Painful Paralysis

I attend a church that believes in the power of the Holy Spirit and that believes in spreading the true message of the kingdom.  We found out about this place, Marked Church, in early 2022, which was at a time when we were looking for a new church.  We have been attending since that time and we have grown so much as individuals and as a couple since going there.  The sermon on Sunday at the Hope Mills campus, taught by Pastor John, was so good. He spoke about the power of the Holy Spirit and how the Spirit is here to guide us and protect us.  We therefore need to be obedient to the prompting of the Spirit. He said there are three ways to determine if the prompting is from God. The first is to filter what we hear through the word of God. If what you are hearing is not in line with God’s word, abort the mission. It isn’t from him.  Secondly, it is important to watch who you have in your circle.  You can be friends with many, but close friends should also strive to follow the word of God.  It is difficult to hear from God if you’re surrounded by unbelievers and if you do not have supportive Christian friends who can help you determine if what you’re hearing is the Lord.  The third way to determine if the prompting is from God, which is the point that really resonated with me, is that you need to silence your pain.  Pastor John said that your pain has you stuck and unable to hear or listen to the Lord.  This is so true for many of us! We go through terribly painful experiences, which make us fearful to take new steps in life because we do not want to feel pain again.  Our efforts to protect ourselves hinder us from living out the lives that God intended for us.  We are too afraid to take the class, lead the group, apply for the job, approach that person, and those steps all could have taken us to the perfect destiny that God had in store for us.

When I was 11, I learned about a ministry called Kings Kids that was through the Youth With a Mission (YWAM) organization.  One of the leaders of the local group spoke at a church event that I was at and explained they were looking for children and adults for their team that they would be taking on a mission trip that summer.  The group would be performing in front of crowds of people by singing and choreographed dancing to Christian music.  When I heard the leaders speaking, I knew I wanted to go and felt like God wanted me to go.  I felt the tug on my heart- the prompting from the Holy Spirit.  At that time, it had only been a year or so since my parents had split up.  My mom had 5 children she was caring for and had little to no money with which to do it.  We were “broke broke”, as the kids say.  Knowing what I know now about life and the struggles of parenting and of financial worries, I am sure my mother was heartbroken to realize that it was something that would virtually be impossible to make happen.  However, thankfully, I have a sweet, loving mother who loves the Lord and trusts him, even during the worst times in life.  She told me at that time that if we fundraised and asked certain family members to help, I would likely be able to go.  She did not let her pain -or fear- get in the way.  We ultimately raised the money, and I was able to go. Not only did I go on that trip, but I went the following year as well, which was even more expensive, as we went to Denmark, Latvia, and Spain.  Again, she bravely led and assisted me by helping me raise the money so that I could go.  The second trip was even more of a miracle, but God made it happen.  I am so thankful to have a mother who had the wisdom to not let her pain or fear get in the way of allowing God to move in her life or in her children’s lives.  Had I not gone on those mission trips as a child, including the trip to Africa later as a 17-year-old, I would not be the person I am today.  I would not have the outlook on life that I have, and I would not see people the way I do.  Those experiences molded and shaped me.   Coincidently, I was reminded of my trips with Kings Kids and YWAM this last week when I learned of the passing of Loren Cunningham, the founder of YWAM.  Such a great, kind man, who listened to the prompting of the Spirit throughout his whole life and therefore positively impacted millions of people.

I want to encourage you today.  Do not let the pain from past experiences in life paralyze and keep you from hearing from the Lord or accepting his prompting/ guidance for you.  Push the pain away, ask Jesus to heal you, and ask for strength so that you can hear from him and be led safely into your destiny.  He has such greatness in store for you, but you must let your fear and pain go and step into the path he has set for you.  Love you!