Tag: Encouragement

What Is A Good Friend?

Today’s a new day! As we celebrate this Christmas season, hopefully we will be surrounded by good friends. Which begs the question, What is a good friend?

We all have heard the saying “You don’t know who your true friends are until life smacks you in the face.” True friends will reveal themselves during the storms of life.

As I have traveled my crazy beautiful health journey, I have been blessed with a few friends who have never left the boat. Friends who have truly went to battle with me.

Here are a few lessons I have learned about holding on to the real, ride or die friendships.

First, who are the true friends sitting in the boat with you during the toughest times? Take time to think back on the worst times in your life and who are the friends that never left your side? Also think about those friends you expected to be by your side, but ultimately they were not. Do not spend too much time dwelling on those friends. Let it go.

Second, think back on those true friends who have walked through the fire with you. Give those friendships the time and nurturing they deserve. Embrace them. I love 1 Thessalonians 5:11 which states “Therefore encourage one another and build each other up.” Are we doing this?

Third, never take those true friendships for granted. Sadly, too many people take friendships for granted. True friendships are a beautiful gift from God. He designed each of us for relationship. Never overlook the importance of genuine friendship.

When you find God-ordained relationships hold on to them. Embrace them. Treasure those friends who treasure you. Build into those friendships that will bring enrichment to both parties.

Have you been blessed with real ride or die friendships? If so let them know. Give thanks for each of them. ~OC

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Thorn In The Flesh

Today’s a new day! If I tried explaining this crazy beautiful health journey to myself before this journey started, the former me would have been confused and most likely skeptical. That’s the most difficult part of living with a chronic illness. Unless you’ve walked the road, it’s nearly impossible to understand.

No amount of words can describe how completely this health journey has affected my life. My body’s tired. It longs for relief. I hear its cries. I used to force my body to keep moving, angrily ignoring its groans. Then I realized my body didn’t ask for this. We live in a broken world. Everyone’s body breaks down at some point. Mine decided to break down at 35. That was twenty-one years ago. Supposedly I was in the prime of my life. But through the years, I have come to realize I’m not entitled to perfect health. No one is. Sometimes the body suffers the effects of brokenness much earlier than it should.

I share the above not to bring anyone down, but to hopefully bring hope. Hope might be the most important tool in the Christian arsenal. Hope is not circumstantial. It is a firm conviction, a way of seeing the world. Hope is what sustains us through difficult times. We know God is in control, regardless of what our circumstances might lead us to believe. We trust suffering is temporary and that God will use even the worst of situations for good. Evil might have the first word (cancer, chronic illness, divorce), but we proclaim boldly that God will have the last.

Many times in the last twenty-one years, I have found encouragement in 2 Corinthians Chapter 12. In verses 8 and 9, Paul talks about his thorn in the flesh that tormented him throughout his life. He prayed multiple times for God to remove it. Here was God’s response: “My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.”

I may experience another miracle along this journey. I may not. Either way, God’s grace is sufficient. It’s enough for me. I pray it’s enough for you too. ~OC

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Intimacy with God

Today’s a new day! As I have struggled with chronic health issues for 21 years, I have experienced a beautiful and ever deepening relationship with God. He’s constantly pouring out His love over me, and God is continuously speaking to me. Even though my health journey has not been an easy one, God has never felt distant. Even in the toughest moments, He has felt close like a warm blanket on a cold night.

I know for some people that has not always been their experience. They have had moments of feeling distant from God. While we should not let our emotions dictate our faith, if He consistently feels distant, we should question why.

I would like to share one of the greatest gift a person facing chronic health issues can experience during the trying times- intimacy with God. If you’re currently walking through a season of chronic illness, you can experience an ever-growing closeness with God during the toughest and most painful days. Here are some questions I have pondered over the years.

  1. Are you currently experiencing true intimacy with God?
  2. During your health battle when have you felt closet to God?
  3. How often in your journey have you compared your interaction with God to how He interacts with, responds to, or guides someone else?
  4. What are some ways you can intentionally draw close to God?
  5. Do you struggle with feeling as if you should do or be more as a Christian?
  6. Have you unknowingly slipped into a works-based relationship with God?
  7. In what ways is God using your current struggles to draw you closer to Him?
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Resiliency

Today’s a new day! Nothing is wasted by God and that through all things, God is working for the good of those who love Jesus and for His ultimate glory. If we truly lean into the truth of God’s word, there is not a single circumstance that happens outside of the sovereignty of God’s authority and if it is not outside of His authority, it is being used by Him for our good and for His Glory. Resiliency.

