
I woke up from a nightmare yet again tonight and after praying and reminding myself that I am safe and thanking God for his peace I felt the urge to write this message.
Life can sometimes feel heavy and like more than we can bear. There are things we can change and things we can't. Like we can choose what clothes we are going to wear or what we are going to eat. It's those things that we can't change, at least not without God's help, that seem unbearable. I know in my own life sometimes the wind feels strong enough to knock me over and the waves of this life mighty enough to crash over my head and drown me. I have seen so many people on my social media going through similar things so I feel this "message of hope" is for you too.
As the waves of anxiety tried to shake me.....sometimes that is what it literally feels like between the heart palpitations and the pain that follows it after it stops...I turned on my worship music on Pandora and I began to dive into the word of my heavenly Father in search of my peace. No one else can give me peace like he can. When I'm in his presence I feel the anxiety wash away like the ocean pulling the water back from the beach. I can feel the anxiety melt from me as this warm, tingly feeling starts at my head and trickles down my body all the way to my toes and I begin to feel at peace. In my mind or imagination, I imagine my Father God wrapping his arms around me and giving me a BIG HUG just like a Father does for his little child when they are scared. I tell him, Father, I'm afraid. There's so much going on. Life feels too heavy. He says give it to me. Let it be mine to bear. He's such a good, good Father. He really cares for his children. He really does hear us when we call. Psalm 18:6, "In my distress, I called to the LORD; I cried to my God for help. From his temple he heard my voice; my cry came before him, into his ears." I didn't feel like my message was supposed to end there though so I dove deeper into the word. Friend let me tell you I know the darkness, or what you are going through can seem ending, but just as the night end every morning as the sun rises I can promise you there is an end date to all you are going through. Romans 13:12, "The night is nearly over; the day is almost here. So let us put aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light." We have to spiritually suit up like going into battle. Your night, or problems, might feel like Goliath, but with God, David defeated him with a sling and some little stones. I promise you even though it looks dark the morning is coming. Luke 1: 78-79, "A new day will dawn on us from above because our God is loving and merciful. He will give light to those who live in the dark and in death's shadow. He will guide us into the way of peace." I feel like I am supposed to end it here for now, but I will be back Monday with another shot of hope and motivation. Let me just say once again as I have said 1000 times I love each and every one of you and I am just a comment or email away if you need a friend. You are not alone in your battle. And as always remember if no one else has told you today YOU ARE LOVED....YOU ARE WANTED.....AND.....YOU ARE APPRECIATED!
I love you all!
Michelle Bradshaw
Here's a good clean joke to leave you with. I love a good joke. If you have a CLEAN one leave it in the comments and you might see it on a future post. This one felt appropriate for the post.
"I waited and stayed up all night and tried to figure out where the sun was."
"Then it dawned on me."
Ha ha.
Oh and here's a great big hug for you! (Please make sure you keep scrolling to the bottom after my pictures and enjoy the video.)