I have heard some good preaching in my life. When I lived in Baltimore, I joined one of the best churches I have ever experienced and sat under the teaching of some spiritual giants. Bishop Walter Thomas and his ministerial staff are anointed, talented and equipped by God to save souls.
There is something about being under good teaching. However, I have to admit, for many years I’ve used church to get spiritually high, feeling really good while there, but once I’ve left seeing no real changes in my life and feeling ‘hungover’ the next day.
This year, I tuned in to the Woman Thou Art Loosed conference because I noticed people talking about it on my Twitter stream. Thursday night I missed most of Bishop Jakes’ message because I had an event, but Friday I spent all day waiting to here Pastor Paula White’s word. The week leading into this conference had been a hell week for me if I must say so myself. My husband, who I have been separated from for 2 years, decided early in the week he wanted to move here to be with his family, and then two days later I woke at 5 am to a text from him saying he wanted the divorce. The emotional roller coaster was wearing me down – and even harder to deal with his wavering to and fro - I couldn’t imagine why my prayers were going unanswered.
Lord, Your will. Your will was all I had been praying this week. Friday, I took off of work and really just had an expectant heart. My spirit was praying for a word that didn’t leave me feeling hungover on Saturday morning. I wanted a word that changed the way I saw my current situation. That made what I was going through ok.
God does answer prayers. During praise and worship, Israel started a chant that said “expectation is the breeding ground for miracles”. Well I sure was expectant….and I sure am ready for my miracle.
Praise God for Pastor Paula White. From the moment she picked the microphone up I could feel her anointing and that she was prayed up for such a time as this. The power, the glory that surrounded her. My God. There were so many amazing things that came from her mouth – straight from God’s heart. Her testimony. Her overcoming. But here’s the biggest lesson I learned:
When God has an anointing on your life, you are going to have to go through some things. This past week I had gotten swallowed in my haste for why God hadn’t answered my prayers concerning my marriage. I had literally begun to allow it to make me sick. Listening to Pastor Paula on Friday evening spoke deeply to my spirit that all this I’m going through, the reason I’ve had to face such a tremendous rejection, the reason why it continues to hurt, is because God is calling me higher. He’s calling me to get in His flow and above all else, He’s calling me to know – “I’m saved for real – because some people I should’ve jacked up”.
I have been listening to Pastor Paula preach for years, but there’s something about her now after she’s gone through her recent trials that she shared on Friday night. She’s more confident, bold, straight forward about who she is. I honor that. Her presence spoke so much louder than any of the words she spoke, because I can literally see the new work God has done in her. Huge lesson for me. What good does it do for me to say I’m doing ok, to say I’ve moved on, to say I trust God – if you can’t see what He has done in me.
Talk about swagger. This ladies got it.
Saturday I woke up and instead of feeling hungover like I normally do after such a powerful word, I felt like I was falling in God’s flow. I was still so super excited about Friday night’s word, and then I checked my Twitter and saw we were ready to go again! Pastor Sheryl Brady – Lord – you know I love her. Her realness, her ability to give you a Word that comes straight from our Father’s heart, and her amazing ability to do it and have you feeling like you’re sitting at the table with your girlfriend.
Talk about swag. This woman of God is so bad – there were times I was sitting here just laughing like “go on Sheryl”. Her message was powerful. The Word delivered righteously. But my God, the lesson learned – life changing.
Life is going to switch up on us. That’s just the way it is. The picture perfect family I hoped for may not be God’s will for me. Pastor Brady loosed me from feeling bad about this right now and stretched me to walk as the bad woman I see myself as. To be the kind of woman who can walk in a room & change the atmosphere without even opening my mouth!
These two women are powerhouses in the Kingdom of God. If you’re going through small trials – ask God what He has in store for you. Small trials produce small blessings. If you want more – ask God to take you there.
It’s a new day. Old things have passed. I’ve given them their proper burial and I’m so excited about it.
Pingback: Woman Thou Art Loosed | NiecyTaylor.com | pastorleaders.com
Wow! Such an inspiring story. I am now divorced from my ex-husband of 2 years. And during my divorces was the most trying times of my life. Like you, I struggle with the reality of starting over. After, I gave him 3 children. However, My god had bigger plans for me. I am now engaged to be married next fall to an amazing man who’s love is unconditional. I thought sticking around and praying for him to come back would change thing with my marriage. And for some it does But it did not for me. I remember what my grandma once said who waited for a man who never showed up. She said” I waited and I waited for 50 years and things never changed”. After committing myself to not allow another person that breathes the same air as me to control my happiness. I let go and let god. I’m now more happy then I ever was with him. And I say this to say, never give anyone all you but the man above. Sometimes, god will take what you thought was the most important thing to show you that no one come before him. Remember, god first. Then yourself and then others.
Stacey,
Thank you so much for sharing. Ever since I fully let go last month, God has shown me He has been waiting for me to turn my heart back to him. You just gave me so much life by reading your story. I am now clearer and more focused on living in His will. I pray we can stay in touch and I pray God’s continued blessings of abundance, peace and joy in your life! God bless you my sister.
In His Love,
Niecy
Wonderful!! See, that’s nothing but god’s work. Well I’m happy to hear that you’re in a better place. And moving forward. Can’t I just say that god is great! Listen, God has major things in store for you! Just hold tight, keep him first, and watch him work. Stay blessed. And don’t look back. Because when u look back it corrupt’s the mind and the heart. As long as you put god first you shouldn’t fear losing anything. For his has a purpose for this things. I would love to keep in touch. Take care!!