Tag: #faith

Triggers

by Angela K. Crow-Mitchell



According to The
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in their Campus
Health newsletter, “A trigger is a stimulus that elicits a reaction. In the context of mental illness, “trigger” is
often used to mean something that brings on or worsens symptoms. This often
happens to people with a history of trauma.”

Triggers can show up when we least expect them. The above article
also provides more information about triggers and responses to them that may be
helpful. Someone recently said that a trigger is an area where healing must
occur. That can be true for some, but for others who have received healing, it
can be a warning – perhaps it is like when we touch a hot burner – if we’ve been
burned before, our reaction is imminent.

Triggers can also act as signals, alerting us to potential
harm. With self-awareness and discernment, we can heed the messages our body
and brain are sending. Often, a red light flashes, indicating a situation that
mirrors a past experience of pain or hurt.

That is not to say that the person or thing triggering the
alert always intends to harm us, but spiritual discernment is necessary. So,
how do we know if the situation is harmful or if the trigger is negatively
affecting our emotions and causing the reaction?   

Our emotions can sometimes lead us astray, but we can always
take a step back, breathe, and seek the truth. Are the person’s actions and
words in harmony? Do they align with the principles of love from a biblical
perspective (I Cor. 13:4-7)? If these truths are evident, are we allowing the
fear of being hurt again to cloud our judgment? This is a tactic of the enemy.
Satan would love to sow discord in godly relationships. If you give him an
inch, he’ll take a mile. That’s why it’s crucial to recognize his strategies
and ask God to remove anything not of Him – or, as I like to say – shoot him in
the foot.

Reminding ourselves of God’s promises and who He is also
helpful. There are many, but three things immediately come to mind: peace,
comfort, and trust. Our God is an everlasting rock (Is. 26:4,
ESV), whom we can trust.  He comforts those
seeking Him and pursuing righteousness (Is. 51:1-3). He offers perfect peace to
those who have faith in the promises of God (Is. 26:3).

The promise of God finds their Yes and Amen in Jesus Christ
(2 Cor. 1;20).

Jesus told His disciples – “Peace I leave with you; my
peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your
hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid” (John 14:27, emphasis added).
 That is also a promise for us. Instead
of worrying, we can be thankful and pray in all circumstances (I Thes. 5:18), releasing
it to God, who can carry the weight. I often find myself praying for God to take
all the things that are too heavy for me, which ends up being most things – but
that is okay – He is a good Father who delights in lifting our burdens and
giving us rest (Matt. 11:30).

When the Lord comforts Zion through Isaiah, he reminds them
to look to the rock from which they were hewn and to the quarry from which they
were dug (Is. 51:1). It may seem like a strange statement, but those seeking
the Lord can take great comfort in these words, knowing that we are secure in
the One who created us. We can be reassured that “Jesus Christ is the same
yesterday and today and forever” (Heb. 13:8). The Rock is a source of protection.

If you have sensitive triggers from past hurts, like me, take
time to sift through your emotions, ask God what is true, look to the Word for
comfort, and pray for discernment. Use your spiritual weapons to cut off
anything not of God, and cling to His promises for ultimate peace and relief as
you put your trust in the only One who can carry the burdens for you.

Triggers are not all bad, but they must be discerned as we
keep our emotions in check, not allowing them to take over our thoughts and
keep us from living our best lives in the moment without worrying about what
might happen tomorrow. As a friend recently said at church, ‘Tomorrow is not
promised.’ (His mom said it when he was growing up, and now he can relate). What
a fantastic perspective to adopt.

Triggers are real, and I am not dismissing them or the
painful emotions they cause. Instead, I want to share these truths and the hope
that we can overcome them through a relationship with Christ, our Rock, and
Redeemer of all things. It’s not always easy – but it is possible with God’s
help.  

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by
prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to
God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your
hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus” (Phil. 4:6-7, emphasis added).

“Your Word is a lamp to guide my feet and a light for my
path” (Ps. 119:105, emphasis added).



Smile…God Loves You!

by Angela K. Crow-Mitchell

Smiles, like yawns, are contagious. If you share one, you’ll likely get one in return. But the benefits of smiling go beyond this simple exchange. As Dr. Earlexia Norwood of Henry Ford Health points out, smiling has multiple benefits. Yet, we often smile less as we age, missing out on the opportunity to connect with others.

