If You Do Not Humble Yourself & Work on Your Sin; You’ll Be Forced to Do So

My understanding is that Diddy had been under investigation for some time. This may have led to a belief that he was getting away with his breaking the law. Sometimes, having money and wealth can make people feel they are above the law. However, we now see that isn’t the case.

Likewise, God judges sin. His goodness toward us is not so we can continue in sin. It’s so we can repent from sin. To repent means to turn away or to have a change of direction. Meaning, we should not continue in sin. God’s grace toward us is not a license for sin. It’s space to get things right.

As believers, we have to go through a process of sanctification which leads to holiness. Holiness means to be set apart to the Lord. Within the space of being set apart to the Lord, our perception of God in our lives and in the lives of others is more pronounced.

Sin Separates Us From God

Whereas, the opposite is that sin separates us from God (Isaiah 59:2.) Sin also keeps us outside of the kingdom of God.

Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived. Neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor homosexuals, nor sodomites, nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners will inherit the kingdom of God. And such were some of you. But you were washed, but you were [sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus and by the Spirit of our God. – 1 Corinthians 6:9-11

To inherit means something provided to us by birthright. The things provided to us by birthright will not be inherited here on earth if we choose to continue outside of the way of the Lord. Instead, we become prone to the deception that since we aren’t destroyed yet from our sins, as the wages of sin is death—God must be okay with it. He is not.

Therefore, we will be operating at a lower level in life outside of the authority God has given us. This opens us up to all types of dangerous things. Finally, heaven can be missed by those who continue in sin intentionally choosing not to submit to the Lord.

The Harder Way is to Transgress the Things We Know About God’s Way.

A transgressor’s way will eventually become harder. This is what we see currently going on with Diddy. He got away from the Christian influences within his upbringing. There have been little bits and pieces of Sean P Diddy Combs’ affiliation with faith over the years. For example, he mentioned a gospel album, a Catholic school attendance as a child, and saying God is his best friend in an interview. However, these religious affiliations did not lead to obedience and dying to his flesh.

Let’s not forget a very important part of being considered a believer or follower of Christ requires us to go through a process of dying to our flesh. We should be becoming new creations in Christ as the old ungodly ways we’d walked in are passing away. When we refuse to walk out this process—we only practice religion and not a real genuine relationship with God. This is also a form of deception.

Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. – 2 Corinthians 5:17

Then Jesus said to his disciples, “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. – Matthew 16:24

Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like someone who looks at his face in a mirror and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. – James 1:23-24

A Form of Godliness is not Walking Out the Gospel.

It appears that Diddy only had a form of godliness but denied the power of God unto salvation. You see the power of God to save us is not just to forgive us for our sins. Although, this is part of it. It’s to empower us to overcome our sins through the processes that I mentioned above. Anyone who decides to go another way is considered to have a semblance of godliness but not true godliness. Instead, they deny God’s power to sanctify them into a lifestyle of righteousness. This doesn’t necessarily happen overnight for everyone, but there should be some evidence that the process is at work within our lives.

Having a form of godliness but denying the power thereof: from such turn away. – 2 Timothy 3:5

Diddy could have decided to work on himself at any given moment, but he chose to continue what he was doing. Little did he know, his behavior was being observed by law enforcement and now he is forced to give an account to the law. This is the very same thing that will happen to those who choose to ignore the voice of the Holy Spirit to convict them of sin.

I believe this is what it means to grieve the Holy Spirit and to blaspheme against the Holy Spirit. It’s to ignore the leading of the Holy Spirit and his conviction. This will only lead to more darkness and destruction. It’s better to choose the fear of the Lord and to submit to him. God has given us everything we need to live a holy life but we have to be willing to yield to him and his process of sanctification. The Lord will help us to overcome sin.

When he comes, he will prove the world to be in the wrong about sin and righteousness and judgment:  about sin, because people do not believe in me; about righteousness because I am going to the Father, where you can see me no longer; and about judgment, because the prince of this world now stands condemned. – John 16:8-11

Quick Summary of the Gospel

Jesus, God’s son, was set aside to pay the penalty for man’s sin before the world was formed. He is referred to as the lamb who was slain before the foundation of the world. It has always been God’s plan to save mankind. He knew we would sin.

With Jesus being God in the flesh, he is the lamb without spot or blemish that provides an acceptable sacrifice for man’s sin. This is why, in the Old Testament, the Israelites had to offer a lamb for their sins. Read up on the Passover lamb in Exodus 12.

This was a symbol of Jesus Christ who was to be revealed as the Passover lamb for mankind many years later. Thus, causing us to avoid the result of sin which is the 2nd death. The second death is separation from God for an eternity in hell.

Those who are saved are those who believe Jesus is the son of God who died for their sins and rose again. We confess this with our mouths and believe in our hearts per Romans Chapter 10. At which point, we begin to learn to walk with the Lord through reading his Word—the Bible and praying daily. Finally, we get into a healthy church community where we can continue to learn and grow in Christ.

