Tag: Endurance

Precious Peace

Today’s a new day! Do you ever wake up with thoughts already racing through your mind? How in the world does that happen so early in the morning? I find myself laughing about the different ways my brains works. I have to remind myself to slow down and focus.

This morning, I spent time in Philippians 4. How many times have I looked over these verses? Probably hundreds of times. But on days I struggle with focus, these words take on a new meaning. Philippians 4:7 reminds us that the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard our hearts and our minds in Christ Jesus. God’s amazing peace is so precious, that it is beyond our ability to truly comprehension. Yet on our toughest days we can experience God’s refreshing peace by simply asking for it.

This morning, my eyes kept going back to verse 7 and that peace. Even though I consider myself a pretty strong person, I have moments of feeling vulnerable. I love that in the moments of vulnerability, God surrounds me with His strength. His protection. His peace. Philippians 4:7 reminds us that this peace of God will guard our hearts and minds, but not our bodies, it seems. I find this interesting because it suggests that regardless of what’s happening within our bodies during health struggles, we can still experience the peace of God that passes all understanding.

I live with multiple health issues that brings constant discomfort. The idea that this beautiful peace is available to me despite what’s happening to my body is beyond amazing news. It reminds me that the gospel is good news. Even during the many struggles we face in life, God provides us a way to have peace through Him. Life might be throwing you some haymakers at this moment, but God has this amazing love and grace for each us, and in that, we can find a peace that guards our hearts and our minds. ~OC

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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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Vision

Today’s a new day! Many storms in my life have tried to break me, but all they did was correct my vision. ~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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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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Dear God,

Today’s a new day! Dear God, we come before You humbly with our hearts full of thanksgiving and praise. As we come before You, we cast all our worries, cares, and anxieties upon You because You care for us. Lord, we thank You for life. We thank You for Your grace, love, and mercy toward us and others. We are grateful for all that You have done for us and for all that You are about to do in our lives. Lord, You are our eternal rock. Lord, we are grateful that You will keep us in perfect peace because we trust in You. In the name of Jesus, we declare that worry has no hold over us. We break every chain of fear and anxiety, knowing that your perfect love cast out all our fear. We humbly declare Your promises over our lives, and the lives of our loved ones, believing that your plans for us are good and filled with hope. In the name of Jesus, we rebuke every negative thought that tries to steal our peace and we replace them with the truth of your word. We humbly declare that we are protected by your mighty hand and that no weapon formed against us shall prosper. In the name of Jesus, we break every negative stronghold over our lives. Lord, we declare Your authority over all sickness and disease. By the mighty hands of Jesus, we are healed, and we stand on the promises of your word. We pray all this in Jesus Name. Amen. ~OC

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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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Broken

Today’s a new day! The truth is we’re all broken, we’re all cracked and what so many people see as a fault or a malfunction really is something to be considered useful. Turn that brokenness into a blessing. ~OC

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New Book

Today’s a new day! The new book is out. Thanks for all the love and support. This book is 20 years in the making. The majority of the book was written from my hospital room on 4South at Good Samaritan Medical Center. A fun fact. I have written both of my books on my Apple iPhone. I continue to live a blessed life. ~OC

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Keep Holding On

Today’s a new day! If you are currently in the middle of a storm, I want to share some good news with you. God is sitting in the boat with you. He has not left or forsaken you. God has the amazing power to calm the storm you are facing. He is not going to let the crashing waves tip your boat over. You may not be able to see the rainbow during the storm, but it’s coming. During times of darkness, I encourage you to continue leaning into the promises of God. The storms of life are preparing you for a testimony. The crashing waves are turning you into an Overcomer. So keep holding on and never give up. ~OC

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