CyndeValenti

A Thru Z Path to Amen is a Christian devotion book that I began writing in 2012, not long after being saved on March 30, 2011. It is my healing journal that came from my time with God, being in His word, and in prayer. I was reading the entire Bible for the first time in my life, and I discovered so much in its pages and about myself. The book begins with the letter A and ends with the letter A — moving twice through the alphabet. It began as a poem that God led me to write, with one word for each letter of the alphabet (twice). Then He instructed me to write a devotion for each word — 52 words, one word a week for a year.

As I studied the Bible and wrote the journal, I found healing. I have referred to it often in my Christian journey, and have offered letters to others. I’ve decided to share what I wrote with everyone here at my website and will soon have the book published at Amazon for those who might want it in book form. I hope you are blessed by it. Please share the link with anyone you think might enjoy reading my words.

— Cynde

A — Aneurysms — are lightning bolt moments in life. They sneak up and hit hard.

Aneurysms unexpectedly bring your life to a screeching halt, delivering blinding pain that shoots right through you. The pain becomes your focus, consuming you from the inside out. Death. Cancer. Job loss. Divorce. These types of life events don’t slowly pull you into the pit, they cast you there immediately. Consider Joseph in the book of Genesis in this instance. He was literally cast into a pit by his own brothers. Talk about an aneurysm!

So it came to pass, when Joseph had come to his brothers, that they stripped Joseph of his tunic, the tunic of many colors that was on him. Then they took him and cast him into a pit. And the pit was empty; there was no water in it. Genesis 37:23-24 (NKJV)

Joseph didn’t have any water or food or know why he was thrown into the pit. He had no idea how to get out or if he ever would. In verse 25, his brothers sit down to eat a meal, while he’s stuck in the dark, filthy pit. They’re enjoying a meal while he’s suffering and plan to leave him for dead, until a better idea comes to them. They decide to sell him into slavery and he’s taken by slave traders to Egypt. If you continue reading the story of Joseph, you learn that God had great plans for him and his family. He served in the house of a man named Potiphar and was thrown into prison for a false accusation by Potiphar’s wife. Once released, the Egyptian ruler, Pharaoh, chose Joseph to rule over his house and all of Egypt. This position allowed Joseph to save his family during a famine that plagued Egypt.

Then Pharaoh took his signet ring off his hand and put it on Joseph’s hand; and he clothed him in garments of fine linen and put a gold chain around his neck. And he had him ride in the second chariot which he had; and they cried out before him, “Bow the knee!” So he set him over all the land of Egypt. Genesis 41:42-43 (NKJV)

When an aneurysm hits your life, try to remember that God is in control. That’s very difficult to do in the midst of so much pain, but God might have a plan that will save many people through your suffering. His plan might lead to personal growth. Joseph is our example of these possibilities. The change brought by aneurysm moments is often scary and the path is arduous. Some days it might be hard to breathe or get out of bed. It might seem like the weight is too much. Pray and draw close to God. It might feel like He’s not there, but I promise you He is. Trust Him and stay faithful to Him in the middle of the dark road. Keep going, no matter how difficult it seems. There is light ahead.

HELP WORDS: “God has a plan. Things will get better. There is hope.”

FOCUS WORDS: For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the LORD, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope. Jeremiah 29:11 (NKJV)

B — Bother — fertilized daily becomes burden.

Does your to-do list contain more than you can accomplish each day? Do you need to shift undone tasks forward to tomorrow? Thinking about all you have to do might bother you. Then you think about what your spouse should be doing, or not doing, and that bothers you. Add to that your kids, your neighbors, the lady at the grocery store, the guy in traffic. Before you know it, your days are filled with things that bother you. It’s like you take out a bottle of “burden builder fertilizer” and start pouring it on every little irritation that pops up. You’ve possibly decided that’s your job too. As bothersome moments build, are you equipped to keep them from growing into burdens, anger, hatred, rage, hostility?

Now it happened as they went that He entered a certain village; and a certain woman named Martha welcomed Him into her house. And she had a sister called Mary, who also sat at Jesus’ feet and heard His word. But Martha was distracted with much serving, and she approached Him and said, “Lord, do You not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Therefore, tell her to help me.” And Jesus answered and said to her, “Martha, Martha, you are worried and troubled about many things. But one thing is needed, and Mary has chosen that good part, which will not be taken away from her.” Luke 10:38-42 (NKJV)

This woman, Martha, even told Jesus what to do. She was bothered that her sister wasn’t helping her, and she was bothered that Jesus was allowing it to happen. “…Tell her to help me.” Martha demanded that Jesus make Mary do what she thought should be happening. Martha’s to-do list was so long she was attempting to impose it on others around her. Jesus instructed her that spending time with Him was the better choice. Her busyness and being bothered, “worried and troubled,” were not impressive to Jesus. And He would not command Mary to take the same burdened path as Martha — one of expectation that others should join her in being burdened.

In Matthew 11:28, Jesus said, “Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden and I will give you rest.”

HELP WORDS: “I won’t let that bother me. I don’t have to do everything. I will stop expecting.”

FOCUS WORDS: My soul, wait silently for God alone, for my expectation is from Him. Psalm 62:5 (NKJV)

C — Caustic — language burns holes on hearts.

Even so the tongue is a little member and boasts great things. See how great a forest a little fire kindles! James 3:5 (NKJV)

You’ve probably been hurt by words and used them to hurt others. Words hurt. Are you going through life like a fire-breathing dragon, aiming angry words at the hearts of others? Releasing a flaming dagger of words gives momentary relief on your end, but it leaves behind blisters that you can’t see with your eyes. And once words are said, you can’t undo them or take them back. Is it wise to keep setting the lovely forests of your life on fire?

It can take years to heal from word wounds, if ever. If you’re using harsh words toward others, you probably have some hurts inside you from being burned yourself. Restraint can be difficult to achieve. But if you don’t, all you’ll have left around you are blisters and ashes. Consider that you hear your own negative words. They go into your ears too, and your heart and mind absorb them deeper into your soul. You’re harming others as well as yourself.

Keep your heart with all diligence, for out of it spring the issues of life. Proverbs 4:23 (NKJV)

If you struggle with this, and you’re hearing painful words from your past, or dealing with them in the present, there is a balm to bring relief. There is a soother. There is a healer. His name is Jesus. He’s familiar with pain and wants to wipe every tear from your eyes. His Word and love can comfort any affliction you’re experiencing. Find comfort in His arms. When you heal inside your heart, the words you use will begin to change. Sometimes, it’s better to remain silent than to speak with negativity and caustic language.

He was oppressed and He was afflicted, yet He opened not His mouth; He was led as a lamb to slaughter, and as a sheep before its shearers is silent, so He opened not His mouth. Isaiah 53:7 (NKJV)

HELP WORDS: “Jesus, I give You control of my pain. I give You control of my words.”

FOCUS WORDS: Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good and necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers. Ephesians 4:29 (NKJV)

D — Doubt— drowns your dreams.

If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him. But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind. For let not that man suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways. James 1:5-8 (NKJV)

Doubt is described as being “double-minded” in the Bible. You might want to fully believe or trust God, but something about your life’s circumstances keeps you from relinquishing full control to God. You hold on to the “what ifs” that surround your faith. “But what if this happens? Or that happens?” As worrisome thoughts and fears cause you to question truth, you could even have physical manifestations of your doubting. Anxiety. Panic attacks. Heart palpitations. Sweaty palms. You question what’s ahead. Can you trust God? Can you trust His voice? Can you trust His word?

What if? What if?

What if — you stop doubting and let faith take over? What would your life look like if you let go of doubt and grasped the hand of faith? You might find happiness. You might find something difficult that leads you to grow. You might be scared, but you could learn how strong you really are by overcoming. You might even discover how amazing, powerful, and loving God is as He intervenes and disrupts your doubting. Satan wants to wrap you up in ropes of fear, worry, and doubt. He has a giggle fit while you’re anxious, quivering, and questioning what your faith is telling you is correct. If he can get you to question and doubt your faith, or your faith in God’s plans, he wins. You stop. You don’t believe. You’re ineffective.

In the Bible, in Exodus 6:1-12, God is explaining to Moses that He intends to set His people free and release them from Pharaoh. Mingled into His explanation are reminders to Moses of who God is. Read the passage and underline all the times you see God pointing out why Moses should trust Him and His voice — “I am the Lord your God.” Remember that God is GOD. Trust Him. Obey Him. He loves you and cares for you.

HELP WORDS: “Double-minded doubt disables faith. I believe truth. I trust the Lord my God.”

FOCUS WORDS: Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths. Proverbs 3:5-6 (NKJV) 

 E — Eek! I see trouble coming.

And I will send hornets before you, which will drive out the Hivite, the Canaanite, and the Hittite from before you. Exodus 23:28 (NKJV)

In Exodus 23, God promised to send an angel to the people of Israel, to help them as they moved toward the Promised Land. The angel would go before them, and they were to follow and obey the angel in order to overthrow other nations. God said He would send His fear ahead of them to cause fear among those other nations. Imagine the faces of the Hivites, Canaanites, and Hittites as warms of hornets plagued their lands — brave warriors running with arms flailing in fear of painful stings. They surely saw trouble coming.

What makes you yell, “Eek!”? What makes you fear so deeply that you run for cover, hiding away to avoid it? Seeing something like bees might take you back to stings you’ve felt in the past. You’re triggered. What you see in your mind might incapacitate you as you remember the hurt. Emotions are aroused and you think the pain is coming your way again. It does in your mind, and it can seem very real. It might feel like you’re actually there — in the past experience.

Focusing on Jesus can help you gain victory over flashbacks, pain, and fear. Believe the stinging will stop. When a ferocious scary lion is approaching you (figuratively) learn how to lie down beside it, and believe that God won’t let it hurt you anymore. Believe God’s protection is surrounding you. Let God know you’re faithfully relying on Him in scary situations. Be patient with yourself in the process. You can’t make memories go away; they’re going to pop up. The goal is learning to coexist with painful memories. Consider how bad things from your past might be used for good. 

HELP WORDS: “I don’t have to fear this. Jesus is beside me. His angels are nearby.” 

FOCUS WORDS: And when he came to the den, he cried out with a lamenting voice to Daniel. The king spoke, saying to Daniel, “Daniel, servant of the living God, has your God whom you serve continually, been able to deliver you from the lions?” Then Daniel said to the king, “O king, live forever! My God sent His angel and shut the lions’ mouths so that they have not hurt me, because I was found innocent before Him; and also, O king, I have done no wrong before you.” Daniel 6:20-21 (NKJV) 

 F — Fragility — When you’re broken, God sees possibility.

I am broken like a dead man, out of my mind; I am broken like a vessel. Psalm 31:12 (NKJV)

We are all fragile. Some of us hide it better than others. Your fragility might make you fear doing things that could break you. Maybe you’ve been dashed by life so often you think you’re junk. Broken hearts. Broken lives. Broken promises. Broken homes. Broken dreams. Broken is a scary place that you try to avoid. But sometimes brokenness is forced into your life. When this happens, maybe only your surface cracks a bit. Those cracks will heal relatively quickly. But what do you do when you’re shattered? What do you do when you’re a pile of sharp shards on the floor? You look around, and your life is dust and slivers of what it once was. Your pain is jagged edges that hurt you — and they hurt others. You hurt inside. You hurt outside. Others look at you and see a mess they don’t want to be near. You look in the mirror and see impossible.

That’s not what Jesus sees. He wants to step right into your brokenness and smooth over all the painful, jagged edges. He wants to scoop you up off the floor and put all your broken pieces back together. He sees your brokenness as a chance to create something new. He wants to arrange all those pieces of you like a skillful artist — putting you back together with renewed vibrancy and texture. What He makes of brokenness is resplendent.

Jesus is the best friend you will ever have. He’s patient, loving, and kind. If you’re on the floor right now with scattered pieces everywhere, let Him come into your life and create something new. He will make you stronger in the process. When His light shines through your brokenness, you will be a reflection of Him — His masterpiece — casting beams of hope and love on the world around you. 

HELP WORDS: “I am more than this mess. Jesus will heal me. I am going to be a masterpiece!” 

FOCUS WORDS: For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago. Ephesians 2:10 (NLT) 

 G — Getting lost? — Get in God’s word.

My son, keep your father’s command, and do not forsake the law of your mother. Bind them continually upon your heart. Tie them around your neck. Proverbs 6:20 (NKJV)

It’s important to keep God’s word in front of you. During low times, you need more of it. You might need it constantly. If you need to “tie it around your neck,” do it. Figure out what works best for you. I saw someone with a tiny booklet of their most helpful Bible verses hooked to their belt loop. When I was first saved, my sister gave me a laminated card with Bible verses on it. I carried it with me always. Even today, I have Scripture around me everywhere — in places my eyes will land on it: the refrigerator, in my car, around my desk, and wall art. And I have a Bible app on my phone that is easily and readily accessible. Because I so firmly believe in the power of Scripture, I even wrote some verses inside the walls of my home when it was being renovated.