The article states that studies conclude that some benefits are reduced blood pressure, increased endurance, reduced pain and stress, and a strengthened immune system. Furthermore, when we smile, we are not just helping ourselves; since the domino effect is at play, we are also helping others.

Another article by Better by Today on NBC News Now says that smiling, even when we don’t feel like it, can trick the brain into thinking we are happy, resulting in the same benefits. It states that smiling spurs a chemical reaction that releases hormones, including dopamine and serotonin.

The Bible also says something about smiling – or a cheerful face – which comes from a glad heart, indicating a positive attitude toward life when the inner self is healthy (Proverbs 15:13, ESV). It continues, pointing out that a joyful heart is good medicine, while a crushed spirit dries up the bones (Proverbs 17:22).

Going through life with a sour attitude and face can harm us. Smiling is linked to a positive attitude derived from our relationship with God and the condition of our inner heart. It is not always easy to stay positive and keep our eyes on Christ when things are not going well. Nevertheless, staying grateful for the blessings we have will help. One day at a time is the pace of grace. Waking up with breath in our lungs is something to be grateful for.

Recently, I asked God for a new perspective, and boy, He delivered! The very next morning, a friend at church shared a story about a man in Haiti whose knee got infected after surgery because he couldn’t get back to the doctor’s office to take off the metal plate due to gangs blocking the streets. He made a connection for him through another person, who arranged for him to get to a doctor 300 miles away, traveling in a small vehicle full of 40-50 people. It took three different trucks to get him there, but as of Monday, he was having surgery. There are many more details that I am sure I am leaving out, but you get the idea. This story hit me hard and reminded me that people are dealing with much worse things than my feeble problems.

Can you relate? Do the blessings we have every day that most take for granted make you smile? That and the fact that God loves us, no matter what should make us keep a smile on our faces. Thanking God for everything makes a big difference in our attitude and perspective. Can you list all the things that make you smile?

“Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances, for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you” (I Thes. 5:16-18, Emphasis added).

Fish Symbolism

by Angela K. Crow-Mitchell

As kids, our dad took us fishing on many occasions, sometimes at Lake Reba, one of the ponds on our farm, or on the banks of the Kentucky River that ran near our property. Much like other childhood memories, he ensured we were cared for, from baiting our hooks to removing any fish we might catch to retrieving our tangled lines out of the trees (mostly the latter, in my case). And let’s not forget the chicken liver-baited hook slapping into the eye incident. We somehow survived.

As I got older, I still enjoyed fishing. As you may recall, after many years of dreaming about fly fishing, I finally crossed that one off my bucket list. You can read that blog here. It was a fantastic experience, and as I stated in the article, I loved wearing the waders way too much.  

I’ve often wondered what the fish symbol meant in Christianity when I saw it on the back of cars. I eventually related it to Matthew 4:19, where Jesus called His first disciples, asked them to follow Him, and promised to make them fishers of men – without deeper consideration on my part.

In The Holman Illustrated Bible Dictionary, I recently cast my net a little further and found that the early Christian church used the Greek words “Jesus Christ, Son of God, Savior” as a cipher that spelled ichthus. The fish became a standard Christian symbol used as a secret code (Brand, 576).

Furthermore, in the Old Testament, fish in a net symbolized God’s judgment (Ps. 66:11; Ezek. 32:3). Jesus compared the Kingdom of Heaven to a net thrown into the sea and loaded with an array of fish in many varieties (Matt. 4:18-19, Brand 576).

The beginning of Jesus’ earthly ministry was preceded by baptism by John the Baptist and God, the Father, announcing Him as His Son. Once John was thrown in prison, Jesus knew His time had come. He began teaching the gospel message. Jesus’ ministry, as denoted by the New Living Translation Study Bible, had three main features: teaching, announcing the Kingdom, and healing. Matthew 4:12 – 11:1 shows that after being announced by John the Baptist and the Father (3:13-17) and His obedience by enduring testing in the wilderness (4:1-11), Jesus the Messiah was prepared for ministry.

Likewise, after we are baptized and announced clean by the Father, the Holy Spirit immediately enters our hearts and helps us fight against the temptations of our past; we are equipped to proclaim the gospel message to others.

We must sometimes put on our waders (God’s armor) and tread the creek beds where the fish are – allowing God to help us fight our spiritual battles as we cast our nets further and point others to Christ by how we live. It takes a leap of faith to go where God leads us. Sometimes, suppose we stay on the bank instead of following, we can get entangled in the trees around us or symbolically slapped in the face with chicken liver – anything the devil uses to keep us from going – fears, doubts, trust issues. Just as my dad took care of all our needs while fishing, our heavenly Father ensures we have all we need as we fish for His people.

Jesus’ first message shows us that we must repent and turn to God to follow Him (Matt. 4:17, ESV). Letting others know there is hope is good, but helping them realize they need hope in Christ is essential. We must first see our brokenness to recognize the need for our Savior, Jesus Christ.

How can you strap some waders on this week and cast your net for God?

“The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few” (Matt. 9:37, Emphasis added).

Anointed with Joy

by Angela K. Crow-Mitchell

I love the imagery of God, the Father, anointing Jesus Christ as His Son with great Joy.  

The Holman Illustrated Bible Dictionary defines anointing as rubbing a person or thing, usually with oil, to heal or set apart. It says we can anoint ourselves, anoint others, and be anointed. The Hebrew verb mashach, or messiah (noun), and the Greek verb chrio, or christos (noun), are translated as “to anoint.”

In the Old Testament, kings and priests were anointed to official capacity through a ceremony that symbolized God’s power upon them, an act that permeated an element of awe. The New Testament uses the word to describe daily grooming (Matt.6:17, ESV), healing (Luke 10:34), and preparation for burial (Mark 16:1).

God anointed Jesus Christ as King. The author of Hebrews quotes Psalm 45:7, expressing God’s verification of Jesus’ identity to all as His Son, with the oil of gladness (Heb. 1:9). Christ did not exalt Himself. He was appointed by God, the Father (Heb. 5:5).

 Oil was regarded as a luxury and a symbol of joy. Olive oil was commonly used in the Bible and was highly regarded as a symbol of honor (Judg. 9:9), blessing, and prosperity (Job 29:6).

Jesus Christ was already Creator and God’s Son (John 1:1)—God was exalting Him to reveal Christ as a divine, just, and superior high priest offering a better covenant (7:22, NLT), better promises (8:6), and better hope (7:19), leading to something better for those who believe in Christ (11:40).

Jesus is the Anointed One – the Messiah – and Savior (Acts 10:38). The OT used this symbolism to show God’s presence and power. Similarly, Christians are anointed by God (2 Cor. 1:21); I John 2:27) for the commissions of ministry (Brand, 2015, pg. 69).

Jesus’ earthly prayers were heartfelt, earnest, and tearful (Hebrews 5:7). His reverence formed the basis of His prayers, which were answered, to intercede for and help every Christian (Romans 8:34). His resurrection saved Him out of death – showing his submission to the Father as He waited on His answers.

People may not consider anointing for cleansing, purifying, protecting, or healing today. Still, it is powerful when accompanied by the Holy Spirit and Jesus Christ’s mighty name in prayer. The oil itself doesn’t have power, but the name of Jesus Christ holds the awe-struck power. We can set ourselves apart as holy – a vessel for God – useful to our Master and ready for every good work, cleansing ourselves from what is dishonorable (2 Timothy 2:21).

Spiritual weapons are robust against the doubts and fears the enemy tries to throw at us, especially when we are doing God’s work. With intercessory prayers, we can anoint others and our homes for protection.

Food for thought: Perhaps we can symbolically anoint ourselves with the oil of gladness and ask God to protect us so that we can avert the enemy’s tactics of keeping us from God’s good work.

Our joy isn’t dependent on our circumstances but comes from our relationship with God, regardless of our circumstances.

Lessons from a Dog

by Angela K. Crow-Mitchell

I’ve written about dogs’ purpose before—how God must have created them for human companionship. Dogs seem to show up when we need them and can teach us many lessons. A dog comforts us even when others don’t know what we are going through. They listen and seem to understand when no one else does. They are known for their faithfulness, loyalty, and obedience and are eager to please.

They sense something is wrong, offer a loving nudge with the nose, and are almost always willing to snuggle. When my son lived with me several years ago, his dog was part of the bargain. I always felt they needed each other equally. Allie was a loving and intelligent dog – but also anxious, and before she got used to the new neighborhood, she would run off at the first chance.

She had only been here about three months when I fell with her and broke my arm in the wee hours of the morning. I dropped her leash, but instead of running off, she stayed with me, hovering over me and licking my face with concern.