Toward the end of my last trial, I had a dream. In the dream, people were waiting in line to get a word of prophecy. I was sitting down in the dream and a woman sat next to me and began to prophesy reminding me of who I am and that I am blessed. She said the below:

“You are amazingly blessed. And yes, God did expose the plan of the enemy. God is bringing you into a deeper level of peace and you will see it.”

I woke up pondering on the dream. I wrote it down in my journal. I believe after we come out of difficult trials—God begins to build us up reminding us of who we are because we sometimes forget. Especially, when we find ourselves in a place like Job where it’s been one thing after the other. Our flesh just wants to give up, but our spirit is sustained in the hope that comes from the word of God.

Remember we live by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God (Matthew 4:4.) Also, God’s reminder of who we are through his word reduces anxiety and heaviness.

Anxiety weighs down the heart, but a kind word cheers it up. – Proverbs 12:25 (NIV)

Blessed Means Happy?

During the time of the dream, I had been in a season of facing much anxiety. To my surprise, I’d been studying the Bible one day and the word blessed was in the scripture. Upon looking up the meaning of blessed in the original language—it’s definition meant happy. I was shocked! How many of you have heard a sermon that said, “Jesus did not die on the cross to make us happy.” I have and I can understand it.

There are lots of circumstances that come with this life where we do not feel happy at all. Another defining word in the definition is to be fortunate or blessed. The below definition of blessed comes from the Beatitudes in Matthew 5 which is all about being blessed.

Blessed: Makarios (In Hebrew) Blessed, happy. – Thayer Definition.  Fortunate, well off: blessed, happy – Strong’s definition.

God still Blesses Us Exceedingly, Abundantly, Above What We Ask or Think

Not only did the woman in my dream call me blessed, but she said amazingly blessed. This is beyond the norm. How ironic that Jesus would use the term blessed for the poor in spirit, those who mourn, the meek, who are often overlooked, the merciful, the pure, the peacemakers, and those who experience persecution and people talking about them negatively.

Most of these reasons Jesus is listing for us being blessed are uncomfortable situations. It’s the things that make us feel like giving up. Jesus is saying, even in these things, if we look up to see what God is saying—we are blessed.

He’s reminding us who we are after a form of some sort of suffering so that we will remember and not lose hope. This article is just that. A reminder for us all not to give up or lose hope but to continue to trust in the Lord and celebrate the fact that we are blessed.

God summarizes the basic necessities for Israel when they obey him in Deuteronomy 28:1-14

Obedience to God Always Leads to a Blessing Even When It Doesn’t Appear That Way

If you fully obey the Lord your God and carefully follow all his commands I give you today, the Lord your God will set you high above all the nations on earth. All these blessings will come on you and accompany you if you obey the Lord your God:

 You will be blessed in the city and blessed in the country. The fruit of your womb will be blessed, and the crops of your land and the young of your livestock—the calves of your herds and the lambs of your flocks. Your basket and your kneading trough will be blessed. You will be blessed when you come in and blessed when you go out.

The Lord will grant that the enemies who rise against you will be defeated before you. They will come at you from one direction but flee from you in seven. The Lord will send a blessing on your barns and on everything you put your hand to. The Lord your God will bless you in the land he is giving you.

The Lord will establish you as his holy people, as he promised you on oath if you keep the commands of the Lord your God and walk in obedience to him. Then all the people on earth will see that you are called by the name of the Lord, and they will fear you.  The Lord will grant you abundant prosperity—in the fruit of your womb, the young of your livestock, and the crops of your ground—in the land he swore to your ancestors to give you.

The Lord will open the heavens, the storehouse of his bounty, to send rain on your land in season and to bless all the work of your hands. You will lend to many nations but will borrow from none.  The Lord will make you the head, not the tail. If you pay attention to the commands of the Lord your God that I give you this day and carefully follow them, you will always be at the top, never at the bottom.  Do not turn aside from any of the commands I give you today, to the right or the left, following other gods and serving them. – Deuteronomy 28:1-14

Israel was a Metaphor for What was to God–Salvation Through Christ. We are a metaphor for What was–God’s covenant Commitment to Israel.

We are spiritual Israel. Meaning, we are a modern-day metaphor for Israel as believers in Christ. Remember Israel was an example of God’s covenant with man in the Old Testament. Now, God’s covenant with man is seen in the New Testament through covenant with Christ.

Just like God promised Israel all of these blessings for obedience. We also have all of these blessings as a result of our obedience. It feels like an oxymoron suffering and being obedient. However, this is a reality. The suffering can cause us to lose sight of the fact that we are blessed. Other believers may look at those who are suffering with snickering as if they had to commit some sort of sin for suffering. It can make one feel like he’s cursed. However, even in that, God says we are blessed.

The blessings mentioned in Deuteronomy 28 are blessings of basic provision. God mentions our families will be blessed, our wealth or economic security, our food pantries, and everything we do. Our enemies who set themselves against us will be humbled and defeated. Have you noticed any of this within your life? If yes, you are blessed. Even when things don’t look blessed per Matthew 5, you are blessed.