For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. Ephesians 6:12 (NKJV)

There is power in God’s word, and Scripture is a vital weapon when engaging in spiritual warfare, as are prayer and praise. Study the word. Recite the word. Dissect the word. Dig into it like an archeologist searching for treasure or an explorer hoping to find something new. Follow trails from one book of the Bible to another and discover what God’s word says to you, uniquely.

God’s word is active and alive. The Holy Spirit will speak to you through Scripture giving you guidance. When you have Scripture memorized, you can use Biblical words and promises to help you when anxieties and fears pop up. Calling on Jesus will bring comfort. Seeing Scripture reminds you He is nearby, and it gives you instructions on how to handle situations when you’re too panicked to make decisions on your own. 

Talk to Jesus, then be quiet so you can hear Him. Being in a relationship requires investment of time. Get in God’s word and have daily conversations with Him. Wait and listen, and you will be amazed how quickly you no longer feel lost or overwhelmed.

HELP WORDS: “I don’t have to feel lost. God knows the way.”

FOCUS WORDS: My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me. John 10:27 (NKJV) 

 H — Hey, Hey — “Hey, you, over there! Psssst. Hey!” 

Now Joseph was handsome in form and appearance. And it came to pass after these things that his master’s wife cast longing eyes on Joseph, and she said, “Lie with me.” But he refused … Genesis 39:6b-8a (NKJV) 

In Genesis 39, this woman, Potiphar’s wife, may have enticed Joseph with her appearance and suggestive words. She may have whispered to him. “Psssst, Joseph. Hey, Joseph! You could come lie with me, if you want.” He had access to her sexually and could have taken the opportunity she was offering him. But Joseph said, “No.” He refused her. If you keep reading this story in Genesis, you learn that Joseph expressed doing so would be “committing a great wickedness and sin against God” Genesis 39:9 (NKJV).

Joseph shifted his thinking to understand and view certain actions as wickedness and sin — directly opposed to God. Do you think those words stopped the woman from tempting Joseph? No, not at all.

“So it was, as she spoke to Joseph day by day, that he did not heed her, to lie with her, or to be with her.” Genesis 39:10 (NKJV). 

In your life, the woman could represent glazed donuts, ice cream, cigarettes, sex, drugs, alcohol, sports — whatever it is that tempts you that is not beneficial for you, nor does it align with God’s will for your life. Joseph refused this woman, even though she tempted him almost every day. He decided ahead of time to not cave in. He withstood the desires of his flesh before he ever came face to face with them. He predetermined the course of his actions and took control over his flesh. You can’t battle the enemy, Satan, unprepared.

When Jesus was being tempted in the wilderness by Satan, He was prepared for the battle with his flesh. For everything Satan spoke to Him, Jesus returned the words “It is written …” followed by the word of God. Satan had no power over the word of God. Read the temptation of Christ at Luke 4:1-13. 

You must take some time each day to suit up for the fight. Have a plan that says, “I can do this with God. I don’t need that in my life.” Learn to say, “No.” It’s a small word, but it’s one of the most difficult for many people. Say, “No.” Then say it again and again. Practice it rolling off your tongue. In the next few days, say, “No” to someone or something you usually say, “Yes” to. Like anything else, it might take practice before you achieve mastery. Learning to take control of your flesh will give you victory in many areas of your life. 

Daniel is another person in the Bible who predetermined how he would take control of his flesh.

“But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with the portion of the king’s delicacies, nor with the wine which he drank; therefore, he requested of the chief of the eunuchs that he might not defile himself” Daniel 1:8 (NKJV).

Isn’t that interesting? Daniel saw the king’s delicacies as something that defiled him. He purposed in his heart to choose the right things. Put a new purpose in your heart. The purpose of the old purpose is pain, regret, misery, fear, bondage, bad decisions, guilt, hurting yourself and others — and a continuation of your cycle. It hurts physically to stay away from a “Hey, Hey” but that diminishes over time. Shift your thoughts and actions to something healthier and more productive. As you continue to break free from the bondage of your “Hey, Hey,” you will find freedom on the other side. 

HELP WORDS: “Stay away from the Hey, Hey. No. No. No. Stay away.” 

FOCUS WORDS: For all that is in the world — the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride in possessions — is not from the Father but is from the world.
1 John 2:16 (NKJV)

 I — Isolation — keeps you caged, keeps you crippled. 

How lonely sits the city that was full of people! How like a widow is she, who was great among the nations! The princess among the provinces has become a slave! Lamentations 1:1 (NKJV). 

You may have hidden yourself behind walls. Life feels easier that way. You avoid things that hurt you or feel too chaotic. It’s so much easier to sit in the house and scroll on your phone or binge watch TV than to go out and interact with the world. Doing nothing is easier than becoming and growing. There’s something that’s keeping you in this cage, keeping you confined from life. You’re enslaved by the isolation. The remedy could be as simple as stepping outside, contacting a friend, opening the gate on your confinement. But sometimes, it feels like there is no way to break out of the bars around you. 

There’s an opening to your confinement. If the walls surrounding you are solid, sheltering you from your purpose, your escape might be right within those walls. There may be an opening inside you that releases peace. Buried and compressed in the darkness of life, one bit of light inside you might be all it takes to begin tearing through the wall. There is hope with Jesus. A pinprick of light is enough. Start chiseling. Chisel away the bricks that have you trapped. See the small light in front of you, and don’t stop busting through until you see a glorious sunrise on the other side.

You can’t escape pain in your life by hiding behind walls of protection. Closing your eyes, shutting out the world, staying alone, works temporarily. But eventually you must step outside. When you do, outside might feel foreign. It might feel uncomfortable and scary — like the hurts will return. You cannot submit to these feelings. You must take control of them and engage in life. Satan wants to keep you caged. Then he has you cornered and can really start coiling you in barbed wires of torment. His voice consumes your thoughts. He keeps you under his control and keeps you from being effective or living a purposeful life. 

Your cage door is open; Jesus brought the key. He’s the light in your dark world. Focus on that light and move toward all it offers. Chisel toward that light, releasing more and more. Freedom comes from extending forgiveness, accepting it, and moving beyond yesterday. Surrender to Jesus and surrender to His purposes for your life. Forgive yourself and forgive others. Meet new people. Make new friends. Live. Let go of the past. Your future isn’t the mistakes, hurts, and failures of your past. There is promise ahead. Do you believe that? Ignore lies that only hand you more bricks for your thick walls. See a horizon that has no chains and move toward it. Jesus has set you free! The power of Christ is so much more powerful than the bars of your cage.

Therefore, if the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed. John 8:36 (NKJV).

Make a list of 3 people you need to forgive. Write down their names and what you forgive them for. Who’s on your list? Did you remember to forgive yourself? Do you need to forgive God? Who? 

HELP WORDS: “I am free. I am forgiven. I forgive others. My heart will leave this cage.”

FOCUS WORDS: A man who isolates himself seeks his own desire; He rages against all wise judgment. Proverbs 18:1 (NKJV) 

 J — Jumbled — Jigsaw puzzles and mind games.

Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. Ephesians 6:10-11 (NKJV)

Satan likes to play games. He tosses a bunch of ideas and thoughts into the air, like a mixed-up jigsaw puzzle, and then reassembles them into scenes of your worst nightmares. He is quick and always in the game. You, on the other hand, are involved in life. You step away from the game board, from the rules of spiritual battle, to focus on other things, and the cheater goes to work. He robs you. He sends unexpected zingers your way to steal your joy. If he can jumble your thoughts by mixing up the game or tossing away a few vital game pieces, you can’t accomplish much. The game he’s playing is darts, but the darts are all aimed at you — and they’re fiery.

You don’t have to play along. You can decide the rules of the game being played in your mind. When he starts tossing darts at you and destroying the game board you just set up, you can block his attempts with Scripture. You can choose to create the new scene in your mind, replacing his lies and cheating with God’s word. Destroy the game he’s playing with the power of prayer. YOU control the game taking place in your mind.

Visualize any words he’s sending to you, accept the good ones and toss the bad ones. Visualize flushing them down a drain. Visualize deleting them the same way you delete spam emails. Physically use your hand to flick him away — like a bothersome bug. Go through the motions. Replace all his negativity with God’s positive words. God’s word is more powerful than the negative words filling your mind. God’s word shines light into the darkness of negativity. The more of God’s words that you fill your heart and mind with, the less room there is for Satan to reside. 

Think of how many years you have heard and spoken negative words. Add to that the negative narration in your mind. How many years is it? Removing negative thinking doesn’t happen overnight. You may have been on the negative side of the game board for most of your life. Diligence pays off and it’s very important to arm yourself daily for spiritual battle (Ephesians 6:10-18). Rewrite Satan’s script. Stop playing his games. Rebuke him with the truth of God’s word.

HELP WORDS: “I do not have to allow these thoughts to be part of my thoughts. Click. Flick. Delete.”

FOCUS WORDS: Jesus said to him, “It is written again, ‘You shall not tempt the Lord your God.’” Matthew 4:7 (NKJV) 

 K — Keepsakes — are stored in our hearts and minds.

So it was, when the angels had gone away from them into heaven, that the shepherds said to one another, “Let us now go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has come to pass, which the Lord has made known to us.” And they came with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the Babe lying in a manger. Now when they had seen Him, they made widely known the saying which was told them concerning this Child. And all those who heard it marveled at those things which were told them by the shepherds. But Mary kept all these things and pondered them in her heart. Luke 2:15-19 (NKJV)

When I was a little girl, I had a jewelry box with a twirling ballerina who appeared when the lid was opened. I kept special trinkets in it: pictures, notes from my friends, anything that was dear to my heart. I thought the ballerina guarded my treasure. After all, she was in there with them. Over time the box got too full, and I had to transfer part of my collection to another container. Your heart and mind are like keepsake boxes. Your memories — the collection of events that happen over time — and the feelings that go along with them, begin to fill up the vessel of your soul. You might be allowing painful keepsakes to build up and crowd out the pleasant ones. Happy memories get shifted to another place, and the container of your soul remains filled with hurt.

Everyone has a different sized keepsake box. It might be time to pull out your treasure chest of memories and sort through it. You get to decide what stays or goes. Toss the junk and keep the happy moments. Store up the good thoughts. Mary pondered God’s promise to her — in her heart. She heard the words, and her mind stored them in a memory file in her brain. But Mary moved the words into her heart for pondering. Transfer good thoughts and memories to your heart for pondering. Your heart treats memories differently.

HELP WORDS: “I will ponder God’s promises in my heart. I will remember good things.”

FOCUS WORDS: A good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart brings forth evil. For out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks. Luke 6:45 (NKJV)

 L — Lacerations — linger until Jesus arrives.

Then they came to the other side of the sea, to the country of the Gadarenes. And when He had come out of the boat, immediately there met Him out of the tombs a man with an unclean spirit, who had his dwelling among the tombs; and no one could bind him, not even with chains, because he had often been bound with shackles and chains. And the chains had been pulled apart by him, and the shackles broken in pieces; neither could anyone tame him. And always, night and day, he was in the mountains and in the tombs, crying out and cutting himself with stones. When he saw Jesus from afar, he ran and worshiped Him. And he cried out with a loud voice and said, “What have I to do with You, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? I implore You by God that You do not torment me.” For He said to him, “Come out of the man, unclean spirit!” Then He asked him, “What is your name?” And he answered, saying, “My name is Legion; for we are many.” Mark 5:1-9 (NKJV)

Demons are real, and they want to take you to dark places where they can inflict lacerations on your soul. They want your life. They encourage dark thoughts and offer suffering with no relief. What this man in Scripture was suffering from still happens today. People cut themselves, claw their skin, and experience inner and outer torments while bound in spiritual chains. Maybe it’s happening to you, maybe to someone you know. It happened to me.

When I cried out to God, demons left my body when Jesus arrived. Jesus broke the chains wrapped around my soul. My heart fell at His feet. He rescued me just like he did this man in the book of Mark. He held me until I stopped trembling, and He’s been with me ever since. His love was like a soothing balm on my soul’s inflamed lacerations. 

Life is going to send darts your way. It can feel like you get knicked and picked until you’re perforated. Jesus is a buffer, a barrier, for pain — even if you have thrown darts at Him. He sees past your pain and loves you anyway. When Jesus comes into the dark tomb of your soul, He goes to work making repairs. You can’t have too many cuts for Jesus. It doesn’t matter how many darts you’ve thrown. All your sins are covered. All of them.

HELP WORDS: “Jesus lives inside me now. He will repair me. I will be healed.”

FOCUS WORDS: Then Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every sickness and every disease among the people. Matthew 9:35 (NKJV) 

 M — Mustard Moments and Melted Hearts 

And the men of Ai struck down about thirty-six men, for they chased them from before the gates as far as Sherabim, and struck them down on the descent; therefore, the hearts of the people melted and became like water. Joshua 7:5 NKJV 

Muster: to call troops together; to call forth; to summon. 