When I was two, my dad brought home a puppy, and we named him Rusty. The two of us grew up together. He was the cleverest dog I’ve ever known. From carrying kittens out of the driveway one by one so we could pull in to bringing up the milk cow when mom went out the backdoor with a bucket. It was the mop bucket a few times, and the cow was a bit confused, but that didn’t bother him. He also caught and held a loose chicken down with his paws until we could get it and put it back in the pin. No harm, no foul.

My husband and I recently visited the local shelter and returned a few days later to retrieve a three-year-old red pit named Luis, whom we renamed Koti. I certainly never thought I would have a pit. I am unsure what Koti will teach me, but I’ve already realized that not all pits are as aggressive as I thought. It turns out that how someone treats them has much to do with how aggressive they are. Besides being solid and large, he is also affectionate and loving. Just look at that face.

My husband is a fantastic dog trainer, and Koti is a fast learner. He seems eager to please us and highly grateful to have a loving home. He understood quickly he couldn’t jump and now sits down excitedly in front of us. Granted, he won the battle of sitting on the couch, but it’s better to pick and choose your battles just like people. It’s all about compromises in relationships. He sleeps on his blanket—on the couch. I am pretty sure he is on protection alert while we sleep, and I am okay with that.

Perhaps there is a lesson in there somewhere, after all.

Burn the Ships

by Angela K. Crow-Mitchell

God’s answers to our prayers rarely look how we imagine – they’re always better.

A leap of faith is always involved to show our trust in God. It wouldn’t be a leap of faith if everything were already secure.

When Jesus gathered His first disciples, He appeared, asking them to follow Him unquestionably. Can you imagine the courage and trust it took for them to leave their careers, the only way of life they knew, and their families? Still, without hesitation, Matthew records Jesus’ invitation, “Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men” (Matt. 4:19, English Standard Version, emphasis added), and their response, “Immediately they left their nets and followed Him” (v 20, emphasis added).

Jesus prayed for laborers for the harvest; God answered the prayer with the twelve apostles (Matt. 9:37-38).

We tend to make our plans, pray for God to make things go our way, and not recognize the opportunities God places in front of us. Yet, if we take the time to listen and pay attention, asking God what He wants for our lives – we are more open to whatever gifts He has for us – no matter how far off they are from our expectations. It can be scary to take the leap, but it is always worth it.

Each leap of faith brings us closer to God and His purpose for us – even if it doesn’t look like we thought. Years later, looking back, we can realize everything we have encountered has prepared us for this day. God even uses our painful experiences for His good and our blessing. A professor once said that every past pain is a key – which unlocks someone else’s heart.

If you had asked me five years ago what my goals were and where I thought I would be today, I would have had no way of perceiving everything that had transpired over the last year – or even the previous month. Still, here I am, a college graduate with a graduate certificate in pastoral counseling (something I never saw for myself), married to a wonderful, godly man who respects me, and most recently, the new office manager for our family business, The Higher Hands – Handyman.

We are true partners in each sense of the word, serving others through our ministries and work. I would not have received these blessings and gifts from God if I had held firm to my small ideas. God is full of surprises and massive plans that require me to depend on Him.

God always has a bigger plan and purpose for our lives.

As I reflect on my previous experiences, from my first job at a trucking company, fresh out of high school, as a payroll clerk and dispatcher to working for a non-profit – it paved the way for all the skills needed for my new position as well as the freedom to pursue my passion in helping abused women. Was it scary to quit my job of almost 20 years – you bet! But God…

When we break ourselves out of the box we find ourselves in – whether we put ourselves there or wake up there – and let God’s will for us prevail, we can burn the ships of our past and never look back. (Burn the Ships is my mantra this week – take a moment to listen).

Freedom = Joy. Joy is my word this year. God has undoubtedly showered me with it, along with His magnificent grace. I still make mistakes and am learning daily how to be a better wife, leader, listener, and daughter of the King, but just the fact that I have the opportunity is a miraculous feat in my book that only God gets the glory for.

What ships do you need to burn and allow God to lead?

God’s Echo

by Angela K. Crow-Mitchell
Echo Valley Farm

I was still praying for my word for the new year that was fast approaching. Knowing I would need to be brave for what He was calling me to do in the upcoming year, I quickly adopted ‘brave’ as my word for 2020.

One of the things I was going to do that year was start a support group for women. Still learning and healing from my past abuse, I knew I had a story to share that could help others walk through their stories as well as teach the red flags of abuse. But I had never led a support group before. I prayed for God to help me as I tried to help other women.

