So, Why Should I Worry?

A couple of nights before my surgery last week, and all throughout the day before my surgery, this is the song that I listened to and it brought me so much peace and comfort. I remember checking my Facebook memories and my YouTube home page and this video was in both my FB memories and at the top of my suggested videos on my YouTube app. Let me tell you, it doesn't matter what you're facing God will bring you comfort when you need it the most. There are no coincidences with Him. Sometimes it's in the words of a song, the prayers from others, the gentle reminders from His Holy scriptures, or through a dear friend just reminding you to "be still and know that He is God". It doesn't matter if you've been living for the Lord a few years or many, or you've had one surgery or many (like myself), at times you're going to find yourself in need of some encouragement. That precious and needed encouragement will show up right on time, everytime. If you're struggling in a situation right now, I pray this song brings encouragement to you, just as it did for me in God's perfect timing. 🙌♥️ 

And, I encourage you to take a hold of this verse, and stand firm on God's word... it has been on my heart since the start of 2025... Isaiah 41:10 "Fear not, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand". 

Lyrics:

"WHY SHOULD I WORRY"? 

BY: Karen Peck & New River 

He's a shelter in the storm when everything went wrong.

A beckoning Hand that led me back home.

A still, small voice saying, "It's gonna be alright."

My song of hope in my darkest night.

Why should I worry? What should I fear?

When I know that He is always near.

Even when the weight of the world is closing in on me. His eyes are always watching over me.

So why should I worry?

He's a sunrise in the morning after a night of tears. A Spirit moving to calm all my fears.

A soft, gentle touch just to help me be strong.

The wind in my sail to keep me going on.

Why should I worry? What should I fear?

When I know that He is always near.

Even when the weight of the world is closing in on me. His eyes are always watching over me.

So why should I worry?

The sun has never refused to shine.

The ocean has never run dry.

The One who's in control of it all.

Said all my needs He will supply.

Why should I worry? What should I fear?

When I know that He is always near.

Even when the weight of the world is closing in on me. His eyes are always watching over me.

So why should I worry?

*https://youtu.be/i8a699d4QYk?si=di68h8EPLl-ZRl2N

Faithful to the End!

I know this world is not my home, and all of this is only temporary! I'm almost 41 years old and God has mercifully brought me through 40+ surgeries and procedures, plus another dozen hospitalizations outside of that not necessarily related to surgeries. In fact, I am in the middle of recovering from surgery number 41. I wanted healing and did not want to be in the middle of another shunt revision surgery, yet God said "no" but He's kept me and brought me through and His healing was flowing all in the operating room. It was a complicated surgery, it was double the time, so much could have caused me a long recovery or extra time in the hospital, yet it was a final success, and I am recovering in God's healing hands.

Those surgeries are not counting all of the multiple dozens of in-office procedures I have endured and hours upon hours spent in waiting and exam rooms for doctor appointments or hours spent at the emergency room.

Most of it remains a blur to me now. I just know God brought me through it all, because of faithful prayer warriors that have been in my life (many have now gone on to be with the Lord). Yet, He's faithful to place more armor bearers and prayer warriors in my life. But as many surgeries as I have had, there have been just as many that God has stopped. I have been healed of other conditions and diseases. I have received God's healing power instantly and overtime. I am human so in my fleshly side, I have my moments of questions and doubts and discouragements and despairs and the why me? Oh but, God set me apart and despite the struggles in my life, I know that I am a testimony to the fact that God still heals, delivers, and sets free. God has poured His favor, anointing, and blessings into my life in ways I never thought possible. I want to do my best to be an encouragement for Him, because through it all GOD HAS BEEN SO GOOD TO ME! If the Lord tarries, and I see year 41 in April, I continue to remind myself of just how faithful God has been and continues to be to me. I am thankful that He delivered me from the 10+ years the enemy had me bound-up of wanting to be sick. I understand the peace and strength God has continued to give me to get through it all, in spite of myself. It is a sustaining and perfect peace that passes all understanding. Sometimes in the middle of crying out for my healing, I remember God's ways and thoughts are not mine and much higher than mine. If it is my job to remind others to keep perserving and praising God through it all, Lord help me to keep going on and pushing through the sickness that comes my way! In the middle of the exhaustion and through the tears, God has reminded me to remind you that even when we do NOT get the answer we want at the time we want it.... He is still working things out on our behalf one step at a time, behind the scenes, to give us what we need to keep going.

