Don't Give Up, Stand Up!

•             When Hannah felt like giving up, she stood up.

•             When we feel like giving up, choose to stand up!

•             When you want to give up, stand up!

These thoughts flooded my mind after reading 1 Samuel 1:1-20.  It’s a true account of a woman named Hannah, her husband Elkahana, and Elkahana’s other wife Peninnah.  Peninnah was jealous of Hannah because Elkahana always blessed Hannah with twice as much when it came time to journey to make the annual sacrifice for the covering and cleansing of sins.  Hannah received twice as much because she had no children.  I find it strange that Peninnah acted this way towards Hannah due to the fact that Peninnah was the one who was able to bear children, while Hannah had none.  Peninnah was blessed but it wasn’t enough.  Hannah was afflicted by two hardships; she was bullied by a jealous woman and she wasn’t able to have children.

I’ve been in Hannah’s shoes many times in my life from elementary school and onward and I’m sure you have as well.  Girlfriends jealous of what you have, who you’re friends with, and intellect on a subject that somehow they feel inferior in.  When women act out these emotions of jealousy it looks a lot like lying, gossip, bullying, verbal and physical abuse.  Hannah was experiencing some of these reactions from her rival Peninnah.  Peninnah had purposed to irritate Hannah to the point that Hannah would cry and not eat.  Year after year this scenario would play out and Hannah would be bullied by Peninnah while the ever-present reminder that she was barren was on the forefront of her mind.

Then one year, one day, Hannah changed everything.  Hannah was at the Temple and when she had finished eating and drinking, Hannah stood up.  She did something different than in years’ past.  Hannah not only wept, same as before, but she prayed to the Lord and made a vow to dedicate her son to the Lord in service for his whole life; that is if the Lord was to give her a son.  She was extremely distraught as she prayed in her heart and the priest Eli sees her lips moving but no sound is coming out and therefore accuses her of being drunk. 

Not only is her rival beating her down verbally and now the priest too?  He had no idea what was really going on in the background of her life.  This is exactly what happens today.  People making assumptions about you without knowing what you’re going through.  Here Eli assumed that Hannah was drunk out of her mind in the Temple.  Instead, as she explains, she is “deeply troubled” and that she was “pouring out my soul to the Lord” and also that “I have been praying here out of my great anguish and grief”.

 Has there ever been a time, a situation, and a relationship that has been of great anguish to your soul; a time where your heart aches inside of your flesh that it almost feels like you just can’t take it anymore?  Hannah got to that point and she made a choice.  She made the choice to not to give up, but stand up and do something different.  She decided to break the cycle, take a risk and in her desperation for breakthrough, risking her self-image before the priest in the Temple she laid her soul bare before God.

Hannah could have looked at the priest in all her hurt and pain and could have walked away feeling like the world was against her, but again, she pressed through.  She stood up for herself by explaining her demeanor.  After hearing Hannah’s explanation, Eli blessed her with words of encouragement.  Many times all we need is someone to just listen and encourage us.

This is our chance to view this situation from two different sides.  1) We can be the “Eli” in someone else’s life by listening and bringing an encouraging word at just the right moment or 2) We can be the “Hannah” who is in desperate need of an encouraging word, take that word and use it to pull us out of our despair. Hannah didn’t give up, she stood up.  At any given moment we are either one or the other.

The story of Hannah’s struggle ends with a son whom she names Samuel which was “because I asked the Lord for him.”  It ended because she asked the Lord for his intervention in her life.  Possibly this heartache could have been resolved sooner if she had chosen to stand up and pour her heart out to the Lord in any of the given years prior.  Don’t wait any longer, choose to be like Hannah; stand up.  Don’t shut God out when you are deeply troubled, choose to invite Him into your situation. Don’t give up, stand up.

I’m choosing to not give up on finishing a weekly devotional I had started years ago and as of this week I’ve stood up against feelings of frustration and failure.  I tried something I had never tried before, a new women’s group who prayed words of encouragement over me.  Just like Hannah, I believe my breakthrough is on its way. 

Stability in the Storm {Part 2 of 4} Live a Giving Life

Give and it will be given to you.  A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap.  For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.  Luke 6:38

I’ve heard this passage preached on several times and from what I remember it has always been used in reference to finances and wealth.  Although that is not totally inaccurate, because that verse does hold true concerning wealth, I believe Jesus is touching on something broader. 