Like most assignments, I needed to go where God led me. He would handle the rest. As many times before, when I show up, He shows out. I knew I could trust Him with the outcome, so I took the next step.  I registered my group on the church site and continued praying for guidance and help.

A couple of weeks into the new year, sitting in my quiet time, the word ‘echo’ was prominent in my mind. I searched for the word’s spiritual meaning. While surfing the internet and letting the Spirit lead me, I found a women’s ministry and a blog post entitled “To Be God’s Echo.” The article explains that the opportunity to tell people again what God had already said was an echo of the Almighty. It said that we must first listen to what He has said.[1]

It spoke directly to my heart for serving women through Faith Walk Ministries and the Sister’s Circle support group. The author said that as she ministers to women, she focuses on three words: encourage, embrace, and echo. I can relate to all three of these words, as one of my Spiritual gifts is encouraging others. I pray often that I will never hurt others with my words but lift them and give hope. Being an echo in the lives of others, to breathe God’s truth and love by being an echo to His heart, was just the inspiration I needed to hear. I knew I still needed to be brave, but my new word for that year was given to me by the purest of hearts: the Holy Spirit. I am amazed every day and still try to echo His truth throughout my ministry wherever He leads me.

If you are as astonished as I was at how God led me to this, wait to hear what happened next. A few days later, I was sitting in my quiet time again with my eyes closed in a dark room, as is my normal posture; I saw words written in cursive in my mind’s eye. I noticed the ‘D’ form, and then the whole name came into focus, ‘Dana West.’

I sat there for a minute, trying to make sense of it. Then, it occurred to me that this is a person’s name. So, just like before, I googled it. While scrolling through the actresses and other people with this name, I saw nothing that grabbed my attention, so I kept going. The next thing I knew, I was reading about a counselor named Dana West in Florida who – you guessed it – helps women deal with sexual abuse.

That is not all; she holds support groups and has been a long-time trainer to other facilitators. My mind was blown away.

I got her contact information and knew I had to call her – I wasn’t sure what to say to her – but I knew God would help me.  I prayed and talked to God about it all that morning. Will she think I am crazy when I tell her I got her name from God? Or maybe I’ll let her know she came, ‘highly’ recommended. I laughed out loud about that one.

With back-to-back meetings that morning, I didn’t get a chance to call until after lunch. Dialing the number, I said another prayer. I figured I would probably get a voicemail, so I said, ‘God, I’ll leave a message, and if she calls me back, I know it is of you.’

To my surprise, the receptionist answered. I told her who I was and that I was calling from Kentucky, and I would like to speak to Dana West or at least leave a message for her. She asked if I was doing a referral. I explained that I was preparing to start a support group and wanted to ask her some questions and connect with her.

The girl assured me she would pass the information on to Dana and see if she wanted to call me back.

She said, “Where did you say you were calling from again?” I am sure she was wondering how in the world I got their info.

A couple of hours later, I got the call. I explained my group and gave some background on myself without sounding unsure why I was calling. I refrained from telling her upfront about God giving me her name until I could understand her spiritual beliefs. Then, as she spoke, I was sure I was talking to a fellow Christ-follower, and I felt the Holy Spirit telling me it was safe.

Her next question was, “How did you get my name?”

Here we go…I was still a little nervous.

I asked, just to be sure, “Do you believe in the Holy Spirit?”

With her affirmation, I told her the story of God writing her name, and my internet search landed me on her website. She explained that if the Holy Spirit gave me her name, she knew what He wanted her to share.

She was helpful, welcoming, and understanding. She asked questions about my abuse and my childhood and shared some of her own stories. She listened as I gave a snapshot of my life and where God has led me in my ministry for women over the last few years.

She asked about my healing process and if I knew about their online resources and classes. She reassured me God would help me lead this group by allowing the Holy Spirit to be the facilitator (something I still do every time). She recommended I pray about the facilitator training and study that would help me go deeper in my healing and then, in turn, be able to dive deeper with the women I want to help.

Then she dropped this little nugget on me.

“I have been praying for God to send me the women that need to talk to me. You are the third person that has reached out to me.”

Wow! I am in awe of this incredible God. Every. Single. Day.

A sister connection through the Holy Spirit. This gives a new meaning to God’s connection; my little brain can’t fully grasp it. Still, I know for sure that God is real, that God is listening, that God hears our prayers and knows our hearts.  He not only connected me to someone who has been in my shoes, understands unhealthy, abusive relationships, and has the heart to help other women as I do, but He also equipped me with the tools to dive deeper into my healing so I could help others more profoundly and completely.