In a moment of panic, fear or terror, your heart does feel like it has melted. Breathing alters, and you begin to focus on the weak watered down feeling. This is when you need to pause and muster all the Lord has made available for you. He has everything you need to regain a feeling of safety and sanity. You have Him, His word, the Holy Spirit, and His angels. You have forces you can’t see, amazing strong angel armies backed by God Himself to aid you. Whatever is looming on the horizon, bellowing to melt your heart, you can stay strong. Remember: You have a very big God. 

Focus on Jesus, and let Him do the fighting. Focus on one moment at a time — not a whole day, or week. Just operate in one specific moment of time. Tackle one tiny goal at a time. Achieve one small victory at a time. Before you know it, you’ll have an abundance of confidence in God. 

One day, in the midst of stress with a capital S, I focused on what was directly in front of me: a ham sandwich. As I was spreading mustard on the bread, I prayed, “Lord, help me spread this mustard without losing it.” Now I call stressful times “mustard moments.” All I could do in that moment was spread the mustard, one slice of bread at a time. I couldn’t do anything about the chaos happening around me and in my own mind. I gave it to God and managed the best I could. Focus on your part in small increments, and God will handle to rest. 

HELP WORDS: “I can do this; I don’t have to do all that. God will handle everything — just spread the mustard.”

FOCUS WORDS: And when the servant of the man of God arose early and went out, there was an army, surrounding the city with horses and chariots. And his servant said to him, “Alas, my master! What shall we do?” 

So, he answered, “Do not fear, for those who are with us are more than those who are with them.” And Elisha prayed, and said, “LORD, I pray, open his eyes that he may see.” Then the LORD opened the eyes of the young man, and he saw. And behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha. 2 Kings 6:15-17 (NKJV)

 N — Negative Measurements are inaccurate.

You might be measuring yourself according to negative words from your past, or according to the negative voices of others. It will take time to recover from the negative barrage of words echoing in your mind, but you can do it. Thinking you have too many problems, too much pain, too much past, means you’re listening to the wrong voices. Satan discourages. He comes to steal, kill, and destroy. Any words in your mind that don’t make you feel good about yourself are from him. If you keep holding onto them and responding to them, Satan will keep you down. 

Choose to listen to God’s voice and the truth of His word. When you begin accepting God’s standard of measurement as the correct weight of who you are, change will occur in your thinking. God forgives as far as the east is from the west. Take out your negative ruler and try to follow the distance of that line! God’s love is eternal and unending. He is able to do more than you could ever ask for or comprehend — forever. Infinite love and mercy are yours. His love never fails. 

Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, to Him be the glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen. Ephesians 3: 20-21 (NKJV)

Jesus sees your good qualities and gifts, the ones you can’t see, or you’ve forgotten in the midst of your pain. When He created you, he pulled out His special recipe book. You know, the one with all the secret ingredients that make the dish extra delicious. He knows every dollop in the bowl. He took a smidgen of this and a scoop of that and sprinkled it with His love. Each ingredient was divinely measured to create YOU. 

If you feel broken, He has measured your life for restoration. You are the fixer upper of His dreams. He has love for you, abundant love, overflowing love. Accept it. Bask in it. 

HELP WORDS: “I will measure myself positively. I will see myself in God’s light.” 

FOCUS WORDS: But to each one of us grace has been given according to the measure of Christ’s gift. Ephesians 4:7 (NKJV)

 O — Obsessions control you.

You shall have no other gods before Me. Genesis 20:3 (NKJV)

Obsessions. Addictions. Fascinations. You need a little more. You can’t pull yourself away. You want it and it’s gone. Never enough. What do you do? If it’s an obsession, you’ll feel like you’re losing your mind. Your heart might ache. Your flesh will hurt. Your focus becomes getting as much of your obsession as possible. A person. Drugs. Sports. Chocolate. Sex. Your cellphone. Social media. Whatever. 

Do you have someone or something in your life that that comes before God, or what He’s asking you to do? Are you more obedient to your obsession than you are to God? Is there any relationship you consider more important? Do you miss someone or something so much that you can’t find peace with God while they’re away from you? What do you turn to instead of God? 

God wants first place in your life. He views your obsessions as other gods. When Satan can keep you focused on the obsessions and addictions, he takes you away from time with God. Then you don’t grow spiritually, and you won’t exemplify Him in the world around you. By turning to your addictions, you give them control over your life. You are basically telling God He’s not first and you choose other gods — false gods offered to you by the enemy to bring destruction into your life. Ouch. That makes God’s heart ache. Did you know God has a heart? Did you know the Holy Spirit can be grieved? 

And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Ephesians 4:30 (NKJV)

Jesus wants to be your best friend — forever. He will never leave you. Everyone and everything else have the potential to be removed from your life. How will you cope when you can’t access your obsessions and addictions? It’s best to have no other gods before Him. 

No longer do I call you servants, for a servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all things that I heard from the Father I have made known to you. John 15:15 (NKJV) 

HELP WORDS: “I can do something different and new. I will turn to You first Jesus.”

FOCUS WORDS: ...abstain from fleshy lusts which war against the soul. 1 Peter 2:11b (NKJV)

 P — Pursuit — puts you closer to whatever you’re chasing.

Take a few minutes to think about how you spend your days. What are you chasing most of the time? We’re all in pursuit of something, and we make choices that bring us closer to the object of our pursuit. Are you after something that will improve your life or the lives of others? Is what you’re chasing after even worth catching? 

But you, O man of God, flee these things and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love patience, gentleness. Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, to which you were also called and have confession in the presence of many witnesses.
1 Timothy 6:11-12 (NKJV)

Pursue life. Pursue love. Pursue knowledge. Pursue truth. Pursue peace. Pursue hope. Pursue laughter. Develop an internal mindset that actively seeks to pursue God and His will for your life. Study the fruit of the Spirit in Galatians 5:16-26. When the Holy Spirit resides in you and you are aligned with the Holy Spirit, the fruit of the Spirit will be evident in your life. Read Scripture slowly and intentionally. Dig in and break it down. Pause when and where the Spirit guides you. 

And I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may be abide with you forever — the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither knows Him; but you know Him, for He dwells with you, and will be in you. John 14:16-17 (NKJV)

As a Teacher and a Helper, the Spirit will lead you toward what you should be pursuing. He’s doing a thorough search of your heart and mind, aligning you with your God-given purpose. Run toward His will and your purpose. Pursue God’s path. 

HELP WORDS: “I catch what I chase. I will pursue God and His path.” 

FOCUS WORDS: A man’s heart plans his way, but the Lord directs his steps. Proverbs 16:9 (NKJV)

 Q — Quitting — keeps you incomplete.

Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. For consider Him who endured such hostility from sinners against Himself, lest you become weary and discouraged in your souls. Hebrews 12:1-3 (NKJV)

Do you ever start something and not finish it? Do you bounce from one project to the next? One relationship to the next? I thought I could quickly crank out all the words in this book, but God taught me it takes a while to get from Aneurysm to Amen. The Scripture passage above caught my attention, because it contains the words author and finisher. It might take a long time, but it will never get done if you quit. 

Believe there is an end to whatever you are enduring. Jesus endured the cross because He knew what was on the other side. Jesus’ ministry was one of teaching and healing, saving the lost and showing love and forgiveness. When He became weary, He rested but finished what He entered the world to complete. Sometimes He retreated to the mountains for prayer or went out in a boat alone. Rest, then get back to work. 

After this, Jesus, knowing that all things were now accomplished, that the Scripture might be fulfilled, said, “I thirst!” Now a vessel of full of sour wine was sitting there; and they filled a sponge with sour wine and put it to His mouth. So, when Jesus had received the sour wine, He said, “It is finished!” And bowing His head, He gave up His spirit. John 19:28-30 (NKJV)

HELP WORDS: “Don’t quit. Don’t give up. Keep going! Keep going!”

FOCUS WORDS: …that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work. 2 Timothy 3:17 (NKJV)

R — Running — from what? To where? Why? 

My heart is severely pained within me, and the terrors of death have fallen upon me. Fearfulness and trembling have come upon me, and horror has overwhelmed me. So I said, “Oh, that I had wings like a dove! I would fly away and be at rest. Indeed, I would wander off and remain in the wilderness. Selah I would hasten my escape from the windy storm and the tempest.” Psalm 55:4-8 (NKJV)

Some days you might want to get as far away from life as you can. Escape sounds like a good option. Running away makes sense. I struggled with fight or flight because I have a history of being abused. I’ve learned that fighting back only makes the situation worse. It’s better to flee for safety. So, I tend to fly. I get away — hop in my car and just drive until I calm down and feel safe. 

Are you running from something? Stresses that have built up in your present life. Are you trying to get away from something farther behind you? Your past. Your sins. Your mistakes. Are you running from the future, from change, from the unknown? 

You can only run so far before you get tired of running. If you’re carrying the very thing you’re running from with you, in a look-back-pack filled with the past, what’s the point? It’s better to stop running and stay. Drop the backpack, unzip it, and find out what’s inside. Try running in place for a while and let change happen around you. It’s okay. You don’t always have to be the change. 

Isolating yourself, avoiding painful conversations, pushing people away emotionally and forbidding intimacy to be part of your life is the same as running. You just don’t pick up your feet. You take your heart racing from life, erasing love, whenever someone tries to get close to the inner you. People hurt, so “avoid them” might be your motto.

Once you know Jesus and the Holy Spirit begins to work in your life, He becomes sort of like glue to hold you together, hold you in place, and firmly planted. You learn to stand firm, face-to-face with opposition in your life. You can’t be chased away. You don’t have to run. You learn to move forward, within the life you’re in. You learn to love correctly and what it means for others to love you correctly. You forgive others. You live abundantly. You stay and you pray. 

HELP WORDS: “Forgive. Live. Stay. Pray. I’m going to live and love God’s way.” 

FOCUS WORDS: Cast your burden on the Lord, and He shall sustain you; He shall never permit the righteous to be moved. Psalm 55:22 (NKJV)

 S — Silt — can be swept up and restored to something new.

But he himself went a day’s journey into the wilderness and came and sat down under a broom tree. And he prayed that he might die, and said, “It is enough! Now, Lord, take my life, for I am no better than my fathers!” 1 Kings 19:4 (NKJV)

What a perfect place for someone who felt broken to the point of silt: a broom tree. This tree is more like a shrub, so its branches are very low. The man, the prophet Elijah, was giving up, and he crawled under the shrub to die. But God sent an angel to help him. It just so happens that the roots of a broom tree get very hot, like hot coals. Elijah drifted off to sleep, and when he woke up there were cakes beside him, on coals, and a jar of water. God didn’t give up on Elijah. He cared for him and provided for him. He even led him to a tree with hot coal-like roots. 

Later in the story, Elijah ends up in a cave, hiding, and God asked him why he was there. God offered him an invitation to talk about the problems disturbing him. Elijah heard God’s still small voice in the midst of a storm. Read the whole story, it’s inspiring. The more you read about people in the Bible and their interactions with God, you will realize they were much like you. And you will learn how much God loved them and cared about them. He loves you too. 

If you get to place where you feel beyond broken, like silt, dust or ashes, gather in the shade of the Lord’s low branches. In that gentle shade, call out to Jesus. When you talk with God, it doesn’t need to be a reverent lofty prayer. Cry. Rage. Ask. Beg. Weep. Praise. Worship. Question Him. It’s okay to ask God what’s happening and why. It’s okay to express every emotion to Him. He created emotions! God feels things too. 

Read the book a Psalms. In its pages, every range of emotion is expressed. God wants you to share your life with Him. He wants to hear from you, to communicate with you, and help you. He can come into any situation, pull you out of it, and restore you from the dusty, tired mess you’ve become. Like Elijah, rest, eat something, listen for God’s voice, and feel better. 

May the God of all grace, who called us to His eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after you have suffered a while, perfect, establish, strengthen and settle you. 1 Peter 5:10 (NKJV)

HELP WORDS: “God, I will be settled, strengthened, established and perfected by You.” 

FOCUS WORDS: To console those who mourn in Zion, to give them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; That they may be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, that He may be glorified. Isaiah 61:3 (NKJV)

T — Total — is a whole or complete amount.

Now Peter and John went up together to the temple at the hour of prayer, the ninth hour. And a certain man lame from his mother’s womb was carried, whom they laid daily at the gate of the temple which is called Beautiful to ask for alms from those who entered the temple; who, seeing Peter and John about to go into the temple, asked for alms. And fixing eyes on him, with John, Peter said, “Look at us.” So he gave them his attention, expecting to receive something from them. Then Peter said, “Silver and gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk.” And he took him by the right hand and lifted him up, and immediately his feet and ankles received strength. Acts 3:1-7 NKJV

Peter and John offered the man more than silver and gold. They offered him the opportunity to move out of his lame state. They knew he needed something more than coins. He needed healing and the strength that Jesus brings. To only give him money was less than the total of what he needed. I’ve experienced total and partial paralysis.

