BATTLING ANXIETY AND NEGATIVE THOUGHTS

My Personal Battle 

While I don’t deal with depression, and 99% of the time, my emotional status is peaceful and level, I do battle anxiety on occasion and it always comes in the form of negative thoughts, and mostly at night. I say negative thoughts, but really, they resemble voices whispering in my ear saying things like: 

“You shouldn’t have said that…”

“You totally hurt their feelings when you did that…”

“They think you’re lying…”

“How can you call yourself a Christian…”

“You failed at that…”

“You’re not going to make it…”

“You’re always going to be remembered for that mistake…”

And on and on it goes like a bad song stuck on repeat.

Over the years, these negative thoughts have persistently tried to hijack my life. At first, I would try to occupy my mind and displace them. My favorite tool was counting. I counted everything—road signs, trees, stars, specks on my ceiling, threads in my curtains, and eventually, even my breaths. Before I knew it, though, I was caught in a snare of obsessive counting, and the voices just chimed in and told me I would be forever stuck there. But not so, because I am nothing less than an overcomer.

It wasn’t until my late 20s early 30s that I began to find a “cure” for the negative thoughts and to put the counting to rest. Although my revelation was birthed then, it took many years for me to come to a full understanding. Now, I overcome the negative thoughts with a two-pronged approach: B vitamins and scripture. 

B Vitamins

When my daughter was about five years old, she began having horrible nightmares. Despite our intense prayers, she wasn’t getting any relief. (Looking back now, I realize that we were only praying for God to remove them instead of asking for wisdom and knowledge in dealing with them. Once our prayers changed, our answer manifested almost immediately.) I stumbled across a testimony on the internet of how parents gave B vitamins to their child and the nightmares stopped. My husband and I figured it couldn’t hurt to try, so we gave our daughter some the next night. No nightmares! Since then throughout her childhood, each time the nightmares would return, we administered a couple weeks of B vitamins, and it worked every time.

After seeing the effect B vitamins had on my daughter’s intermittent nighttime anxiety, I began to dabble with B vitamins in my own life. Sure enough, every time a season of anxiety perched upon me, I was able to shoo it away with a couple weeks of treatment. At this point, you may be asking why I didn’t stay on B vitamins all the time. It’s because I was using mega doses, and after a couple weeks, I would begin to exhibit signs of vitamin overdose and toxicity. It’s taken me several years to find a complex B vitamin that has just the right mixture and amounts of vitamins that my body needs.

Since that initial find of the internet testimony several years ago, I have noticed an increase in the amount of research around the relationship of B vitamins and mental health. Research continues to show that not only can B vitamin supplements enhance mental health, but a deficiency of B vitamins in the body can produce symptoms of irritability, mental confusion, anxiety, depression, and even schizophrenia. In addition, some research has shown that B vitamins may protect against Alzheimer’s disease, dementia, and other similar disorders. Now, as you know in these days, medical information is never complete without a disclaimer lest you risk being sued, so here’s mine: While B vitamins work for me, consult your family doctor and/or pharmacists before taking any dietary supplement. 

Scripture

B vitamins help with the physical manifestation of anxiety in my body brought on by organic causes; however, there is a spiritual component that must be dealt with, too. For example, when I speak before a crowd or try to be a witness for the Lord, the enemy will send his minions to whisper in my ear and plant a thought. These sorts of assaults are not physical ones that can be defeated with vitamins; they are spiritual battles that must be waged with spiritual weapons.

For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does. The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ. (2 Corinthians 10:3-5 NIV)

The Bible says that our enemy accuses us day and night, but we can triumph over him. While the Bible is loaded with powerful weapons to overcome the enemy regardless of the attack, the two scriptures I primarily use against negative thoughts are found in 2 Timothy 1:7 and Philippians 4:8. 

The very moment I begin to hear the negative thoughts, I say these eight words: “I have power, love, and a sound mind.” If I begin to hear the thoughts again, I repeat. Most times I get by with saying it only once. Whereas before when I used to lie in the bed for hours with negative thoughts running rampant through my mind, I can now get to sleep within five minutes. I use 2 Timothy 1:7 to annihilate any seeds deposited by the enemy in my mind. I shared this tactic with my husband, and it works for him, too. He told me a couple days ago that he was having trouble sleeping and used this scripture to bring immediate peace to his mind and then sleep to his body.

For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind. (2 Timothy 1:7 KJV)

Once I take captive the negative thought and expel it from my mind, I fill the void with the things listed in Philippians 4:8: 

Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. (Philippians 4:8 NIV)

What Really Counts

Every now and then, I still soothe myself by counting. It’s used more like a gentle rocking, though, instead of like fists flying aimlessly in the air as though pummeling a dark cloud above my head.

The Bible says that the only thing that really counts is faith expressing itself through love. God showed us the ultimate love by sending His son to die for our sins, and we don’t have to live with condemnation or fear anymore. 

