Category: Inspiration

Pain is inevitable, which we all experience at some point in our lives. Whether its the loss of a loved one, losing our job, or even a health crisis, pain can even be mentally and physically and is oftentimes sudden and unexpected. In case one suddenly minor accident changed my life drastically in ways no one can begin to fathom, let’s not act too hastily. I was diagnosed with Sickle Cell Anemia which is an inherited blood disorder where red blood cells become sickle crescent-shaped causing frequent infections, swelling in the hands and legs, severe pain and tiredness, and delayed growth or puberty. 

Ergo, I firmly believe that I am a miracle because doctors stated, “I wouldn’t live past age 20 “, but with God’s grace upon my life, I am almost 29, and if that ain’t a miracle, I don’t know what is. Piggybacking on the accident, at first the tiny cut on my ankle seemed harmless, but weeks later I found myself in the hospital all drugged and strung up on pain medications, and my right ankle bandage—what I reckoned will take weeks turned into years to heal. Growing up, I faced a lot of ridicule and was labeled as abnormal, and that was when it dawned on me that the enemy had his snakily gaze on me. Before the accident, I was very active in church and school; I was in the choir; on the dance and sign language team; and I dabbled in sports and cheerleading. Those were the best three years of my high school experience, and despite my frequent trips and overnight stays at the hospital, I managed to graduate.

What can I say? I am a doctor’s pet with the ultimate doctor, our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. I was indeed lucky. In the year 2019, the Holy Spirit prompted me to write and share my story, for if my story only touched one person, all the pain would be worth it. That was one of my favorite lines from the movie I Still Believe.

Nothing catches our Heavenly Father off guard, only us, and in all honesty, it’s not easy enduring daily pain and discomfort, but I say all this to say that pain chose me for a reason, and it thought it had me at hello, but God always had me first. It brings tears to my eyes. How recklessly God loves runs deep for all of us. We just need to open our eyes and see through His lens, and I am learning that there is a purpose behind my pain, as well as that suffering and pain don’t destroy one’s faith; they only refine it. When we face advertisements, it is not God punishing us but building us to bring glory to His name, so above all else, if someone is suffering in silence or openly through pain of any kind, be strong in faith and stay encouraged in the Lord.

Final words: you are not alone, and always remember no season is wasted; God will restore all those years lost abundantly, so don’t lose hope. Delay is really preparation—a chapter in God’s book, not the whole story.

What is Grace? Grace comes from God. God’s grace is usually defined as undeserved favor. Grace cannot be earned; it is something that is freely given. We count on God’s grace and the bridge of hope He built in our relationship with Him. We know that grace is a part of God’s nature.

See 2 Corinthians 12:9 (ESV) But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore, I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. I take solace and comfort in this verse whenever I’m experiencing a painful crisis or even when I’m feeling physically weary over doing nothing. Pun intended, this scripture comes to light, which gives me inner peace and an undeniable resilience that can only come from God, verse 10 states, For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

These verses are powerful and remind us that when our strength has been depleted and dried up we have access to a fountain of grace and truth that never runs dry.

Grace has been given to build and perfect and to equip us for service in ways that reflect the fulness of Him who seeks all things are lyrics to a song that has become very dear to my heart, and the meaning it carries still tuggers at the heartstrings that keeps me into a place filled with awe and wonder. Grace plays a crucial role in our journey with the Lord. He is our peace in this chaotic world, and we must discern and breathe in this truth that we have access to—a passion and devotion that will unlock the warrior within us.

In a world filled with constant distractions and demands, it is vital to take intentional steps to unplug our minds from the chaos and plug them into the peace and wisdom of the Lord. By shifting our mindset and prioritizing our spiritual connection, we can experience a profound transformation in our lives. 

Being plugged into the world involves a relentless pursuit of material possessions and worldly success. Sometimes we find ourselves constantly striving for the latest gadgets, luxury items, and higher social status and measure our worth and happiness based on external factors, such as the size of our bank account or the possessions we accumulate. However, as such people continually chase after these fleeting desires, confusion sets in. Not realizing that our pursuit of material possessions is an empty endeavor leaves us feeling unsatisfied and disconnected from the Holy Spirit. 

On the other hand, being plugged into the Lord involves prioritizing spiritual connection, seeking God’s guidance, and living according to His will, it leads to a life centered on faith, love, and gratitude. This mindset brings about a deep sense of peace, contentment, and purpose. As individuals, fulfillment comes from our relationship with the Lord. For the Bible says,” And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good, acceptable, and perfect will of God.” (Romans 12:2 NKJV), Unplugging from the world allows us to shift our focus from relying solely on our understanding to seek wisdom and guidance from the Lord by acknowledging His presence in our lives and surrendering our plans to Him, we invite His divine guidance to lead us on the path of righteousness. 

