“IF THE SAME PERSON HAS HURT YOU OVER AND OVER AND OVER AGAIN…
…If the same person betrayed me. The same person hurt me. If the same person just continues to reject me over and over again, he or she could be an instrument of the enemy to destroy you.” – Pastor James Edwards
I loved this from a Facebook reel yesterday! I loved it because that’s his take, but my take is entirely the opposite. That person, he or she, has been sent by God to MAKE us, not break us! (Wink! Wink!) I agree with Jesus, “If your enemy is hungry, feed them.” Welcome them! These people have been sent as gifts from God Himself to help us become all that He has created us to be – stronger, wiser, braver, bolder, more loving, more grateful, and most importantly, bring us closer to God! HEEHAW!!!
Yesterday, I had the most beautiful conversations with my brother, Kevin, and his wife, Verona. I was thanking Kevin that I was in Nigeria with my husband and our two sons were there with us because, in my lowest moments, Kevin has been there holding my hands, helping me to stay strong, and giving me the best advice. Like the day his only response was, “Neeks, get closer to God. Make Him your top priority!” I ran with that advice, and the most unexpected thing happened: GOD HAS TURNED MY MOURNING TO JOY!!! I’m back celebrating every day like a birthday! What was meant to destroy me, God used it for my good!!! Thank you, pain. Thank you, betrayals. Thank you, hurts.
And that’s my advice to you today: LET’S USE ALL THE BAD THAT COME OUR WAY FOR OUR GOOD by using them to up our relationship with God. Kevin said that life WILL throw ten thousand punches at us, no one gets away (so don’t be surprised by them – they’re coming!), but eventually, you will become numb to the hits.
David Goggins taught me that people will hurt you until you decide they can no longer hurt you. He said you form callouses (tough, hard, thickened area that forms over a wound while healing) so that nothing can penetrate through to harm you. DON’T LET THE OFFENCES COME INSIDE OF YOU. DON’T GET BITTER; GET BETTER, AND GET CLOSER TO GOD.
THE MORE GOD IN YOUR LIFE, THE BETTER YOUR LIFE! Present everything to Him, asking for His perspective! God, what is this hurt to teach me? The reason why I call Kevin for advice is that he is pretty wise. He CONSTANTLY told me, “Neeks, enjoy your gorgeous life!” I can honestly do that because all the hits I’ve taken have brought your girl here extremely close to God’s heart, where I know He is with me, for me, and by my side. NO GREATER LOVE THAN THIS!!!
After sharing everywhere like a crazy lady a picture of Ceri, my God influencer, with a caption: LOVE GOD AND LOVE EACH OTHER, feeling so strongly that this really is the way to an extraordinary life, I go to have an appointment with God with my husband the following day and the very verse Ceri was referring to showed up. Of all the verses in the entire Bible, for that specific one to show up was God revealing another glimmer of His Presence with me. That’s the intimate love and attention God shows me. He tells me which of Ceri’s messages to listen to, even what to share with my husband in our appointments together. Every aspect and moment of my life has become a beautiful collaboration with God. Don’t miss out! Make this your year to get closer to God where you’re tapping into His love, strength, and wisdom on a moment-by-moment basis! I don’t want to be this close to Him by myself! (HUGE SMILE)