Blessed is the one whose sin the Lord will never count against them. (Romans 4:8 NIV)

As for me—I count myself as an overcomer and use the two weapons of B vitamins and scripture when battling anxiety and negative thoughts. 

I know there is a ton of advice out there about mental health, and this is but a miniscule piece. If you’ve tried everything and still can’t get relief, please seek help and remember that you are not alone. If you have thoughts about suicide, please call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255. Be counted among the living and not the dead. 

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If you enjoyed this blog and would like to read my future ones, please submit your email under the “Follow by Email” tab on the sidebar. By doing this, each time I post a new blog, it will be emailed automatically to you, and you won’t have to watch social media for the links. I promise to not use your email for solicitation or mass distributions. Also, I would love to hear from you, so please drop a comment below, even if it’s just to say hello.

WORDS TO LIVE BY

The Author closed his eyes, sat back in his favorite writing chair, and rested his hands on the thick, blank book positioned squarely on his lap. He began to tap on the cover and listen to the resulting soft thud as if he were signaling someone and heeding their reply. He seemed to be calling to the book and it was answering. After a few exchanges, he concluded this next book in the series would be about Jack. 

The Author saw the substance of Jack in his mind before the character was ever placed on paper. He knew the secret thoughts he had for this being and held them close until the time was ripe. At last, the Author picked up his pen to form this glorious creation on the cover of the book. He crafted Jack in his image, depositing a little of himself within, and fashioned him to be like previous characters in the series, yet different in his own way. Jack was the Author’s workmanship, fearfully and wonderfully made. How marvelous was this work!

The Author allowed his fingers to trace the cover before opening the book. He knew the plans he had for Jack—plans to prosper him and not to harm him, plans to give him hope and a future. Nevertheless, Jack was created with free will to forgo the Author’s plans for his own. The Author felt the foreknown pangs of hurt for the choices Jack would make, as he gazed upon the innocence of this individual standing on the first page of the rest of his life. 

Jack stood beside a bookcase, not knowing what to do next. The Author formally introduced himself (although they intimately knew each during the development process), and he drew Jack’s attention to the hundreds of white, blank pages in the book. He explained to Jack that this was his story, to be told by himself. With that, the Author sketched a black ink pen for Jack to make his indelible mark on this world and suggested he use the bookcase for learning and reference. The Author then exhorted Jack to go forth and multiply, subdue his world, and fulfill his purpose.

Jack wasted no time getting started, but was slow on the uptake owing to the steep learning curve, especially when it came to expressing himself. Not only did he need to learn to walk before running, he also had to figure out how to navigate the obstacles along the way. It didn’t take Jack long to get the hang of things, and he loved blazing his own path—maybe loved it too much.

Jack relished the idea of being in control and doing things on his own. Pride crept in as he began to disregard any help or advice from others. He became puffed up and full of himself, leaving no more room for the Author in his life. Lost in his own doings, Jack veered off the path intended for him and relinquished himself to one mistake after another. He attempted to hide his misdeeds by scratching them out with more ink, but alas, he only made a bigger mess. Eventually he found himself drowning in a sea of blackness as his sins consumed him.

With nowhere else to turn, Jack called out for the Author and threw up desperate hands hoping to touch the Author in the space above the page. “Please save me from myself! Hide your face from my sins and blot out either my iniquity or me. Please shine your light into my abyss.”

The Author replied, “I am he who blots out your transgressions and remembers your sins no more.” Immediately after the declaration, the Author whipped out his special correction ink and began to dab over Jack’s transgressions. 

Overwhelming joy and gratitude washed over Jack. “Blessed is the one whose transgressions are forgiven, whose sins are covered! Your love has covered a multitude of my sins! I was lost in the blackness of death, but now I am found! Was blind, but now I see!” 

Jack realized he couldn’t continue to do life his way. He repented and tried to hand over his black ink pen to the Author; however, the Author explained that Jack must tell his own story, in his own words. Then he made Jack a guarantee: “I will go with you and never forsake you. Every time you seek me, you will find me. When you call upon me, and I will listen. I will be with you always. When you pass through the waters, they shall not overflow you; when you walk through the fire, you shall not be burned.” 

Jack replied, “I can do nothing on my own. I seek not my own will, but the will of you who sent me.”

“Go be the salt and the light your world needs. Write down your story so that others may use it. You will not be alone in this endeavor. I’m with you always, to the end of the age.”

After blotting out the transgressions, regrets, and other errors, the Author turned to a blank page for Jack to start writing again. It was the fresh start Jack needed. The story of Jack poured out with combined effort: Jack operating in his free will and the Author ready to help when needed by placing notes and signs along his path for direction. Jack also began to see the importance of the bookcase and used it every chance he had.

Although Jack still had the occasional problem, he found hope in the Author always being there for him. Each time he made a mistake, he didn’t try to conceal it like before, but immediately called out for help, and the Author always obliged. 