Give and it will be given to you

This giving, is giving to others which is different than giving to God. God is good to us regardless of our giving to him.  

Psalm 145:9 The Lord is good to all; he has compassion on all he has made.

In the previous verses in Luke 6:30, Jesus says to give to everyone who asks you and then in verse 35 he says to give without expecting to get anything in return.  Jesus is specifically referring to what he was just speaking about, which is loving others without expectation. Then in verse 38 Jesus explains this supernatural law: when you give, it will be given to you in the same measurement you originally gave.

Since God’s word is true and this is one of his laws, then ask yourself, what measurement am I using to give and what can I give to others?  Here’s what I’m working on:

                 -forgiveness

                -mercy

                -kindness

                -compassion

                -time

                -finances

                -love

                -friendship

                -acceptance

Now consider reading this list as what you will receive back, in the very same amount that which you gave.

This week, I’m challenging myself to use a bigger measure to give out to others.  Will you join me?  Make your own list of what you are able to give and what you want to receive back.  

This is a life of balance.  This is a life of stability; the life we are meant to live.

You can reach me on my Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/pathoftheblessing

Stability in the Storm {Part 1 of 4} Live a Life Free of Expectation

This is a tough one.  

I have been in friendships that have had unrealistic expectations placed on me, and I’ve placed unrealistic expectations on friends.  

I’ve been in churches big and small that have had unrealistic expectations placed on me, and I’ve had unrealistic expectations that I’ve placed on leaders at churches and church structures.  

Oh in my mind, my expectations were very realistic…as I’m sure that’s what others would say from their perspective as well.  

We all expect that if we do something for someone, then we deserve to be treated the same way if not equal, then more so.  The problem with that formula is that it breeds disappointment.  If our friend doesn’t meet our expectations or that church leader or church structure, then we feel hurt and unimportant.  We feel discarded and so we start over again seeking out a new friend and a new church that will meet all of our expectations.  Like I said, I’ve been on both ends of this cycle and have learned that these expectations are one of the traps that the enemy, the Devil, loves to use to cause us as a people pain. 

In Luke 6:32-36 Jesus is speaking about this very subject.  In verse 35 he says, “But love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them without expecting to get anything back.  Then your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High, because he is kind to the ungrateful and wicked.”

Jesus himself is letting us in on something that is key to stability in our lives.  Not only are we to love our enemies, but we are to lend to them without expectation.  Even though Jesus is speaking of our enemies, you could easily substitute the word “friend, church, church leader, neighbor, co-worker” anyone really.  Our enemy is so much harder to love, so start with the people who aren’t your enemy, because that’s super easy…right?  –I think you get the point.

When we lend to others without expecting to get anything back, what does that really mean? 

                -lending my “things”

                -lending my time

                -lending my money

                -lending my emotions (caring for others)

When we do these things, Jesus says that we will be rewarded greatly!  (Glance back at verse 35)  One of those rewards is freedom.  When we don’t place expectations on others to return what we’ve done for them, the enemy cannot bring disappointment and THAT is freedom!  Another reward is a spiritual reward, that we will be sons/daughters of the Most High.  Jesus is saying that when we do these things, we are displaying our spiritual family traits.  Our rewards go much further and they are given to us in this lifetime on earth and beyond into eternity. 

What other ways can we lend to others without expectation?  Let’s challenge ourselves to live a little bit more free this week.

I welcome all comments posted here or on my Facebook page Tasha Johnson, Author, Path of the Blessing

Faith Walk

Myself, Jesse, and Dee

This is my friend Jesse.  He has Machado-Joseph Disease.  It’s a rare disease that takes away all muscle control.  Jesse is 28 years old and I've had the privilege of getting to know him the past year.  In this picture, Jesse is standing with the assistance of my friend Dee and myself.  The last few times we have met we've been taking Jesse on a faith walk out of his wheelchair and around his room in the nursing home.  The three of us are believing God for a miracle healing and for Jesse’s strength to return as a part of that healing.  Jesse is unable to walk.  This past year, Dee and I have been spending every Monday at 1:00 praying with Jesse, singing over him, reading the word, and assisting him with painting.  You could say that Dee and I are on a faith walk as well.