We Must Break Away and Emit A New Frequency

In a world that bombards us with noise, distractions, and negative influences, it is crucial to break away from the chaos and emit a new frequency, one that aligns with light and truth. Just as a radio tuner adjusts to a different frequency to receive a clear signal, we too must intentionally shift our mindset, disconnect from the world’s negative vibrations, and emit a new frequency, one that is rooted in faith, love, and righteousness. In doing so, we can consciously disconnect from negative influences that hinder our spiritual growth. This may involve limiting our exposure to media that promotes materialism, violence, or immorality. By intentionally seeking uplifting and inspiring content, we can fill our minds with positive thoughts and messages that align us with God’s will, and that’s the new frequency we should emit and plug into so that we can develop the mind of Christ. 

Fear is a monster and can cripple us to the very core if we don’t banish it from our lives. We can combat fear by believing in God and His endless love for us. He is our eternal rock and our source; fear doesn’t stand a chance once we fix our thoughts solely on Him. Isaiah 26:3 You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in you and all whose thoughts are fixed on you! 1 John 4:18 Such love has no fear because perfect love expels all. Wow! Two powerful and profound scriptures speak volumes. God desires our faith to grow, and we are instructed through God’s written Word on how to develop a faith that conquers fear.

Unbelief can cause fear to take hold of our lives and emotions, and fear cannot exist in the same space as faith. Faith can deliver us from fear and worry because faith is the opposite of unbelief. Faith does not come from us; it’s a gift from God. We must be careful in our response to receive and embrace faith, for our response determines our outcome. 2 Timothy 1:7 For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love, and self-discipline. Overcome fear today and start walking in your divine healing with joy, peace, and rest. Walking by faith and not sight because the real battle is in our minds, which manifests itself outwardly through our actions and responses.

Truth be told, when I got my breakthrough, that’s when the struggles commenced with me finding my balance and walking without tilting over or simply walking without tipping, like I’m wearing invisible heels, pun intended. Over the years, I’ve learned to own the struggle and adjust to the unique changes that come with it. Pray! Pause! Be still and know, and take it one day at a time, for true healing begins when we start gazing at God and not the problem. Matthew 16:24 Then Jesus told his disciples, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself, take up his cross, and follow me.

Today is the day! Today is the day! On February 15th, 2023, at approximately 9:00 p.m., the final stage of my dressing schedule as clear scars came into view, I cried uncontrollably as I gave thanks to my Heavenly Father for healing both ankles from Chronic Sickle Cell Leg Ulcers that I’ve battled with on and off with for 13 years that have plagued my life with sleepless nights and discomfort, and a second home called the hospital while processing this phenomenal miracle. Time froze as a wave of emotions washed over me like a blast from the past that took me back to my accident and the different tragic but epic chapters that led to this breathtaking moment.

The journey to full recovery for my ankles has been a bumpy one but God was and is always with me, as I would oftentimes lay paralyzed but cognizant, crying, screaming, and just watching my life waste away. I later learned that it wasn’t a waste; it may seem like a delay, but it was the preparation; it may seem daunting and uncomfortable, but it thrust me into deeper prayer, worship life, and an overwhelming appreciation for the Word of God that turned my pain in power and trials into triumphs.

Yes, my process is unique and different, but we all have different processes that we have to walk through for God to take us higher in Him. My breakthrough didn’t just happen overnight; it took me praying and crying out to God countless times. It was first laced with impatience and frustration, but over time my frustration was turned into peace. When you feel like your faith is dwindling and as if all hope is lost, remember to Worship God in the middle of the storm because that’s when you’re so close to a breakthrough. Just be still and know that He is a God that specializes in miracles. Don’t break or bend! Take solace in the words of your Heavenly Father that read as such…This is my command—be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the Lord, your God is with you wherever you go.

Joshua 1:9 NLT

On December 15th, 2022, at exactly 1:00 am, I sprang up on my bed, ready to rip to shreds the wrapping on my ankle. It was dark and cold, so I was working blind, and sleep was evident in my eyes and burning red like lava as bags formed underneath. I was trying to put an end to this invisible and unavoidable pain and irritation. I couldn’t see it, but it was there, craving my attention like a 3-year-old crying for ice cream. Of course, this was now my life, and nothing new—just another chapter, but certainly not the whole story. I kept on telling myself over and over again to calm the storm raging in my mind. Scars! Scars! Scars were all I could see as a tiny light lit up the room at exactly 5:00 am. It seemed as though time had sped up, and it was then that it dawned on me that I’d been up way too long, and still the pain cuts so deep. I remember it like it was yesterday, and anxious yet grateful tears still fell from my eyes as I sat here and wrote this next piece.

