Sometimes I find it hard to share what the LORD asks me to share. This is one of those times. It's hard at times for a couple of reasons. One...it puts me out there and makes me vulnerable to criticism. Some think that you should only write about things that make everyone feel good. But I have to say this. When I knew that starting this blog was something I had to do I also knew that it was for this reason. To share what the LORD can do...will do...and has done...in my life and in the lives of others. To do that...I was called to tell the truth and relate my life to you in ways that would somehow show GOD'S love to everyone. Two...it makes me very transparent and everyone knows what I have struggled with and what I'm struggling with now. However, there is an upside to sharing also. Other Christians can relate to your experiences. They may not be the exact same thing but they are still attacks from the enemy of our souls. Satan is fighting for each and everyone of us all the time. There is nothing he would like better than to make us depressed, worried, lose sleep, get sick...and a number of other things.
Whenever I decide to make changes in my life for the better there is always a battle. Satan knows what my weaknesses are and that's where he attacks. He does that to all of us...attacks us where we are vulnerable. Lately I have been trying to make changes...with the LORD'S help...and I believe that's why things have been happening.
I'm going to start with a scripture.
Ephesians 6:12
New Living Translation (NLT)
By 5:45 I was on my way to work. I was praying while I was driving when a song I haven't listened to for a while came into my thoughts. All that kept playing over and over were these three words. Forgiven...I'm forgiven. All I could think of was...Why am I thinking of this song? So, when I was at work I got my iPod and found the song. It is by Sanctus Real. The name of it is simply...Forgiven. I still couldn't remember the words so I listened to it. The words of that song tell exactly how things have been for me lately. Here are the lyrics...
Well the past is playing with my head
And failure knocks me down again
I’m reminded of the wrong
That I have said and done
And that devil just wont let me forget
In this life
I know what I’ve been
But here in your arms
I know what I am
[chorus]
I’m forgiven
I’m forgiven
And I don’t have to carry
The weight of who I’ve been
Cause I’m forgiven
My mistakes are running through my mind
And I’ll relive my days, in the middle of the night
When I struggle with my pain, wrestle with my pride
Sometimes I feel alone, and I cry
In this life
I know what I’ve been
But here in your arms
I know what I am
[back to chorus]
When I don't fit in and I don’t feel like I belong anywhere
When I don’t measure up to much in this life
Oh, I’m a treasure in the arms of Christ ‘cause
[back to chorus]
I believe the Holy Spirit put that song in my thoughts to remind me that no matter what I don't have to worry...I'm forgiven! The devil will remind me of my past. He will do things to try to make me fearful...lose sleep...whatever! But the bottom line is this...
I'm Forgiven and I'm a treasure in the arms of CHRIST because of that. So are you. If the devil keeps playing in your head and you can't forget...if you are reliving your past...if you are struggling...if you fail sometimes (I have)...and even though you don't feel like you really fit in or belong, anywhere!...You fit in with JESUS! HE has you in HIS arms and engraved on the palms of HIS hands! Because of HIM you are Forgiven! Remember that next time the devil comes calling!
Isaiah 49:16a World English Bible
Behold, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands.
Linking today with Tracy for Winsome Wednesday
9 comments:
Your honest and transparent heart is a blessing to all Chelle! :)A verse that comes to mind this morning for you is Romans 12:1-2 (from the MSG):
“Take your everyday, ordinary life—your sleeping, eating, going to work, and walking around life—and place it before God as an offering. Embracing what God does for you is the best thing you can do for Him. Don’t become so well adjusted to your culture that you fit into it without even thinking. Instead fix your attention on God. You’ll be changed from the inside out. Readily recognize what He wants from you, and quickly respond to it. Unlike the culture around you, always dragging you down to its level of immaturity, God brings the best out of you; develops well-formed maturity in you.”
Blessings and love friend, :)
Denise
Chelle,
Our stories are what glorifies God, He took something that was broken and made it beautiful. Our testimonies are what God uses to speak to other people, that they are not alone but there is hope in Jesus for something better. God loves you Chelle and I know that He proud of you for the way are keeping on, the enemy will attack but keep reaching for Jesus.
Blessings to you.
Chelle, I so appreciate you opening up and sharing. Your post has touched me. Blessings.
Chelle, never be afraid to share with others what God has asked you to share, as your story could be the answer to someone’s prayer! God would never ask you to do something that would be too much for you to bear. Once you have shared, it is up to the 'hearer', to do what they want with the information.
I truly thank God for your obedience.
You have encouraged me many a time,
with the transparency of your experiences, that you relate to us.
Whenever, we are determined to make a stance for the Lord in our life, and take back what the enemy has stolen from us, satan will try every tactic and strategy to wear us down.
You are woman of The Word and The Word will set you free, keep standing on it, confessing it and pressing through.
God Bless you more.
Hi Chelle - its in the being transparent that there is healing and then there is testimony and witnessing. I think your post is awesome and someone out there needed to read it. God bless precious friend and thank you for linking up.
God Bless
Tracy
Being Honest is what PLEASES the Father! And I know just what you are talking about anytime you make a change to be more like Christ the attacks will come but we know we have our weapon which is the Whole Armour of GOD..AMEN
You continue to post what GOD speaks to you because there is a reason for it you might not know right now the reason but He does. As I say if I can help one person from my blogs then I have pleased my Lord and Savior. Because Jesus Himself left the 99 to rescue the one..AMEN
Denise ~ I love that scripture. Thank you for the encouraging WORD today.
Kandi ~ Thanks for always stopping by. I know what you say is true. Thank you for reminding me.
JBR ~ Thank you. You always encourage me. Love it when you come by!
Carole ~ You're right. Satan does try every tactic he has until he finds the one that gets to us. I appreciate what you have to say.
Tracy ~ You're right. There is healing in transparency. Thank you for encouraging me.
Desiray ~ You always have such encouraging things to say. Thank you for speaking them.
All of you ladies have blessed me today and given me great encouragement. Thank you and may God richly bless you in all you do! Chelle
Oh Chelle,
I'm so proud of you! Sharing testimonies is part of healing not just for ourselves but for others out there. Who knows who may read this and needed just YOUR words.
I am praying for you to have sweet dreams!!!
Love ya,
Kris
Hi Chelle,
Thank you for sharing your experience with us. I have had some crazy dreams in my life. I recall dreaming that I was not saved and thinking I was going to die. Then I called out to Jesus for forgiveness. The enemy loves to put into our minds that we are not saved. But if we have been redeemed by the blood of the Lamb, we are His forever.
Blessings,
Ken
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