Finding Peace Amidst Envy: My Personal Reflection

that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. Matthew 5:45

Hello! Life is usually remarkable, but yesterday, I was briefly in a funk. The woman inside of me gave myself 24 hours to process the emotion of envy. Especially since I knew what bothered me didn’t have a lasting impact on me, either directly or indirectly. So, what triggered envy within me?

Long story short, a messy, deceitful, and mean-spirited neighbor is moving out of Denver before me. When I saw the for-sale sign being placed in her yard, I instantly felt upset! My emotions were all over the place! I experienced a mix of guilt and shame over my envy. And! Sadly, I couldn’t contain those runaway feelings!

Watching my rival move away is really difficult, especially since she’s heading to a town I’ve always dreamed of living in. However, I truly believe that God wants me to sincerely wish her all the best. I’m not there yet, but I’m gradually working on it and staying positive!

I’m documenting this as it happens. I’m giving myself 24 hours to gain more confidence in my own journey. This change will alter my outlook, and I expect spiritual growth to follow.

My attitude toward a real enemy reminds me that everyone faces challenges. Seeking help and forgiveness is a positive step forward. Let’s pray!

PRAYER

Father God, sometimes forgiving others can be really hard, especially when the pain runs deep and the wounds feel overwhelming. But I know you understand everything we’re going through and why we feel the way we do. So, I entrust my hurt to you, asking for your help to heal the wounds that seem so heavy. Please bless my enemies on their journey, and let your grace always be with them. Amen.

Day Thirty Six – Removing Clutter

I cry aloud to the Lord; I lift up my voice to the Lord for mercy. I pour out before him my complaint; before him I tell my trouble.

When my spirit grows faint within me, it is you who watch over my way. In the path where I walk people have hidden a snare for me. Look and see, there is no one at my right hand; no one is concerned for me. I have no refuge; no one cares for my life.

I cry to you, Lord; I say, “You are my refuge, my portion in the land of the living.”

Listen to my cry, for I am in desperate need; rescue me from those who pursue me, for they are too strong for me. Set me free from my prison, that I may praise your name. Then the righteous will gather about me because of your goodness to me.
Psalm 142

I began writing a post that made my soul feel uneasy. It was clear it didn’t want to share the content I found noteworthy, therefore, I deleted what I wrote. And, I asked God to give me a prayer for today. He gave me Psalm 142:3, “When my spirit grows faint within me, it is you who watch over my way.” That verse is so profound. I read the entire Psalm to see what the author was writing about.

Ah! Awh! Psalm 142 is David praying when he was in the cave! I love that moment! I’m sorry David had to endure such. But! OMG! That moment has been my benchmark for dealing with enemies. Really! Let’s pray!

PRAYER

Father God, someone is under great stress. They are being heavily pursued by their enemy/enemies. Hide them under the breastplate of righteousness. Shelter them under your protection. Let them enter into your rest and dance in the rain. Amen

July 21, 2023

Finding Your Way – Evil Intentions

They hatch the eggs of vipers and spin a spider’s web. Whoever eats their eggs will die, and when one is broken, an adder is hatched.
Isaiah 59:5

Yesterday my son called to tell me about his son’s unfortunate situation. It was identical to what he had experienced with his son’s mother. Apparently my grandson went to visit his toddler twin girls. When he got to their home he’d learned their mother had taken them elsewhere, thus, ensuring he would not get to visit with them. My grandson became upset and called his dad about his heart wrenching reality. My son told him not to do anything foolish over the matter and explained what had happened to him and what I’d told him about dating.

What I told my son when he was a young man: “if you want to know how a girl will act, meet her mom. Chances are she’s going to either be a carbon copy or polar opposite but more likely a carbon copy.” However that analogy can also be applied to social groups! If you want to know how a person thinks, observe the circle in which they travel. And! Even then you gotta be careful because you will always find chameleons in any social structure.

My grandson is very young and has little to no life experience; therefore, he’s paying a heavy price for his youthful follies. I pray he makes it to manhood without too much emotional baggage. Because, sadly, he’s not getting it when it comes to cultivating healthy relationships. His drive to score sexual encounters prohibits him from learning everyone has desires and or agendas. Let’s pray!