Our scars tell a story that reminds us of where we’ve been and where we are today. Nothing is arbitrary to God; it reminds us of His undying love and favor upon our lives. Our scars make us who we are today, and the Holy Spirit wants us to embrace our scars and live with our head held high, our sight elevated as our wounds turn into scars, and scars turn into testimonies and testimonies that will encourage and inspire people to see the work of God today.

Broken crayons still color, and God wants to use our brokenness for His glory. Don’t be ashamed of your scars; embrace your battle scars; they are there for a reason, and the fact that you have them tells a much deeper story of how you overcame that fight and struggle. We are overcomers and survivors, not defeated victims. The fire comes and tries to consume us, but God takes us through it and yes, we will be wounded but not burned. EMBRACE YOUR SCARS! EMBRACE YOUR IMPERFECTIONS! SCARS CAN CHANGE THE WORLD JUST LIKE THEY CHANGE ME.

Prayer is a lifestyle. Prayer is our lifeline, and we must pray fervently and persistently. Prayer is a gift from God to communicate, draw closer, and develop a deep personal relationship with Him. For our prayer to be effective, it needs passionate and aggressive faith behind it. Prayer is connected to fasting. Through prayer and fasting, we develop a passion for God that supersedes everything else. Matthew 17:21 states, However, this kind does not go out except by prayer and fasting. Fasting is a biblical way to truly humble ourselves in the sight of God. King David said, “I humbled myself with fasting.” Please see Psalm 35:13. Fasting enables the Holy Spirit to open our spiritual eyes that our natural eyes would not see, resulting in brokenness, repentance, and a transformed life.

The greatest misfortune isn’t the prayers that are not answered; it’s the prayers that were never offered. Jeremiah 29:12 states, In those days when you pray, I will listen. The Lord not only hears, but He listens to our cries. Christ alone is our cornerstone, and we must draw nigh to Him in prayer as He draws nigh to us even when circumstances aren’t ideal.

We need to guard against complacency. Revelation 3:16 states, But since you are like lukewarm water, neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth. The Bible talks about the dangers of complacency and how we should steer clear, as it reads in Webster’s definition of the word “complacency”: “a feeling of being satisfied with how things are and not wanting to try to make them better: self-satisfaction, especially when accompanied by unawareness of actual dangers or deficiencies.”

This is a very dangerous place to be in, and as I’m writing, I’m self-examining my walk in the Lord and areas in that I’ve become complacent and lethargic in my spirit. Oftentimes, when I/we pray, we are expecting an immediate answer, and over time, when we pray and nothing happens, we become frustrated and start losing trust in God, and our prayers become passive and not aggressive. Ergo, we become complacent with our prayers.

Complacency takes root in us when we become weak in prayer and our faith dwindles, finding it hard to pray or stop praying altogether. Believe me, I’ve been there, but the Holy Spirit will not leave us nor forsake us. We must keep on praying even if there are no signs, even if it doesn’t make sense, even if you can no longer hear the voice of God about what you’re going through, only silence. 1 Thessalonians 5:17, states, pray without ceasing. Prayer changes things, so keep on praying until something happens.

Everyone says, “Wait on the Lord; He will make a way when there seems to be no way.” Or “At the end of the tunnel, there’s light,” but all you can think of is what to do while waiting. How do you handle the present? Despite this, waiting is not delayed; it is preparation. Preparation for what God is about to unlock and break from within you. They say the climb is difficult, but the view is breathtaking. But making that first step is the scariest and hardest part, but if we don’t, we will be forever stuck, and I can attest to that wholeheartedly. Fear cripples and keeps us in a place of despair and defeat, as if you’re only in survival mode, but God requires us to take a massive and mighty leap of faith, active faith that will cause shackles of fear and doubt to be dispelled from us. Waiting can be hard, but rather worth it. Furthermore, it all boils down to what we do while we wait, which keeps us expectant, prayerful, and joyful amidst any crisis that befalls us. In the book of Psalms 123:2, it states, “But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary, and they shall walk, and not faint.”

Growing up in Sunday School, our eyes were at our knees. We’d hear all these stories, and we’d even act them out in plays, which were so exciting. Those stories were filled with tragedies, mysteries, and unexplainable miracles all the same, from Adam and Eve in the garden to Cain who killed his brother, Peter walking on water, and Saul who became Paul. There is just this stream of stories that speak of God’s goodness and sovereignty, but when you hear a particular story that connects with your current situation, the reality of it hits differently, and it was as if the Holy Spirit placed it in the Bible just for you. 