 

Just yesterday, Monday, after visiting with Jesse and Dee, I was deeply stirred in my spirit to seek the Lord on Jesse’s behalf.  This morning the Lord prompted me to read Mark 2:1-12.  It’s the story of four friends that were trying to get their friend, a paraplegic, to see Jesus for healing.  The house where Jesus was, was completely packed out, so they dug through the roof and lowered the man down to him.  Jesus then responded to these friends and the paraplegic after seeing their faith.  Jesus was moved by their faith towards healing, not just physical but spiritual as well. 

That is the sort of faith I want to surround others with.  A faith for healing that will move the heart of God. 

As Dee, Jesse, and I continue on this faith walk –as well as many others who are praying for him- would you consider coming along side someone you know who is on a faith walk themselves?  Let’s decide to position ourselves to move the heart of God and see healing take place.  Let’s join together in unity and risk believing for something extraordinary and impossible; something only Jesus can accomplish not only for ourselves, but for others.

Are you on a faith walk right now?  If so, and you need others to surround you in faith and have no one, then please leave your first name in the comments and I will be praying for you.  You can also reach me on Facebook here:  Tasha Johnson, Author "Path of the Blessing"

Wounded

My husband with our youngest daughter

Last night, a beautiful female woodpecker flew into our window.  She survived; stunned and possibly wounded.  My husband and I ran outside and he embraced her in a towel.  When she started to come to, she leapt out of his embrace onto our deck.  She could not fly.

Faithful are the wounds of a friend; but the kisses of an enemy are deceitful.  Proverbs 27:6 (KJV)

According to Proverbs, we can count on being wounded by friends much like unexpectedly flying into glass windows.  The good news is that Jesus sees all of us, every hurt, every joy; everything about us.  So when we are wounded, completely stunned from impact, and we find ourselves unable to fly that’s the perfect time to allow ourselves to become embraced by our Heavenly Father.  He is the only one who has the ability to see our wound and be able to bring true comfort during the healing process. 

And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Comforter, who will never leave you. He is the Holy Spirit, who leads into all truth.  John 14:16-17a (NLT)

Unbeknownst to the woodpecker, she was in the safest place she could be; held in the hands of my husband wrapped in a blanket.  It wasn’t until she panicked in her distress that she leapt out and attempted to fly. 

Have you ever tried to “fly” before its time; before your wound has healed?  I know that many times I’ve found myself wounded from a situation and then instead of allowing God to hold me I attempt to continue to carry on with life ignoring the fact that I’m wounded.  Just like that bird, I tell myself, “I’m fine.  I can handle this on my own.  I don’t need anyone’s help.  I’m going to just pick myself up again and continue on with life as if nothing happened.”  Ignoring a wound doesn’t make it go away.

What is the solution?  Forgiveness.

Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, “Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother when he sins against me?  Up to seven times?”  Jesus answered, “I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times.”  Matthew 18:21-22 (NIV)

Forgiveness can be a tough word but it doesn’t have to be.  Forgiving someone doesn’t mean you are saying, “It’s ok that you hurt me”.  Forgiving someone is a heart issue.  It’s you choosing to say, in your heart, that you forgive and will not hold onto bitterness.  Choosing to forgive doesn’t mean that what that person said or did was right.

Forgiveness is freedom for the forgiver.

When we choose to forgive those that hurt us, it allows our wound to heal enabling us to fly.  Only in the embrace of our Heavenly Father can we find true peace and healing.

Have you currently been wounded by someone?  How are you choosing to respond?

Heart Song: Death of a Loved One

Today I lost a dear friend to a long battle for life against stage four cancer.  Her name is Colleen and you will find some of her comments on this blog.  She was an encouraging voice in my life and I will miss her immensely.

As I am sorting through my emotions of disbelief and sadness I remembered my book and how death was something Abraham had experienced as well.  So I turned to what I know best, God’s word and the inspiration that he gave me in my book.

 Here is an excerpt from my book, Path of the Blessing:

(Found in Genesis 23)

Walking Through the Valley

   Some time later Abraham was told that his brother Nahor had had sons, one of which was Bethuel who became the father of Rebekah.  This is significant because Rebekah goes on to marry Isaac, Sarah and Abraham’s son.

