Opening Eyes and Ears

I have lived my life in the extremes of emotion for almost 30 years now. While bipolar is a mood disorder, it is considered a mental illness. Most of the time it is not presented as a brain disorder that affects your entire nervous system. When I have bouts of euphoria and delusions of grandeur, it is episodic and will eventually subside with proper treatment. The reality is our frail and temporary human bodies cannot tolerate a heightened level of awareness in our cognitive-behavioral mind. It is a rollercoaster ride and a drastic decline from psychosis to depression that I can only describe as crash and burn.

In keeping with my own experience of dramatic mood swings, we as humans exist in the world with hills and valleys, often accompanied by betrayal and a jaded spirit. We can spend a lifetime in search of meaning and a wholeness of heart. Yet, this wholeness can only be found in the Creator of the Universe (Romans 9:20-24 NLT). He made you with a purpose and blessed you with spiritual gifts, but we can miss the mark completely when we don’t look to Jesus Christ to transform us with His love and mercy. This requires followers who have attuned their senses to the Holy Spirit and seek humility and integrity to harvest a community of believers that are operating in synchronicity.

But, transformation cannot occur in the absence of refinement by a good and faithful God. The Christian walk is often a struggle, and we can wander aimlessly in the desert if we don’t look to the Scriptures for instruction and inspiration. Psalm 34:18 tells us, “The Lord is close to the brokenhearted; he rescues those whose spirits are crushed.” Where have you succumbed to trials in your life without asking God for help? Do you trust him to keep His promises?

He hears our prayers, and wouldn’t it be extraordinary if we could discern His voice in exchange. It may not be audible and may not be visual; regardless, we need to listen to and read His Word (Romans 10:16-18). The Bible tells us the only way to build faith is through hearing the Good News of the Gospel.

1/21/2020

Dear Lord,

Thank you for your faithfulness and that you will never leave us or abandon us. You remind us in Scripture so many times to not be afraid, yet we continue to doubt. Let 2020 be a year of confidence in your ability to meet and exceed your promises. May we be strong and courageous as we wait in joyful hope of your work in us and around us. Paul tells us, ““No eye has seen, no ear has heard, and no mind has imagined what God has prepared for those who love him.” (1 Corinthians 12:9). May this be so as we faithfully anticipate eternity with you. I pray our earthly homes will be known as ones on rock and in your service we are found to be good (and faithful) servants.

What questions do we need to ask so we can align with you? We know you have indwelled in us the Holy Spirit to guide us in this world where we will have troubles. Let your disciples practice what they preach, repent from hypocrisy, and be living sacrifices for your Kingdom. We turn to you as the wise and Wonderful Counselor and the Prince of Peace. (Isaiah 9:6)

Show us how to be your hands and feet in a world ruled by the powers that be and fallen angels. We survive daily on your provision, your manna from Heaven, so we can ultimately celebrate victory against our spiritual battle with the enemy: desires, deceit, and desolation. And, we know when we accept Your Son’s sacrifice with open hearts, your promise remains – nothing will separate us from you. (Romans 8:35-39) 

Love,
Kristin

Have you been thrown into the furnace? God makes beauty from ashes when we abide in Him. Not only does He prune us to remove the sinful ways in our lives, He attends to His vines to produce great fruit for His purposes in the earthly realm. There has to be a certain amount of distress in our mind, body, and soul in order for us to develop our strengths. God uses those moments or trials to help us endure temptation, grow character, and persevere to the end of the race (Hebrews 12:1-2).

Christian faith is a journey full of dependence and submission to the will of God, because in our weakness he is able to build His perfect plan not only for our lives but for His purposes. We cannot truly comprehend the mysteries of faith. And, if the Apostle Paul continuously struggled with his fleshly body and his sinful nature, how much more should we as disciples of Christ be challenged by society and by the Lord.

Hope for Restoration

Say to those with fearful hearts, “Be strong, and do not fear, for your God is coming to destroy your enemies. He is coming to save you.” And when he comes, he will open the eyes of the blind and unplug the ears of the deaf. The lame will leap like a deer, and those who cannot speak will sing for joy! (Isaiah 35:4-6 NLT)