There are so many blessings we have as believers—I cannot name them all. I’ll just share one of my favorite blessings before I close this article out.

Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. – Matthew 5:3

The above blessings are for those who walk in humility. They are guaranteed help from heaven. Sometimes, we may be humbled by life. People may misunderstand us. We may not have opportunities that others have or we may feel lacking in a particular way. However, these things can make us humble opening us up for the greatest boost to push us forward and that is the hand of God. We are blessed!

So, go ahead and play Fred Hammond’s blessed song below as a reminder of who you are:

God is the covering for single women

This post is not about bashing men. We know that God covers both men and women as he gave his life through Jesus Christ for both men and women. However, there is a natural desire for safety, security, and cover that a woman has where while single—she may find it difficult to rest regarding this.

The Single Woman on Her Own

The single woman can feel up in the air, on edge, or even anxious about life circumstances when she isn’t aware that God is her covering. As single Christian women, we are often required to deal with things on our own. To have someone available at all times to listen to us, consider us, and extend covering to us—is a dream yet to be fulfilled for many of us. It can leave us feeling forgotten while suffering through various longings in hopes of genuine love and care.

I’d experienced this recently after being price-gouged on a trip I took. I guess the gentleman felt I was a woman traveling alone—I would just pay up. He may have also thought she’s American—they are rich. That just isn’t the case. The service should match the cost. God used this little incident to show me I was not alone and he had me covered even though I was a single woman.

I spoke with others about it on the way to the airport on the airport shuttle. They agreed it was price gouging sharing that the normal price for the service I received was $50 while I was charged $145. I was encouraged to call my credit card company which is through Chase Bank. I explained what happened upon calling. Chase understood and said they’d open up a dispute on my behalf and only charge me what I thought was fair.

Not Alone and Covered

I ended up deciding $60 was fair after some research—although I would have paid the gentleman up to $99 if he was open to negotiating the price. He was not. Chase shared they took the loss for me of the $85 that I felt was over the normal amount I would have been charged. I was floored. The customer service lady for Chase said they’d reach out to the gentleman and if he is willing to take less—he’ll pay the difference but if not—Chase will continue to carry the difference.

I immediately felt covered. I paused and asked her to repeat saying I didn’t know they’d be willing to take a loss for me. They said they wanted to make sure their customer was satisfied. Again, I felt covered and thanked them. This, of course, isn’t a feeling I’m used to experiencing as a single woman. It’s so nice and reassuring to feel covered.

God, I believe, was using this instance to reassure me I was not alone but covered. I began a consecration just after this experience and while in prayer was led to read Romans 8 which also reminds us we aren’t alone but we are covered as believers.

God Takes Responsibility for Us

I’d dealt with some fear. So, in Romans 8:15—I was reminded that God has not given us the spirit of bondage that keeps us in fear but he’s given us the spirit of adoption that calls us sons and daughters of God. This means God takes responsibility to cover us as his children. Therefore, we call him father.

Later, in Romans 8—it’s discussed how the Holy Spirit bears witness with our spirit that we are God’s sons and daughters and the entirety of creation is rooting and waiting for us to come into the knowledge of who we are. Lastly, Romans 8 talks about how God makes intercession for us covering us in prayer.

To reiterate the above isn’t just for women but men too. However, due to our need for safety and security, this article is addressed to women. Some women will go to great lengths to feel that covering from a physical man, even if he isn’t a healthy man. When all we have to do as women is to sit with the Lord.

The Bible says a prudent wife is found in the Lord. That’s because God is her covering. He’s shielding and protecting her. He covers her with wisdom as a defense while she is being made into a wife with God.

Houses and wealth are inherited from parents, but a prudent wife is from the LORD. – Proverbs 19:14

The prudent wife cannot be gained because one is wealthy but she is put together by God with God. He takes full responsibility for her. He also entrusts her to a man worthy of protecting her heart. She is worthy of covering and God makes sure she receives that.

Later, I was led to Genesis 32 to further deal with my fears. God was showing me through that passage of scripture that I was not the only one dealing with fear surrounding something God had promised me. Jacob was also dealing with fear concerning a promise God provided to him through his father and grandfather. That promise was that God would make a great nation of him as multiple as the sands of the sea.

Jacob was afraid he’d be killed by his brother Esau. Esau had promised to kill him the last time they’d met because Jacob stole his birthright. Because Jacob was operating out of fear—he tried to figure out how to appease his brother. He came up with offering him several gifts of cattle from his wealth before his brother sees him. Perhaps, his brother would be convinced to have mercy on him from this act.

When We Do Not Feel Covered We Attempt to Find Ways to Cover Ourselves

That’s a lot like us. When we do not feel covered—we attempt to figure out ways to cover ourselves. I’ve tried everything I could to open myself up to find a natural covering in the form of a husband. Nothing has worked. I simply have to live with the void of romantic love while trusting God. At least, until God changes things for me.

Jacob came to a similar conclusion. He’d done all he could think to do in the natural. Then, he recounted God’s promise toward him—trusting in God.