"And I will sing of all You've done. And I'll remember how far You carried me. From beginning until the end. You are faithful, faithful to the end. There wasn't a day, that You weren't by my side. There wasn't a day, that You let me fall. All of my life, Your love has been true. All of my life, I will worship You". ♡ 

Song: Faithful To The End

Who is Worthy to be Praised!

In the midst of troubling times it is easy to give up on your faith. It’s easy to praise God when everything is good in our lives... when we have a good job, great friends/relationships and everything seems like it’s falling into place. We are so happy. We say “Thank you God for everything and my awesome life!” That’s easy to do. But, what about giving God glory through the pain, struggle, betrayal, disease and sickness? Trusting Him through it all. This is something I am still learning myself… To give Him glory when the pieces just do not fit quite yet or quite right! Never doubt the love and the goodness of God to you. He doesn’t promise a storm free life, but He does promise to be the anchor in the storm so that you will not be overcome! Trust Him daily. Trust Him hourly, minute by minute, and learn to trust Him moment by moment. It is learning to trust in Him at all times and in all things. God's resources will not only get you through, but you will truly grow to experience Him as the source of hope overflowing “by the power of the Holy Spirit.”

I will call upon the Lord. Who is worthy to be praised. So shall I be saved from my enemies. The Lord liveth and blessed be the Rock. And let the God of my salvation be exalted.

The God of Jacob - A New Identity!

God said to him, “Your name is Jacob, but you will no longer be called Jacob; your name will be Israel." - Genesis 35:10

Jacob not only gets a new name in this scenario; he gets a new identity. Jacob means “heel-grabber,” “supplanter” or “deceiver.” But Israel, his new name, means “triumphant with God.” You would expect that from this point forward Scripture would refer to him by his new name, Israel. But if you keep reading, you will see that for the rest of his life he is called both Israel…and Jacob. I have often wondered, “Why would God give him a new name if he was still going to use the name Jacob?” And I realized, it is probably because change is complicated. Just because you have a transformed life does not mean that you are not going to have the same struggles. It is a process. God may call you Israel, but you will still feel and act like Jacob sometimes. I just want you to know that God is comfortable in the conflict. He's not intimidated by your inadequacies.

You know how I know? Many years later, after Jacob is dead, God appears to Moses (see Exodus 3) in a burning bush. Moses asked God, “Suppose I go to the Israelites and say to them, ‘The God of your fathers has sent me to you,’ and they ask me, ‘What is his name?’ Then what shall I tell them?” God said to Moses, “I am who I am. This is what you are to say to the Israelites: ‘I am has sent me to you.’” God also said to Moses, “Say to the Israelites, ‘The Lord, the God of your fathers—the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac and the God of…'”

You’d think the next word would be “Israel” – that’s the name that means “triumphant with God.” 

But instead, in this pivotal moment of self disclosure, He identifies Himself as “the God of Jacob.”

If you wanted to make yourself known as God, wouldn't you call yourself the God of Israel? The God of victory, triumph, and new beginning? All of this is certainly true. But in this simple pronouncement, it is as if God is saying: if you want to know who I really am, you need to understand I am the God of Jacob, too. I am the God of that part of you that you do not want anyone else to see. I'm not just the God of your SUCCESS, I'm the God of your STRUGGLE. I'm not just the God of your VICTORIES; I'm the God of your defeats. I am… the God of Jacob.”

Stand Strong!

The enemy is doing everything he can to keep God's people tired, exhausted, bogged down, overwhelmed, opressed and depressed... as the enemy's time shortens he works overtime. But, for those who are truly saved and looking for God it will soon all be over, so hold on just a little bit longer. I feel the tug in the air when it comes to the tug-a-war that goes on between the enemy's angels and God's angels over people's souls. I can feel it in my spirit and though it leaves me drained, I continue to trust GOD in all things. I have faced and fought one of the greatest spiritual battles of my life, in years past, but I made it through much stronger and God shaped me up so that I am now truly ready for His return. In the end of that battle, I learned how to keep my mouth shut and pray admist false accusations, through being set up, and to forgive others who did not and will not apologize and were not even sorry. I begin to realize what Jesus went through on His way to the cross and on the cross; the rejection and the hurt from the people He loved and trusted most (the betrayal from His inner circle; His disciples). Spiritual battles are meant to grow you and teach you those valuable lessons. Every struggle that I face, I desire to only draw closer to Him as I have personal one on one time with Him; He gives me strength to keep going. This is the scripture(s) I am standing on in 2025. 

Philippians 4:8 which reads, "Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.". 

-AND-

Isaiah 41:10 says, "Fear not, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand".