Seven years ago, today found me lying in bed at a Brain trauma unit, recovering from emergency Brain surgery. If you are looking for a fun way to enjoy the upcoming Fourth of July weekend, this would not be my recommendation. Fear, doubt, and uncertainty flowed through every part of my body. The word petrified isn’t strong enough to explain my every thought and emotion.
“Don’t yield to fear.
All you need to do is to keep on believing.”
- Mark 5:36 TPT
Today, my life is so full of Peace, Joy and God’s unconditional Love that now, words alone can not convey my gratitude to God for walking with me through the most overwhelming and fearful time of my life.
Recalling my journey over the last seven years, made me think of what we have all gone through during the past year and a half. The sheer terror of a worldwide pandemic reminded me of sitting in that hospital bed so full of dread that any “normal” thought seemed as distant as the East is from the West.
Post COVID Revival & Renewal
While most of us don’t enjoy change, it is the only way to grow. The changes that came from emergency brain surgery forced me to go through the physical and spiritual revival/renewal that God used to reset my life. If given a choice, my heart and mind would have probably chosen a path of pitiful regret and victimization. But God had other plans.
“The bricks have fallen down, But we will rebuild with smooth stones;
The sycamores have been cut down, But we will replace them with cedars.”
- Isaiah 9:10 NAS
It seems every story of Revival and Renewal starts with destruction. Isn’t fighting a battle, the only way to find Victory?
While my years in rehab were long, painful, and full of the horror that things would never be the same. Looking back, it was the destruction of my “normal” life that opened the door to a life of Peace, Joy and God’s unconditional Love. All Glory and Praise to God for holding onto me while filling me with His comfort during the scariest journey of my life!
As we come out of the devastation of the last eighteen months, we have a choice. We can look back and wallow in our hurt and the things that were lost. Or we can rejoice in the opportunity to become something new. Remember, it is darkest just before dawn and we would never get to experience the beautiful sunrise and warmth of the day without first going through the darkness.
Let us rejoice and be glad in change. We now have an opportunity to rebuild with smooth stones and replace Sycamores with Cedars. Hallelujah!
“When God is in it, there is NO limit!” - Israel Houghton
Be of Good Courage!
"Be of good courage, And He shall strengthen your heart,
All you who hope in the Lord."
Psalm 31:24 NKJV
Above All else …