It’s Okay to Express How You Feel

King David in the Psalms wasn’t afraid to speak and write about his despair and distress. He didn’t stay there. He trusted God and called out to him for help. There is plenty going on in our world that can cause us to fear. Sickness, no job, Climate change, wars, poverty, etc.

Psalm 143 says

Hear my prayer, O Lord; answer my plea because you are faithful to your promises. 4 I am losing all hope; I am paralyzed with fear. 5 I remember the glorious miracles you did in days of long ago. 6 I reach out for you. I thirst for you as parched land thirsts for rain. 7 Come quickly, Lord, and answer me, for my depression deepens; don’t turn away from me or I shall die. 8 Let me see your kindness to me in the morning, for I am trusting you.“

Robin Mark is a successful Christian Singer from Belfast. I listened to him sing a song All is Well” back in January 2021. I was coping with the change that was happening to Brendan and myself. We were moving from our home on the shores of Strangford Lough. We had filled it with beautiful things; furniture, paintings, family photos and memories. I had a workshop where I whiled away many hours making mosaics and boats from sea glass and wood found along the shore. For me the home was beautiful inside and outside.


The brochures don’t tell one of the colourful sunrises and sunsets; the low winter sun reflecting off the water giving warmth and light to my kitchen. Or the full moon lit nights around Christmas when family was home sitting on the veranda at the log fire. Or the collections of shrubs and bulbs all selected by Brendan to bloom at different seasons.


The amount of work needed to downsize overwhelmed me. I felt paralysed. I could not start packing up. I listened to Robin Mark. God was comforting me through the words. All is Well. I also found a small painting my sister Rosaleen gave me with the words All Is Well.


Seven months on we are settled in Belfast. All belongings are stored or got rid off. Life is simpler. Not as much housework. My children can call by to see us. They are caring for us. I can sit at Cafe Nero in the sunshine and enjoy a different view. All the nations pass by.


Four weeks ago Covid hit Brendan and I. Isolation, fever, sleeplessness, lack of appetite, mental anguish encompassed us.


The scripture “Out of the depths I cry to you” is how I felt. I was depressed. I was fearful. Would I get better? The whole world is under fear because of the reports of what Covid will do. I felt that fear. David felt fear as he describes in Psalm 143.

One night while I was sick I felt the Holy Spirit hovering over us saying By the stripes of Jesus we are healed. God prompted me to sing and listen to Isaiah 53, By His stripes we are healed. He reminded me of how He healed me before and He will heal me again,

You see God is faithful to me. He promises to be my shepherd and care for me. I gave my life to him many years ago and He has been faithful to give His life to me. His power rises up to defend me when I am in trouble. He did it again to raise Brendan and I from our sick bed.

He will do the same for you. Give your life to Jesus and He will give His life to you. Take action. Do something. Engage with God. Believe He exists and He is a rewarder of all those who seek Him. Knock and the door will be opened unto you. That is what I did. God has rewarded me with many blessings, family, healings, peace and joy. I am like other people. I live in this world as well. But I believe in the One who made this world and in His power to help me while I live here.


I listened to Robin Mark tonight. I am recovering. I am healed by His stripes. Yes All is Well.

God’s Signet Ring

I started to write this morning after reading this scripture.

I will treat you like a signet ring on my finger, says The Lord, for I have especially chosen you. I, The Lord Almighty, have spoken. Haggai 2 v 23

People think God is far removed from our daily lives. They think he is busy up in heaven thinking up some punishment for us. Or that we have to offer him some sacrifice to appease him. No no, God cares for us. He sees everyone and is acquainted with their grief. It is the devil who brings oppression and sorrow. But he is defeated by Jesus death on the Cross. He shed his Blood. His sacrifice is enough to please the Father. We believe and receive his blessings.

I am reminded of Robin Mark’s song, Revival in Belfast. This song was written about Belfast when there was war on the streets of this city.  Despite the war Robin Mark declared “You love this city and you love these streets.”   We now have peace on the streets of Belfast.

Here are some of the words that remind us God sees and loves us in our situation.

Every child out playing by their own front door
Every baby laying on the bedroom floor.
Every dreamer dreaming in her dead-end job
Every driver driving through the rush hour mob
From the young man working through his hopes and fears
To the widow walking through the veil of tears
Every man and woman, every old and young
Every fathers daughter, every mothers son.
One may feel their life is hum drum, or does my life really count.

But God has chosen you and me to be His very own…to be His priceless possession. To be His signet ring means we are under a covenant with Him..an everlasting relationship that extends to eternity. Do you hear Him telling you, “Everything that I possess belongs to you…Its like a package…When you have me…you have everything”. When God says that you are His signet ring, it means that He has given you the power and authority of the King of Kings…and whatever you claim in His name is given to you and nothing can prevent you from receiving it. You are given the power to break the yokes of the devil, you are given the authority to claim victory, you are given the rights to change the decrees written against you..because you represent the King of Kings.

I used the authority of the name of Jesus, the King of Kings, to rebuke all cancer in my body, that I will not die but I will live to tell others what God has done for me.  God responded to what I said and he healed me.  I remain healed.  I do not have cancer in my body.  I do not take medication to stop cancer returning.  God has done a good and complete job.

Like in a marriage the bride wears a ring,  as the song goes “to show the world that she belongs to the me.”

Do you realize your noble status? You are not an ordinary person..You belong to a royal family. We were not worthy to be called His own, yet He chose us to be one. So let us consider ourselves ,honored and privileged to be called His own and use the power and authority of our Father, the King of Kings.

God loves you and is betrothed to you. He wears a ring on his finger to remind him of you. Do you feel rejected? That no one has chosen you? That no one has bought a ring for you? God cares and loves you. Receive his love and use his name to pray for your needs.

 

See also Revival in Belfast by Robin Mark on U tube.