Jack developed a great love for the Author and strove to demonstrate the Author’s essence and character in his own life. Oftentimes, Jack would record in the book the words he heard his Author speak, and he vowed to tell others of the Author’s righteous acts and wondrous deeds. He sought to proclaim his might to another generation, and to all those coming after him. 

True to his word, the Author never forsook Jack in all his days and was with him to the end. Eventually, Jack grew tired, though, and his pen ran dry. The Author (and now the finisher) of Jack’s faith picked up where he left off and penned the last words in the book: “Well done, my good and faithful one. You fought the good fight, finished your race, and kept the faith.” Jack’s life on paper was now complete and only the legacy of it remained.

The Author closed the book about Jack’s story and placed it in its rightful spot on the bookcase, beside the book about Jack’s grandfather. He returned to his favorite writing chair and plucked a new book from his stash in the basket beside it. He slowly rolled the book back and forth in his hands until it came to a rest on both palms. Staring at the book, his eyes brimmed with liquid joy as he contemplated the potential in this new life. He lifted the book gently to inhale the freshness of the empty pages, yet knowing that once written, the book would bear an even sweeter aroma. He laid the book across his lap and adorned it with a title: Jack’s Grandson and His Story. While this would be a short story, only a couple pages, it would have the power to change lives for generations to come, just like Jack’s story. 

A good man leaves an inheritance to his children’s children. We will not hide from the children the things we have heard and known, things our ancestors have told us, but will tell the coming generation the glorious deeds of the Lord, and of His might, and the wonders that He has done. (Derived from Proverbs 13:22 and Psalm 78:3-4)

If you enjoyed this blog and would like to read my future ones, please submit your email under the “Follow by Email” tab on the sidebar. By doing this, each time I post a new blog, it will be emailed automatically to you, and you won’t have to watch social media for the links. I promise to not use your email for solicitation or mass distributions. Also, I would love to hear from you, so please drop a comment below, even if it’s just to say hello.

THE PRICE ON MY HEAD

I’m going to share with you a story that I held secret for over twenty years. Why did I keep it hidden so long? Because I had no explanation, or even understanding, for what really happened—it blew my logic-based mind, and so I suppressed its very memory to keep from having to change the way I was living at the time.

When I was a teenager, my idea of having fun was a bit distorted. For example, a certain friend and I loved to go joy-riding and see how fast we could take the curves on one-lane country roads. We measured our success by two things: 1) the highest speed we could obtain in each curve and 2) the overall time it took to travel a selected length of the road (i.e., anywhere from five to ten miles). 

One late-summer day in 1987, my friend and I were playing our usual game on a winding road that had its fair share of sharp curves. This road traversed several lush farms, but we paid no attention to the to the freshly mowed fields. We came screeching around a blind curve about 50 mph when we saw a large tractor in our oncoming path. There was no time for us to slow down and no way to get over, because a deep creek lined the passenger side of the road.

Attached to the back of the tractor was some sort of implement. (I think it was a kind of hay rake, and for the purpose of the story, I’ll just make this assumption.) It was offset and completely reached past the tractor’s tires and to the opposite edge of the road. It was raised to the level of our heads as we were seated in the car. 

I saw the hay rake coming for us, and could see that it stretched completely across the hood of the car. I instantly knew that we were about to be decapitated and braced myself for the impact. I saw the rake come all the way up to the front windshield, and then it seemed to disappear. I quickly turned around and saw it behind us. It passed right through the car without touching us!

My friend kept driving until we found a place to pull over. We sat for a moment just staring at each other with incredulousness. Eventually, we were able to exit the car and walk on wobbly knees as we thoroughly inspected the entire car. Not one dent, scrape, or scratch. How was that even possible? The tractor tire alone was far enough over to drive upon the car. Somehow on that one-lane stretch of road, a tractor laden with a hay rake and a car passed each other without fail. While the incident threatened to take off my head physically, the incident definitely did the job emotionally. I had a choice to make: tell the story of how my life was spared, and then be forced to change the way I was living in appreciation, or let the memory of the event die in my place. 

Until November of 2008, the story lay dormant in forgotten memories. Then one night, I had a dream that a family member (who suffers from severe mental illness) called my mom and wanted to know how my husband, daughter, and I were doing and a couple other things. A simple dream at first glance, but it left a lingering impression on me. The next day in real life, this person actually did call my mom out of the blue, and the conversation included all the things I had heard in my dream the night before. In addition, though, this person revealed to my mom that he was “told” to kill me with an axe (cut off my head), and that he didn’t think he could do it.

The moment my mom finished describing the strange conversation, I heard the Lord speak very clearly to me: “I saved you once from having your head cut off and I can do it again.” IMMEDIATELY, the story about the tractor was resurrected in my mind in clear detail. I couldn’t decide what was more amazing—that a loved one wanted to cut off my head or that I could have forgotten such a miraculous story or that I dreamed the conversation before it happened or that the Lord was speaking directly to me. The one thing I had no trouble deciding, though, was that He was at work in my life. 

