One of my favorite things to do is to curl up on the sofa with a blanket when a Rain Storm comes blowing in. Yesterday, I got to spend time chatting with a precious friend of mind. This is a lady who has biggest heart I have ever seen, loves deeper than anyone. I have the upmost respect for this lady because I watched her walk through a storm that would destroy most women. However, she faced this storm head on. God never promises us that when we go through storms we will not get a little wet, but he does promises us that we are more than a conquers and overcomers.
I must say one way that I feel the enemy attacks us women is in our self-confidence and we buy into the lie of we are not worthy. Let’s be honest ladies, we are told through advertising that to be beautiful we have to be a size 2, have perfect little body and breast that would cover the centerfold of the play boy magazine, and always have our make up on. So I am going to be transparent with you all right now. Last September, I went through some major depression, I started gaining weight and got up to be what I call a tight 8, but the stores and clothes call a size 10. Don’t judge me! You know you have in some point of your life had the muffin top going on! I began to lose my identity of who I was as a person, doubt my gifts, my calling, and if I was beautiful, and if that was not enough. Cort was going through his own struggle trying to find a job and that struggle continued for 10 months. I had strapped on my back the weight of providing for my family which was an overwhelming feeling because I had moved our family out of what we knew as home.
Now in the bible there is a story of a King Ahab and Queen Jezebel. King Ahab told Jezebel that Elijah the prophet of God had killed all the false prophets. So like any women who feels her kingdom is under attack sent a message to Elijah saying. Excuse me, but you better get ready because I am coming to get you and by this time tomorrow you will be meeting your maker.
Elijah was afraid and ran for his life and headed for the wilderness and found a cave and decided to pray that life was too hard and it would be better for him to die. He told the Lord. “I have had enough, Take my Life” Elijah had his own pity party. If he had his own boom box I am sure he would be singing, Help by Lionel Richie because of the weight he was feeling. I do not know about you, but I can totally relate to that because I can honestly tell you there was a time of depression in my life when I thought it would be better finical for my family if they could cash in on my life insurance policy. But let me stop there by saying the Lord reminded me. I love you! “Get up and eat on my word”
God allowed for the next several months to allow me to gain my strength, to get my identity back in Him. Through the STORM HE is LORD. Christ alone is our Corner Stone through the Storm. It is through the STORMs that he begins to restore our plans, our confidence in ourselves. HE reminds us of what he says and what He has in our lives.
Christ alone is who we can call on when the waves of life come crashing down on us. He speaks to each one of us and says, “My daughter, I have been here the whole time why are you trying to run from this storm. I am on board so you can rest in knowing this small rain storm is so out ranked."
Just like Elijah we might feel overwhelmed by the harsh words or actions of others and want to go run and hide in a cave, but the truth is ladies we have to rest and know that it is not that loud voice that tells us all the common lies we women buy into. But we have to get out of the Cave of Pity. Elijah had to trust God and get out of the cave. We have to trust God and listen to His voice. We have to train ourselves to listen to that whisper of truth. Instead of the screams of lies. It is time to put our best high heels on and face our fears head on, start believing we are beautiful. It was not in the wind, not in the firer, or the earthquake, but God reminded Elijah in the Whisper. Elijah knew without a doubt God was close.
Just like Elijah we might feel overwhelmed by the harsh words or actions of others and want to go run and hide in a cave, but the truth is ladies we have to rest and know that it is not that loud voice that tells us all the common lies we women buy into. But we have to get out of the Cave of Pity. Elijah had to trust God and get out of the cave. We have to trust God and listen to His voice. We have to train ourselves to listen to that whisper of truth. Instead of the screams of lies. It is time to put our best high heels on and face our fears head on, start believing we are beautiful. It was not in the wind, not in the firer, or the earthquake, but God reminded Elijah in the Whisper. Elijah knew without a doubt God was close.
I have been reminded of what the Lord has called me to be, I am to be a Poured out Vessel speaking with strength helping others, loving on others. I know without a doubt there are things God wants to do through me. I have gone through a lot of Storms in my life, and I will probably face many more.
When Cort and I were first married we went through a storm that meteorologist would have to classify as a Tsunami of the century. I am here to tell you with every fiber of my being that you can face and go through all life's storms. You can overcome self-consciousness, debt, your children running from God, or anything else this life has to throw at you.
God never left Elijah in the Cave. He was overwhelmed and needed a break, but he never left Elijah during his storm. God knows we are human and we need to have our pity parties and hang out in our caves and take what we call at our house "me time".
When my baby girl, Chaise starts to get overwhelmed which is easy to do when she has her daddy’s personality and Rielly, Kailee and I have the same type of loud outgoing personalities. I know the best thing to do for her is get her away from everyone. Chaise simply looks at me and says, “Mommy, I need me time. God gives us that time alone whether we verbal ask for it or we subconsciously choose it.
This past year while I felt as if I was dying on the inside because I doubted what God was doing. God was giving me "me time". All along God had everything worked out to the tee? God will never forsake us. He never leaves us. He stands patiently, and when we decide to trust him through the storm no matter if we come out drenched in the rain. We stand there overwhelmed that is when he softly and gently begins to remind us of WHO we are. IT is in the STORMS. He says, " Peace Be Still. I got this. Trust me. We are going here. No storm is too big." He will begin to whisper over us, “You are beautifully and wonderful made, you were raised up for such a time as this.”
I am telling you when you get a hold of God and what he has to say you are through Him. You better mark it down you are attending the pep rally of the century. I have learned in the past 3 months that Jesus can throw a pep rally. He makes us strong. He reminds us that He is actively involved in our lives.Trust me, I know life can become overwhelming at times, and those of you who know me well. I cry my fair share of tears, BUT know this no amount of debt, family situations, or any type of frustrations you are facing YOU will overcome you when you Make Christ your focus and allow for him to OUT RANK your STORM you are facing.
I once was told that you can take a moment and have a “Pity Party” however that Pity Party can only go on for 3 days then you have to get up, make a plan and put your big girl panties on. Keep in mind that God is not surprised by any storm, negative words that others use against you.
So my two cents of the day is. You can choose to buy into fear and keep your eyes on the storm, or know that when you are on Board with Jesus that storm is out RANKED!
Love y’all!
Tiffany