Cancer, Parkinson’s, Myasthenia Gravis, Gastroparesis, Covid Long Hauler’s all under God’s authority. All the storms of life under His authority. As I have walked through the above health issues, I have chosen to totally put my trust in God. Leaning into the amazing truth, that God has used every health issue I have faced and am currently facing for His glory. I want to be in the middle of everything God is doing in my life. Because if it’s for His Glory, it is inherently for my good. If it is for my good, I can keep persevering through the tough moments. That is resilience. Course correcting through the storms of life, through hardships, through trial after trail … being brought back to the foot of the Cross with the truth that it is all for His Glory and my good. Resiliency. ~OC

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Dear Jesus

Today’s a new day! Dear Jesus, I’m writing this letter to you
Cause’ I’m thankful for your love
Thankful for your grace
I’m sitting here
Leaning into your promises
Simply thankful for your forgiveness
Thankful for the purpose you’ve given my life
I never want to be the person I used to be
Thanks for guiding my life and showing me the Way
Thanks for meeting my needs
Thanks for showing me who I am in You
When I was at the end of the road, you took my hand and pulled me out of the darkness
Thanks for Your strength in my time of weakness
Thanks for always believing in me
As I reflect back, I thank you for conducting this symphony called life
You have gifted me
The road has not been easy, but You have never missed a beat
Thanks for showing me the Way
Thanks for Your amazing grace
Keep letting me run the race ~OC

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Promises

Today’s a new day! What Jesus accomplished on the cross and through His resurrection is central to everything in our faith journey. The death and resurrection of Jesus is not only central to scripture and the Gospel, but is also central to learning (maybe for the first time) what God is like, and how we are supposed to live our lives as followers of Jesus. Keep leaning into the promises of Jesus. ~OC

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Total Freedom

Today’s a new day! There is complete and total freedom in Jesus. We will never experience true freedom in our finances or social status. No, true freedom and joy comes from surrendering our entire lives to Jesus.
We will still have aching questions and burning disappointments that we will bring to God. We still do not understand all the mysteries of life. Our future is still full of questions and imperfections.

But that doesn’t have to hold us back from continuing to lean into the promises of Jesus. When we have faith that He is working, even now, we are filled with peace. It’s out of our hands and it’s in the hands that were pierced for each of us. In the midst of the storms of life, our Jesus continues to work. He is focused on our now and walking with us through the storms. Do not miss the lessons He has for you in the valley moments. Jesus is focused on the big picture. The results are going to be glorious. Keep leaning in. ~OC

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Walk In Freedom

Today’s a new day! It’s time to start living out our faith. Not on our own power but in God’s strength and His grace. To walk in true freedom. When we are walking in freedom, we are able to experience all that God has for our lives. Then we are not slaves to sin or other people’s opinions. We can truly live and love like Jesus because it really is Jesus living and loving through us.

Why do God’s people choose not to walk in His freedom? We toss it aside like an old piece of clothing most of the time. Somehow, we think this precious freedom would make us boring and unattractive to the world. When in reality, living in God’s freedom makes us full of hope, love and grace. When we are filled with the freedom of Jesus, we are truly receptive to God’s calling and blessings. Walking in true freedom changes everything. Think about that for a moment. Walking in the true freedom of Jesus, frees us from struggling to be enough or do enough. We no longer need to “fit in.”All that is possible when walking in the freedom of Jesus. How exciting!! I pray you will choose to walk in true freedom. Nothing less will do. ~OC

Dear God,Thank you for sending Jesus to break us free from all of the strongholds of this world. To free us from death and destruction.Forgive us for not walking in true freedom,especially because you’ve even provided strength and power to do so in Jesus.Stir up in us a real desire to walk in true freedom.Show us what that really means,let us experience everything free in you.Live with us, walk with us, talk with us, stay with us and guide us. Thank you, Lord. We love you. In Jesus name. Amen

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Thank You!

Today is World Greatness Day. I want to recognize my medical team that has been taking care of me the last 21 years. I have been blessed by each and everyone of you. Keep making a difference. ~OC

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