   Sarah then dies at 127 years old.  She died in Hebron in the land of Canaan.  The bible says that Abraham mourned for Sarah and wept over her at her side.  This is definitely a valley experience, when someone you love dies.

    At some point in all of our lives we will find that we walk through the valley of the shadow of death.  This can be experiencing the death of a loved one, or the death of a relationship.  Just because we are finding ourselves in a valley on our path, doesn’t necessarily mean we have gotten off of our path of blessing.  God has led us there and he will lead us through.

 Psalm 23 “The LORD is my shepherd, I lack nothing. 
He makes me lie down in green pastures, 
he leads me beside quiet waters, he refreshes my soul. 
He guides me along the right paths for his name’s sake. Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. 
You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. Surely your goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, 
and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever.” (NIV)

   If you are finding yourself in a valley right now, keep trusting and following the Lord to lead you through. 

As I finished reading these words, it stood out to me that not only will Jesus lead me through, but that death itself is merely a shadow of the reality of eternity we experience as believers and followers of Jesus Christ.

Psalm 23 in the King James version puts it this way in verse 4, Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.

Colleen is now reveling in the presence of the Lord, dancing, and basking in the bliss that only Heaven can offer without a care for the old shadow that this world has now become to her.

So I write all this to say, be comforted by Jesus.  He will lead you through and this life is merely a shadow of the eternity to come.  We will see our loved ones again because of our relationship with Jesus.  AND that brings me great comfort.

Love you Colleen.

Women Competing with Other Women Spells DISASTER

If you’re not familiar with the book of Esther stop reading this blog and give it a read and then come back to this blog.

Esther was a young woman who was in a competition, but she wasn’t competitive.  She was forced to live in a system and a society where she was competing for the heart of the king.  Even in scripture Esther is recorded as not wanting to be in the position she was placed in.  She didn’t want to be there, she didn’t want to compete and tried to live as normal of a life as possible while experiencing life within the walls of the kingdom.  Eventually Esther does meet the king and he favors her above all women.  He chooses her for his wife and the competition is over.

Do you think those other women were jealous of each other during this time?  The Bible doesn’t say exactly, but in my experience if there is an atmosphere of competition then there is jealousy.  Our society today is nothing BUT competition.  We live in a system that confronts us with competitive situations daily and for women that can spell D*I*S*A*S*T*E*R when we choose to participate in competition.

What situation do you find yourself in?

•       You and another woman are competing with one another
•       You are competing with another woman but she won’t compete with you
•       Another woman is competing with you but you won’t compete with her

Esther wasn’t competing; she took on the attitude that if God wants to promote her then she was there for that specific time and place to be used by God for His purposes.  I believe that is the call on all of our lives.  That God promotes and elevates each one of us at a specific time for a specific purpose.  Esther wasn’t promoted to queen just to show the world how beautiful she was, even though she is noted for her beauty.  Esther wasn’t promoted to queen because she was better than everyone else.  Esther WAS promoted as queen to seek the favor of the king so that he might save her people, the Jews.  It was a political move spiritually.  If this is the call for all of us, to be used for a specific time and purpose, to make a difference in this world; to attack the kingdom of darkness in strategic political attacks, then why would any of us women want to compete?  We should be standing by one another, cheering each other on for each success.  Each time a woman you know is elevated and promoted we should share in their joy realizing that God is positioning her for a political attack on the enemy.  When we become jealous of each other, what we’re really doing is working against what God has planned for each one of us.  We are tearing apart the strategic plan making it unsuccessful in defeating our enemy, the devil.

¹² For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Ephesians 6:12 (NIV)

Instead of tearing apart God’s plan for each one of us, let’s tear apart what spells D*I*S*A*S*T*E*R, stop competing with the women around us and start building up one another spelling a much needed word; S*I*S*T*E*R.  When we drop the DIA from the word DISASTER what we are really dropping is a word that is defined in the dictionary as a prefix meaning: apart.  Let’s all make the choice today to not separate and pull apart one another through competition but embrace each other as SISTERS in the Lord.

If you are experiencing a situation where someone is competing with you, have you decided not to compete with them?  In what ways are you not competing with them? Have you ever experience a friendship with another woman that started as competition then changed to sisterhood in the Lord? –Please share your story to encourage others.