Cast Down, But Not Defeated

Through the few weeks that have past into this new year of my life, I have come to realize how much I truly need God. I have found myself often weighed down as though there are a series of overcast clouds that hover over me. I perceive them as a presence of oppression.

These clouds may arise out of no where at peak moments of joy in my life. In a matter of seconds, these clouds demonstrate their manifestation over me with an ill reflection of my soul. They pour their rain and weigh me down with a sense of sadness, worthlessness, lack of purpose, and significance. I do not know whether these clouds come from heaven or hell. Yet, what I do know is that even when their weight is too heavy for me bear, I endure through the experience and survive.

After every onslaught that I endure, I am no longer a mere survivor, but instead an overcomer of this down fall of oppression. It is not out of my mortal strength or wit that I am capable of becoming an overcomer. I am an overcomer because I have learned to harness the power of God Almighty that is conveyed to me through His Sacred Writings and instilled into my heart through the work of the Holy Spirit. God does not allow me to be cast down or defeated. Instead, He has drawn me to Him, tended to my wounds, and empowered me to arise once again through the strength of Christ Jesus!

I have been called-out, chosen by God, in accordance to His purpose. What this means to me is that in the pattern of the grand design of God's plan for the universe, He took my lifespan into account when He both planned and set it in motion. I rejoice at knowing in my heart and being reassured through the Holy Spirit that I have been called according to His purpose! I rejoice at the numerous opportunities that God has presented within my lifetime to work for Him. From the smallest of jobs, to the ones that brought me to a stage, God has been behind it all and for that I am grateful to Him.

In closing, it does not matter what our background has been or the challenges that we have faced in our lives. God has had all of it in His plans, yes, even the things that have caused us pain in our past. Yet, the beauty of it all is this, God has provided a way to alleviate the pain and to create one more stepping stone on which to arise and remain standing strong on. Yes, the stone is Christ Jesus!

Lord God, You who are Great and Grand, I come before you this evening and thank you for taking regard for me and my life. I ask You to please continue to both remain with and encourage me through the rest of the things you have in store for the remainder of my life. Amen.