Then Jacob prayed, “O God of my father Abraham, God of my father Isaac, Lord, you who said to me, ‘Go back to your country and your relatives, and I will make you prosper,’

I am unworthy of all the kindness and faithfulness you have shown your servant. I had only my staff when I crossed this Jordan, but now I have become two camps.  Save me, I pray, from the hand of my brother Esau, for I am afraid he will come and attack me, and also the mothers with their children.  But you have said, ‘I will surely make you prosper and will make your descendants like the sand of the sea, which cannot be counted.’” – Genesis 32:9-12

Wrestling Through Our Fears & Challenges With God

Next, Jacob began to wrestle with the angel of the Lord. He told him he would not let him go until he blessed him. This is when God changed his name from Jacob to Israel meaning God prevails. I believe God was letting Jacob know—he did not have to be afraid anymore. He is covered. God had already taken care of it and changed his brother’s heart. Therefore—he would overcome the fear prevailing in the situation through God.

That is just what happened. When Esau met with Jacob—they embraced one another. I don’t even believe Esau accepted the gift. He was simply happy to see his brother.

God was covering me and the fears I was experiencing. He was letting me know I’d prevail through my worries too. My fears would not prevail over me. I pray for everyone reading this—men and women to know if you are a son or daughter of God—you are covered. You do not have to lend yourself to fleshly things lesser than who you are for a feeling of being covered. Always, remember God is your covering.

Recently, Mya interviewed with “Way Up with Angela Yee.” She shared how she’d been abstinent for 7 years. When asked what it did for her, she shared that it provided mental clarity. It allowed her to do without, which shifted her mindset away from the rush to be married and in a relationship. Because that’s what we’re taught to do as women. There’s a lot of pressure on women to be wifed-up by a certain age.

Mya on Feeling Valid Before Being Wifed-Up

It helped her to feel valid without having those things. It isn’t that she doesn’t want those things. She thinks love is beautiful and supports more love, but more important than the idea of love—she brings out the lesson of self-worth while waiting, hoping, and doing the work within ourselves to secure that love if we so desire.

Mya Shares Keys to Health and Wholeness

Mya gave many nuggets as she provided an example of some important keys to health and wholeness. One is personal responsibility. Mya shared the importance of starting with yourself. We have to choose to love ourselves—so we can select well.

Additionally, the Bible teaches us to love God with our heart, soul, mind, and strength and to love our neighbor as we love ourselves. So, we know the proper order is to learn to love God. Upon learning to love God—we begin to receive his love for us.

Out of that love, we learn to love ourselves and it overflows toward others. Mya did mention spirituality but I’m not clear on her religion. It could be possible that she is Christian.

Pressures on Everyday Women and Boundaries to Block Out the Noise

This is the same Mya that, at 40 years old, had a ceremony to marry herself for a music video called, “The Truth.” The purpose of the video and song was to remind women that while society places pressure on us to be married by a certain age or we aren’t seen as honest, good, worthy, or desirable—we are still those things if we’re willing to do the work on ourselves to become that.

She repeats the same narratives within the above interview but adds boundaries and knows how to say no. Prioritizing your peace, rest, and personal health is key. Yes, ladies—this includes blocking out the noise that makes us feel unworthy because we have not attained yet what society and even religion and family pressure us to attain by a certain age.

It’s Okay to Be True to You

Some people cannot have children while others choose not to and that’s okay. The truth in her song is learning about yourself and being true to yourself. Ultimately, we are the ones who have to live with our choices—so we better be sure we’re making the right one for ourselves and not due to the noise of the pressure that women and sometimes men often face.Marriage is holy and honorable before God. Taking our time to get it right should be expected not ostracized.

Consider making a commitment to yourself and to God to take care of you by speaking what God says over you and not the world.

See the video of Mya below discussing her music video for the Truth:

Everybody is trying to figure out how to be successful. True sucess; however, is being committed to the will of God. Period! Often people see the result of favor without seeing the behind-the-scenes of how that favor from God has been produced.

Mary Mary had a song, back in the day, called, “It’s the God in Me.” The lyrics go like the below:

“You think I’m so fresh. You think I’m so clean. You think I’m so sweet. It’s the God in me. What is it you think you see? It’s the God in me.”

The lyrics were pointing to the idea that it really isn’t about the person. It’s not an “it” factor where some people have it while others do not. It’s a thing of surrendering to Christ. It’s surrendering to reflecting God’s image in the earth. This is one of the main purposes of mankind, as mentioned in Genesis 2 in the Bible.

Therefore, it’s the things people do not see that produce God’s favor in our lives. Things like fearing the Lord which result in God’s wisdom. Submission to God’s wisdom is a prerequisite for God’s favor.

“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.” – Proverbs 9:10

For whoso findeth me (wisdom) findeth life, and shall obtain favor of the LORD. – Proverbs 8:35

The fear of the Lord produces the wisdom of God in our lives. That is knowing what knowledge to apply to a given situation. Yielding ourselves to the wisdom of God out of fear for the Lord, meaning reverence for the Lord—is what produces that favor in our lives. The next scripture in Proverbs 8 comes from the wisdom chapter where King Solomon describes wisdom as crying out in the streets for the simple to turn in and listen to her following her instruction.

