Chapter four: Speaking Truth to Your Issues

This woman had a single, insurmountable issue, and she had endured it for 12 long years. It had challenged her physically, strained her emotionally, drained her financially, and ostracized her socially.  

I read those words and realized how very much I have in common with this woman. I too have a single insurmountable issue. While I haven't had it for 12 years I have had it for almost five. It has also challenged me physically, emotionally, and just recently financially, and sadly it has also caused me to a certain degree to pull away from society.

Mark 5:26 "She had suffered a great deal under the care of many doctors and had spent all she had, yet instead of getting better she grew worse"

Just yesterday as I was perusing old prayer journals I was struck by just how long and hard I have been praying for my "issue". Yet my prayers have not yet been answered and my issue continues to get "worse".

So, what to do?

What do you do when your issue is bigger than you, is not getting any better despite years of prayer and seems to have the potential to destroy you?

You do what the woman in the story did. You reach out for Jesus!

I wonder if in the early years of her problem she was struggling with a closet full of negative self loathing soul talk? The story does not tell us. We do see though that she did speak faith to herself which propelled her to Christ and ultimately to healing.

I like that Jennifer points out that  Jesus never said her soul talk made her well. He said it was her faith. Her faith invited healing. 

 By faith we receive truth. By faith we believe truth. And by faith we act on that truth.

When we place our trust in Christ,when we have faith in Him, He gives us the gift of His Spirit to help us in this life.

As I read about the four roles of the Spirit I was struck by the last one she mentions. 

God's Spirit Reminds us of Truth.

As I have alluded to earlier I am in the midst of a terrible family crisis. I have spent the better part of each of the last 14 days in prayer. There have been days when I don't think more than 10 minutes have gone by without a plea to God. 

While I can see God's hand upon my family I also see the effects of pure evil. The enemy is real and has come to my family. A battle is raging. 

The day after my son left I could hardly function. I spent the day crying out to God, crying for my lost boy. There are no words for the depth of my pain on that day.

The Holy Spirit reminded me 

"The Lord draws near to the broken hearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit"

Psalm 34:18

In my agony fear tried to creep into my heart and as I opened my bible it fell open to

 1 Samuel 17:47

I had underlined that verse years ago, I suspect during a sermon or bible study.  I really can't remember as it is the only verse underlined on that page.

All those gathered here will know that it is not by sword or spear that the Lord saves; for the battle is the Lords and he will give all of you into our hands

 

For the battle is the Lords!!

Yes the Holy Spirit reminds us of the truth. 

I so completely believe that yes we must speak truth to ourselves and engage in good healthy soul talk and I will continue to endeavor to do just that......

but..

Isn't it glorious to know that when there are times that we are just too weary or just too hurt to speak truth to ourselves the Holy Spirit is faithful to speak to us.