Expect a miracle

Do not be dismayed or downcast, but know that you're on the brink of a miracle, not a breakdown, but a breakthrough

Source: MCF Life Church

We have a rota at our church which allows the congregation to contribute to our MCF Life Church blog. I recently noticed that my name had started to appear on the rota (we display the rota during Sunday service each week) but I had to admit to myself that I was struggling with what, when, where and how to present this blog due to depression. However, I knew in whom I believe and I was persuaded that He is able to keep that which I have committed; 2 Timothy 1:12 'That is why I am suffering as I am. Yet this is no cause for shame, because I know whom I have believed, and am convinced that he is able to guard what I have entrusted to him until that day'. Yes, my Abba Father is All Powerful and Awesome, and able to help me overcome all the negative emotions I am experiencing at the moment.  For He is Creation, Redemption, Salvation, Revelation, yes, His-tory is my glory story about Him. Romans 8:15 ‘The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship. And by him we cry, Abba, Father’.

I really don't want this blog to be depressing, despondent, or downcast but in-fact the total opposite. My first encounter with the 'd' word (depression), occurred back in the early 1970's when at the age of 18 I was training to be a SEN (State Enrolled Nurse), as I had always had a passion for caring for people and I have always felt that this was my calling/vocation.  At the time, I was hospitalized for approximately four months. During my time in hospital I had a vision of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, up in the sky, with His arms outstretched and His nail pierced hands.  My Lord said to me; ‘you are going through this for your family but I am with you’. I also found myself needing to rebuke the evil one using the words of Jesus 'Get behind me, you have no power, you have been defeated’. Matthew 16:23 ‘Get behind me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to me; you do not have in mind the concerns of God…’ Whilst I was not saved at this period of my life, I can truly testify that Father God had me in the hollow of His hands. I was also being protected through the prayers of my mother and grandmother.

Source: twitter.com/TimBurt

I got married on the 11th September 1971 to a God given man, in my wonderful husband, my best friend and soul mate. My second encounter with the 'd’ word was after the birth of our first born, a handsome, bouncing 9lb 4oz boy, when I went through nine months of post-natal depression. This encounter with the ‘d’ word seemed more compounded than the first in that I felt that I shouldn't be feeling this way as we were both born again (I did not conceive until I had given my heart to The Lord) and our beautiful son had been born as an answer to prayer as I had two previous miscarriages. In my times of trouble, I found the following scriptures to be incredibly comforting:

Isaiah 49:15-16 ‘Can a mother forget the baby at her breast and have no compassion on the child she has borne? Though she may forget, I will not forget you! See, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands; your walls are ever before me. 

Isaiah 61:3 ‘and provide for those who grieve in Zion—to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of joy instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair. They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the LORD for the display of his splendor’.

Romans 8:26-27 ‘In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans. And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for God’s people in accordance with the will of God’.

Romans 8:38-39 ‘For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord’.

Ephesians 3:20-21 ‘Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen’.

Philippians 4:4-7 ‘Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus’.

So my brothers and sisters do not be dismayed or downcast, but know that you're on the brink of a miracle, not a breakdown, but a breakthrough. For as The Lord said to Peter in 2 Corinthians 12:9 'My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me', and Father God cannot lie for all. His promises are true, yes and amen. Even when problems beset us we can use these mere stumbling blocks as stepping stones to see the fulfilment of His provision: Jeremiah 29:11 'For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future'. Amen.

Author: Inie Jean

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