The woman with the issue of blood is told in three of the four gospels: Matthew, Mark, and Luke. It impacted my faith deeply and rocked my world to its core truth be told all my ears caught in my earlier years were just this woman who suffered for twelve years, been through the wringer with many physicians and much expense, still her condition grew worse so much so that she was ostracized from her family and the public eyes. By faith, she knew Jesus could heal her. Even if she just touched just the hem of Jesus’ garment, she knew she would be healed and she indeed was granted miraculous healing Jesus immediately knew in himself that virtue had gone out of Him, but it was her intense desperation and determined faith that made her whole, and so I thought to myself, what is wrong with me and I even joked one time with a friend of mine saying, Lord, but I’ve been touching you and nothing, and we burst out laughing, but inside I was filled with dread and restlessness. 

It reads that, moreover, her story taught her that desperation keeps away self-pity and complacency, which was an eye-opener for me. In turn, the challenges that I’d seen helped to outstretch my faith in the process. The Holy Spirit has been challenging me every day to walk out in faith and become desperate. He told me I needed to be the change I wanted to see, be that example, and walk even when it hurts, walk. It is a daily struggle, but we’re not alone. God is with us every step of the way, and it’s when we become desperate and broken that our appetite and thirst deepen our need for Him.

Embrace Discomfort! Embrace Discomfort! Nonstop I heard this in my spirit, and a million questions will follow. I know all too well that embracing discomfort is a hell experience on earth. Oddly enough, I’d wondered what the Holy Spirit was trying to tell me because discomfort causes sleep deprivation, anxiety, confusion, and fear that cripples you, which leads to you questioning your entire existence and more so God.

    Fear traps you in a wormhole of hopelessness and isolation and then it dawned on me that God will say something repeatedly to prepare us and afterward comes the test and I can’t tell you how many times I failed. Day in and out I experience a painful crisis that not only affects my bones but my walking and balance and I do not handle it with grace, but with frustration.

    I may not have all the answers to my questions but I gotta keep on trusting Him through my pain. Isaiah 41:10, states, “So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you out; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” God has promised us His strength. He will never give us a trial we are unable to handle. There is something that God wants to unlock and it can only be revealed when we’re at our lowest and most uncomfortable be that our prayer life is enhanced, our worship is on fire, or we begin to fear Him and pursue Him fiercely. 

    Proverbs 4:7, states, “Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom: And with all thy getting get understanding. We start to fast more, our rough edges become smooth, no more cracks, our sight elevated, our understanding and outlook on life heighten our relationship with Him deepens and we start to see every situation we face through His lens. One chapter is not your whole story. Today isn’t our forever. 

   A well-renowned quote from Michael Hyatt that is very relevant and rings true today. I’m learning how to be brave and embrace discomfort, I won’t let fear cripple me and I’m never giving up and you shouldn’t either I’m always looking for a sense of control, but it’s letting my pain define me. Feels like I’m existing not living trying to find a balance but I’m tripping. I rest upon Your Everlasting Promises that are not beyond the realms of possibility. There’s truly no explanation or rhyme or reason. God is the only one we can turn to for recourse our father in heaven is breathing new life into our situation – things are changing. Yes! Lord restore us. Restore your people a hundredfold with an abundance. 

   Lord, you’ve thought me not to abort a process prematurely or else I will miss out on what you wanted to show or teach me and that was powerful when I pondered on it. No matter what happens, God has the final say. He is more concerned about our character than our comfort level, and He cares more about our growth as believers than the number of blessings we received and the state of our hearts than our happiness. Embrace Discomfort and start discovering growth and transformation in a whole new way. 

On May 25th, 2022, in the wee hours of the morning, riddled in pain, I reckoned it was another crisis; the weather didn’t have to change or a cold front didn’t have to pass through for my bones and ankle to stiffen. These crises gave no warning signs, so there I was, tears flowing like a broken faucet as I clenched my arms to my chest and gritted my teeth as I tried not to scream out in pain. My mind was bombarded with questions and uncertainty, but just then I heard the Holy Spirit whisper gently, “There Is Freedom in Your Pain!” It was very clear and distinctive; my spirit soaked up this truth like a sponge, but my mind, soul, and body were in World War 3. My thoughts started shouting, “How can I find freedom in a pain that is constant with an endless cycle of failed research studies and never-ending pressure? Will I ever be free to live, not only to exist? Will I ever receive my miracle?” My heart sank deeper because I knew these questions were marinated in doubt and fear. It was emotionally jarring, and I felt like I was slowly drowning in quicksand.

