Does Despair Whisper to You?

I struggled for many years with a cloud of Despair. It stayed with me as I grew up, like a familiar friend. It whispered in my ear with incoherent mutterings I could not understand. Later as a young adult, I would be able to put words to the low rumble. Despair would whisper, "You are bad." or "Your struggles will NEVER change"; or "YOU failed." and "You will never succeed as a person", with many many more. ALL. LIES.

While in the temple, Jesus quoted Psalm 61. "The Spirit of the Lord is upon me..." and went on to tell the listeners that HE FULFILLED THAT SECTION OF TEXT. His comment brought an uproar to the Jewish leaders. "How dare he?" "Who does He think He is?!!"

One of those beautiful statements of claim was He would comfort all who mourn. He also stated, "and provide for those who grieve in Zion-- to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair."

As much as I knew Jesus spoke the truth, my flesh would fight yielding its weight. Praise instead of a spirit of despair??? "I don't feel like praising right now, Jesus. My flesh wants to sit on my pity pot. I'm bad, remember? I'm a failure, remember? This dark cloud has been with me for a long time and I'm comfortable with it", I said. The cohorts of hell relished hearing those words from me. But the Lord kept calling. "Praise Me." He would say. Scriptures loudly proclaimed His hope, but I cast them aside many times, succumbing to the taunts of my enemy. Being a very compliant child, it was easy to follow orders. At some point though, the torment was too great and through much prayer from my mother, I yielded to the Holy Spirit. As I put on favorite praise music, soon worship ascended, and the dark cloud whisked away. I found JOY replaced depression.

Was it that easy? Could I really LIVE in the bright JOY of the Lord instead of shadowy gloom I was so familiar with?

Scriptures cried out, Yes! Jesus proclaimed, "Yes!" The Holy Spirit affirmed, "Yes!" The question would be, "Would I be willing to keep up the fight when it would come back?" "Would I be vigilant to keep awake and watch out for the whispers of Despair?" Would I fill my mind with truth to replace the lies?

I have since come to know the devil seeks to get us down. Do you feel this tendency, especially now while we shelter-in-place? Jesus told his followers, "The thief (speaking of the devil) comes only in order to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have and enjoy life, and have it in abundance (to the full, till it [a]overflows)." John 10:10 AMP Bible
Let's remember the early Christians also had to shelter-in-place, literally hide, while they were hunted down by the Romans. Only their passion for Jesus would give them stamina to endure such hardship. The infilling of the Holy Spirit fueled them with strength as they were given joy even while being shaken.

As we all hunker down, Christian, praise Him and let the Holy Oil flow onto your head! Put on the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness, as the old song goes. Let Him destroy the black cloud of hopelessness. If we know Him, all that really matters is our relationship with Christ and the promise of eternal bliss. He wants to be our first love and release us of all the mutterings of Defeat and Despair. Will you let Him release you? Will you let His voice from the Holy text fill your mind? Will you put on the garment of praise today?

When God opens a door.

Wisdom is walking through a door God opens and trusting Him to lead. For me, sometimes the Lord reveals a new ministry in a dream. 

Being a mom, the Lord knows how to speak my language, so when He births a new ministry in my life, he will give me a dream that I have just had a baby to love and nurture.   On top of that imagery, He will point to certain things in real life that stand out to reveal His will. The Open door becomes obvious and I walk through it. Will you join me walking through yours?

Oppression in 2020

Lately, I have felt new oppression ever since 2020 rolled in.  Whether in our home or at church and even now in our society with the Covid-19, I am challenged to keep my spiritual eyes open and fight.  

Even though some of our troubles affect us in this physical world, we need to remember its source.  Paul the Apostle told us where our battles come from, ultimately. 

For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. -Ephesians 6:12-13 (ESV)

It's Wisdom to interpret World events through God's Word

Wisdom looks to the Word of God to interpret world events: 

Regarding Covid-19 and China; my opinion based on what I've learned: 

We do know that there will one day be a one-world system of government and religion according to the Bible, so this world lockdown is no real surprise to Bible believers. We are steadily moving toward this global governance, one day at a time. Although we didn't expect such a dry run, I agree with Dr. Don Stewart and others, that very likely Covid-19 is a Chinese bio-weapon and China is trying to advance their control over the world, but the devil is in the details, as they say, and Bible prophecy will come to pass.  Because China is 3,696,100 square miles, the likeliness of the virus naturally developing in Wuhan where the only Pathogen Level 4 Lab exists, is too coincidental. Wikipedia had an article on the development of the virus in this lab as the place of origin, but has since deleted it I think; I just cannot locate in anymore! In Googling the lab: "The lab -- the Wuhan National Biosafety Laboratory (Level 4) of the Chinese Academy of Sciences -- works with and studies the world’s most dangerous pathogens such as Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS), and Ebola. However, scientists had warned in 2017 that a dangerous virus could escape the lab."

Whether China succeeds in its dastardly plan remains to be seen, but in the major world events according to the Bible, China could be what is described here: 

 "In the book of Revelation, the 200 million man army is a confederation of Asian armies that will destroy 1/3 of the earth's population before heading to Jerusalem...

Gog, the leader of Magog (Russia) will invade Israel before the 200 million man army invades, probably before the Rapture and the Tribulation, leading an Islamic confederacy of nations lead by Iran, Ezekiel, chapters 38 and 39." -Yahoo answers. 

Jesus said, "But when these things begin to take place, straighten up and lift up your heads, because your redemption is drawing near." Jesus was speaking of things that will come to pass like:

 “Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be great earthquakes, famines, and pestilences in various places, along with fearful sights and great signs from heaven,  persecution of Christians to name a few. -Luke 19 excerpt.

Jesus IS coming soon to take his people out of this world before the Great Tribulation, so look up my friends!