“It was pain that saved your life.” – Lysa Terkeurst 

I heard this quote today from author and speaker Lysa Terkeurst. She was featured on the podcast for Focus on the Family. It was a two part series about her new book ‘It Wasn’t Supposed To Be This Way’.

I have not yet read this book but it already sounds so amazing. She talks about her own disappointments, pain and despair and how she has come through it. And, oh, how it mirrors my life. Listening to the podcast I can’t believe how similar our stories are.

This quote though…. it got me!!

“It was the pain that saved my life.”

If it wasn’t for this pain… for this journey, I don’t think I would be here now. I would not have been able to say YES to God and finally accept that I need to step into my calling. I would never have been able to search Him deeper and stronger. I would never have held on to Him so tight. I would never have gotten through this depression…. through the dark fog…. through the feeling of loneliness and brokenness. He has brought me so much comfort and peace when I needed it most. When the medical reports and all the bad stuff was coming straight at me to destroy me, my faith, my spirit… He stood firm and covered me with His wings. He had me in the palms of His hands. He deflected every bad thing with a miracle and a hope.

I was watching my Pastor’s sermon today through the Love of Christ Community Church Facebook (no, I didn’t go to church today. I was physically too tired to go anywhere today after this LONG busy weekend) And he preached about receiving the blessings. He spoke about how WE block our own blessings sometimes. We say yes to God but then that’s it. Or we are so concerned about what people think of us and our blessings we receive that it stops us from going all the way. Or we let our minds and our emotions lead our life instead of what God has for us.

When God says to come get the blessings, we need to do just that. Our blessings are not contingent on us. That reminds me of a quote I read from Michelle Meyers. She says,

“Kingdom assignments don’t come with personality and preference passes.” -Michelle Myers 

Boom. Truth bomb…

Our calling is not about US!!! When God calls, no matter where we are at, we have to answer. We can’t miss our blessing! We may feel like sometimes we aren’t qualified to do this or do that for Jesus. We may be going through some of THE hardest trials of our lives. We may even be at the bottom of our pit and not be able to see the light.

But knowing and trusting in God, believing that He has a plan for us… THAT is what will get us through. The Lord wants nothing but blessings for us. It’s up to us to say yes and follow through. Yeah… it can be hard! Trust me, I know!! But you have to just keep believing… keep praying… and keep going.

My Pastor concluded with this quote,

“God has placed us in a place of blessings…. God  Himself is a good God… Blessed is a person that depends on Him.”  -Pastor Tony Williams Sr. 

Amen!

I wrote this in a Facebook post on my personal page. Simply incredible how the Lord confirms what I am feeling.

The pain… I am here because of the pain. I am praying to do God’s work and I hope to follow through with His plan for my life… but if it wasn’t for the pain, I wouldn’t have the healing, I wouldn’t have learned to cling to Him tighter. I wouldn’t be able to show people that they aren’t alone in their own journeys. I wouldn’t be able to share how GOOD GOD IS and how through despair and fear and worry .. there is hope. Leaning into God is all they need to do to get through this time.

I asked the Lord last night… some things kind of blew up in my face and I was like Lord…. what do I do?? And He immediately spoke to me. He said..
Just keep your eyes on Me!! Just keep trusting in Me!! That is all you can do right now. Don’t take your eyes off me!!

So whoever needs to read this and hear this… DONT TAKE YOUR EYES OFF OF HIM. Because its coming… your PEACE is coming. 

Stay encouraged. Stay in Hope. Receive your Blessings!!!

xo