After being sexually assaulted, I was terrified to leave my house. I felt totally paralyzed by something called agoraphobia. I could not fully participate in life, couldn’t leave my house, or feel safe outside at all. Years later, I was hospitalized from Covid, put on a ventilator and into a medically induced coma. I was tied to the bed. I was paralyzed during the coma. And once I was awake and off the ventilator, I realized that I could not move the left side of my body. I couldn’t stand up or walk. I couldn’t sit up in the bed on my own. I had so much fear that I would never walk again, never get out of that hospital bed.

Today, I am healed from both those traumas through the power of Jesus Christ. The therapists I saw after those events, the mental health counselors, the physical and occupational therapists, didn’t offer me money — that would have been less than the total I needed. They helped me stand up and walk, physically and mentally. And Jesus was with me through all of it, bringing me the healing I needed. I was able to accomplish so many things in life after surviving those events. I chose to overcome and worked hard to stand again.

There are many ways we can be totally paralyzed, for example: fear. Fear becomes a cage that keeps us totally paralyzed to move or accomplish things in life. When you’re too scared to move at all, you can’t move forward. You’re just stuck. I remember feeling very stuck when I couldn’t leave my house and when I was in the hospital. Both times, I was afraid I could never move forward. In my times of total paralysis, I also had a total desire to overcome. I had total faith in my God. His healing and encouragement uplifted me. When I gave all my reliance to God, He helped me overcome. Faith helps fearful people rise up and walk. Only through a relationship with Jesus can we become whole or complete, the total of who we are purposed to become.

HELP WORDS: “I will rely on God to make me total and complete.”

FOCUS WORDS: And you are complete in Him, who is the head of all principality and power. Colossians 2:10 (NKJV)

 U — Unforgivable and Unforgettable — aren’t your only options. 

Have you ever said, “What they did to me is unforgivable” or “I might forgive them, but I’ll never forget” after being hurt by someone? Deep hurt is exactly that — it’s deeply rooted inside you. Deep hurt plants seeds that will grow into bitterness. When we have roots of bitterness in our hearts, they begin to flourish, growing into bouquets of anger, hatred, and even depression. We begin to carry harshness with us and might not even realize it. Unforgivable is not a word that Jesus teaches. 

In the Bible, Luke 7 tells us about a woman who others found so unforgivable they couldn’t believe Jesus would let her touch Him. In verses 47-50, Jesus responded, Therefore I say to you, her sins, which are many, are forgiven, for she loved much. But to whom little is forgiven, the same loves little.” Then He said to her, “Your sins are forgiven.” And those who sat at the table with Him began to say to themselves, “Who is this who even forgives sins?” Then He said to the woman, “Your faith has saved you. Go in peace.” 

Jesus forgave her, told her she was saved, and told her to go in peace. Nothing more was required. She was forgiven. He didn’t tell her anything more than “Go in peace.” How could she move forward in peace if she didn’t choose to forget her past? How could she have peace if she didn’t forgive what others had done to her? Jesus tells us the same thing. 

And whenever you stand praying, if you have anything against anyone, forgive him, that your Father in heaven may also forgive you your trespasses. But if you do not forgive, neither will your Father in heaven forgive your trespasses. Mark 11:25-26 (NKJV) 

Forgiveness is for us. Even if there is never an apology from the offender, forgiveness allows us to break free from the burden of a root of bitterness in our hearts.

On the cross, Jesus asked His Father to forgive the people who were crucifying Him. He extended forgiveness and offered eternal salvation to a desperate and dying criminal on the cross beside Him. Jesus taught forgiveness with more than words. His gave His life so that we would be forgiven of our sins and saved when we trust in Him, accepting Him as our Lord and Savior. Forgiveness helps us live the abundant life He desires for us. 

HELP WORDS: “Forgive. Forget. Sweep away regret.” 

FOCUS WORDS: Then Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do.” Luke 23:24 (NKJV) 

 V — Vortex — spins you out of control.

Then He arose and rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, “Peace, be still!” And the wind ceased and there was great calm. Then He arose and rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, “Peace be still!” And the wind ceased and there was a great calm. Mark 4:39 (NKJV) 

When you begin to lose control because of a storm of words and images in your mind, don’t let a few sprinkles become a full-blown terror tornado. Once you get trapped in that vortex, it’s like having your head in the spin cycle of a washing machine. As much as your mind struggles, the word wind pressure is out of control. Add to that a few pictures from your past, or your own imagined horrors of what might lie ahead in the future, and the movie reel in your head becomes a nightmare — in the middle of the day. 

So the great dragon was cast out, that serpent of old, called the Devil and Satan, who deceives the whole world; he was cast to the earth, and his angels were cast out with him. Revelation 12:9 (NKJV) 

Never forget that you have an enemy. Think of the storms that come to your mind as the serpent, Satan, coiling words and images, like hurricane winds, counter-clockwise to truth. Call for Jesus and let Him help you battle the winds of the enemy’s vortex. Jesus will bring calm to the storm. Find something lovely to focus on, something outside the storm, until you get still. Use Scripture. Get your Bible out and just start reading. Read it out loud, if you’d like. Find photos you like, bring them up on your phone and stare at them. Gaze at flowers or changing patterns of the sky. Listen to calming music. Go for a walk. Change the scene. This is exactly what the Bible instructs us to do in those moments. And we are given power over Satan and his attacks through the name of Jesus Christ. 

Behold, I give you the authority to trample on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall by any means hurt you. Luke 10:19 NKJV

HELP WORDS: Find Beauty -> See Beauty -> Hear Beauty -> Focus on it 100 percent. 

FOCUS WORDS: Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy — meditate on these things. Philippians 4:8 NKJV

 W — Well — Do you want to be well? 

Now there is in Jerusalem by the Sheep Gate a pool, which is called in Hebrew, Bethesda, having five porches. In these lay a great multitude of sick people, blind, lame, paralyzed, waiting for the moving of the water. For an angel went down at a certain time into the pool and stirred up the water; then whoever stepped in first, after the stirring of the water, was made well of whatever disease he had. Now a certain man was there who had an infirmity thirty-eight years. When Jesus saw him lying there, and knew that he already had been in that condition a long time, He said to him, “Do you want to be made well?” John 5:2-6 NKJV 

Isn’t interesting that Jesus asked the man if he wanted to be made well? I mean, wouldn’t it have been obvious and assumed that the man wanted healing? Jesus knew the man had been there, that way, for a long time. The man made excuses for why he never made it into the pool. The angel showed up at a certain time — regularly. Did this man truly want to be healed? If he did, wouldn’t he have scooted himself to the edge of the pool, waited and watched intently for the angel’s arrival, and plopped in ahead of everyone else? How determined was he to really get the healing he needed? 

Between angel visits, his inner voice might have been saying, “This is just how I am. I can’t help it. I’m always going to be this way. No one will help me change. My life is always going to be this way. Someone is always ahead of me.” 

The sick man answered Him, “Sir, I have no man to put me into the pool when the water is stirred up; but while I am coming, another steps down before me.” Jesus said to him, “Rise, take up your bed and walk.” And immediately the man was made well, took up his bed, and walked. John 5:7-9 NKJV 

While there may be some physical limitation that you struggle with, you can still change inside your heart and mind. You might learn to overcome physical limitations by strengthening your body and mind. Don’t just sit and fret, improve yourself. Clean out your heart, and let go of hurt. Become devoted to your healing process. Determine that you have purpose, and your life is on course for so much more than where you are now. Scoot yourself to healing. You might have to inch along, slowly, or go against the crowds — but do what it takes to get up, get out, and get well. 

HELP WORDS: “Get up. Get out. Get well. I want to be made well.” 

FOCUS WORDS: Take up your bed and walk. John 5:11 NKJV 

 X — CompleXion — Heal, don’t conceal. 

What does the complexion of your soul look like? When you have outward blemishes, it’s easy to apply a dab of concealer to hide them. You simply dip a little sponge into some flesh-colored makeup and go to work camouflaging your flaws. If only it were that easy to deal with soul blemishes. Concealing your pain doesn’t make it go away. God doesn’t cover up, He reveals and heals. 

For the hurt of the daughter of my people I am hurt. I am mourning; Astonishment has taken hold of me. Is there no balm in Gilead? Is there no physician? Why then is there no recovery for the health of my daughter of my people? Jeremiah 8:21-22 (NKJV) 

In order to smooth the complexion of your soul, you need to apply God’s word. Let your mind soak it up like a sponge. Your heart will receive the healing benefits from taking it in. Your mind will be renewed. Every day, as part of your routine, seek God’s face and His voice. Listen to His advice. He sees areas of your heart that you can’t see. Jesus knows you have wounds, let Him be your physician. Let Him show you the unique path for your healing. Just like all skin types and colors differ, requiring different products — Jesus has a perfect plan your life and soul. 

When Jesus heard it, He said to them, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners, to repentance.” Mark 2:17 (NKJV) 

Learn to apply God’s word. What does that mean? It means living as the Bible instructs and relying on God to grow your faith. Doing what you learn takes more time than simply reading the words. It might be a struggle to forgive, to want to move out of your current state of existence, or to be obedient. There is spiritual work involved when learning to apply things like grace, mercy, forgiveness, faith, love, hope, and compassion. James 1:22 instructs us to be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.” Jesus will bring full cleansing to your soul and healing, as you spend time with Him. If you have a cold, bitter, hard heart od stone, He will replace it. 

I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; I will take the heart of stone out of your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. Ezekiel 36:26 (NKJV) 

HELP WORDS: “I admit my soul is blemished. Jesus, help me apply your word.” 

FOCUS WORDS: Then He put out His hand and touched him, saying, “I am willing; be cleansed.” Immediately the leprosy left him. Luke 5:13 (NKJV) 

 Y — Yolk — is nutritious for your body.

For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the first principles of the oracles of God; and you have come to need milk and not solid food. For everyone who partakes only of milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness, for he is a babe. But solid food belongs to those who are of full age, that is, those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil. Hebrews 5:12-14 (NKJV) 

It’s important to nourish yourself with God’s word and to be continually growing in understanding, maturing from spiritual infancy. To explain this, I thought of an egg, which has a few layers: the shell, the egg white, and the yolk. The shell’s purpose is to contain and protect the embryo inside the egg. The egg white is a protective cushion for the egg yolk, and the yolk nourishes the developing embryo. Like the embryo in an egg, you need spiritual nourishment for spiritual growth. Like an egg can be cracked, crushed, broken — you are also vulnerable and need protection from the wiles of the devil. 

The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly. John 10:10 (NKJV) 

The word of God is the yolk to nourish you spiritually. It’s the path to maturity that will make you strong and capable when you’re facing challenges in life. Stay close to God, contained in the shell of His protection and care. He’s a strong shield for you. In the Bible, Psalm 91 describes God’s protection like a mother bird.

He shall cover you with His feathers, And under His wings you shall take refuge; His truth shall be your shield and buckler. Psalm 91:4 (NKJV) 

Under the protection of His feathers and wings, you are safe to grow and understand the love of your Father. As you read the Bible, you will feel yourself becoming stronger and more confident. You’ll acquire confidence in God, which will strengthen your faith. When you learn to hear His voice and are obedient to do what He’s leading you to do, you will gain an abundance of faith that will sustain you through hardships that come your way. This growth is continual, and the Holy Spirit is a teacher, always nudging you toward a more mature and Christlike version of yourself. 

But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you. John 14:26 (NKJV) 

HELP WORDS: “Lord, protect me and help me grow.” 

FOCUS WORDS: Being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ; Philippians 1:6 (NKJV) 

 Z — Zero — is nothing. It’s a number that represents an emptiness. 

Zero is the place where you wonder if your life has a bottom and you find it. It’s the lowest point, the darkest place. It’s the pit of lament. When you hit the bottom, you feel the emptiness of zero. However, just like in math class, zero has two paths to choose: either a positive or a negative direction. Zero can become more or it can become less. Zero can begin climbing out of the past or it can slip deeper into the void of emptiness. I’ve felt like zero at the lowest point. During that time, I realized I was not enough on my own. I needed Jesus and His help to climb out of the pit I was in. 

I called Your name, O Lord, from the lowest pit. You have heard my voice: “Do not hide your ear from my sighing, from my cry for help.” You drew near on the day I called on You, and said, “Do not fear!” O Lord, You have pleaded the case for my soul; You have redeemed my life. Lamentations 3:55-58 (NKJV) 

The verse above is from the book of Lamentations. When I discovered the beautiful words in Lamentations, I was crying and clinging to the word of God for my life. I needed God’s word for my survival. Every syllable was like a majestic rescue. Reading it, I was falling in love with the clearly divine arrangement of the Bible. I paid close attention to the numbers and the words — how they were placed together. I noticed that chapters one, two, four, and five each have 22 verses. Chapter three has 66 verses. If chapter three is divided, the book has seven chapters with 22 verses each. Seven is a number that represents completion in the Bible. It’s a remarkable poetic arrangement, built around the Hebrew alphabet — an acrostic. 

