” Proverbs 3:5-6

Step back, take a deep breath and listen closely. You can not go through trials and tribulations by yourself. You were never meant to go through them alone. The Lord did not mean for you lean on your own understanding. You were meant to lean on and trust in Him.

You were shocked and confused when the storm hit but God is never shocked. He saw what was coming well in advance. He’s not surprised when illness strikes, when a job is lost, when a family member is struggling with an addiction or when a financial crisis hits. He knew when it was going to happen and how to fix it.

Stop praying and asking God to deliver you and then pushing Him aside. Miracles can’t happen without Him and they can’t happen if your faith is placed in yourself and not in Him. Step aside and let God take the lead. He will open doors that you never knew existed. He will move and leave skeptics speechless. You are never alone. Don’t let your pride, fear, doubt or yourself stop you from receiving your breakthrough.

“Now this I know: The Lord gives victory to his anointed. He answers him from his heavenly sanctuary with the victorious power of his right hand.” Psalm 20:6

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Why Me? By Tammy Glover

by balm4thesoul1 Comment on Why Me? By Tammy Glover

“Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him.” James 1:12 NIV

Why me? Why do I have to deal with cancer? Why do I have to have a family member struggling with addiction? Why do I have to be the strong one? Why do I always have to be the responsible one? Why do I have to continue to face one crisis after another? Why can’t things just ever be easy and I can have some peace? Why does everything have to be such a struggle?

The response: Have you looked around lately? You’re not the only one going through something. Some people are going through worse things than you are and they don’t have the support or resources that you have. If I told you about what some other people are going through, it would blow your mind. These are people, who just like you, are walking around looking like they have it together. A lot of them however, don’t even know me. You know me. You know I’m faithful. I’ve proven it to you time and time again. I never promised that things would be easy. You’re not up here in heaven with me yet. I did however, promise that I will always be there to help you. Now, stop focusing on what your physical eyes see and open your spiritual eyes. Can’t you see my angels surrounding you, constantly standing guard over you? I have prepared the way for you, now you have to trust me. I am the Lord your God. I am your Heavenly Father. You are my child and I love you. I take care of all my children. I need you to be a testimony of my love so that the people who are struggling, that don’t know me, will get to know me through you.

“I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do everything through him who gives me strength.” Philippians 4:12-13 NIV

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HELP HER TO REMEMBER by Tammy Glover

by balm4thesoul3 Comments on HELP HER TO REMEMBER by Tammy Glover

“In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness.  We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express.  And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints in accordance with God’s will.”  Romans 8: 26-27 NIV

Father, your daughter needs you.  She has taken on the burden of worry, a burden which she was never meant to carry.  She has become weak and confused.  This burden has left her vulnerable to believe the lies of the enemy.  Lord, she needs your help to remember who she is in your Son, Jesus Christ.

Lord, help her to remember that she is your daughter, precious and beautiful in your sight.  You always hear her when she cries out.  You have never left her side.  Not one of her tears has gone unnoticed.  Help her to remember that nothing is impossible for you.  Help her to remember that in her weakness you are made perfect. 

Don’t let her forget that you are faithful.  Help her to remember that she walks by faith and not by sight.  Although, she sees the evil of this world, she is not to be moved by it.  She is only to be moved by your Word.  You did not give her a spirit of fear but of power, of love and of a sound mind.

You are the same God who guided Sarah, Esther, Ruth and Mary.  You are the same God who raised Lazarus from the dead.  You are the same God who gives sight to the blind, hearing to the deaf and mobility to the paralyzed.  You are El-Shaddai–God Almighty and she is your daughter.  Every time she is blessed, you are glorified.  Every time she is healed, you are glorified.  Every time she is delivered, you are glorified.

It is because of your love for her that fear is cast out.  It is your love that has saved her.  It is your love that comforts and strengthens her.  It is your love that gives her wisdom.  It is your love that redeems her.  It is your love that sustains her.  It is your love that helps her to remember all of this.  Your love restores peace to her soul.  May your daughter continue to remember to praise you and never forget your promises.

