It's about 11:30pm here. I am up after a rather long day. My little and I have caught a bug of some sort, and little also has an ear infection. But when inspirations hit, you have to take it by the reins. So, here I sit drinking some cocoa which probably should have been the peppermint tea I almost talked myself into. However, tonight is quiet, little is tucked away sleeping soundly, and my husband has long since gone to bed. I find myself calling on God tonight. A friend asked for a prayer due to their mental state. They felt like they were losing their mind most days. And oh, how I can relate. How often are we as men and women attacked heavily in our mental state?
Between workloads and homelife, to practice after school, or the endless to-do list that seems never ending. But to top it all off, where are we spending time with God in these packed-out days?
Now, you may say whenever or wherever I can, and that is great! But if you are someone who is running non-stop, overstimulated and utterly burnt out, listen to me when I say it is time to turn it off and get with God.
You see when we get so focused on the mundane, we forget about the spiritual. I'll be completely transparent and tell you I am just as guilty of this myself. I still wage war constantly with the flesh. Some days it wins, but most days I still have to force myself to put down the load I'm trying to carry and give it solely to God. And y'all that is hard sometimes. Do not let anyone tell you that they don't have to some days fight the flesh, it is a constant war, and while there are many who have mastered that, the enemy will never give up.
Which is where today's lesson falls.
1) Seek Guidance
It is so important to get involved in church. Yes, I believe you can have church in your car, but you have to have a covering, too! It does the body good to have a church family. People you can fall back on. You see as much as people like to believe it's not, His house is for the sick. Not just the physical illnesses, but the mental, spiritual and soul sicknesses.
I absolutely love the Amplified Bible, in Mark 2:17 When Jesus heard this, He said to them, “Those who are healthy have no need of a physician, but [only] those who are sick; I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners [who recognize their sin and humbly seek forgiveness].
We all deal with some sort of sickness; whether it be gossip, depression, anxiety, gluttony, or maybe it's something you have a hard time admitting to yourself. Maybe it's lust, or the P word. Maybe it's not wanting to be here physically anymore.
The first thing you need to know is.
You are wanted.
You are special.
You do have a divine purpose.
You are chosen.
You are strong in Him who strengthens you.
Things I want you to remember.
You are not a mistake. You are not a coward. You are not worthless. You are not broken. You are not a captive anymore. Or whatever else the enemy is trying so hard to convince you of right now. Stop listening to the enemy. I promise you, we have all dealt with something similar, because his tricks have never changed. We have all heard the same lies.
And whatever is hurting you now, tell yourself, this too shall pass. I remember when I was a flight attendant, and we were flying in some stormy weather. As we ascended, we broke through the clouds, and the sun was shining so brightly. The blanket of clouds heavy beneath us. Even in the midst of our mess, He still shines down on us. Those clouds will break, and this too shall pass.
But choose today, that you are not going to keep looking back. I have a prayer on this that I want you to speak over yourself, daily. (Learn more about it at the bottom of this post.)
2) Consider your gifts and passions
Reflect on your natural talents, spiritual gifts, or may be even some of your life experiences. These all help to provide clues to where God may be taking you. You see, something you have gone through or been a victim of in your past may be the exact thing you need to help someone else.
Maybe your gift is music, and you are supposed to be the next worship leader. Maybe your passion for writing is where God wants you to grow in.
For years, I kept a journal. I wrote everything down. From days that I had, memories I never wanted to forget, to prayers, poems and songs. I covered page after page with doodles or pictures. After all this time I believe, God has wanted to bring me where I am today. But I kept taking detours. Kept thinking I was meant for something else, but here I am. About to be a published author of my very first book.
What is God calling you to do that you keep saying, "no, that can't be it," are you sure?
3) Embrace these challenges
In these difficult times and trails, that maybe be exactly what is needed to draw you closer to God. Maybe those things are what has shaped you into the strong and capable person he needed you to be, today! Trust His process, He will never leave you or steer you wrong.
4) Be attentive to His voice
Listen for God's voice through the Holy Spirit, the Bible, and other means. Maybe that other means is a preacher or teacher you enjoy listening, too. Maybe this is where you start actively seeking that home church. You could find a good podcast. Anything, that can get you hearing and seeing the word of God daily, is where you want to be.
5) The final thing for this series is, Trust His Plan.
Faith comes by hearing the word of God. Have faith that God has a plan for you, for your life. That He will guide you as you seek to fulfill His purpose for your life. I promise you, I will swear to it, His purpose for your life is so much better than anything you can ask or think.
I'll leave you with a little more of my testimony. For years, I spent days, weeks, even months constantly trying to get hired on with any airline that would take me. I just knew, that was where God wanted me to be. So, one day I am at my sister's house, and I am watching my nephew. The whole time he's taking his nap I am just letting God hear all my frustrations. Every single bit. It was one of those be all, tell all kind of days. So, I am sitting on her couch, and I say in heavy frustration, "God, if it's just meant for me to do it a year, let me do it a year." Not long after that I got hired on with my first airline. I went to Texas for the training. I passed. Got moved up to Chicago and flew in and out of O'Hare for almost a year. 2020 hit and they shut don't the regional company I worked for. For the last two months I was home in Georgia sitting on my great aunt's couch, with no job. They furloughed all of us, September 30. Fast forward to 2021 I finally got the courage to try again, after working at a warehouse (I definitely was not cut out for), I got hired on at another regional. Four months in I found out I was pregnant. Those four months where enough to technically be flying for a year.
Now, I am married to the love of my life. We have the most beautiful little you have ever seen (I like to think all parents are biased when it comes to their children). We have two silly huskies, 11 bantam chickens, 4 baby Rhode Island Reds and two baby ducks. We are building our homestead and starting our first garden.
Hear me when I say, God's story is so much better than anything you could ask or think.
Had I stayed in the airline industry I would not be where I am today. Don't get me wrong I loved, loved, loved that job. I met so many people of all walks of life. Some of my very best friends are still flying and I miss them. But for this season of my life, I am right where I am supposed to be.
Trust God, trust His purpose, and He will NEVER lead you wrong.
Stay Blessed
-FASP
If you are needing prayer, if you need something specific, please do not hesitate to reach out via email!!
Prayer for Mental, Physical Health
Father God, I come to you humbly now. Lord, you know every need before it’s spoken, every word before it’s said (Psalm 139). Lord, you promise to go before and behind me, you make me lie down in green pastures, and you lead me beside still waters (Psalm 23).
1 Peter 5:7 says to cast my cares upon you because you care for me. (John 16:33) “I have told you these things so that in me, you may have peace. In this world, you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”
Lord your word never returns void. So, Father, your word also says "Rejoice always! to pray without ceasing, to give thanks in all circumstances, for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18). And when I pray to believe that I have already received everything that I’ve prayed for (Mark 11:24).
Lord, I loose any anxieties, any disfunction in my spirit, any pain, loss, or worry. Father and as these things are loosed from my body, my spirit, and my soul; I ask that they be bound in your name. And cast into the fiery furnace. Lord, I ask now that ministering angels be loosed around me, my home and my children. Father God, your word tells me whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever is loose on earth will be loosed in heaven (Matthew 18:18). Now, Father God, I asked that Health be bound to my life, that peace be bound to my life, that prosperity, joy and happiness in you, be bound to my life, Father God, I ask that you come down and comfort me as Jesus said that you would comforter, Lord that anything that is of a good report (Philippians 4:8), be bound to my life. And Lord, (John 14:13-14) says “And whatsoever you ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask anything in my name, I will do it.
So, in Jesus Name I pray all these things.
Amen.