"Anonymous"

Ever feel insignificant, hidden, unappreciated, unvalued, useless, used, uncelebrated, unseen, in a rut, etc.?

I'm reading a book called "Anonymous" by Alicia Britt Chole that speaks to these very feelings.  I asked for the book for Christmas because I thought the subtitle was interesting: Jesus' hidden years... and yours.  Little did I know that 6 months later { when I finally started to read it } it would be words to my heart for this season directly from God for His glory.

Since January when I found out I was pregnant, I have not been "myself."  I am in an uncontrollable whirlwind of taking life as it comes rather than creating life as I'd like it.  I have been sick for the past 24 weeks, have had no energy and have spiraled down into my depression { more on that some other time }.  It's all such a helpless feeling.

I am a person that thinks, if there is a way to "fix" or make a situation better, then I do it.  So I have been trying to "fix" all this for months now to no avail.  Just when I think I am feeling better, something slams me back down.

I am also an "acts of service" kind of person.  I enjoy taking care of my husband and kids.  I like to think about ways I can encourage and impact family and friends with the love of Christ and then DO THEM.  All of this in the past was an unconscious way of thinking I was earning Gods love.  But about 3 years ago, I was released from that bondage and have enjoyed God's free and unconditional AMAZING grace & love ever since.  This has actually spurred me to do greater things in His name because I am so thankful and free!  But alas, I have been failing miserably at all of the above. 

I have spent so much time just sitting around. This might not seem like a problem to most of you but, for me, with it comes guilt and a feeling of being useless and in a rut.

It wasn't until about 5 days ago after reading the passage from the book in the picture above that it finally sunk in and I realized that I am in a season of refinement and I must not try to rush it.  In fact, I need to embrace it.  I need to commit my heart and mind to finding my identity solely in Christ.  I need to discipline my thought life and rest in God's timing.  Since saying these words out loud it's like I've been released from the heavy rock I had been carrying.

I just want to encourage you today that God SEES you and knows exactly where you're at in life.  Psalm 46:10 says "Be still, and know that I am God;  I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.” While I believe loving God and action in His name go hand in hand, He also wants us to accept our circumstance and sit at His feet as long as we need to in order to receive the comfort, peace, joy and supernatural power it will take to walk through this season.

I Have Been Healed! a testimony by Jessi Brome

 

“He Himself bore our sins in His body on the cross, so that you might die to sins and live for righteousness; by His wounds you have been healed,” 1 Peter 2:24

 

My whole life I never really thought about that verse and what it really meant. But last fall my life took a crazy turn, and I had to face reality. I went to the doctor with scary symptoms and heard the words I never wanted to hear. I was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis. I was told it was an “incurable disease,” but I would be on medication to control the symptoms. This medication was the only hope they could offer me of some relief from the pain and ease my mind that I would still be able to be active as I got older. As a wife and a mother of 3 small kids, I could imagine the worst outcome and I felt devastated. But in my heart, I knew there had to be a better way.

 

I began praying and asking God to give me wisdom. I searched Scripture and began to see how Jesus healed people. MANY times, the gospels proclaim that Jesus healed every person in the crowds around Him. Hebrews 1:3 says that “The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of His being, sustaining all things by His powerful word.” If Jesus had a heart to heal all the sick, then we can have confidence that the Father does too!

 

I began to understand that the work Jesus did on the cross was complete. When He said “it is finished,” He meant it! He paid the full price for me to be healed, and when the Word says “YOU HAVE BEEN HEALED,” it literally means that Jesus has already done it! It is a finished work, and we can now receive it!

 

I began to believe God for my healing, and I asked Him to get me where I needed to be to see it happen. In His great kindness, He put me down a path that not only lead to me being healed of MS, I was also healed of thyroid disease and asthma! These were things I hadn’t even asked for, but God knew I needed it. I was completely blown away by the kindness of Jesus!

 

Today exactly one year later, I am still so grateful for my Savior who gave His life for mine. That He took our infirmities and carried our sorrows so we can have health and joy.

 

Do you believe that God still heals today? I am a walking, breathing example of what He can do, and I am not the only one. I have seen many people healed this year. He is not limited by a doctor’s proclamation that any disease is “incurable.” There is no such word in God’s vocabulary. I am not against doctors or medicine. I was a nurse for 11 years. But I truly believe that God’s way is greater, and we need to put our faith in Him before we turn to people for our help. If you are sick and need any sort of healing, will you run to Him first? Will you turn to His Word and stand on the promises that He has given? The rewards are great if you will hold His Word above all things and put your confidence in Him!

 

- Jessi Brome