The Lord loves me, and He loves you too. He even loves us when we don’t love Him back. He knew us in our mother’s womb, and when we were woven together at creation, His eyes saw all the days ordained for us. And yes, He has a plan for our life: plans to prosper us and not to harm us; plans to give us hope and a future.

Although there was a hit out on me (not once, but twice), Jesus paid the price on my head. He paid it for you, too. 

For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life. John 3:16 NIV

If you enjoyed this blog and would like to read my future ones, please submit your email under the “Follow by Email” tab on the sidebar. By doing this, each time I post a new blog, it will be emailed automatically to you, and you won’t have to watch social media for the links. I promise to not use your email for solicitation or mass distributions. Also, I would love to hear from you, so please drop a comment below, even if it’s just to say hello.

QUANTUM CONNECTIONS

I’m starting this blog with a short science lesson on quantum physics. Okay, please don’t freak out and quit reading. Hang with me and it will be worth it.

But before we start, you need to open you mind to the understanding that time and space are tools that God gave us to be able to function and communicate while on earth. Imagine trying to describe to someone the fantastic Caribbean cruise you took last year if you didn’t have the tools of time and space to convey your thoughts.

Again, time and space are tools, NOT limits as many people believe. While it may be hard to imagine or perceive existing outside of time or space, it is not an impossibility. The Bible is full of stories that transcend both. We are NOT limited by time or space. Yes, the laws of physics rely on and support them, but on a massive scale (like when talking about galaxies) or on a subatomic scale (like when talking about things smaller than atoms), the laws of time and space can break down.

• Physics Fact 1. An action on one thing can be instantly detected by the other thing bound to it, regardless of the distance between them. Imagine you and I are at opposite ends of the universe separated by one billion light years, but yet somehow, we are still connected. If I jump, then it seems to reason that it should take one billion years for you to feel my action. However, recent experiments in physics have shown that the actions on one particle can be instantly detected in the other. Einstein was aware of this idea of universal entanglement and called it, “spooky action at a distance.”
• Physics Fact 2: A thing can exist simultaneously in two places and will only show up in one place or the other when it is measured. Physicists have shown that something (like an atom) can exist in two places at the same time, but it doesn’t show up in either until it is actually observed/measured there. In more general terms, this means that reality does not show up in the physical until it is measured.

Okay, that was more science than you probably ever wanted to hear or cared to know. So, why is it important? Because these principles are alive in the Bible, too.

The Bible says that through the blood of Jesus, we are redeemed back to God. In other words, the blood provides a reconciliation of earth back to heaven and thus, the two become reconnected. Colossians 1:20 says that Christ reconciled to Himself with all things, whether on earth or in heaven, and peace was made through His blood shed on the cross. Basically, there is a heavenly entanglement of our life on earth with what God has for us in heaven, and the blood is the connector. Matthew 16:19 tells us that whatever we bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever we loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven. When we pull on that connection for something on earth, it is instantly felt in heaven, regardless of time or space. Our prayers and supplications are instantly perceived in heaven, and vice versa—when an action is taken in heaven on our behalf, its effects are available to us instantly. So why, then, do we not always “get” or “see” it in that same timing? For example, Abraham was given a promise, but a long time passed before he realized (or came into) that promise.

Romans 12:3 says that God has given every person a measure of faith, and 2 Corinthians 10:15 says that as our faith grows, our sphere of activity expands. We know from Mathew 17:20 that with faith, nothing is impossible. With even a small amount of faith, we can tell mountains to move. According to these scriptures, not only do we have a measure of faith that can cause things to physically show up where we need them, but we also have the power and authority though the Holy Spirit to tell things where to come or go. Abraham “received” his promise when he had the faith to believe for it. Hebrews 6:12 tells us to imitate those (like Abraham) who through faith and patience inherit what has been promised. It’s sort of like salvation. Through Jesus, salvation was made available to all people; however, only those who have the faith to believe it’s true have it made manifest in their lives. Salvation exists in heaven and on earth independent of our opinions, but it doesn’t come into our life on earth until we apply a measure of faith.

So, what does all this mean for you?

Through the blood of Jesus, you are reconciled back to God, and your connection from earth to heaven is restored. Whatever it is that God has for you in heaven (i.e., healing, provision, knowledge, etc), it is available for you right here on earth, even if you cannot physically see it, because it exists in both places at the same time. To cause it to manifest in your life, pull on that connection to let your request be known, use your measure of faith to make it appear, and pray like Jesus taught—that it will be done in earth as it is in heaven. 

If you enjoyed this blog and would like to read my future ones, please submit your email under the “Follow by Email” tab on the sidebar. By doing this, each time I post a new blog, it will be emailed automatically to you, and you won’t have to watch social media for the links. I promise to not use your email for solicitation or mass distributions. Also, I would love to hear from you, so please drop a comment below, even if it’s just to say hello.