She talked about the women she serves as ‘sisters’ – she said that is what I call them. I informed her of the name of my support group, the ‘Sister’s Circle.’

By divine revelation, God can connect two people who have never met and live a thousand miles apart in such a masterful, incredible way to help each other restore the lives of others. Then she prayed over me and my ministry before we hung up. In her prayer, she said, “For such a time as this.” Esther 4:14 was a prominent verse to me over that last year. I even have a bracelet with the engraving, “Perhaps you were born for such a time as this,” given to me by my friend as a birthday present.

She offered to help me and asked that we stay in touch; what a Godsend and blessing. Sharing her story of redemption and how God has given her a chance to experience a healthy relationship with a godly man who would never abuse her is a beautiful testimony to Christ and what He can do for all of us. He restores, redeems, and heals, and delights in giving us the desires of our hearts. She offered me new hope on my journey. I was content and happy being single with God as my ‘One True Love’ and ‘Constant Companion.’ Still, in God’s timing, I knew it would happen if He had someone for me. That is when I began to list characteristics I wanted in a husband – someone who loves Jesus more than me and prays with and for me, among other specific godly traits – remembering a warning from an older woman I was in a life group with who once told me “You need to be specific when you pray – I had a friend who prayed for a husband, and that’s all she got.”

The Bible also gives us the fruits of the spirit as a guide for desirable qualities we should watch for that the Holy Spirit produces in a person’s life – love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, gentleness, goodness, self-control, and faithfulness (Gal. 5:22-23).

In case you missed it, my recent post,  Hope is Alive, continues the story.

[1] K. Kelly (s.d.) Living Life in Ministry, To Be God’s Echo by Women’s Ministry – Accessed January 15, 2020, through https://womensministry.lifeway.com/2017/08/28/to-be-gods-echo/

God Yearns for You

by Angela K. Crow-Mitchell

Looking back at the beginning of my journey of becoming a Christ-follower, I realize that it was a process – I didn’t immediately change my old habits, although I wanted to be closer to God. This process of being freed from sin is called sanctification. After repenting and surrendering my life to Christ and asking God what He wanted, the Holy Spirit began to work on my heart. He began to mold and reshape me and my character. Not only did I not want to continue with the old habits, but the conviction was also so firm that I could not hide it.

As I wanted to be closer to God, my old ways and sins had to make way for Christ’s new creation to form. The two cannot co-exist if we make room for Christ and have the relationship He intends for us.  Peace comes when we stop allowing our loyalty to be divided between God and the world.

We can’t feel the closeness and relationship we desire if we are still straddling the fence. But when we go all in – wholly surrendered to Christ – that’s when it all comes together, and we feel His presence, even though He has not gone anywhere – He is always with us – we are the ones who pull away. Feeling distant from God has a direct correlation to our sins. Once we repent and let God’s grace wash over us, the relationship begins to form as we make more room for Him in our hearts.

James points out that it is impossible to please God and the world simultaneously (James 4:4). When we come close to God, He will come close to us (James 4:8). Straddling the fence only makes us miserable. These verses from James echo Jesus’ message – “No one can serve two masters. For you will hate one and love the other; you will be devoted to one and despise the other” (Matt. 6:24, Emphasis added). We must step closer to Him, knowing His arms are open to welcome us. He patiently waits for us to look in His direction and want His comfort. He is a jealous God who yearns for the spirit He placed within us to worship Him alone (James 4:5; John 4:23-24).

God never tempts us – temptation comes from our desires. God always offers a way out of sin and temptation (James 1:13-14). “Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you” (James 4:7, Emphasis added). We must learn to use our spiritual weapons against the devil by speaking Jesus’ name and bearing His armor (Eph. 6:10-18).

We can ask God to reveal anything we are holding on to and ask Him to help us remove it to make more room in our hearts His Spirit. David shows us how to do this, “Point out anything in me that offends you, and lead me along the path of everlasting life” (Ps. 139:24, New Living Translation, Emphasis added). Furthermore, he also gives us a prayer, “Create in me a clean heart, O God. Renew a loyal spirit within me” (Ps. 51:10, Emphasis added). A prayer I often recite.

Our goal should be to draw closer to God daily to allow more room in our hearts for His presence. I encourage you to take a step closer to God today and ask Him to help you yearn for His presence as He yearns for you. God wants to be your first love.