PRAYER
Father God, thank you for this day not promised. Heal the brokenness of people that have cultivated evil in their hearts. Speak peace and blessings to their life. Amen

The Prayer’s of Black Women

March 17

Poverty and shame will come to him who neglects discipline, but he who regards reproof will be honored.
Proverbs 13:18

PRAYER

Father God thank you for your grace and mercy. Keep those that follow you and seek you from stumbling. Let our souls find and maintain your peace so that we can live discipline lives. For we truly seek your plans in living prosperous lives as stated in Jeremiah 29:11. Amen

The Prayers of Black Women

March 9

Generational Prayer For Spiritual Blessings

When I was in seminary we were taught a prayer that would aid us when we could not pray. Yesterday, I published that prayer: “Lord help until you can help.” I added others to that prayer because I knew I wasn’t alone with struggling in whatever. Today is a new day and God’s mercy has given my soul peace once again.

“Therefore know that the Lord your God, He is God, the faithful God who keeps covenant and mercy for a thousand generations with those who love Him and keep His commandments.”

Deuteronomy 7:9

PRAYER

Father God, I’m so glad you’re a faithful God. It was your faithfulness that reminded my soul that had fallen into stagnation a prayer I’d forgotten decades ago. Prayer keeps us linked to you but our words communicate our desires for life and builds a strong bond between the creator and creation. And today I ask for generational favor for me and my descendants. Among my requests is that my children, their children and so forth and so on discover and worship you the true and living God for all the days of our lives. Amen

The Prayer’s of Black Women

November 12

QUESTION: How do people pray for their enemies?

⁴⁴ But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, ⁴⁵ that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.

Matthew 5:44 -45

Photo by TUBARONES PHOTOGRAPHY on Pexels.com

Yesterday as I chatted with a friend we were discussing how do you pray for an enemy. My thoughts were traveling within my mind a mile per minute and my words exiting my mouth just as fast. Since he couldn’t get a word in edgewise my friend finally gave in letting me talk. I guess he’d figured I needed to vent first and then enjoy discussing the topic.

Once he got a chance to add to the conversation this is what he said: “Sometimes people are filled with so much pain that they lash out at others. Their victims are people they know won’t fight back or don’t know how to fight back. And when their actions don’t produce pain or enough pain to show they’ve hurt someone their anger produces more internal pain. Thus creating a vicious cycle within them until change occurs or they die.” Wow!

I have a circle of amazing friends. They add value to my life. I can only pray I do the same for their lives.

Let’s pray!

PRAYER

Father, God, I wish my enemies could know you like I’ve come to know you. I wish they could feel the warmth of your mercy like I feel it throughout each day. To live filled with anger, hurt, envy, jealousy and have no hope to boot, is a terrible way to live life. I pray for not only my enemies to be delivered but for others that harbor the same. Life is wonderful and it is so worth living free from the pitfalls of humankind. Speak gently to their shallow and wounded souls your peace and understanding. Amen

The Prayer’s of Black Women

October 17

Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.
Deuteronomy 31:6

While I studied for my Masters In Divinity I learned a very helpful tool. How to apply knowledge centuries old to a current situation. It seems in Deuteronomy Israel had gotten scared again. Once before they became full of fear and refused to fight for the land God said belonged to them. As a result, they spent years wandering in the wilderness. OMG! That sounds familiar! Well anywho, the land that was promised to them was occupied by mean and horrible people. And adding to Israel’s fear was the large army. I’ve had to face a few giants and found myself shaking in me boots! But! God, being God, gave Israel and Joshua another chance to claim what He freely gave them. So to ensure they didn’t run scared again God gave them a pep talk. He assured them several times He would be with them. A practice He continues today. Let’s Pray!

PRAYER

Lord, forgive me. I’m only human. As I read the above scripture I thought about all my missed opportunities because of fear. Then I thought about the opportunities that returned. My life is richly blessed because I entered into the land you reserved for me and my family. I thank you for those blessings each and everyday. I pray you continue to be with me and never forsake me. Always giving me your courage to secure and keep the blessings you said were mine. Asking you to continually do the same for my children, their children and our descendants. Amen

Lord Help Until You Can Help

takeittothelord2 — Artist: Henry Lee Battle

Heavenly Father, the world is in a pandemic crises. We have a virus that is killing people in days and or weeks by the hundreds. It’s called COVID-19. It’s new to the world but not to you. You know all and see all. And, you know where this virus was created and what it was created with. Lord, help until you can help. Amen