The book of Lamentations is a dirge for Jerusalem that begins with loneliness, weeping, and affliction. It’s outlined as five laments, or poems, that mourn the fall of Jerusalem. The book asks, “How?” How did we get here, to this lowly fallen place? In the third chapter, the middle of the book expresses hope. Hope in God’s lovingkindness, compassion, and faithfulness. From the low and empty place, the people realize their need to call on God. From the place of zero, they look to God for hope and restoration. 

While I was at zero, crying out to God, He placed the idea of an A-Z Path to Amen on my heart and mind. He instructed me to write a poem that began with A and went to Z, and then to go in the opposite direction alphabetically. I reveal this to let you know that in your darkest moments, God has a plan. He has a reason. He has a purpose. Because of His great love for you, you have a hope and a future. 

Yet this I call to mind and therefore I have hope: Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. Lamentations 3:21-23 (NKJV) 

HELP WORDS: “When I’m at zero, Jesus is my hero!”

FOCUS WORDS: The way of life winds upwards for the wise, that he may turn away from the hell below. Proverbs 15:24 (NKJV) 

 Z — Zones of Comfort — limit you. 

You can exist in a comfort zone, and thrive there, but you can’t really grow until you step out of areas in which you feel safe. It takes more work to learn something new or to do something another way. It’s easier to stick to routines or what you perceive as normal. 

In the book of Psalms, you will find the very center verse of the Holy Bible at Psalm 118:8. The shortest Psalm is Psalm 117, and this is also the shortest chapter in the entire Bible. It’s only two verses in length and calls all people to praise the Lord. It’s brief and tiny, but it’s full of praise. It thrives in a small way, with few words, but flourishes for the Lord. Psalm 119 is the longest Psalm, as well as the longest chapter in the Bible with 176 verses. In Psalm 118, complete trust in God shows up. The length of the chapter exceeds that of chapter 117, with trust at the heart of the chapter, and as the central verse of the entire Bible. With trust in God over man at the heart of the Bible, Psalm 118 points us to God as our source. 

Psalm 119 is a great example of how much growth can occur when God is in the center of who we are and who we are becoming. When we choose to trust God fully, we grow abundantly in almost all areas of our lives. Psalm 119 shows that explosive growth can occur with trust in God as the source of our comfort. When we release what is our own area of comfort to take hold of where God thinks our comfort should be, we can’t stay in place. We must be repotted and allowed to expand in ways we could never expect or even comprehend. His plan for us is so much greater than our own could ever be. 

If you’re stuck in a pattern that prohibits you from growing, place your trust in God to begin moving away from the places of comfort that are limiting you. Are you holding on to the past? Is there a habit you need to let go? What is something you’ve always wanted to learn? What would it feel like to be different than you are now, releasing the things that inhibit your growth? 

Comfort zones can also be feelings. You might be accustomed to a certain pattern of feelings, and you could be addicted to chemicals that are released into your body when you feel them. It’s easy to cycle through the same patterns of emotions that you’re accustomed to, but until you make the connection and decide to move in a new direction, you will be stuck. You might be used to where you are and how you feel, and it could seem scary to change. But it’s time to soar! There’s so much waiting for you beyond this place. Trust God and grow! 

GRIP WORDS: “I will trust God completely and step onto His new path. I want to grow.”

FOCUS WORDS: It is better to trust in the Lord than to put confidence in man. Psalm 118:8 (NKJV) 

 Y — Yonder — What’s over there? Why go that way? 

What’s over yonder? Those who like to explore are often searching for the answer to that question. They want to find what’s at the end of a trail or on a mountain top. They want to travel to new places and experience new cultures and foods. The more exotic the better. The urge to explore never ends for them. They forge ahead and clear the path for others to follow them. They know the way. 

Jesus told us that He went ahead of us to prepare a place for us, that where He is, we would be also. And His words make it clear that His way is not only the best way, but also the only way to get to His Father, God, and to Heaven. 

Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me. In My Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go to prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also. And where I go you know, and the way you know. 

Thomas said to Him, “Lord, we do not know where You are going, and how can we know the way?” 

Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” John 14:1-4 (NKJV) 

If you’ve ever been on a hiking trail, you know there are times the path you’re on forks and you need to decide which direction to take. You need to either go back to where you were or choose a new way. In the verse above, Jesus tells us that the only way to get to Heaven is through Him. He is the right path. For those who don’t know which way to go, He has made it abundantly clear: He is the way, the truth, and the life. 

The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly. John 10:10 (NKJV) 

From this verse, we can understand that there is nothing good to be gained by following the path that Satan directs us to. Jesus’ path offers an abundant life and Satan offers destruction, the exact opposite. If you’ve already chosen to follow Jesus, you’re on the right path.

GRIP WORDS: “Jesus is the way. He will guide me through this life.”

FOCUS WORDS: I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will guide you with My eye. Psalm 32:8 (NKJV) 

 X — LuXuriate — in God’s love. 

God is love. He pours His love into your life. His example of love teaches us how to love differently. He wants you to treat yourself the way He would treat you. He teaches you to love yourself, not in a selfish way, rather in a healthy way. If you don’t love yourself and take care of you, how can you take care of others properly? How can you effectively serve God or others if you are depleted: physically, mentally, emotionally, or spiritually? 

That very hour the word was fulfilled concerning Nebuchadnezzar: he was driven from men and ate grass like oxen; his body was wet with the dew of heaven till his hair had grown like eagles’ feathers and his nails like birds’ claws. Daniel 4:33 

Have you ever looked in the mirror and you don’t recognize yourself? Nebuchadnezzar was in the wilderness until his hair and nails grew out long and wild. He was dwelling with the beasts of the field. He was a wild man, eating grass, out of his mind. But prior to that, he had been a king. He eventually returned to his kingdom and praised God on the other side of his time in the wilderness. I’m sure he felt much better after he was refreshed and restored. 

If you are feeling like you’re overwhelmed, and you need a break to refresh yourself, take it. It’s okay to take care of yourself. It’s not just okay, it necessary. Jesus took time for Himself. He found solitude and refreshed Himself so that He could continue the work of His ministry. He sat by the sea, climbed mountains, prayed alone. Take some time to step outside for a quiet walk. Go to a beach. Get out in nature. Luxuriate in a warm bath or shower. Eat — something healthy. Get your hair done. Cut your fingernails. Go for a mani-pedi and a massage. Get close to God and listen for His voice. Allow your soul to luxuriate in His refreshment, as well as your physical body. Refresh your heart by having intimate conversations with Jesus. The lover of your soul wants you to be healthy and fully restored. The Bible teaches us to take a Sabbath rest, one day each week. Set aside a day of rest for yourself and recharge your batteries. 

GRIP WORDS: “It’s okay to take care of me.” (Repeat as often as necessary). 

FOCUS WORDS: Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own? For you were bought with a price; therefore, glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God’s. 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 (NKJV)

 W — Will — you? Yes! You will. God will. Confidently believe. 

In the story of David and Goliath found at 1 Samuel 17, David is confident in his ability to defeat the giant, Goliath, because he has full confidence in God. He faced the giant with no armor and only a slingshot and a few stones. David did not have any physical armor, but he was fully armed spiritually. 

David said to the Philistine, “You come against me with sword and spear and javelin, but I come against you in the name of the LORD Almighty, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied. This day the LORD will deliver you into my hands, and I’ll strike you down and cut off your head. This very day I will give the carcasses of the Philistine army to the birds and the wild animals, and the whole world will know that there is a God in Israel. All those gathered here will know that it is not by sword or spear that the LORD saves; for the battle is the LORD’s, and he will give all of you into our hands.” 1 Samuel 17:45-47 (NKJV) 

Did you know that even when you lack confidence or aren’t able to fight your own battles, God will step in and fight for you? You can be confident that God is on your side and He’s working to bring victory. Jesus is your redeemer. You have victory over death, and the same great God who was with David is with you — the very same God. 

So truth fails and he who departs from evil makes himself prey. Then the Lord saw it, and it displeased Him that there was no justice. He saw that there was no man and wondered why there was no intercessor; Therefore, His own arm brought salvation for Him; and HIs own righteousness, it sustained Him. For He put on righteousness as a breastplate, and a helmet of salvation on His head; He put on the garments of vengeance for clothing and was clad with zeal as a cloak. According to their deeds, accordingly He will repay, fury for His adversaries, recompense His enemies; The coastlands He will fully repay. So, they shall fear the name of the Lord from the west, and His glory from the rising sun; When the enemy comes in like a flood, the Spirit of the Lord will lift up a standard against him. The Redeemer will come to Zion. Isaiah 59:15-20a (NKJV) 

Learn about suiting up for spiritual battles in Ephesians 6:10-20, where we’re instructed how to put on our spiritual armor daily. Believe you have victory each day before the battle begins. Call on Jesus. You can’t win a spiritual battle without Him on your side. 

GRIP WORDS: “The Lord will. I will. No doubts today, victory is coming my way!”

FOCUS WORDS: So, we may boldly say: “The LORD is my helper; I will not fear. What can man do to me?” Hebrews 13:6 (NKJV) 

 V — Valuable — You are, and don’t forget it. 

For you are a holy people to the Lord your God; the Lord your God has chosen you to be a people for Himself, a special treasure above all the earth. The Lord did not set His eyes on you nor choose you because you were more in number than any other people, for you were the least of all peoples; but because the Lord loves you, and because He would keep the oath which He swore to your fathers, the Lord has brought you out with a mighty hand, and redeemed you from the house of bondage, from the hand of Pharaoh king of Egypt. Deuteronomy 7:6-8 (NKJV) 

God chose the nation of Israel to be His people, not because they were a large and mighty nation, but because He loved them. God often chose and used the least likely people to accomplish great things for Him. A small boy, David, defeated a giant, led armies, and later became a king. He was an ancestor of Jesus and wrote much of the book of Psalms. An orphan girl, Esther, became queen and saved her people, the nation of Israel. Rahab, a prostitute, was an ancestor of King David and Jesus. She’s named in the Faith Hall of Fame in the book of Hebrews. Moses murdered a man and had a speech problem. God used him to lead the Israelites out of their bondage in Egypt. Sarah thought she was too old to have a baby, and Abraham wasn’t sure how God would make him the father of many nations. But God is faithful, and they were blessed. Saul of Tarsus led a violent persecution of Christians before he became Paul in his Damascus Road conversion and writer of most of the New Testament — much of it while he was in prison. 

You might not think you’re enough. You might think the limitations others have placed on you, or the ones you’ve placed on yourself, count you out. You might think all your sins are too many or too great for God to love you or use you. That is not the way God sees you. He sees your weaknesses and failures as ways to bring glory to Himself, by working through you to accomplish His purposes. He created you with a purpose for your life in mind. He put inside you unique gifts and talents and there is nothing about you that He doesn’t love. 

For you formed my inward parts; You covered me in my mother’s womb. I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Marvelous are Your works, and that my soul knows very well. Psalm 139:13-14 (NKJV) 

HELP WORDS: “I have value. My Creator loves me. I’m a special treasure to Him.”

FOCUS WORDS: And 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. 2 Corinthians 12:9 (NKJV) 

 U — Understanding — Get it! 

Hear, my children, the instruction of a father, and give attention to know understanding; For I give you good doctrine: Do not forsake my law. When I was my father’s son, tender and the only one in the sight of my mother, he also taught me and said to me, “Let your heart retain my words; Keep my commands, and live. Get wisdom! Get understanding! Do not forget, nor turn away from the words of my mouth. Do not forsake her, and she will preserve you; Love her, and she will keep you. Wisdom is the principal thing; Therefore, get wisdom. And in all your getting, get understanding. Proverbs 4:1-7 (NKJV) 

When started writing this book, in 2012, I had a high school education. I loved writing but didn’t really know what I was supposed to do with the things I wrote. During that time, God led me to pursue an associate of science degree at a local college. I had so much fun learning that He led me to get a bachelor’s degree, and now I’m working on a master’s degree. I was also reading the Bible all the way through for the first time. I decided if I was going to read a book, I should start at the beginning. I’m on my sixth cover to cover reading of the Holy Bible, and I learn something new every time I read it. 

From where does wisdom come? And where is the place of understanding? Job 28:20 (NKJV)

I began to realize that there was so much to learn, so much I didn’t know. As I spent more time in the Bible and talking with God, I also realized that He is the source of wisdom and understanding. Having access to God and communicating with Him has radically changed my life, and He has equipped me for many paths since knowing Him. 

God understands its way, and He knows its place. For He looks to the ends of the earth, and sees under the whole heavens, to establish a weight for the wind, and apportion the waters by measure. When He made a law for the rain and a path for the thunderbolt, then He searched it out. And to man He said, “Behold, the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom, and to depart from evil is to understand.” Job 28:23-28 (NKJV) 

When you communicate with Him, He will challenge you to become more, to learn more, to do more. Wisdom comes from your talks with God. He sees what you don’t see. When you ask Him for advice, He leads you to the best path for you. He knows what he created you for, and He will guide you to become all that He has purposed for you. 

