Believe

The Secret I’ve Held for 9 Years… Until Now

Happy Friday! How are you? I hope well because I have a secret I’ve held for nine years and I would love to share it with you. If you’re wondering why now, I believe it’s time. I believe Abba wants me to share this chapter of my life with you, so in due time His glory will be revealed and His healing powers manifested! So, with that being said let’s jump right into tonight’s post! Have you ever experienced being in a state of mind where you have no control over your body? Your conscience may tell you to snap out of it, but your body does the total opposite? During my eighth grade year, I recall a former classmate experiencing those incidents way too often. He would lay flat on his back, shake and jerk uncontrollably. His eyes would roll to the back of his head and saliva would foam from his mouth. To see this student, who had control over his body just minutes before, operate with no control always took me by surprise. I remember one day asking him what they were known as and calmly he responded, “Seizures.” As the school year progressed, his seizures did too.  And as an immature teenager, my care to check in on him after each episode decreased. Until one day they stopped. In 2007 he passed away. He was only 13 years old. Although I’m at peace and confident he’s resting with Abba Father, this time of the year always hits home because it marks National Epilepsy Awareness Month. My Secret Revealed Epilepsy, also known as a seizure disorder, affects the nervous system. On January 2, 2011, I was diagnosed with it after experiencing two back-to-back seizures. What a way to start off that new year huh? When I received the news I was devastated, mortified, afraid, and most importantly mad at God. Only five years had passed since I watched the life of my middle school friend slip away and suddenly I had it. How could this happen to me? Was this God’s form of payback for how I treated my now deceased friend in the past? I had many concerns and no answers. Living with Epilepsy as a Christian I wish I could say this disorder magically disappeared after changing a few of my eating habits, visiting my neurologist quarterly, having yearly brain scans, and taking high dosages of my prescribed medicine daily. I wish I could say I haven’t experienced any seizures at all this year. I wish I could say I am ALWAYS positive after a seizure occurs. However, I cannot. I have insecurities from time to time and wonder, “Why Me?” Nevertheless, Abba reminds me to be of good cheer for He is with me and His glory will be revealed. That is why when I am in pain I  praise! I praise Abba for all He’s done, for allowing me to see another day,  and I praise Him in advance for healing me. He healed Jeremiah from sickness, the woman who suffered from issues of blood and rose Lazarus from the dead. So, I KNOW He can do the same for me. He can even do the same for YOU too! Share Your Story, Make A Change If are experiencing an illness or you know someone who is I challenge you to try God by sharing your/their story. Tell others what you/they are experiencing, and declare what you KNOW God will do! I pray blessings to you! You’ve made it to the end of this post. I encourage you to share your story. If you would like to learn more about the Epilepsy Foundation or donate click here! I would also love to hear your thoughts on the secret revealed. What was your greatest take away? Share in the comments below! I look forward to hearing from you!

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The Uncomfortable Truth

Your biggest prayers, he knows. The thoughts you speak aloud, God’s dreams and ambitions you share aloud, he knows. Your fears, your anxieties, your pains, he knows. Instead of helping you, he wants to harm you. He wants to attack you and all his conniving ways. He is NOT your friend, but your WORST enemy. Crazy thing is his outer appearance looks to be golden, but do not be fooled, for all he wants to do is kill, steal and destroy. Who am I referring to? As if you didn’t know: Satan of course. Last week, I shared with you a quick cure to demolish your weaknesses by using the powerful scripture in 2 Corinthians chapter 10 verse 5. If you haven’t read it check it out here! This week I would like to share with you the power of your tongue and how you can use it anytime to stop the enemy in his tracks. However, before I get into that, I have a confession to make: I dropped the ball… I promise you it wasn’t done intentionally, nevertheless, I should have known that test were on the way. You see, I currently work in the educational field which requires me to work with a lot of children day in and day out, specifically first graders. From the outside looking in, one might believe that a teaching job is a pretty simple task, however I beg to differ. Each child is very different and their personalities are continuously growing and maturing. To be frank, you never know what to expect in a days work because every day is different. Now, it was just week before last I was acknowledged on my accomplishments in the classroom in regards to class management. To receive such wonderful news I was ecstatic. So, when last week came along I was ready to carry out the same hardships just as I had done the week before. However, my ideal week did not turn out as I had wonderfully planned. Kicking off the week, I missed counted a set of students and was confronted about it. Although I was confronted in a calm, nice manner I couldn’t help but mentally question myself, “Erica, haven’t you been down this road before? When will you get it right?” Midweek, I was given a task to test a set of students and was confronted of how my management could have been a bit firmer. Immediately, questions began to arise again, “Come on Erica, what’s wrong with you? You can’t manage six little first graders?” Prior to that incident, information had been sitting on my desk to hand to the lead teacher. When I had finally turned it in, I was informed that the information given was very important and it could cause huge trouble since it had not been turned in on time. By the end of the week I found myself at wits end ready to throw in the towel. My emotions had taken control and my thoughts were once again moving a mile a minute questioning all of my actions. After wallowing in pity and sadness, a still, small voice came to me reminding me, “Do not be afraid for I am with you.” Alongside that revelation, Abba Father reminded me that I am still growing and although my spirit is willing to move, my flesh is not. Which is why it is important to renew the mind daily, so when issues arise you’ll know how to manage them, not logically, but spiritually. Final Thoughts: As you carry out this journey known as life always remember the devil IS NOT your friend! DO NOT give into his set ups, no matter how “comfortable” they may seem. Comfort is the antithesis of growth. Sometimes you have to get uncomfortable in order for God to really move in your life. Declare Matthew 10:16 daily and remember that God is sending you out like sheep among wolves; so be as wise as serpents, and innocent, as doves [have no self-serving agenda]. God has a great plan in store for you, but the missions will not always be easy. Do not fret though because He is and will always be with you. Keep in mind testy missions ARE NOT set to harm you, but make you stronger and help you grow. So, my word for you today is to never sweat the small stuff. Remember that WE have the POWER and AUTHORITY over the devil and by simply smiling in his face when he is attempting to harm US in any way he will flee! Always remember that “with God ALL THINGS are possible.” (Matthew 9:16) and He is ALWAYS with you.

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