Those who decide to follow her instruction find two things—life and favor. The wisdom of God being enacted in our lives isn’t always so obvious to others. It is practiced in the personal parts of our everyday lives. When we humble ourselves daily to seek the Lord in prayer and reading his word—its wisdom. God’s wisdom.

When we decide to practice integrity in secret despite others not knowing or seeing our choice—that is practicing the wisdom of God.  Those who walk in the wisdom of God have a sensitivity that God always sees them and they have to give an account to God for their deeds. Therefore, they make decisions that they believe God would approve of.

God sees this behavior and rewards it with his favor. Joseph was a good example of this. Although, no one would have known that his boss’ wife wanted to sleep with him—he did not oblige the wife’s advance. Instead, he ran knowing that God was watching his actions.

Of course, he ended up suffering because of making the right decision which sometimes happens. We ought to remember that God’s word encourages suffering for righteousness rather than unrighteousness.

But even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed. “Do not fear their threats; do not be frightened.” – 1 Peter 3:14

The suffering that Joseph experienced worked out for his good as it got him promoted with another Pharoah after he’d interpreted the dreams of a baker and the cup-bearer. The baker would later give him a recommendation for promotion with the new Pharoah. We have to remember that suffering; although, long will eventually lead to our promotion.

God brings about the fruit of the Holy Spirit within us while suffering. Things like patience, love joy, peace, kindness, faithfulness, self-control, gentleness and more. The Bible talks about how even Jesus learned obedience through the things he suffered. I’m sharing this so you aren’t deceived into believing God has left you or his favor is no longer upon you because of a long season of suffering.

Our experiences with suffering do not determine our worth to God. As a matter of fact—in the scripture where Jesus’ suffering is discussed—It says although he was a son—he learned obedience through what he suffered. That means God still saw Jesus as his son. He still had inheritance rights. One of the main inheritance rights of a son is acceptance from his father. So, like Christ—God still accepts us as his children in our suffering. He is still responsible for us.

Never believe a lie that your worth is diminished in God’s eyes due to your suffering. It’s temporary. Allow the Lord to give you wisdom in your suffering that will result in his favor. Another way to get God’s wisdom is to simply ask him for it.

If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him.  – James 1:5

Asking God for wisdom demonstrates humility and trust in God to provide for us. All we have to do is yield to the wisdom God provides and the result will be God’s favor.

Trauma is a response to a traumatic event

Trauma is a response to a traumatic experience that has occurred in our lives. We see in the Bible that a traumatic experience occurred within Jacob’s family. He’d lost his son Joseph. Under the impression that his son was dead; he lived with the trauma of that loss.

Trauma shows up in many ways such as shock, sadness, anxiety or overwhelm in response to the traumatic event. It also can show up as fear and avoidance. We know that fear is paralyzing keeping us in the same place. However, it’s God’s will for us to experience a fully abundant life. This means that we have to work through the fear and challenges that come with trauma.

Don’t seek to Avoid Facing the Fear from Your Trauma

One of the many key factors in overcoming trauma is not to avoid facing the fears and emotions that come with the trauma, but to learn to healthily work through it. Jacob was so aware of his trauma as a result of losing his son that he could articulate it well to his community.

Their father Jacob said to them, “You have deprived me of my children. Joseph is no more and Simeon is no more, and now you want to take Benjamin. Everything is against me!” – Genesis 42:36

But Jacob said, “My son will not go down there with you; his brother is dead and he is the only one left. If harm comes to him on the journey you are taking, you will bring my gray head down to the grave in sorrow.” – Genesis 42:38

How Jacob Got to a Place of Trauma

Let me give you the backstory for anyone who isn’t familiar with this story. Joseph’s brothers had sold him into slavery and led their father Jacob to believe he was dead. Years later, Jacob sent his sons to Egypt to buy food because they’d been in a famine. Joseph, Jacob’s son unbeknownst to his brothers and father, was the ruler of the land.

He accused the brothers of being spies to search out the land instead of buying food. Joseph shared with his brothers that the only way he would believe they weren’t spies would be for them to bring back their youngest brother, Benjamin. Benjamin was Joseph’s full brother. The above scripture is Jacob’s response to his son’s request to get Benjamin back to him.

Time Will Need to Be Allowed to Heal from Trauma

When we are in trauma, it takes time to heal. It takes time before we are truly ready to face and accept the traumatic experience that has occurred and the fact that we have to face how we feel along with our fears to move forward. This is why it’s important not to take drugs or alcohol while processing trauma because they can numb how we feel. This results in us delaying ourselves the benefit of working through our trauma. Working through our trauma is what eventually leads to healing.

Jacob was still working through the trauma of losing his son Joseph. Benjamin, having been requested to leave him was a trigger point for his trauma causing discomfort.