HELP WORDS: “God, I want to know Your will for my life. Please, give me understanding.”

FOCUS WORDS: Let us know. Let us pursue the knowledge of the Lord. Hosea 6:3a (NKJV) — And He opened their understanding, that they might comprehend the Scriptures. Luke 24:45 (NKJV) 

 T —Tears — help you heal. 

Your tears are precious to God. He collects them and records them. He actually keeps record of all your prayers and knows every intimate detail of your life. You might be crying a lot right now. You might not know how to stop. That’s okay. The same way water extinguishes fire, tears wash pain away. Quivering lips and trembling hands are okay. The walls are falling, pain is crumbling, change is occurring. You might think tears should be gone by now, or that tears aren’t allowed. If you cry so many tears that they run down your arms and drip from your fingertips, it’s okay. The pools they form will soon reveal a new reflection. Jesus cleanses your soul, and sometimes it takes a lot of tears to get the junk cleaned out of your heart. 

You number my wanderings; Put my tears into Your bottle; Are they not in Your book? Psalm 56:8 (NKJV) 

And then he took the scroll, the four living beings and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb. Each one had a harp, and they held gold bowls filled with incense, which are the prayers of God’s people. Revelation 5:8 (NKJV) 

Facades disappear when Jesus shows up. He takes away masks, wipes off makeup, to find the genuine you beneath everything. Then He goes to work perfecting who you truly are. You might not like what’s revealed initially, but He adores the real you. He sees a jewel buried in a mess, and He’s using a salty scrub of tears to find your shimmer. Eventually, your tears will diminish, and a stream of healing will flow through you. The more Jesus fills your heart and life, the more you will begin to reflect Him and His love. 

As in water face reflects face, so a man’s heart reveals the man. Proverbs 27:19 (NKJV) 

Tears from grief can appear, disappear, and reappear. Grief is multi-layered and often is with you always. Grief means you loved someone or something very much. Those reoccurring tears are from your heart remembering all the love and missing precious moments. Others might tell you that you should move on or that you should be over grieving, but I’m telling you it’s okay to cry. Don’t get trapped in grief but allow it to run through you and feel it. The waves of hurt and loss come and go. Grab on tightly to Jesus and let Him comfort you. 

HELP WORDS: “It’s okay to cry. I’m not alone. Jesus cares about me.”

FOCUS WORDS: Those who sow in tears shall reap in joy. Psalm 126:5 (NKJV) 

 S — Stop — thinking backward. 

Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; But one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead. I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. Philippians 3:13-14 (NKJV) 

Things have happened. You made choices. You may have allowed things to happen. You may have been a victim. Circumstances may have been out of your control. Whatever the reason, the past brought you to where you are today. You are here. You are not back there anymore. Move away from what’s back there. Where you are now is not your final destination. You will move beyond this point. You may feel bewildered or overwhelmed right now. It will pass. 

You may need to stop and heal before you move on. That is okay. Stop focusing on things that take you down. If it happened twenty years ago, ten, fifteen, a few weeks ago, or today — it’s over. Don’t dwell on it. When you do, you are choosing to let the pain from those incidents hurt you over and over again. 

Stop giving those incidents or the people involved in them victory over your life. It’s your life and you decide, you choose, what happens from this point forward. Focus on the good things and let go of the negative things. Find a positive purpose and begin working toward it. Put your thoughts in the depths of that new place, the positive tomorrow God has planned for you. 

Stop and think about where you are going from here and how you are going to get there. What does God have ahead of you? Have you asked Him? You won’t be able to reach it or attain it by holding on to the past. Put your sights on God’s new plan and press toward it with faith. 

In the Bible, God freed the Israelites from slavery in Egypt, yet their thoughts often took them back to their time of slavery, and some even wanted to return to being enslaved rather than push through to the promise God had ahead of them. Numbers 11:1-23 is an account of how the people complained, thinking backward, and God’s response to them. If God has set you free, you are free. Stop going back to Egypt. Also, read Genesis 19 to learn how Lot’s wife looked back at Sodom and Gomorrah after she was instructed not to by angels. Her decision to look back caused her to be turned into a pillar of salt. 

HELP WORDS: Stop. Shake it off. Keep moving forward, and don’t look back. God has better things ahead of you. 

FOCUS WORDS: Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. Isaiah 43:18 (NKJV) 

 R —Reflections — of Christ, love, and light. 

Therefore be imitators of God as dear children. And walk in love, as Christ also has loved us and given Himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet smelling aroma. But fornication and all uncleanness or covetousness, let not it even be named among you, as is fitting for saints; neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor course jesting, which are not fitting, but rather giving of thanks. For this you know, that no fornicator, unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, has any inheritance in the kingdom of God. Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience. Therefore, do not be partakers with them. For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light. Ephesians 5:1-8 (NKJV) 

In order to be an imitator of Christ and a reflection of His light and love, you need to be showing that to others. What do they see when they look at you? Do they think of light, love, or Jesus when interacting with you? It isn’t easy to reflect Jesus, because He’s perfect. The goal is to become as much like Christ as possible. 

Some people, as Christians, think it’s okay to be like the rest of the world, to blend into the crowd. This above passage says the opposite. Christians are supposed to stand out in darkness and be light in a dark world. Read the Gospels: Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John to learn how Christ behaved and loved others. Learn about His life so that you can become an imitator of Him. Spend time with Him in prayer and hear His voice, get to know Him. 

Not everyone likes seeing a reflection of Jesus. Many people are still asleep in their sinful lives, lost in darkness, and can’t fully appreciate light. There is no light inside them, and until the light of Jesus is in them, they are dead in their sin. Jesus brings light to save us from the darkness of sin and death. He brings eternal life and freedom from darkness — a reflection of love that never ends. 

Therefore he says: Awake you who sleep, arise from the dead, and Christ will give you light. Ephesians 5:14 (NKJV) 

Then God said, “Let there be light”; and there was light. Genesis 1:3 (NKJV) 

HELP WORDS: “Jesus, I see your light. Help me to be what I see.”

FOCUS WORDS: As long as I’m in the world, I am the light of the world. John 9:5 (NKJV) 

 Q — Quiet — hearts find rest. 

Come to Me all you who labor and are heavy laden and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light. Matthew 11:28-30 (NKJV) 

Jesus offers rest for your soul. It’s yours for the taking, but it requires action on your part. He is calling to you. He wants your burdens, your problems, and your worries. If you keep holding on to them, they remain your burdens. Let go. Unclench the tight grip you have on them and give them to Jesus. 

Jesus describes Himself as gentle and lowly in heart. Taking His yoke upon you means you choose to be bound with Him and give Him control. You allow Him to direct you. You trust His guidance and let Him lead you through life, giving Him your burdens and worries, allowing Him to navigate. His way is different than the way the world leads you — different than the way your own thoughts take you. When you team up with Jesus, your heart finds gentleness and quiet. Jesus said He will give you rest. He didn’t say He might think about it or give another half-hearted option. He positively says that He will if you take His yoke upon you — and learn from Him. 

But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all things that I have said to you. Peace, I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid. John 14:26-27 (NKJV) 

You learn to rest as the Holy Spirit teaches you. He searches your heart to learn what your specific needs are, then satisfies them and teaches you the right way to live. What you need to learn, He teaches. Where you need to heal, He reveals it and gives you comfort and healing. What you are called to do, He equips you to do it. He knows your gifts and talents, and how they’re supposed to be used. He knows you, all of you. And He loves you like no one else can or will. 

Go to Jesus with all your troubles and let Him give you a gentle and quiet heart. 

HELP WORDS: “Jesus, I give you my burdens. Please, give my heart rest.”

FOCUS WORDS: Now may the Lord of peace Himself give you peace always in every way. The Lord be with you all. 2 Thessalonians 3:16 (NKJV) 

 P — Prayer — at sunrise and sunset. 

David prayed, “O God, You are my God; Early will I seek you; My soul thirsts for You; My flesh longs for You in a dry and thirsty land where there is no water. So, I have looked for you in the sanctuary, to see your power and glory. Psalm 63:1-2 (NKJV) 

When I remember You on my bed, I meditate on You in the night watches. Psalm 63:6 (NKJV) 

How much different would your day be if you sought God first thing in the morning and then returned to Him in prayer before bed at night? In order to hear God and know His will for your life, you need to spend time with Him. Prayer is essential, not optional. It’s your communication with God. Prayer is when you talk with God. Getting quiet and listening for His voice while being in His word is meditation. Pray with your Bible open and be sensitive to where the Holy Spirit guides you as you pray and listen. 

Here are some examples of how Jesus prayed: 

Now in the morning, having risen a long while before daylight, He went out and departed to a solitary place; and there He prayed. Mark 1:35 (NKJV) 

Now it came to pass in those days that He went out to the mountain to pray and continued all night in prayer to God. Luke 6:12 (NKJV) 

And being in agony, He prayed more earnestly. Then His sweat became like great drops of blood falling to the ground. Luke 22:44 (NKJV) 

Jesus was serious about prayer, setting aside time throughout the day to pray. We’re told in Scripture to pray without ceasing, to be continually in prayer. That seems impossible, like we’d never accomplish anything other than prayer. I think of it as sending text messages to God all day, tiny little prayers I say to Him. It’s just communication with my Friend as I go through life. I have a constant awareness of His presence and talk to Him about anything and everything. 

He’s always with you. Stay with Him in prayer. He loves sharing your day with you. He often lets me know He’s listening with what I call God moments, or God winks. Little moments that I know only He could have arranged for me, because of our conversations. 

HELP WORDS: “Jesus, I need you in the morning, and I need you at night. I need you to keep things right.” 

FOCUS WORDS: Pray without ceasing. 1 Thessalonians 5:17 (NKJV) 

 O — Overcome — obstacles. 

Your right hand, O Lord, has become glorious in power; Your right hand, O Lord, has dashed the enemy to pieces. Exodus 15:6 (NKJV) 

You can use what you have left when it feels like everything right is gone. When I was in junior high school, I broke the pinky finger of my right hand while playing basketball in gym class. If you’ve ever broken a bone, or pulled a muscle, you understand how interconnected things are in your body. Moving my pinky finger sent pain through my whole hand, which had to stay bound until it healed properly. 

That semester, I was also taking a typing class. The only way I could pass the class was to research the history of typing and the typewriter and write a paper about them. Since I’m right-handed, to overcome and complete the work, I needed to handwrite the paper, awkwardly, with my left hand. Fun, fun. 

When I was hospitalized and on a ventilator from Covid, I was left partially paralyzed on the left side of my body when I woke up from the medically induced coma. I needed a lot of rehabilitation to walk again. My faith in Jesus helped me to overcome. 

For whatever is born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith. Who is he who overcomes the world, but he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God? 1 John 5:4-5 (NKJV) 

I don’t know what you’re struggling with in your life, but you can overcome. That overcoming might be physical or it could be a mental overcoming. Believe that you are able and ask God to help you. Sometimes we are our own obstacles — set in our ways. Learn new things and new ways of doing things. Go new places. Try something different than what you’re used to. Meet new people with fresh perspectives on life. If you usually go left, go right one day and mix things up. Switch things around and see where it leads you. If you’re trying to overcome something and what you’re doing isn’t working, find another way. Improvise with what you have. Think outside of your obstacle. Don’t give up. If you think you’ve tried and done all you can, try again. 

In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world. John 16:33 (NKJV) 

HELP WORDS: “I don’t know how to do this, but I’m going to do this. Right is gone. Go left.”

FOCUS WORDS: I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. Philippians 4:13 (NKJV) 

 N — New — steps out of yesterday. 

Do not remember the former things, nor consider the things of old. Behold, I will do a new thing. Now it shall spring forth; Shall you not know it? I will even make a road in the wilderness and rivers in the desert. Isaiah 43:15-19 (NKJV) 

You are like springtime in God’s eyes. He sees a bud blossoming, winter passing, deserts with rivers — your restoration, your emergence. Life presses on as a pile of yesterdays build up behind you. They are yesterdays. You can’t get them back. You can’t change them. But you can climb from under the heap of your yesterdays and emerge to become something new. Each day is another opportunity. You might never get what you lost in the past, or what you stepped away from to walk toward Christ. But understand and believe that once you decided to turn away from your heap of yesterday to follow Him, He went to work. The Holy Spirit will continue to push you toward the completion of the new you. 

I accepted Christ and chose to follow Him just after my 23-year career ended. As I started meeting with God and listening to Him for direction, I heard Him say, “You’re a writer and an artist.” For 23 years I had managed and owned a souvenir store — retail. But I trusted Him to show me the new path He had for me. He led me to college, to study interactive media and digital arts. I wrote for student publications and worked for a local news radio station as a news reporter. Upon graduation with my bachelor’s in digital arts, I coordinated digital communications for a university’s alumni department. Now I’m working on a master’s degree in creative writing — poetry in the expanded field.

