After the week, day, and morning I have had, the fleshly me wants to cuss, drink and smoke, without a care in the world about what anybody thinks. But then my spiritual self, taps my fleshly self and asks, “Girl, whose side are you on?” So then I readjust my crown, sip on my coffee, open up my word document and write to encourage somebody else. See, the flesh part of me could have given in but I’ve seen too many victories. The flesh part of me could have cried and given up but I’ve seen too many miracles. The flesh side of me said, let them fend for themselves today but then God says, read 1 Thessalonians 5:11 that says, “Therefore encourage one another and build up one another, just as you also are doing.” The flesh side of me could have said, curse God and die yet instead I stand like Job, in the midst of chaos and confusion; checking my pitch to ensure clarity for when I scream, loud and clear, “Though he slay me, yet will I trust in him: but I will maintain mine own ways before him (Job 13:15).” Understand, I am simply writing this for you to know that you can go through and survive. I know I am talking to myself but who else needs to know this today? You can go through and survive. I don’t care what it looks like, “Greater is He that is in you, than he who is in the world (1 John 4:4).” Who else needs to be made aware? You can do this my sister. You can make it my brother. All you have to do is be willing to survive.
Let me leave you with Psalm 130 (NLT), in its entirety because there is hope in God’s love. Because after this, there shall be glory. After this, God shall redeem us. After this … This, whatever it is you are facing … there is hope. “From the depths of despair, O Lord, I call for your help. Hear my cry, O Lord. Pay attention to my prayer. Lord, if you kept a record of our sins, who, O Lord, could ever survive? But you offer forgiveness that we might learn to fear you. I am counting on the Lord; yes, I am counting on him. I have put my hope in his word. I long for the Lord more than sentries long for the dawn, yes, more than sentries long for the dawn. O Israel, hope in the Lord; for with the Lord there is unfailing love. His redemption overflows. He himself will redeem Israel from every kind of sin.”
Lakisha, the Author 