in the battlefield

Miami, Wedensaday 7:30pm

Hello Lovelies. A very quick post, on the go to share an update and a word of encouragement.
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Two weeks ago from today, my Mother felt a throbbing pain that circulated her right eye, ear and nose. Thinking it to be sinus tension she took meds and to no success. Four days later she was in the hospital and diagnosed with an acute glaucoma attack which caused her to lose her sight. Last Tuesday she arrived to Miami from Dominican Republic and we took her immediately to Bascom Palmer Eye Institute. Since then she has undergone 4 laser procedures, 1 eye injection, 2 eye drops every four hours, 1 every hour, 1 before bed and medication. Yesterday she was told that the only option left is surgery. A physical exam was done and preparations for Tomorrow's surgery are on its way.
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Unexpected, unprepared and unbelievable are words that can describe this trial. But the Lord has been so faithful, loving and present. He has sustained us through the prayers and care of the Christian brothers and sisters in our lives. His Word has become and beacon of hope and an anchor for our faith. And so it is my duty to pass on to you, as you are found in the battlefield of a fiery trial, the encouragement that has been poured on us through His Words.
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The Lord himself will fight for you. Just stay calm. Exodus 14:14
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Rather, cling tightly to the Lord your God as you have done until now. Joshua 23:8
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Not a single one of all the good promises the Lord had given to the family of Israel was left unfulfilled; everything he had spoken came true. Joshua 21:45
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Hear my cry, O God;
Attend to my prayer.
² From the end of the earth I will cry to You,
When my heart is overwhelmed;
Lead me to the rock that is higher than I. 
Psalm 61:2
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The Lord your God in your midst,
The Mighty One, will save;
He will rejoice over you with gladness,
He will quiet you with His love,
He will rejoice over you with singing.
Zephaniah 3:17
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Concerning this thing I pleaded with the Lord three times that it might depart from me. He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ’s sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong. 2 Corinthians 12:8-10
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But Job replied, “You talk like a foolish woman. Should we accept only good things from the hand of God and shall we not accept adversity?” In all this Job did not sin with his lips. Job 2:10

partakers of the consolation

Hi Friends.

Trials, tribulations and heartaches can be oppressive, burdensome, exhausting and more often than not you feel alone in the battle. In the Bible we find truth and promises that will uphold us and strengthen us through those dark valleys. And though the valley can be sinister, frightening, threatening and unbearable it can also produce in us perseverance, character and hope. Looking back, God has worked out the good, the bad and the ugly in my own life for my good. Though some trials seemed to be the end of me, they were not and at the end I was victorious in Christ and made whole by Him.

I find it comical how past experiences that impaired us spiritually, emotionally and/or physically can be used greatly in the future to save someone. Yesterday I met up with a friend who wanted to talk and vent. She found herself in a valley; a well-known valley that I was familiar with. It was heart breaking to hear her speak because I know how tough walking through that valley is. But God, who is the same yesterday, today and tomorrow, carried me through it. And in sharing my story with her I was able to paint a picture of God’s faithfulness to her. It was also a WARNING sign for her of what not do, so that she would not go in the course of the same heartache that I went through because of my mistakes, disobedience and rebellion. Looking back to that season of my life, that I so often wish to erase, and looking forward today to the other girls that are walking through that common valley, I can say that it was worth it if it can comfort, guide or save one person from the misery that it caused me.

If you find yourself in a dark valley today, know that God is for you not against you. One day you too will look back at this very trial and will be able to comfort someone with the same comfort that God has comforted you with. Your trial can serve a great purpose if you allow patience to have its perfect work in you. Will it be easy, not gonna lie it can be rough but His grace is sufficient for you, for his strength is made perfect in your weakness (2 Corinthians 12:9). Be still and allow God to be the Almighty, all powerful, all sufficient and loving God that He is.

 

He restores my soul; He leads me in the paths of righteousness for His name’s sake. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; For You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me. Psalm 23

A friend loves at all times and a [sister] is born to help in time of need. Proverbs 17:17

As iron sharpens iron, so a friend sharpens a friend. Proverbs 27:27

Now if we are afflicted, it is for your consolation and salvation, which is effective with enduring the same sufferings which we also suffer. Or if we are comforted, it is for your consolation and salvation. And our hope for you is steadfast, because we know that as you are partakers of the sufferings, so also you will partake of the consolation. 2 Corinthians 1:6-7

One generation shall praise Your works to another, and shall declare Your mighty acts. Psalm 145:4

As a dog returns to his own vomit, so a fool repeats his folly. Proverbs 26:11

Therefore we do not lose heart. Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day. For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory, while we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal. 2 Corinthians 4:16-18