“Blessed is she who has believed that what the Lord has said to her will be accomplished!”  Luke 1: 45 NIV

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EVEN THOUGH By Tammy Glover

by balm4thesoul1 Comment on EVEN THOUGH By Tammy Glover

“For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline.” 2 Timothy 1:7 NIV

Even though I’m scared, I still forge ahead. Even though there is rain, the sun is still peeking behind the clouds. I’m aware of my past and sometimes, I may glance back, but I never linger there too long. I may feel lost but God has already found me.

Even though there are tears in my eyes, I still praise God. Even though I’m exhausted, I still have strength to lift my hands to Him. Even though I’ve lost my voice, my heart still cries out to Him.

I can’t rely on my own understanding. I can’t rely on what I see before me. I must only rely on what God has promised me and what He has said in His Word. He is not like a man that he should tell a lie. He has never forsaken me. He loves me even though I’m a mess. No matter what the circumstance, I am still truly blessed.

“I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do everything through him who gives me strength.” Philippians 4: 12-13 NIV

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SURRENDER By Tammy Glover

by balm4thesoul1 Comment on SURRENDER By Tammy Glover

“My father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will.” Matthew 26:39 NIV

Lord, when I heard your call, I was excited and a little scared. I knew you were calling me to greatness, not so that I could receive the glory but so that you could. I felt honored and blessed. I forged ahead not realizing exactly what your plans entailed.

I expected things to happen immediately. I expected an always smooth path. I expected complete clarity. However, as I went along, I realized that I had to wait, and wait, and wait, and wait. As I waited I became anxious and unsure. Did I hear you right? Maybe, I just needed to move things along a little faster for you. Maybe, you forgot about me. None of these things were true. What I had to understand was that there were preparations that needed to be made and things that I needed to learn while I waited.

Deep inside, I think I knew this but I didn’t want to go through the hard stuff. I didn’t want to go through rejection and strange looks from other people. Why couldn’t I accomplish your plans and remain normal? Why did I have to learn how to forgive? Why did I have to learn to be humble? Why did I have to learn to overcome my fears? Growing hurts and it’s hard. I wanted to do things my way and reap all of your rewards. I realize that this is impossible.

Lord, I surrender. I will listen when you say stand firm, even though I’m in the middle of a storm. I will be patient when you say be still. I will press forward when you tell me to walk on water, despite how scared I am. I will say what you want me to say and I will trust you. I will forever praise you.

“Many are the plans in a man’s heart but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails.” Proverbs 19: 21 NIV

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LIFE GETTING IN THE WAY By Tammy Glover

by balm4thesoul3 Comments on LIFE GETTING IN THE WAY By Tammy Glover

“You hear, O Lord, the desire of the afflicted, you encourage them and you listen to their cry.” Psalm 10:17 NIV

This week, I had planned on writing something entirely different. I had the topic, the scriptures and the words that would soothe the soul and bring encouragement. It was going to be eloquent and profound. I sat at the computer to write but then life happened…

Everything I wanted to say felt fake and contrite. I struggled all week but the right words refused to come out. The more life happened, the more the words eluded me.

So, it’s now Wednesday and I’m still at a loss for words. I don’t know if I want to curse or to cry or whether I should give up or continue to fight. I’m sitting here angry, broken-hearted and disappointed with life. What can I say to encourage you? What can I say to encourage myself?

I can say that God is still good. Even though my heart is broken, He is still healing. Even though I’m unsure about my life, He is still guiding me. Even when I’m at my worst, He is still at His best. Even though I feel as if I’m alone in my struggles, He is still holding me in His hands.

Keep looking up my sisters and brothers in Christ. God still loves us and He hasn’t abandoned us. The sun will shine again, just keep praising Him.