LIGHT OF THE WORLD

A Short Story About Christmas Miracles

When a man faces the potential loss of everything, the fires in his heart are rekindled and his passion becomes a beacon for others. The story of how it all happens is nothing less than a miracle.

Click here to read on Amazon Kindle

Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hid. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven. (Matthew 5:14&16 KJV)

As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

 

MY SECRET NOBAKE COOKIES RECIPE

If I’m invited to a party with friends or family, you can bet my culinary contribution will be nobake cookies… and most of the time, it’s by their request.

I suspect my recipe is one of the best available, and the frequent requests for it only confirm my suspicions. But my recipe didn’t come easy. That’s for sure!! I can’t begin to count how many times I tried to make these cookies and failed. It seemed like either they never set up or turned to dust when handled. After coming to terms with my cookie inadequacies, I resolved to create the perfect nobake recipe. For about a month, I made several batches a day, with each one having a slight variation from the previous. (You’re probably remembering now that I’m a scientist, and I assure you that during this time I spent in the kitchen, you could accurately include the adjective “mad”.) Because diligence produces results, eventually I had what I considered to be the best recipe for the cookies, and now I’d like to share it with you.

Enjoy!

• 2 cups sugar
• ¼ cup cocoa (I use Hershey’s)
• ¼ cup condensed milk (I use Carnation)
• ¼ cup skim milk
• ½ cup (i.e., 1 stick) margarine (I use Parkay)
• ¾ cup peanut butter (I use Jif creamy)
• 1 teaspoon real vanilla extract (NOT imitation)
• 3 cups oats (I use Quaker Old Fashion that are freshly opened because stale oats make chewy cookies)

Bring sugar, cocoa, milk, and margarine to a boil while constantly stirring. As soon as the mixture is at a full and rolling boil, count off 75 seconds while continuing to stir. Remove from heat and stir in peanut butter. Once mixture is smooth, stir in vanilla extract, then add oats. Stir well and drop onto foil in desired cookie size. Cookies should set up in less than 5 minutes.

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Here’s my best estimation of the nutrition for 1 cookie (1/24th of batch).

Calories - 178

Total fat - 8 g

  Saturated fat - 1 g

  Polyunsaturated fat - 1 g

  Monosaturated fat - 1 g

  Trans fat - 1 g

Cholesterol - 1 mg

Total carbohydrates - 26 g

  Fiber - 2 g

  Sugars - 17 g

Sodium - 81 mg

Potassium - 12 mg

Protein - 3 g

Vitamin A - 2%

Vitamin C - 0%

Calcium - 1%

Iron - 3%

SUPERHEROES

I recently watched the Dr. Strange movie about a regular guy who discovered the superhero inside himself and that was called for a divine purpose. While superhero stories like this one are prevalent in Hollywood, they are nearly extinct in Christianity. In today’s society, so many Christians live beneath their potential and are drowning in a pit of defeat, instead of using their God-given superpowers to rescue others from a dark and dying world. (And yes… Christians have superpowers, in case you thought you read that incorrectly.) It’s time for many Christians to stop being victims and assume the role of superhero they are destined to be.

To activate the superhero in you, read the following list of declarations out loud and with confidence (the Bible says in Romans 10:17 that faith comes by hearing). Do this every day until it permanently becomes part of who you are.

(If you have never accepted Christ as your Savior, then please look over the list below and realize the awesomeness that is waiting for you when you decide to take that step.)

WHO I AM

I belong to the Kingdom of God. 

• I am not my own. (1 Corinthians 6:19)
• I am a chosen. (1 Peter 2:9)
• I am greatly loved by God. (John 3:16 and Galatians 2:20)
• God loved me even when I was a sinner and sent Christ to die for me. (Romans 5:8)
• I was purchased by God and bought with the price of Christ’s blood. (1 Corinthians 6:20)
• I have been adopted into the family of God. (Ephesians 1:5)
• I am a child of God. (John 1:12 and Galatians 3:26, 4:6)
• I am a member of the body of Christ. (1 Corinthians 12:27)
• I am one of God’s people. (1 Peter 2:9-10)
• I am an heir of the Lord. (Romans 8:17)
• I submit myself to the Lord. (James 4:7) 

I am redeemed, forgiven, restored, delivered, and healed.