It Really is that Simple

by Angela K. Crow-Mitchell

Have you noticed how we complicate simple things? The life Jesus calls us to is straightforward – treat others well and live your best life – enjoy My creation –  let everything else roll off you like water off a duck’s back. Okay, Jesus might not have referenced a duck, but the Bible is clear that we are not to worry about our lives (Matt. 6:34, English Standard Version). We tend to complicate life with our agenda. Pride gets in the way, and we let our ego take over, afraid someone will take advantage of us as we try to control things only God should control.

In the scheme of things, does it matter? If we are doing our part to make this a better place to live, loving others, and being the hands and feet of Jesus to the best of our ability – isn’t that all that matters in the end if we want to hear the words “Well done, good and faithful servant” (Matt. 25:23, Emphasis added).

Jesus has our backs. Even if someone doesn’t have our best interests in mind, we can live with a good conscience and have peace of mind when we are focused on Christ and doing our best to treat everyone with love and kindness – seeing everyone as someone made in the image of God (Gen. 1:27).

Jesus taught and modeled how to treat people. He said we must love our enemies and pray for those who torment us (Matt. 5:43-44). That is the opposite of what we want to do, but we are called to a higher standard as Christians.

Paul talks about this in various locations throughout the New Testament. As we are one in Christ, old divisions and wrongful attitudes of superiority and inferiority are eliminated (Gal. 3 28). The law revealed people’s sinfulness and need for a Savior and served as a guardian until Christ came. Life under the law was slavery, while life in Christ offers freedom (Gal. 3:19-24).

Our love for Christ and gratefulness for our freedom drive our obedience as Christians, and we want to do what is right in His sight. Furthermore, we are called to love one another with brotherly affection and outdo each other in showing honor (Rom. 12:10). Romans 12:9-21 provides the marks of a faithful Christian, including overcoming evil with good, never taking vengeance into our own hands.

It all boils down to one simple phrase – love God, love people. It’s that simple.

Let’s do our part to be kind and see what happens.

Hope is Alive

by Angela K. Crow-Mitchell

God is real. Hope is alive in Christ.

Those following my journey know that my heart has been guarded for a long time. I hadn’t dated in almost ten years after coming out of an abusive relationship. After becoming a Christ-follower, I learned more about who I am – as God’s child and who He says I am, instead of listening to Satan’s lies.

I have been building on my relationship with God, learning to make better decisions (making decisions at all is a huge accomplishment), and more about myself, such as my favorite things. God also helped me set and achieve some incredible goals I never had in mind.

I have not hidden my story but allowed God to use it to help others. This blesses my life immensely and takes the edge off the painful experiences. I can testify to the fact that God is a Redeemer.  

I didn’t know if God was preparing someone for me – but a while back, I began to have hope that He was. A few years ago, God connected me with a woman in Florida named Dana, who is a counselor for women who have been abused. She had her own story to share – but what stuck with me is that she also told me there was hope. She had re-married a wonderful man who respected her, and she wanted me to know there were still good, godly men in this broken world.

Even though, for anyone who asked, I was not looking for a man, I realized in my heart that if God had someone for me, He would need to put them in my path and show me. It couldn’t be of my own doing but rather something of God beyond the shadow of a doubt. He did just that. Every step of the way, God has been abundantly clear with confirmations. Even when the enemy tried to steal my joy with doubts and fears – God restored peace in my heart and supplied a patient, prayerful companion to help me through it.

Hope is essential to our journey. It provides the ingredients needed for perseverance on our walk with Christ.

Through Faith Walk Ministries and the care group I lead, the Sister’s Circle, God allows me to share this hope with other women survivors, as Dana did for me. As you may have noticed, I have a new name – but more than that – I am excited to share that I have a wonderful new husband who respects me, loves Jesus, and prays with and for me…just a few things from my laundry list of requirements I told God about a few years ago.

The Bible supplies a filter for character traits to seek – I Cor. 13:4-8. If you have not read this lately, please do, but I will give you a few of them: Love is patient and kind; it does not envy or boast; it is not rude or arrogant and does not insist on its own way…love bears, believes, hopes, and endures all things.

There is hope. God redeems.

If you know anyone who could receive help from the Sister’s Circle support group, please share this blog and the link above for information about how to sign up.

“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope” (Romans 15:13, English Standard Version, Emphasis added).