Sometimes, carrying trauma can push us into such a place of discomfort requiring us to face our fears. In Jacob’s case, the food had run low again. He had to face his fear of sending his youngest son, Benjamin, to Egypt or else he and his family would have died.

Now the famine was still severe in the land. So, when they had eaten all the grain they had brought from Egypt, their father said to them, “Go back and buy us a little more food.” – Genesis 43:1

Take your brother also and go back to the man at once. And may God Almighty grant you mercy before the man so that he will let your other brother and Benjamin come back with you. As for me, if I am bereaved, I am bereaved.” – Genesis 43:13-14

Our Trust in God Grows as We Work Through Our Trauma Facing Our Fears

On top of Jacob, facing his fears, he had to also trust God with whatever the outcome would be. He had to make a choice saying to himself that he would still be okay, come what may. We have to do the same thing when our hearts become faint at traumatic experiences that we’ve encountered. Little did Jacob realize; that his entire remaining years would not be marked by trauma. He would experience joy again in a way that seemed unreal.

When we are dealing with trauma, it feels the same. It feels like we will not be able to live again to the full extent that maybe we have lived before. But when we face our fears working through our trauma trusting in God—He will exceed our expectations to the point of being stunned.

Jacob’s Restoration

Let me share what happened next. The brothers went back to Egypt with their younger brother Benjamin. After Joseph tested his brothers, to see if they would protect his younger brother Benjamin, he revealed himself to his brothers. His brothers went back to their father sharing that Joseph was yet alive and was the governor of Egypt. The Bible says Jacob was stunned at this news.

One translation of scripture says, Jacob’s heart fainted within him at the news because he did not believe them. The word faint in Greek means to grow numb or be feeble. This was a state Jacob had lived in. I believe the news initially acted as a trigger to take him back to the place of the pain of the loss of his son. Yet, he stayed engaged with his sons as they continued to show him proof.

He finally knew it was not a cruel joke. His son Joseph was indeed alive and longed to see him. Jacob went from being faint-hearted to his heart and spirit being revived.

But when they told him everything Joseph had said to them, and when he saw the carts, Joseph had sent to carry him back, the spirit of their father Jacob revived. And Israel said, “I’m convinced! My son Joseph is still alive. I will go and see him before I die.” – Genesis 45:27-28

I believe this story is a picture of how God wishes for us to walk in freedom after experiencing traumatic heartache. He doesn’t want us to stay in that place of pain. He wants us to keep on living—not just to get through the day, but to greatly enjoy our days. If you are on a journey to healing after experiencing any type of trauma or heartache; please remember it will not always be this way. God has more for you. Your life isn’t over. Continue to trust God to see what he uses to revive your spirit.

Know that God will also always use our traumatic experiences for our good and the good of others as he did with Joseph, his brothers, and Jacob. We can expect this as God is the same yesterday, today, and forever.

How to Navigate Persecution from Believers

Following Christ will come with some persecution. I share this because I do not want anyone to turn away from walking with the Lord due to persecution. Christ even warned us in his word that those who follow him will have to bear their cross.

We know the cross is symbolic of Christ’s suffering, which can be viewed as a form of persecution. However, Christ’s suffering was not without a purpose. God promises to use all things including persecution to work together for our good. Not only does it work together for our good but for the good of the kingdom of God.

See below encouraging verses on persecution:

But even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed. “Do not fear their threats; do not be frightened.” – 1 Peter 3:14

Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution. – 2 Timothy 3:12

Then Jesus said unto His disciples, “If any man will come after Me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow Me. – Matthew 16:24

The book of Acts is an amazing book to read when in the process of being persecuted. It helps us to see the bigger picture in persecution and gives us truth to combat the lies Satan speaks to us while in persecution.

In the book of Acts, we see the disciples being put into jail and rejoicing that they get to suffer for such a great cause—the kingdom of God.

So, they departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for His name. – Acts 5:41

Here, Peter had just escaped prison with others of the disciples. They were beaten publicly as a shameful disgrace but that isn’t how they saw it. I’d asked God, “How did they get to the point of rejoicing under the pressure of their persecution and immediately, I thought of Hebrews 12.

“Fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.” – Hebrews 12:2

When others try to force shame on you—do like Jesus and don’t pay much attention to it. You aren’t in a shameful position. You’re in a position where you should have hope of Joy—like Jesus. People sometimes persecute others because of their lack of understanding. Not because they are evil people.

Persecution from Other Believers is Hurtful

Much of the persecution we experience that will be hurtful will come from other believers. We have to rely on the Lord for grace and strength to not deal with them according to our flesh but with understanding hearts. Often, God will use our continued obedience within the persecution as an example to those who do not know better.

Even Jesus said, “Father forgive them because they do not know what they do.” Stephen, one of Jesus’ disciples who was stoned for the sake of the gospel said the same thing looking into heaven before he gave up his last breath. Jesus and Stephen had an understanding of their persecutors. They understood they were ignorant of what they were being required to walk through by God. Having an understanding of our persecutors helps us to practice patience with them.