Be that as it may, the Holy Spirit is very strategic, and moments like these were nothing new to Him. I mean, He will listen as I cry myself to sleep and try to rack my brain around my situation, but I will always come up short on my reasoning and results, which were very limited because I knew all too well that I/we serve a limitless and infinite God who sees beyond everything.

This went on for years non-stop, even when I turned on music to keep me from thinking about the pain; it wouldn’t work. As well, there was a war unknowingly taking place in my subconscious, and it began manifesting in the natural.

I felt as though my mind has been conditioned over the years to respond to pain with fear and not with faith and strength and, as a result, has caused my faith to dwindle time and time again. Mind you, the pain is as real as it gets, but what I’m unlearning and re-learning even while writing this piece is that this violent and nerve-racking battle is in our minds and the overwhelming fear that it brings… Romans 12:2 states, Do not conform to the pattern of this world but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing, and perfect will. We are stronger than we give ourselves credit for, and we serve a powerful King who amplifies that strength within us; we just have to keep tapping into that strength daily. If I can keep on praying without ceasing for healing over my ankle, even when it gets hard and uncomfortable, and keep hanging on to that thread of hope, I firmly believe that thread can be turned into a rope of faith and courage to face my or our pain, though it still persists, and that is how we can find freedom in our pain, and with that freedom comes power.

This revelation teaches us that our pain doesn’t have any control over us; quite the contrary, we have control over our pain, which is a daily fight of constantly renewing our mind with the Word of God, tapping into His power, and making a deliberate choice to do it all over again tomorrow and every day after, and that is where true freedom lies. No pain is alike, but it is powerful once sight has been perceived. We can give a different response, and though that pain is still there, we are free to know that our pain is connected to something far greater than ourselves. We must turn our pain into a weapon of power and purpose that God can use to further equip His people as He builds in us a radical and undefeated faith like Corrie Ten Boom, one of my heroes from the Hall of Faith, who impacted the world with her faith despite the unspeakable struggles and hardships she and her sister Betsie endured. It won’t be easy, trust me, I know, but we can always find peace in God. One of Corrie’s poems that stayed with me goes like this:

Look around and be distressed

Look within and be depressed 

Look at Jesus and be at rest.

Pain is inevitable, which we all experience at some point in our lives. Whether its the loss of a loved one, losing our job, or even a health crisis, pain can even be mentally and physically and is oftentimes sudden and unexpected. In case one suddenly minor accident changed my life drastically in ways no one can begin to fathom, let’s not act too hastily. I was diagnosed with Sickle Cell Anemia which is an inherited blood disorder where red blood cells become sickle crescent-shaped causing frequent infections, swelling in the hands and legs, severe pain and tiredness, and delayed growth or puberty. 

Ergo, I firmly believe that I am a miracle because doctors stated, “I wouldn’t live past age 20 “, but with God’s grace upon my life, I am almost 29, and if that ain’t a miracle, I don’t know what is. Piggybacking on the accident, at first the tiny cut on my ankle seemed harmless, but weeks later I found myself in the hospital all drugged and strung up on pain medications, and my right ankle bandage—what I reckoned will take weeks turned into years to heal. Growing up, I faced a lot of ridicule and was labeled as abnormal, and that was when it dawned on me that the enemy had his snakily gaze on me. Before the accident, I was very active in church and school; I was in the choir; on the dance and sign language team; and I dabbled in sports and cheerleading. Those were the best three years of my high school experience, and despite my frequent trips and overnight stays at the hospital, I managed to graduate.

What can I say? I am a doctor’s pet with the ultimate doctor, our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. I was indeed lucky. In the year 2019, the Holy Spirit prompted me to write and share my story, for if my story only touched one person, all the pain would be worth it. That was one of my favorite lines from the movie I Still Believe.

Nothing catches our Heavenly Father off guard, only us, and in all honesty, it’s not easy enduring daily pain and discomfort, but I say all this to say that pain chose me for a reason, and it thought it had me at hello, but God always had me first. It brings tears to my eyes. How recklessly God loves runs deep for all of us. We just need to open our eyes and see through His lens, and I am learning that there is a purpose behind my pain, as well as that suffering and pain don’t destroy one’s faith; they only refine it. When we face advertisements, it is not God punishing us but building us to bring glory to His name, so above all else, if someone is suffering in silence or openly through pain of any kind, be strong in faith and stay encouraged in the Lord.

Final words: you are not alone, and always remember no season is wasted; God will restore all those years lost abundantly, so don’t lose hope. Delay is really preparation—a chapter in God’s book, not the whole story.