John 16:33 says this: These things I have spoken to you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation, but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world!
An overcomer is one who rises above the storm…He is one who stands on the rock after he has made his climb! He is one who never gives up-rain, sleet or shine! The one who never stops and keeps up the fight of faith.
There will always be trouble. For sure, you can find it at every turn. You don’t have to look for it. It has a way of finding you. Instead, look for the lord. Look for heaven. Look above the storm. Beyond the trouble, beyond the disappointments.
Next on the agenda, be of good cheer. Look unto Jesus the author and finisher of your faith. That will give you a positive outcome.
Be an overcomer!
Giving up is not an option for you. We are praying for you; interceding for you. You say, “I’m totally overwhelmed. I can’t do this anymore. I’m burned out!” I have news for you! Our head intercessor, Jesus Christ, is always interceding for you! We are joining Him. The Holy Spirit says, “let go” of all of the “stuff” you’re weighted down with. Something is about to shift. Your breakthrough is on the way. In your breaking will be your making! Get ready.
I remember when the love of my life was called home to heaven. Jesus rescued him from the misery that he was experiencing. He loved life and his will to live was strong. So many were praying for him and for our family. I know those prayers held us together. Two and a half years have passed now and God’s grace has been abundant in all of this journey. I had lost the person that I thought I was. In doing so, rebuilding and restoration are still taking place. I think I rode the “coattails” of my honey’s faith; his strength and who we were as a couple. After 53 years of marriage and ministry our identity was meshed together. After that sad day, God has surrounded me, replacing my fear with hope for my tomorrows. He gave me His strength when I felt I could not go another step. He gave me His peace that surpasses all my understanding.
Here’s the biggest hurdle, finding joy, no matter what. So when I dress for the day I remember to choose the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness. God’s promise to us is so good and I remind myself of it often. Weeping may endure for the night, but joy comes in the morning! Hope is tied to joy. Because when you’ve cried until your heart felt it would break, Jesus whispers His sweet words of hope. Joy comes in the morning!
Now, finally, the promise of cooler temperatures! We can only hope. (LOL) Summertime fun vacations are done and school has started. Lots of changes are happening for families with children. Pumpkin everything has begun! Yum! I do love the change! I know you could not wait to change your decor to the beautiful fall colors.
There are those seasons we wish would never change, but as seasons go they don’t last forever. Those are the ones that can hold the sweetest memories.
The harsh reality is that a “blue northern” can blow in over night. Those kinds of changes usher in the things we never saw coming and sometimes seem they will never end. Those tend to alter our peace and shake us to our core. I call those winds of change.
No matter how devastating the storm Jesus breaks through the clouds and reminds us of His sweet presence. He doesn’t leave our side. He remains when the rest of the world becomes silent.
In May of 2023 the season of my life changed forever. I became a widow. After 53 years of marriage and ministry, I was lost. There have been seasons in my life when I felt strong and capable, but this storm left me feeling fragile in uncharted territory. It’s hard to fly with a broken wing but Jesus held me together and carried me. Looking back now I can see God’s hand covering me. The greatest transformation was when I began to praise the Lord for who He is. For months I was stuck and honestly didn’t feel like being thankful. The Lord was patient with me and change began as I decided to offer a sacrifice of praise! That changed the atmosphere of my heart. So yes, Jesus stayed and waited on that part of me to heal and I am so grateful!
I am grateful that He is faithful in the waiting season and every other season that could ever exist. The song that I play on repeat in my heart is this: ”you have been so good to me.” In every season, He continues to be the God of more than enough! In every season of life God is faithful. He pours out His grace and somehow it is sufficient. Everyday His mercy is new. I am so glad that I am His child and He is my Father!
by Sherri Hunter, author of “Finding Hope After Loss-What Now God?” and leader of the Widow’s Connect ministry through STXWM
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