I was asked to participate in a Book Launch by Ifeoma Samuel for her new book, Overcome Failure: Get Back on Your Feet.
And I've been soaking in her words of encouragement, feeling that she is someone who understands what it feels like to be battle-scarred and empty. Her questions have caused me to ponder my own daily battles.
Have I given into hopelessness?
Have I been looking at the defeats in my days instead of looking for God's Good Path through the struggle?
My husband came down with a flu this last week. So, when I was faced with the prospect that my support-line for a bit-more-normal-life would not be available, (Thank you for all that usually you do for me, Barry!) I found myself pushing for normalcy on my own.
I should have seen it coming: the typical crash & burn that accompanies this Rheumatoid Arthritis/Fybromyalgia lifestyle. But honestly, I thought I was being good to myself by resting after each chore that I tackled. I'm sure you've heard the drill: "somebody has to take care of this home! It's not going to be maintained on its own, you know! . . . I'll rest as soon as I finish this one.more.thing." And, of course, the depleted-energy-syndrome caught up with me. In the middle of the night, with burning limbs and aching soul, my mind knew the words so well: I had failed in the battle yet again.
When all the while, God was inviting me to see how HE wants to be my support-system. HE has prepared the path already, and only HE can provide what I lack the strength to fulfill.
So when I came to this passage in the book today, my heart quickened within me:
"And when Abram was ninety years old and nine, the LORD appeared to Abram, and said unto him, I am the Almighty God; walk before me, and be thou perfect. Genesis 17:1
"Incredible! We walk before Him and He’s got our back. He lovingly guides us every step of the way. Although you may not know where He is headed, you sure can trust Him to lead to you a safe haven, but not necessarily through smooth roads."
This road we are on: it's meant to be a path-of-learning. We face our own struggles and even defeats in the arms of the ONE who values every step we take. HE cheers us on, when the world says to stay down. HE brings the perfection for us, when we know we are so IMPERFECT.
So, while there are so many tasks I cannot do, and Battles that seem too hard to face, I can take this one moment and find PRAISE FOR THE JOURNEY with my Jesus. He's got my back, painful or whole, and there is beauty to be tasted today.
A moment of beauty awaits us when we open our eyes to see God's Path set before us
To find out more about Ifeoma Samuel, and her new book follow this link to her blog:
I am linking today with Jennifer Dukes Lee at #TellHisStory and with Meg Weyerbacher over at #TeaAndWordTuesday
Come along and check out their great words of encouragement this week!
Hi Bettie,
ReplyDeleteYour words are so timely for me since this has been a challenging week but how encouraging that you shared God walks before us -- love that, don't you?! Sometimes it's so hard to keep that in front of us when the chores and daily duties keep piling up. I just love Abraham's story of faith and I like to put myself in his shoes to feel a little of his journey and I wonder how he could have stayed so secure knowing God's heart for him and Sarah when questions arose! Ifeoma's book sounds like an encouraging one - -I'll have to check it out! xo
Hi Valerie,
DeleteYes, I loved the way that Ifeoma brought that passage in Abraham's life to light! We don't often think about God asking us to walk before Him--usually it's the other way around when He asks us to follow Him. But sometimes when the road ahead is unclear, it's really a comfort to think that HE has our backs, isn't it? I'm sorry that you had a challenging week--I will keep you in my prayers! --Hugs!
Bettie - thank you so much for sharing at Meg's #TeaAndWordTuesday ... take each moment as it comes for as you said, "I can take this one moment and find PRAISE FOR THE JOURNEY with my Jesus. He's got my back, painful or whole, and there is beauty to be tasted today." Such a great reminder. Blessings
ReplyDeleteHi Debbie,
DeleteThanks for stopping by here, and for your words of encouragement also! Yes, I am so thankful for Meg's #TeaAndWordTuesday link-up and her new channel for encouragement! Isn't God so good to bring us new connections and ways to cheer each other on? --Blessings to you!
Bettie, this post is so timely for me. Last week was downright rough. I even posted a bit more open about all that yesterday. I hope your hubby is better and I hope you are blessed inside and out in every way. Thank you so much for linking up last week @ #TeaAndWord! :) :)
ReplyDeleteThank you Meg! I so appreciate your words of encouragement, and your words of transparency on your blog also! I think this digital community of Christ-Followers has brought a deeper awareness to me of how connected we truly are through Him! Your prayers mean so much to me, and I will be keeping you in my prayers as well. --Hugs and Blessings!
DeleteThank you so much Bettie, I have included excerpts on the book page and linked this post.
ReplyDeleteI really hope your hubby gets better soon. I pray everything settles in Jesus Name.
Hugs and Blessings
Thank you Ifeoma for your prayers! And thank you for the chance to preview your book. The Lord is using it in my life as He calls me to walk this journey with Him. --May the Lord bless you and this new work of yours!
Delete