Practicing patience with our detractors becomes our honor:

A person’s insight gives him patience, and his virtue is to overlook an offense. – Proverbs 19:11 (CSB)

Finally, it takes humility to know or understand more than someone who has decided to persecute you and still not seek revenge or harm against our persecutors. In short, enduring persecution is another opportunity for us to practice humility.

God use Persecution for Our Good and to Spread the Gospel

Remember God always uses persecution and all things to work together for our good and the good of the kingdom. This is seen in Acts 10 and 11 just after Stephen is stoned. He submits himself to God praying for his assailants. Next, the church is shocked by this gruesome death for the gospel’s sake. It just got real! Thus, we see the church scattered in Acts 11. This, although difficult, aided in causing the gospel to spread quickly into other regions. Where God’s people scattered—the gospel followed and more and more people were saved.

“The Lord’s hand was with them, and a great number of people believed and turned to the Lord – Acts 11:21

God was with them in persecution and he will be with us. There’s another story where God tells Paul not to be afraid to continue preaching the gospel. The apostles were living in real-time persecution that produced real fear. Just like with us. Sometimes the persecution can get so heavy—we live facing real fears.

However, God is faithful to walk through every fear with us and to empower us to go on—in his name. Just like he did with Daniel and his friends in the fiery furnace—he’ll do with us. This isn’t new. It’s all a part of the process.

Some key things to remember regarding persecution:

See below notes… Also, add scripture in Acts with Paul being warned by God not to be afraid to continue to preach the gospel.

Living Boldly in the Peculiarity of Extended Singleness

Boldness is a by-product of walking with God as a believer. If we don’t have it immediately—God will allow circumstances to develop it within us. When God leads us through peculiar situations—we end up having to walk out choices that others aren’t used to nor do others expect.

Because our lives can sometimes go against the norm of what’s expected of us—others feel emboldened to insert their opinions into our lives. They lack understanding of what is really going on with us and in many ways, we become educators to them by our example.

However, if we aren’t confident in our boldness, we may acquiesce to try to please those who lack understanding rather than obeying God’s trajectory for our lives. Usually, when God has a unique trajectory for our lives—there is a specific purpose. Not everyone will understand and it will require boldness.

Jesus Exampled Boldness Shocking the Expectation of the Religious Leaders

Jesus lived in a peculiar situation. He had a purpose of revealing who he was as the son of God and destroying the works of Satan. This involved him traveling around preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God. It was outside of the norm of what some of the religious leaders expected.

He was not as concerned with the law as he was with mankind receiving salvation. The religious leaders had missed the main point of the law which was to point to our need for Christ. This is seen in the story where Jesus and some of his disciples picked corn on the Sabbath day:

“At that time Jesus went through the grainfields on the Sabbath. His disciples were hungry and began to pick some heads of grain and eat them.  When the Pharisees saw this, they said to him, “Look! Your disciples are doing what is unlawful on the Sabbath.”

 He answered, “Haven’t you read what David did when he and his companions were hungry? He entered the house of God, and he and his companions ate the consecrated bread—which was not lawful for them to do, but only for the priests.

Or haven’t you read in the Law that the priests on Sabbath duty in the temple desecrate the Sabbath and yet are innocent?  I tell you that something greater than the temple is here.  If you had known what these words mean, ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice,’ you would not have condemned the innocent.  For the Son of Man is Lord of the Sabbath. – Matthew 12:1-8”

Jesus and his Disciples were in a Peculiar Situation.

Jesus replied, “Foxes have dens and birds have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lay his head.” – Matthew 8:20

The above speaks of the sacrifice required, at the time, to follow Christ and to prioritize God’s purpose for Christ being on the earth. He had a mission to reveal salvation through himself and train the disciples so they could further spread the gospel after he retired back up to heaven.

Therefore, he had no plans of living a normal life of only working, eating, and drinking. He made sacrifices. He traveled a lot to spread the Word of the gospel. Yet, he was condemned by the religious leaders simply because they lacked understanding.

In this life of spontaneity, he and his disciples had become hungry. They began to pick some corn on the sabbath day to eat. Instead of considering the unique situation that Jesus and his disciples lived in for the purpose of God—the religious leaders judged them by law. They did not consider the welfare of Jesus or his disciples. Instead, their concern was making themselves look good in upholding the law.

Jesus was patient with them as he referenced David who lived in a Peculiar situation as well. David was also not settled in what we would consider a home or place of safety. He had been running for his life from King Saul who sought to kill him.

Therefore, David had to hide. This lifestyle of being on the run—caused him and his men who were with him to be hungry. They ate the bread that should have been consecrated for the priests.

Both David & Jesus’ Peculiar Living Situations for the Purpose God had Ordained Caused Them to Have to Take Actions Others Weren’t Comfortable With

God’s purpose with King David was to develop the character within him to be King of Israel. Not only did the future King David have to be developed by God to be king, but to be a type or metaphor that points toward Christ. You see, Israel was never supposed to have a king but God was supposed to be their king. God is married to Israel per the book of Jeremiah. It’s a picture of God’s covenant of love, commitment, salvation, and restoration of mankind.