• Through Christ, I have redemption and forgiveness of my sins. (Ephesians 1:7-8 and Colossians 1:14)
• Through Jesus, I am reconciled back to God. (Romans 5:11)
• My sins are forgiven. (1 John 1:9)
• I have been granted mercy and I receive it. (1 Peter 2:9-10)
• The Lord lavishes me with His grace. (Ephesians 1:7-8)
• I am no longer dead in trespasses and sin. (Ephesians 2:1)
• I am born again. (John 3:5-7)
• I am saved through my faith in Jesus. (Ephesians 2:8-9)
• Through Christ’s death, I have been made holy and blameless before the Lord. (Colossians 1:22)
• I have been delivered from the domain of darkness and transferred into the Kingdom of God. (Colossians 1:13)
• I have been set free from sin and am a slave unto righteousness. (Romans 6:18)
• There is NO condemnation for me. (Romans 8:1)
• My healing has already been made certain at the cross and resurrection. (1 Peter 2:24)
• Jesus came to give me life and to have it more abundantly. (John 10:10)

I am a new creation.

• The old me before Christ is dead. (Colossians 3:3) 
• I am a new creature and my old self has passed away. (2 Corinthians 5:17) 
• I have been reborn — not of blood or flesh, or of the will of man, but born of God. (John 1:12-13)
• Because I believe in Jesus, I will not perish, but have everlasting life. (John 3:16)
• I am a new man/woman created and clothed in the righteousness of God. (Ephesians 4:24 and Isaiah 61:10)
• I have become the righteousness of God. (2 Corinthians 5:21)
• I am a royal priest. (1 Peter 2:9)
• I am a child of light. (1 Thessalonians 5:5)
• I am a friend of God. (John 15:15)
• I am sealed by God and have the Holy Spirit in my heart as a guarantee. (2 Corinthians 1:22)
• I am holy and beloved. (Colossians 3:12)
• I am sanctified in the truth of His Word. (John 17:17)
• I choose to be sober-minded. (1 Peter 5:8)
• I choose to think of myself with sober judgement. (Romans 12:3)
• I have a compassionate heart full of kindness, humility, meekness, and patience. (Colossians 3:12)
• I know the truth, and it has set me free. (John 8:32)
• I have peace with God. (Romans 5:1)

I HAVE SUPERPOWERS

I have supernatural power.

• My body is a temple for the Lord so that He may dwell in me. (1 Corinthians 3:16) 
• The Lord has put His spirit in me. (Ezekiel 36:26-27)
• Christ lives in me. (Galatians 2:20)
• He who is in me (the Lord) is greater the he who is in the earth (the devil). (1 John 4:4)
• I receive power through the Holy Spirit. (Acts 1:8)
• I am one in spirit with the Lord. (1 Corinthians 6:17)
• I carry the seal of the Holy Spirit. (2 Corinthians 1:22)

I have supernatural gifts and anointings.

• I have many supernatural gifts from the Lord. (1 Corinthians 12)
• I am anointed by God. (2 Corinthians 1:21)
• God has granted me His promises and I receive them. (2 Peter 1:4)
• I have scripture to teach, correct, and train me. (2 Timothy 3:16)
• The Lord will tell me great and hidden things. (Jeremiah 33:3)
• I see the glory of God when I believe. (John 11:40)
• The Lord supplies my every need. (Philippians 4:19)
• I can discern the good and perfect will of the Lord. (Romans 12:2)
• I have been given the gift of eternal life. (Romans 6:23)
• My citizenship is in Heaven. (Philippians 3:20)

I have a supernatural body and character.

• I am fearfully and wonderfully made. (Psalm 139:14)
• I have the mind of Christ. (1 Corinthians 2:16)
• I put on the armor of God so that I can stand against the schemes of the devil. I have a belt of truth, a breastplate of righteousness, feet fitted with the gospel of peace, a shield of faith, a helmet of salvation, and a sword of the Spirit. (Ephesians 6:10-17)
• The Lord has removed my heart of stone and given me a new heart. (Ezekiel 36:26-27)
• The peace of God guards my heart and mind. (Philippians 4:6-7)
• I am a spirit being living in a body made of earthly materials. (Genesis 2:7)

I have the supernatural power of communication.

• I have personal access to the Lord in Heaven. (Ephesians 2:18)
• When I call to the Lord, He answers me. (Jeremiah 33:3)
• The Lord will NEVER leave me or forsake me. (Hebrews 13:5)
• I can approach the throne with confidence where I can find mercy and grace. (Hebrews 4:16)
• I have a seat in heavenly places with Christ. (Ephesians 2:6)
• If I ask according to His will, He hears me. (1 John 5:14-15)
• The Lord hears my voice. (Psalm 5:3)

I have the supernatural power to overcome.

• I will not perish. (1 Peter 1:23)
• I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. (Philippians 4:13)
• I can and choose to escape corruption and sinful desires. (2 Peter 1:4)
• I have the ability to stop sinning. (1 John 5:18)
• I choose to stop grieving the Holy Spirit. (Ephesians 4:30)
• I do NOT have a spirit of fear. (2 Timothy 1:7)
• I have power, love, and self-control. (2 Timothy 1:7)
• I purge my conscience of dead works. (Hebrews 9:14)
• I choose to abstain from the passions of the flesh, which try to wage war on me. (1 Peter 2:11)
• I choose to not be anxious about anything, but in everything be prayerful and thankful. (Philippians 4:6-7)
• I choose to keep the Lord’s commandments, and therefore abide in His perfect love. (John 15:10)
• I set my mind on the things of the spirit and not of flesh. (Romans 8:1-39)
• I am NOT conformed to this world, but I am transformed by the renewal of my mind each day. (Romans 12:2)
• I am MORE than a conqueror. (Romans 8:37)

I have supernatural power over my domain.