God took the shambles of my past life and swept them aside, like with a giant eraser. He said, “This is the new way. This is what I created you to do, writing and art. Let’s go make things together.” I emerged as a professional writer and digital artist. He’s so amazing. 

Trust, have faith, grow, and believe. Like a tender new bud, you, nor the world around you, has any idea of the magnificence God has stored inside you. He’s doing a new thing and when you blossom, revealing His handiwork, it will be a whole new you. Reliance on Jesus and complete trust in His awesome power is necessary to become the new you. 

Being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ. Philippians 1:6 (NKJV) 

HELP WORDS: “God is doing a new thing in me. New steps out of yesterday.” 

FOCUS WORDS: Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new. 2 Corinthians 5:17 (NKJV) 

 M — Midway — stuck between a rock and a hard place. 

And Pharoah drew near, the children of Israel lifted their eyes, and behold, the Egyptians marched after them. So, they were very afraid, and the children of Israel cried out to the Lord. Then they said to Moses, “Because there were no graves in Egypt, have you taken us away to die in the wilderness? Why have you dealt so with us, to bring us out of Egypt? Is this not the word that we told you in Egypt, saying, ‘Let us alone that we may serve the Egyptians?’ For it would have been better for us to serve the Egyptians than that we should die in the wilderness.” 

And Moses said to the people, “Do not be afraid. Stand still, and see the salvation of the Lord, which He will accomplish for you today. For the Egyptians whom you see today, you shall again see no more forever.” 

And the Lord said to Moses, “Why do you cry to Me? Tell the children of Israel to go forward.” Exodus 14:10-15 (NKJV) 

In the above passage, God had set the Israelites free from bondage in Egypt and the Egyptians were pursuing them. The children of Israel stood midway between Egyptian armies and the Red Sea. Neither direction looked promising. God told them to move forward toward the Red Sea, but they were scared. He parted the waters of the sea so that the children of Israel walked on dry land to flee from Pharoah and his armies. Then God closed the sea when Pharoah when was in the middle, destroying them and ending their pursuit. 

Following Jesus isn’t always easy and it often requires you to go against worldly things. You might not understand when you’re told to move in a certain direction, it could seem completely wrong. But if God is saying it’s the way, have faith. If it looks scary, don’t freeze, or pause, or hesitate. Don’t get stuck in the middle. Move forward in God’s direction. 

Satan wants you frozen, inactive, ineffective. He’s marching after you like the Egyptians. He wants you back in darkness and slavery, in his bondage. He stalks you like a skilled predator, watching, waiting, evaluating your stamina. He knows when you’re going to give up. 

You cannot give up. You are strong enough to keep going. Keep moving forward. 

HELP WORDS: “I will not quit. No turning back. Go forward.” 

FOCUS WORDS: Let your eye look straight ahead, and your eyelids look right before you. Ponder the path of your feet, and let all your ways be established. Do not turn to the right or the left; Remove your foot from evil. Proverbs 4:25-27 (NKJV) 

 L — Love — has a new definition. 

Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I have become sounding brass or a clanging cymbal. And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, but have not love, it profits me nothing. Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up; does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil; does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth; bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never fails.
1 Corinthains 13:1-8a (NKJV) 

The love described in the passage above does not mention emotions at all. It does not say your heart is going to flutter uncontrollably in love with another person. The love described in 1 Corinthians 13 is about how love behaves — the actions and thoughts of love. It requires much more than the gushy emotions we usually attach to love. This definition doesn’t promise happiness or that love will be easy. It describes behaviors that could be difficult. It’s a love that doesn’t give up or fail. This love stays when everyone else goes. 

As you strive to be more like Christ, this definition of love is your goal. Of course, you aren’t God, so you are going to stumble and fail at times — and others will fail you. Learning what love truly is and endeavoring to improve your life is a journey. It’s a process that takes time. Because God’s love never fails, He’s waiting for you each time yours does. He is faithful. 

This defintion of love tells us that we are nothing if we don’t demonstrate this type of love. It doesn’t matter how talented we are, how much we give and serve, how morally upright we think we are. If we don’t love others as this describes, it’s useless and we miss the big picture. God is love. To have God is to have love and when He resides in your heart, you see the world differently than when you didn’t. Loving the world with God, means loving your spouse, your neighbor, your child, your enemies, your coworkers, everyone — with the above definition. 

HELP WORDS: “God’s love will never fail me. God’s love is mine forever.” 

FOCUS WORDS: And now abide faith, hope, and love, these three; but the greatest of these is love. 1 Corinthians 13:13 (NKJV) 

 K — Keep — a clean heart. 

Have mercy upon me, O God, according to Your lovingkindness; According to the multitude of Your tender mercies, blot out my transgressions. Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity and cleanse me from my sin. For I acknowledge my transgressions, and my sin is always before me. Against You, You only, have I sinned, and done this evil in Your sight— that You may be found just when You speak, and blameless when You judge. Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity, and in sin my mother conceived me. Behold, You desire truth in the inward parts, and in the hidden part You will make me to know wisdom. Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean; Wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow. Make me hear joy and gladness, that the bones You have broken may rejoice. Hide Your face from my sins and blot out all my iniquities. Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. Psalm 51:1-10 (NKJV) 

Your heart needs to be cleaned regularly; the same way you would keep your home cleaned or your yard in good condition. Clean up messes in your heart quickly. When hurt shows up, get with God to remove it from your heart. Don’t let bitterness take hold. Once bitterness has rooted, it’s difficult to remove. Don’t let junk build up. Like wiping kitchen counters clean, wipe up spills in your heart. 

If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 1 John 1:9 

Confess your own sins to God each day. Empty out your own faults before Him. Let Him know how you’re feeling about a situation, or person, or circumstance that is causing you to feel hurt or angry. Let Him know when you don’t feel right about one of your own actions, words, or thoughts. If you know you’ve disobeyed Him, let Him know. Talk it out with Him and receive forgiveness and forgive others. 

It doesn’t do any good to hang on to bad feelings. They’re going to show up, but you don’t need to hold onto them and let them pile high. Letting trash build up in your heart keeps you from having peace and joy. Let it all go each day so that it doesn’t spring out when you’re overloaded — like an overstuffed closet. Give it to Jesus. Let Him have the stuff that’s not doing you any good. 

HELP WORDS: “Lord, help me keep my heart clean. I want a clean heart.” 

FOCUS WORDS: Keep your heart with all diligence, for out of it spring the issues of life. Proverbs 4:23 (NKJV) 

 J — Jeremiah — had a purpose and passion. 

Jeremiah was a prophet called by God to complete a task: He was to accuse Israel of their sins and warn them of God’s coming judgment. He had difficult messages to deliver. Because of his messages from God, he was deemed a traitor to Judah, and a betrayer of his country to the Babylonians. He was known as “the weeping prophet” because of his deep grief over sin and its consequences. His task didn’t win him many friends. He considered stopping the delivery of God’s messages to the people but could not. 

Then I said, “I would not make mention of Him, nor speak anymore in His name.” But His word was in my heart like a burning fire shut up in my bones; I was weary of holding it back, and I could not. Jeremiah 20:9 (NKJV) 

In the twenty-third year of his ministry, he spoke of rising early to deliver God’s messages, but the people of Israel didn’t listen to him. Jeremiah did not quit, even though he was discouraged, because he was passionate about his purpose. 

From the thirteenth year of Josiah the son of Amon, king of Judah, even to this day, this is the twenty-third year in which the word of the Lord has come to me; and I have spoken to you, rising early and speaking, but you have not listened. Jeremiah 25:3 (NKJV) 

Do you have a purpose in your life that’s like a burning fire trapped inside you? Maybe you have a dream. Maybe you’ve heard from God that He has a task for you and you’re eager to complete it, like Jeremiah. For me, it’s writing and photography. I wake up knowing I’m supposed to be writing with words rattling around in my head before I even have breakfast. They wake me up at night. I must stop to snap a photo and like to tell stories through photographs and videos. He has gifted me with creativity and a desire to build something new, all the time. Before I finish one project, I’m already thinking about the next one. I’m a creator and a thinker. 

Have you asked God what He created you for? What is your God-given purpose? God knows what He has prepared for you, and He will ignite a fire in you to accomplish it. He will supply both the purpose and the passion once your aligned with His will for your life. 

HELP WORDS: “God has called me for a purpose. He will show me the way.” 

FOCUS WORDS: And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose. Romans 8:28 (NKJV) 

 I — Illuminated — path is the one to follow. 

Oh, send out Your light and Your truth! Let them lead me; Let them bring me to Your holy hill and to Your tabernacle. Then I will go to the altar of God, to my exceeding joy; And on the harp I will praise You, O God, my God. Psalm 43:3-4 (NKJV) 

Have you ever been in a dark building, trying to find your way out? Or stumbled through your dark house headed for midnight snack in the kitchen? In my house, it helps to have a night light or two to light the way. The scariest haunted house I ever went through was one with absolutely no light. Everything was pitch black and it was nearly impossible to weave through the dark maze to find the exit. It was so much scarier than if I could have seen what was ahead or read a bright exit sign. 

It’s that way in life too. As we try to make it through each day, or face difficulties, it’s much scarier to not know what’s ahead. When we don’t know which way to go, or what is the best decision to make, our worries and anxieties increase. It’s easy to say, “just trust the Lord.” But how do we do that? One way is trusting God to be a guiding light for us. He’s already ahead of you. He hears conversations you don’t hear. He knows which way to go. 

When the Israelites were in the wilderness after escaping bondage in Egypt, the Lord provided visual guidance for them in the desert. He cleared a path for them both day and night. 

And the Lord went before them by day in a pillar cloud to lead the way, and by night in a pillar of fire to give them light, so as to go by day and night. Exodus 13:21 (NKJV) 

We have electricity, lamps, and streetlights now. But when the Israelites didn’t, God made a way for them to know which direction they should take. He will do the same for you. Ask Him for direction. Let Him know you’re anxious about a decision or which way you should go, and He will give you indicators that you will know are from Him. 

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through Him and without Him nothing was made that was made. In Him was life, and the life was the light of men. And the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it. John 1:1-5 (NKJV) 

Take others by the hand and lead them to the light. Bring them to Jesus. Be a match that strikes hope. Be a laser light show of love. Hand sparks to everyone you see. Bring the light that pierces death away. Glow. 

HELP WORDS: “God, go before me. Light the way. Lead me.” 

FOCUS WORDS: Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path. Psalm 119:105 (NKJV) 

 H— Helium Balloons — sail out of sight.

I once bought a bouquet of helium balloons and tried to get them out of the store, through the door, and out into the parking lot. I wrestled with them against the wind and while trying to get them into my car. As they bumped and thumped against the car, one of them popped. Then the bouquet obscured my rear view as I drove to the birthday party. And one slipped loose and sailed away while I was getting them out of the car. Two balloons down, the party still went on. I tried holding on to all of them, but the two that got away didn’t change the party or the fun we had that day. And at the end of the party, there were lots of balloons left.

When you experience hurtful events in your life, you might hang on to leftover “helium balloons” from these events. Keeping them before you only reminds you of the pain. Do you feel God nudging you to let something go? If you have a big bouquet of reminders around you, it might be time to let some of them sail away. You might be holding tight to the string, saying to God, “But that’s the green balloon! I can’t let go of that one! You know what caused this one.” What would happen if you let it go?

The answer just might be — peace. Letting go of hurt, unforgiveness, anger, pain, and bad memories, is kind of like untying a helium balloon and watching it sail away. Imagine your soul as light and free as a helium balloon. With each balloon you release, there are fewer and fewer burdens to bump and thump, obscuring your view of the wonderful things God has in store for you. The wrestling match inside you ceases.

Sometimes, God might step in and pop a few for you. When He does, it might startle you for a bit, but the balloons and burdens will be gone. He might step in and snip a string that you have tied around your finger to release a burden. When He does, don’t fight with Him and try to hold on to the balloon. Let it go. Remove it. You stay in place, and the hurts sail away. The result is a gentle light feeling in your soul — as light as a helium balloon.

Are you holding on because of unforgiveness? We’re told to forgive others the same way Jesus has forgiven us. We’re supposed to forgive others if we want to be forgiven by God. 

For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses. Matthew 6:14-15 (NKJV) 

HELP WORDS: “Let it go. Lord, please remove it and help me forgive.” 

FOCUS WORDS: Then Peter came to Him and said, “Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? Up to seven times?” Jesus said to him, “I do not say to you, up to seven times, but up to seventy times seven. Matthew 18:21-22 (NKJV) 

 G — Growth — will occur when you follow Jesus. 

Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor stands in the path of sinners, nor sits in the seat of the scornful; but His delight is in the law of the Lord, and in His law, he meditates day and night. He shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that brings forth its fruit in season, whose leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he does shall prosper. Psalm 1:1-3 (NKJV) 

Growth means you’re becoming more. You’re learning, discovering, changing and living the abundant life that Jesus offers. When you dig into the word of God and become deeply rooted in it with the Holy Spirit, the result is change in all areas of your life. Fruit of the Spirit is evident. Challenges come your way to help you grow. Although they feel difficult, you will benefit by learning to overcome them. Things that you already know are easy, no challenge involved. Growth comes with struggling, pruning, and refining. When God allows you to struggle, He’s helping you grow. When He prunes you, He’s helping you grow and produce more fruit. When He refines you, He’s making you stronger. 

God might lead you to apologize to someone you hurt or forgive someone who hurt you. You might not want to do either one of those things. Your flesh will get involved and make it feel difficult to follow God’s lead. He might want you to show love to a very unlovable person. He might instruct you to complete a difficult task that makes no sense to you. When you quiet your flesh and follow God, you grow. God wants you to really grow. Trust Him to help you through the difficult and challenging things you face. 

For this reason, we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to ask that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding; that you may walk worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing Him, being fruitful in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God. Colossians 1:9-10 (NKJV) 

HELP WORDS: “Ouch! That hurts! If I’m uncomfortable, I’m growing.” 

FOCUS WORDS: But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory both now and forever. Amen. 2 Peter 3:18 (NKJV) 

 F — Flicker — One spark is enough. One spark can save you. 

He replied, “Because you have so little faith. I tell you the truth, if you have the faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there’ and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you. Matthew 17:20 (NKJV) 

It doesn’t take much of something for it to still exist. One seed can be the beginning of a giant tree or beautiful bouquet of flowers. One ember can be fanned to become a flame. One spark can ignite a fire. One granule of sugar sweetens. One good memory can begin to weed out the bad ones. Hang on to the one. Hang onto it with all you have, because as long as you still have a bit of it — it’s still there. If it’s precious to you, guard it. 

When everyone else is saying, “That’s not enough. It won’t work. You’ll never make it. There’s more bad than good. Forget it. Forget God’s promises.” Dismiss the lies, because something isn’t nothing, and anything can become more. In the darkest of times, God can bring light that casts hope. His voice can change things and alter what you think is all you have left. He can shift everything with just a few words and His voice. Don’t count yourself or someone else out just because things look bleak. Keep hoping, trusting God, and having faith. A small amount of prayer and faith can make big changes. 

I say to you that likewise there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine just persons who need no repentance. Luke 15:7 (NKJV) 

And when she has found it, she calls her friends and neighbors together, saying, ‘Rejoice with me, for I have found the piece which I lost! ‘ Likewise, I say to you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.” Luke 15:9-10 (NKJV) 

And he said to him, “Son, you are always with me, and all that I have is yours. It was right that we should make merry and be glad, for your brother was dead and is alive again, and was lost and is found. Luke 15:31-32 (NKJV) 

HELP WORDS: “There is still a flicker. There is still hope. One is enough.” 

FOCUS WORDS: In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. The earth was without form, and void; and darkness was on the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters. Then God said, “Let there be light”; and there was light. Genesis 1:1-3 (NKJV) 

 E — Elim — is an oasis. 

Then they came to Elim, where there were twelve springs and seventy palm trees, and they camped there near the water. Exodus 15:27 (NKJV) 

Where do you go when you need to drop all your cares and let out a deep sigh of relief? What calms you when everything seems like it’s too much? What do you consider to be your oasis in life? I live near the beach, and it’s very calming to put my toes in the sand and sit for a while listening to the waves. The sun is warm, and seagulls overhead are fun to watch. When I’m there, my cares slip away, and I find relief from the hectic pace of daily life. There’s something very calming about watching little sand crabs running sideways in front of me. 

The beach feels like an oasis for me, but it doesn’t touch the deep recesses of my soul that need intimate time with Jesus. He’s the only one who can replenish the depletion of my soul. My Sabbath rest is also a time of refreshment. During that time, I focus on self-care and allow my batteries to recharge. The Sabbath is an oasis of sorts, one day set aside for God and me. 

And on the seventh day God ended His work which He had done, and He rested on the seventh day from all His work which He had done. 3 Then God blessed the seventh day and sanctified it, because in it He rested from all His work which God had created and made. Genesis 2:2-3 (NKJV) 

When your spirit is thirsty, when your soul is longing, Jesus offers refreshment. One sip of His love will replenish your destitution. Know He’s there for you. Whatever you’re facing today, hold tight until you reach the oasis of Jesus. In His arms you will feel the dusty desert roads of life washing away. 

As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for you, my God. My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. When can I go and meet with God? Psalm 42:1-2 (NKJV) 

HELP WORDS: “Refreshment is ahead. Keep going. Drink in God’s word, rest, and pray.” 

FOCUS WORDS: O God, You are My God; Early will I seek You; My soul thirsts for You; My flesh longs for You in a dry and thirsty land where there is no water. So, I have looked for You in the sanctuary, to see Your power and Your glory. Psalm 63:1-2 (NKJV) 

 D — Determination — Little by little, you will get there.

Moreover Abishai the son of Zeruiah killed eighteen thousand Edomites in the Valley of Salt. 1 Chronicles 18:12 (NKJV)

I watched a video of a baby loggerhead turtle making its way from its nest to the ocean, completely determined to reach its goal. I believe the little turtle had the bravery of Abishai in its salty surroundings.

Abishai killed eighteen thousand Edomites in the Valley of Salt, and this little turtle was facing an entire ocean. In comparison to the mighty ocean, the turtle was tiny, and fearless. It pressed forward, over any obstacle, to make its way into the sea. A few times it paused and looked upward. Maybe it was trying to catch its breath. Maybe it was saying a small prayer. Once, it got off course, then turned and kept going in the right direction. Waves washing in were like storms the turtle battled. It would pause for each one, remaining still until the wave rushed over it — then kept going.

Finally, it was in the water, and it swam away. To where? Its destiny. The reason God made it. It crawled a few inches at a time into the place it was supposed to be. Why aren’t sea turtles just born in the sea without all the struggle and battle to make it to the water? They could have been if God had designed them that way. Instead, the adult turtle crawls onto shore and deposits its eggs in the sand. Then the struggle begins as the hatchlings emerge and begin their journeys to the water.

Like sea turtles, you don’t always start out in life where you’re supposed to be. God might slowly direct you to that place. He might put a goal in front of you and it’s up to you to stay determined to reach it. If the turtle sat in the sand, never moving toward its destination, it would have likely died, maybe scooped up by a seagull or other bird. Who knows? But its goal would never have been realized. What was waiting for it in the great big ocean? Just born, instinct drew it to the water and whatever God had prepared for it in the sea. God has a destination for you too. The exact place in life you’re supposed to be. Follow God’s lead with determination.

HELP WORDS: “Little by little, I’m going to get there — little by little.”

FOCUS WORDS: Therefore, we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us. Hebrews 12:1 (NKJV) 

 C — Crucifixion — What He did for you. 

Thus says the Lord God: “I will take also one of the highest branches of the high cedar and set it out. I will crop off the topmost of its young twigs a tender one and will plant it on a high and prominent mountain. On the mountain height of Israel, I will plant it; and it will bring forth boughs, and bear fruit, and be a majestic cedar. Under it will dwell birds of every sort; in the shadow of its branches, they will dwell. And all the trees of the field shall know that I, the Lord, have brought down the high tree and exalted the low tree, dried up the green tree and made the dry tree flourish. I, the Lord, have spoken and done it. Ezekiel 17:22-24 (NKJV) 

Have you ever wondered why God chose crucifixion for Jesus? He could have had a heart attack, been run through by a sword in battle, or any number of deaths. But He died on a cross — nailed to it — an open spectacle of suffering and shame. Crucifixion was used to terrorize and dissuade people from crimes. For Jesus to die in such a way, His great love for us was on display. This visual has persuaded people to follow Christ. Knowing that He would go through so much suffering and take our place, pay the price for our sins, is often overwhelming. He did it for us so that we could be forgiven of all our sins and have eternal life with Him in heaven. It’s an indescribable gift, according to the Bible: the grace of God that’s given to everyone who accepts Jesus as their Savior, receiving forgiveness and eternal life. 

Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift! 2 Corinthians 9:15 (NKJV) 

A gibbet used for crucifixion can be different shapes: X, Y, T, or I. Jesus died on a cross that spread His arms open wide. As a bird spreads its wings to fly free, the symbolism of the cross and His death on it, gives us a visual of freedom for our souls — and the open arms of our Savior waiting to embrace us.

We can hide under the branches of the cross for shade. We can find shelter, covered by the feathers of the Almighty. Like a person who jumps in front of a loved one to save them from death or injury, with their arms open wide, Jesus jumped in front of what we were supposed to suffer. He took our sins to the cross and they were nailed there. He died to give us victory over death. He endured raw, open suffering, and shame to let us know He has felt what we feel. He offers comfort from a heart that understands. 

HELP WORDS: “My Savior loves me! He is risen. I am free.” 

FOCUS WORDS: But the angel answered and said to the woman, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you seek Jesus who was crucified. He is not here; for He is risen, as He said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay. And go quickly and tell the disciples that He is risen from the dead…” Matthew 28:5-7a (NKJV)

 B — Balance — keeps you steady. 

There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens: a time to be born and a time to die, a time to plant and a time to uproot, a time to kill and a time to heal, a time to tear down and a time to build, a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance, a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them, a time to embrace and a time to refrain from embracing, a time to search and a time to give up, a time to keep and a time to throw away, a time to tear and a time to mend, a time to be silent and a time to speak, a time to love and a time to hate, a time for war and a time for peace. Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 (NIV) 

Genesis 1 and 2 describe how God managed time. Each day had a purpose, and He designated the seventh day for rest. A time to work, a time to rest — balance. Some workplaces now have an emphasis on work-life balance, giving more time off so people don’t get burned out at work. In our hurried and rushed daily lives, it’s easy to get out of balance and tip too far into work, not giving ourselves enough time to recover. God has made it clear that there are times for certain things and times for others. There are seasons in life. We experience one season, and then we swing over to a new season of life. The back and forth maintains balance. 

Place the activities and concerns of your life in the palms of God’s hands. Whatever you have before you, visualize a little of it in God’s right hand, and a little in His left hand. He will steady everything on His scales. Tweak the balance with prayer, meditation, and His word. Add smidgens of laughter, family, and friends. Pursue the future before you with confidence that God is holding everything in balance while you enjoy your life. 

I know that nothing is better for them than to rejoice, and to do good in their lives, and also that every man should eat and drink and enjoy the good of all his labor — it is the gift of God. Ecclesiastes 3:12-13 (NKJV) 

He is the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last. He holds what was and what is to come. HIs Spirit indwells you as a stabilizer. When Jesus is in the center of your life, as your strength and your shield, He will keep you stable. 

HELP WORDS: “Stay. Steady. Stable. Jesus, keep me balanced each day.” 

FOCUS WORDS: I have set the LORD always before me; because He is at my right hand, I shall not be shaken. Psalm 16:8 (ESV)

 A — Amen — is the Faithful and True Witness. 

And to the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write, “These things says the Amen, the Faithful and True Witness, the Beginning of the creation of God.” Revelation 3:14 (NKJV) 

We most often use the word amen at the end of a prayer, creed, or statement. It means certainty and truth, and it’s synonymous with the word “verily.” Sometimes it’s used to agree with something in a sermon, or to express agreement in other situations, such as, “Amen, brother!” or “Amen to that!”. But did you know that Amen is one of the names of Jesus? He’s also known as our Savior, the Alpha and the Omega, Immanuel, Lamb of God, the Good Shepherd. There are lots of names for Jesus in the Bible. The word Amen as a name for Jesus indicates that He is truth and certainty. 

Jesus said to him, “I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.” John 14:6 (NKJV) 

Jesus tells us that He is the way to the Father, and the way to Heaven. Hopefully, as you’ve read this book, you’ve either found your way to the Amen — to Jesus, by accepting Him as your Savior, or you’ve gained a deeper relationship with Him and His word. I hope you now have a real relationship with Him, hear His voice, and know Him as your best friend, forever. I hope you seek the Amen each day and know that Amen is not the end. Amen is the beginning of so much more. I can hope, and so can you, because our Amen is true. 

John to the seven churches which are in Asia: Grace to you and peace from Him who is and who was and who is to come, and from the seven Spirits who are before His throne, and from Jesus Christ, the faithful witness, the firstborn from the dead, and the ruler over the kings of the earth. To Him who loved us and washed us from our sins in His own blood and has made us kings and priests to His God and Father, to Him be the glory and dominion, forever and ever. Behold He is coming with clouds, and every eye will see Him, even they who pierced Him. And all the tribes of the earth will mourn because of Him. Even so, Amen. “I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End,” says the Lord, “who is and was and who is to come, the Almighty. Revelation 1:4-8 (NKJV) 

HELP WORDS: “Amen is the Way.” 

FOCUS WORDS: Blessed be the Lord God of Israel from everlasting to everlasting. Amen and Amen. Psalm 41:13 (NKJV)