“You turned my wailing into dancing; you removed my sackcloth and clothed me with joy, that my heart may sing to you and not be silent. O Lord my God, I will give you thanks forever.” Psalm 30:11-12 NIV

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WHO SAID THIS WAS EASY? By Tammy Glover

by balm4thesoul3 Comments on WHO SAID THIS WAS EASY? By Tammy Glover

“We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed.” 2 Corinthians 4: 8-9 NIV

It’s not easy holding on to your faith when everything is falling apart. It’s not easy to forgive that family member that keeps breaking your heart. It’s not easy to stay calm and to speak words of love when someone has just cursed you out. It’s not easy to be still and wait when you feel as if your situation is about to make you lose your mind. It’s not easy to show compassion when someone is pushing you away. It’s not easy to ignore people who laugh at you because of your beliefs. It’s not easy to love someone who hates you. It’s not easy admitting you’ve made a mistake. It’s not easy saying I’m sorry. It’s not easy letting go of your past. It’s not easy to give up what is comfortable or familiar in order to move into your destiny. It’s not easy to look ahead when the future feels uncertain. It’s not easy to change your thinking. It’s not easy to pick yourself up and dust yourself off when you have fallen. It’s not easy to think before you speak. It’s not easy to submit to the voice of God when he’s telling you to go right and your flesh wants to go left. It’s not easy letting go of toxic relationships.

Someone maybe asking, then why do you do it? Where do you find the strength to keep going? My strength comes from the Almighty. I’m not alone during my trials and tribulations. He has promised that he will never leave me nor forsake me. He has promised me protection and guidance.

I can’t go back to the life I used to live. It was full of confusion, bitterness and depression. Life was a lot more difficult before I met Christ. I saw no future, no hope. I could only find temporary solutions to my problems. Now, I am fully armed. I have hope and a future. God has a permanent solution to every problem. I think, speak and act better. What I’ve lost in my old life doesn’t compare to what I’ve gained in my new life with Christ. I’ve gained peace, grace, mercy, wisdom, comfort and love and I’m never giving it up.

“Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.” 2 Corinthians 4: 16-18 NIV

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RESCUED BY TAMMY GLOVER

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“Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him.” Psalm 37:7, NIV

I was walking along, enjoying the sunshine and picking up the beautiful flowers along the way. It seemed like the perfect day. It started to get cloudy but I didn’t let that stop me from enjoying the day, I kept on going along my path. I knew something was coming but I refused to worry about it.

I started to see fewer flowers along the way, which was a disappointment. I had started to look forward to their bright colors and intricate designs. Despite the disappointment, I kept on going until I tripped over a fallen branch. I had a few scratches and a bruised ego but nothing major. I just got back up, dusted myself off and kept on walking.

I heard wolves and I became distracted and scared. I was alone in the woods with bloody wounds and I was sure the wolves would track my scent and devour me. I had to find a safe place to hide. I started running away from the sounds of the howling wolves but they seemed to be surrounding me. I could see their glowing eyes watching me through the trees and bushes. I stumbled once again and fell into a deep pit. I tried to grab on to anything I could to stop my fall but to no avail. I hit the hard, rocky bottom. I was so far down that I could only see a sliver of light peeking through the top. I tried to climb out but only accomplished making myself weary and my finger tips raw and bloodied. I called out for help and I heard a strong voice answer back, “I’m here and I’m going to get you out.”

I was thankful but it just didn’t seem like the voice above was working fast enough. Oftentimes, there were long periods of silence and I thought that he had left me. I panicked and called out to him until I was hoarse. The voice always came back and let me know that he was still there, working on my rescue. He promised to never leave me. I knew that I had to remain calm and be patient. I kept the promise of rescue in my mind and heart. Eventually, the light from above became brighter and brighter and I could see my rescuer’s hand reaching down. I knew that it was going to be ok.

Life is a lot like this. We start down a path that we know God has set us on. We enjoy his anointing over us and his blessings along the way. Small issues arise but we press forward. We stumble and fall but we get back up. People who don’t want to see you succeed show up and we become distracted. We allow fear to overtake us. Sometimes we fall in a dark pit and we feel like there is no way to escape. The Lord your God is always with you. There is no problem that he can’t solve. He is the rescuer. There may be times when you feel like he has left you during your troubles but He is still there working on your way out. He hears your cries. You just have to remain calm and be patient. Help isn’t on the way, it’s already here.

“Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God, trust also in me.” John 14:1, NIV