• I have authority over the earth, including every creature that moves on the ground and every bird in the air and fish in the sea. (Genesis 1:28 and Genesis 9:2)
• I can reign in this earth. (Revelations 5:9-10)
• I have authority over evil spirits and can cast them out and heal every kind of disease and sickness. (Matthew 10:1)
• When I resist the devil, he flees from me. (James 4:7)
• Whatever I ask in the name of Jesus will be given to me by the Father. (John 15:16)
• I can speak life and cause dead situations to come alive. (Ezekiel 37)
• I can heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse lepers, and cast out demons. (Matthew 10:8)
• I can lay hands on the sick and they will recover. (Mark 16:18)
• God is for me, so who could be against me? (Romans 8:31)
• Jesus said that I can perform even greater miracles than He did while on earth. (John 14:12)

I HAVE A PURPOSE TO FULFILL

I have a purpose.

• I am the Lord’s workmanship that was created for good works, which God prepared for me long ago. (Ephesians 2:10)
• The Lord knitted me together in my mother’s womb. (Psalm 139:13)
• I am called according to His purpose. (Romans 8:28)
• God has good plans for me — to give me hope and a future. (Jeremiah 29:11)
• God has begun a good work in me and will bring it to completion. (Philippians 1:6)
• The Lord chose and appointed me so that I can go and bear fruit. (John 15:16)
• To me, Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life. (John 14:6)
• I live by faith. (Galatians 2:20)
• I love the Lord and as such all things work together for my good. (Romans 8:28)

I am to be active in the battle of good versus evil.

• I am a warrior in the battle of good and evil. (Ephesians 6:12)
• I live for the Lord. (2 Corinthians 5:15)
• I am a doer of the Word of God and not just a hearer. (James 1:22)
• I am NOT overcome with evil, but I overcome evil with good. (Romans 12:21)

I am to further the Kingdom to which I belong.

• I am God’s fellow worker. (1 Corinthians 3:9)
• I work to increase and multiple the Kingdom. (Genesis 1:28)
• I am called to be a saint. (1 Corinthians 1:2)
• I choose to abide in the Lord’s vine and bear much fruit for Him. (John 15:1-5)
• I, myself, am a disciple and I also disciple others. (Matthew 28:19-20)
• I am always ready to give a testimony of the hope I have in the Lord. (1 Peter 3:15)
• As I go throughout the earth, I proclaim the gospel to every living being. (Mark 16:15)

I am to be an example of Christ to others.

• I am an ambassador for Christ. (2 Corinthians 5:20)
• I choose to walk in a manner worthy of the calling God has placed on my life. (Ephesians 4:1)
• I have been raised up to demonstrate His power and proclaim His name throughout the earth. (Exodus 9:16)
• I choose to be a good steward of God’s grace to others. (1 Peter 4:10)
• I choose to forgive others as God has forgiven me. (Matthew 6:14-15 and Colossians 3:13)
• I choose to follow Jesus and be a light in this dark world. (John 8:12)
• I am a light of the world, and like a city on a hill, my light cannot be hidden. (Matthew 5:14)
• I choose to shine my light before others so that they may see the Lord and give glory to Him. (Matthew 5:16)
• I am the salt of the earth. (Matthew 5:13)
• I choose to walk according to the spirt and not by my flesh. (Romans 8:1-39)
• I choose to be the aroma of Christ to those who are perishing. (2 Corinthians 2:15)

AMEN!!!

Deep Calls to Deep

I found myself standing toe-to-toe with the dreadful and life-stealing “C” word. The very same word and type that attacked my grandpa and eventually took the life of my uncle. Not only had multiple clinicians felt its lump in my abdomen—a lump that had been causing me pain for the past several months and could be visibly seen by looking at my belly—but also, it had shown its face in my colon on a recent CT scan.  And with a size of 5.4 cm (about the size of an egg), it meant business.

Images from my CT scan. Notice the mass in my colon as indicated by the red outlines.

 

Although I’ve always had great faith, my foundation shook with the implications of this battle and the potential losing consequences (like having half of my colon removed and all the other horrible outcomes a frantic internet search can reveal). Right when I needed it most, the Lord reached down in the middle of my weakness and inoculated me with a fresh portion of faith. I was going through my electronic medical records trying to find the results of the current CT scan when I stumbled across results from another battle with the “C” word a year and a half ago. While in all appearances, it seemed that I had lost some ground in that particular battle (I had to have a hysterectomy because of an orange-size tumor in my uterus), turns out when they removed my uterus, the tumor was already gone. You can read about this amazing story in my previous blog The Devil Comes to Steal, Kill, and Destroy. Just knowing that God had healed me from the “C” word once before was all I needed to take down this generational giant before me now.

