“Shine the
Light”
(Introduction)
Hi everyone! I know it’s been a while. The truth is it’s been far too
long since I’ve opened my blog, much less published in it. L I feel that I
owe everyone an explanation, so the beginning portion of the introduction to
the series I am about to begin will be just that, my explanation for my lack of
discipline over the last year.
Last year I began a series that I was unable to complete, and I feel
that my readers need to understand why before I share this new series. I can’t
expect anyone to start reading if they feel unsure that they’ll see part two or
three, right? So, to give you encouragement on that end, as you are reading this
introduction, know that I have several parts of the series completed and
awaiting their release date! I am scheduling a weekly release with this series,
so look for it every Saturday.
There were several reasons for my lack of commitment to the series I
began last year. One, after writing the first blog in the series (which was
meant to address the present issues we were facing in our society), I became
quickly overwhelmed by the hatred pouring out of the mouths of people all
across our country. I simply could not emotionally tackle the issues at the
time.
On top of being overwhelmed by the hatred in our world, I was—like many
others—overcome by the onset of depression due to world circumstances and
personal health issues. I did what I could to fight the demon of darkness and
keep the cloak of heaviness at bay, but that requires a lot of energy. The
small amount of energy I had was channeled into completing the everyday tasks
of running two homes and educating my students, my children. The business of
life and the changes in our world weighed heavily on me, and at the end of the
day I was left with little strength to fight the battle I personally faced. If
I’m to be perfectly honest, most days I neglected the fight with depression, so
how could I go to war with the strongholds consuming our world? I was being
defeated in my own battles!
At the beginning of March of 2021, I made a life changing decision. See,
a big part of the reason I didn’t have the physical energy to fight the
spiritual battle I was in was because I had gained an unhealthy amount of
weight, and as a result of the weight gain, I began having serious health
issues. I simply did not “feel” like going into battle. I finally looked in the
mirror and said, “Enough!” I began a journey to lose weight, regain my health,
and get back to being me!
Thus far I’ve lost nearly twenty pounds, and I have strength again, so
when that heavy darkness drapes around me, I have the physical strength to
combine with the spiritual power of the Holy Spirit to cast it off! I’m still
in my journey of getting back to being me and gaining control over my flesh, my
health, and my spiritual wellbeing, but the big difference is I’ve replaced the
spirit of heaviness that had sucked the life from me with the garment of
praise! I am dancing before the Lord again. I didn’t have the strength to dance
before, and boy does it feel good to shake off the shackles.
Hallelujah! Praise His name. I am free, and I am on the warpath now!
The third reason I’m changing gears and going with a different series is
because God has dealt with my heart to change the way I battle the enemy
infiltrating the world. The scripture God spoke to me for the days we live in
is Philippians 4:8, “Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever
things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure,
whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be
any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.”
Well, the truth is, we think on the things we say and hear. Over the
last few weeks the Spirit of God has impressed on me to fight the spirit
spewing venom in our society by putting this scripture into action in my life
(while encouraging others to do the same) and speaking life, love, hope, and
all things that uplift, so rather than addressing the hatred saturating our
world, I choose to shine the light by flashing a “spotlight” (if you will) on
women I’ve encountered in my life.
This series is meant to uplift and encourage women I’ve met at
crossroads in my life, and I hope that it will inspire my readers to do the
same, to shine a spotlight on women in their lives who have shown courage and
strength and honor. Rather than giving power to the negative words being spoken
by so many people across this country, let’s do something radical! Let’s use
the power of the Holy Spirit combined with the power of our words and speak
only “good” things. Let’s start a movement to change the hatred taking over our
world, not by talking about the hatred, but by being the change we hope to see!
Proverbs 18:21, “Death and life
are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit
thereof.”
Be Blessed and Be Made Whole,
Pinky
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