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While I received a couple Thanksgiving Dinner invitations from dear friends, I chose to spend yesterday alone in my cottage. I sent, text messages and emails to friends expressing gratitude for having them in my life. I was thankful for virtual communication allowing me to avoid socializing. As the day progressed, I really wanted the traditional Thanksgiving meal. (I was hungry and fast food joints were closed.) I swallowed my pride and called a friend who lives approximately 30 minutes away. Because it was already dark, I thought I could ask if she had leftovers, could I get them tomorrow to have something to look forward to. It didn’t come to that as Michele offered to bring me a plate right then. She warmed my heart as she said, “I’m sorry, Shelly… I assumed you would be eating with your church friends. Let me bring you a plate… if you want some company, I’ll stay and chat. If not, I’ll just drop off the food and leave. I understand wanting to be alone.” Wow. That meant so much to me. We ended up having a two hour discussion that was long overdue. As I told a friend earlier, I hesitate to share my struggles during this depressive episode. I don’t want to make people uncomfortable or perceive me as assuming the role of a victim. Yet if I don’t share how low I get, God won’t get the glory when He lifts me up, and He daily gives me hope to get through this. I want people to know God is able to strengthen us in any situation. I BELIEVE that more than ever as I am going through this season. Just like the Apostle Paul details all he endured to follow Jesus, that is why I share my struggles. With all my heart, I want people to see my struggles and my unwavering devotion to living for Christ so they know He is Worth It. I am not a Christian just to get into heaven; I am a Christian because life without Jesus is not an option for me. I can endure anything as long as He is with me. I pray that others read of my struggles and the Holy Spirit touches their heart in an encouraging manner to glorify God for His justice, provision, and sovereignty. As a practical example, although I am on unpaid leave for at least one month, Wednesday my rent, car payment, car insurance, utilities, and home phone were all paid. Not by me… they were paid by Him. He promised to take care of me… and Praise God – He is!! The enemy tries to discourage us… and he succeeds just as he did yesterday when I was alone on Thanksgiving. But when we are filled with the joy of Jesus, it drowns out that discouragement. Know that. BELIEVE that. Keep the faith no matter what you suffer. Then give God the glory that is rightfully his. We tell them how your faith stays so strong even when people make it hard for you and make you suffer. God wants you to prove yourselves to be worth being in His holy nation by suffering for Him. He does what is right and will allow trouble to come to those who are making it hard for you. He will help you and us who are suffering. (2 Thessalonians 1:4-7 NLV)

"Refreshment in Refuge" from Gina Burgess

Manifestations of the Spirit

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