After gathering a small group of prayer warriors, my husband, daughter, and I went to war. Practicing what I preach, I fought just like I explain how in my short book Subject Your Flesh. For a whole week, I made constant healing proclamations, declared scriptures over myself, commanded my body to come under subjection to my God-given authority over it, and rebuked the disease and doubt.  I did all of this out loud and not in my mind so that my own ears (and the devil’s) would hear it. After all, the Bible says that faith comes by hearing.

The big day finally arrived. It was time to obtain biopsies of the mass so that we would know what type and stage we were dealing with and how much of my colon would have to be removed. Yes, I was a bit apprehensive, but I had a peace that I cannot even begin to explain. When I woke up from the colonoscopy, all I can remember is someone leaning over my bed, telling me they couldn’t find anything. I immediately broke into sobs and thanked Jesus. God had miraculously healed me once again, and I intended to praise Him for it no matter who was listening.

Photos from my colonoscopy of the spot where the mass was seen on the CT scan. Notice there is NO tumor and the tissue is healthy looking with NO indications of its previous presence whatsoever.

As all of this amazing story transpired, I often used the scripture about deep calling to deep. The spirit deep inside me called out for the deep things of God and petitioned for healing in the deep parts of my body. Every time that doubt came creeping around, I would say aloud “deep calls to deep,” as my heart attempted to dial up the Lord’s. Although I used this scripture a lot (like a gazillion times), I told no one. However, the Lord knew, and He sent me two different people who said they saw a vision of a great wall of water ready to wash over me. I immediately knew what God was confirming through them. When the enemy came in like a flood, the Lord rose up like a tsunami. He took what was meant for my harm and used it for my good. And when my heart cried out to His, His waves swept over me, washing away all my iniquity and cleansing me. When my deep called out to His deep, He answered with healing.

Deep calls to deep in the roar of your waterfalls; 

all your waves and breakers have swept over me. 

Psalm 42:7 NIV

The Devil Comes to Steal, Kill, and Destroy

Spring of 2015, an ultrasound showed an orange-sized fibroid tumor growing inside my uterus. The news dropped my family and me to our knees in prayer, asking and believing for a divine healing. Eventually the day of my scheduled hysterectomy arrived, and in all appearances, our prayers seemed to have been defeated. After the surgery, we received good news that everything was normal, but my husband and I continued to question why I was never healed. We just couldn’t understand.

Fast forward to Fall of 2016. While digging around in my electronic medical records, I stumbled across the pathology report for my hysterectomy. I never expected to find what I did. Right there, written in black and white, it said that no fibroids were present!

Each time I reread the words, I became increasingly aware of the healing miracle in my body, and waves of indescribable gratitude washed over me. Even now, my heart still swells with intense thankfulness every time I think about it. The Lord had answered our prayers, despite how things appeared.

This revelation, however, also flooded my spirit with righteous anger. For over a year, the devil had managed to lie to us. (How dare he!!!) But even worse…

• The devil tried to steal the glory for the event.  He took credit for a defeat (which was actually false) and robbed God of the glory for the divine healing.
• The devil tried to kill our faith, to convince us that prayers don’t really work—especially the ones involving miracles for ourselves.
•  The devil tried to destroy my opportunity to have a life-changing testimony that could increase faith for others going through tough or uncertain times.

I say, no more!! And next time, I’m not falling for the deception.

If you are facing a difficult or even deadly situation, please know that everything isn’t always as it seems. God is working on your behalf whether you see it or not, and don’t let the devil convince you otherwise. Always remember that Jesus came so that you might have life, and that you might have it more abundantly.

The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy:
I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.

John 10:10 KJV

Plumb Line

Early one day, I kept hearing the words plumb line in my mind and spirit. Later that day during a powerful worship meeting led by Brian and Heather May, the Lord revealed the fullness of the message to me. Following is what I received.


In Amos 7:8, the Lord says that He will set a plumb line among the people. A plumb is a small, heavy object, that when attached to a string, is a tool used to determine whether something (such as a wall) is perfectly vertical.  In scripture, a plumb line is a symbolic standard, against which, God will measure, test, and judge us.

In a busy world of people focused on many things including love, money, success, and social media, the spiritual plumb line may go unnoticed like the following one I saw in a vision during the meeting.

In the next verse of Amos 7, the Lord says that the high places will be destroyed. Now is the time to decide which side of the plumb line you will choose. Will you be found above it or beneath it?

I’ve always heard the scripture about the way to life being narrow (Matthew 7:14), but the Lord showed me a new dimension of it. The narrow way is a life lived in reverence to the Lord, below the plumb line.