This is why King David’s throne is the throne that will always have a ruler of David’s lineage. Jesus is the final ruler. who is also referenced as the Son of David. Jesus fulfills the prophecy to always reign on David’s throne. I hope this isn’t too deep. If you read your study Bible you will see all of the references of how all of this ties together.

With such great purposes—there is often great weight that others who have different callings do not have to deal with. Therefore, the advice offered by others may not even be applicable to the person it is being offered to. Just like our examples of Jesus and David. They had to do what they had to do to eat on the Sabbath day. And David had to do what he had to do to survive for God’s purpose in him.

Similarly, to King David and Jesus Each of Us has Our Own Cross to Bear of The Lord for Some of Us It’s Being Single Longer (Extended Singleness)

Being single for long periods of time looks awkward. Especially for those for whom marriage came easy. However, I’m sure God doesn’t want us to try to force a relationship to experience marriage. God doesn’t get glory out of people just getting married. He gets glory out of people having marriages that honor him. Until then, he is honored in our obedience to him as a single believer.

I’m not asking for anyone’s permission to be accepted with them to stand in boldness as a single. I’ve gotten to the point where I simply do not care. Whoever is with me is with me and whoever is against me is against me. God called me to walk in boldness as I enjoy my singleness and walk out the unique sacrifices that come with this lifestyle.

Others will not understand, as they did not understand King David or Jesus. However, my responsibility is not to acquiesce to other’s expectations of me—but to be bold like my example—the chief—Jesus Christ himself.

The wicked flee when no man pursueth, but the righteous are bold as a lion. – Proverbs 28:1

Stand your ground in boldness, gentleness, and grace. Boldness meaning, “A willingness to take risks and act innovatively; confidence or courage. 2. The quality of having a strong, vivid, or clear appearance (Oxyford Languages Dictionary, 2024.)”

Why Being Friends First Makes for a Better Relationship

Russelyn, you’re not in a relationship yet? An all too familiar inferential question to singles implying there is something wrong. However, having healthy relationships with people of the opposite sex as friends is a relationship just not a romantic one.  At least, not at first and that’s okay. Why? Because friendship provides a healthy foundation for a more satisfactory relationship.

Trust is Built as a Friendship Provides a More Solid Foundation for a Lasting Relationship

Those who establish a genuine friendship first before entering a romantic relationship have gotten the most important things out of the way. Things like shared values, seeing a person for who they are without the pressure of feeling as though they have to be perfect or impress the other person.

Real trust is built in this type of environment. Further, the tools to cultivate healthy communication and resolve conflict are developed within an environment where those involved feel safe to be themselves.

Lust is not a Good Foundation for Love

The contrary is an environment built on lust. Passionate lust often causes us to move so fast that nothing else becomes more important than satisfying our lust. When the lust fizzes out—there is nothing else to hold the relationship up with. The realities of character flaws that were previously ignored begin to chip away at what’s left of a connection until the connection is completely gone. Therefore, lust is a poor foundation for a relationship. While friendship allows for more stability when a relationship finally does turn romantic.

What Does This Tell Us?

It’s more beneficial to focus on building friendships with others than dating relationships. Those of us who desire something real may mention we want an organic relationship—something that kind of just comes together.

Friendship creates an environment where something can just come together. Therefore, those who encourage people who are single and desire marriage should encourage singles to place themselves within environments with people they can build friendships with not just to date. Out of the safe environment of friendship dating can occur while yielding a more productive relationship.

Friendships Help to Guard One Another’s Hearts Along with Honesty

Friendships help to guard one another’s hearts better as there isn’t a false expectation of more. However, some friends can be dishonest and only remain present in the hopes of romance. This is where honesty becomes important. Beginning with honesty about whether there is a genuine attraction or not to a friend.

No one should agree to be in a romantic relationship with someone just because someone is a good person and there is no genuine attraction there. A genuine attraction would have to grow at some point for the relationship to develop into something more.

I read a book where a Christian psychologist encouraged a woman seeking a healthy relationship to find someone like her genuine guy friend who she shared values with but also had an attraction to. A person may not be the magazine or movie star level of attraction but there should be some genuine attraction there. If no genuine attraction ever grows—that person is probably only meant to stay in the friend zone and that’s okay.

Other Benefits to Being Friends First

Research shows there are lower divorce rates among those who are friends first. The emotional bond between the couple tends to be stronger when the couple are Best friends as well. Higher levels of marriage satisfaction and happiness are reported among couples who are friends first.

A study in a book by Dr. John Gottman, Judy Doug Abrams, and Rachel Karl Abrams shares that men have sex for an emotional connection while women need an emotional connection to have sex. Among those surveyed over 90% of men and women agreed with this statement. Therefore, the sex life can be better in a relationship where the couple are friends first due to the stronger emotional connection.

If you’re worn out by the distress of dating—fallback, enjoy your life in Christ, and focus on building healthy friendships with others including the opposite sex. When the time is right—you’ll see one of your healthy friendships develop into more.