So, as I was leaving the gym today, I happened to look at a parked DASH bus, and the screen said, “STRENGTH + LOVE.” I smiled…. I smiled because I knew the Lord was speaking to me. I knew He was reminding me of what is going to sustain me and get me through this season of waiting for a breakthrough. Breakthrough in my finances, godly relationships, establishing of purpose like never before, and the overall manifestation of promises I KNOW God made to me personally.

It was a reaffirming moment. To know that God is with me(even though He said it and what He said is the Truth). Yet, there are times when we feel we are alone because we don’t hear God the way we want to. Or we don’t have the people that we think will help make our seasons of isolation, growth, stretching, “wilderness”, better.

God knows I was feeling a little weary. Standing strong. Being faithful. Not letting the evil things people do turn my heart sour. Not taking vengeance into my own hands. Being still and allowing the God of my ancestors to war on my behalf. All of these things we learn the value of when we are in the wilderness.

The “wilderness” is a time of training and development. It is the opportunity for you to grow immensely spiritually and to cultivate your personal relationship with God like never before. It is the time alloted to you by God – to build your house on the foundations that the Lord has set forth before being re-released into the world as a “new creature.”

“Anyone who listens to my teaching and follows it is wise, like a person who builds a house on solid rock. Though the rain comes in torrents and the floodwaters rise and the winds beat against that house, it won’t collapse because it is built on bedrock. But anyone who hears my teaching and doesn’t obey it is foolish, like a person who builds a house on sand. When the rain and floods come and the winds beat against that house, it will collapse with a mighty crash.”

Matthew 7:24-27 NLT

Being transformed by the renewing of our minds is a process. A process that can only be completed fruitfully as we take the steps the “Author and Finisher” of our faith has established for us. He knows who we are. From out the womb He watched vigilantly over us – keeping us safe from the works of the enemy, even when we thought He was not there.

Did you know the trauma you experienced as a child was intended to break you beyond repair?

“Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.”

Hebrews 12:2 KJV

Did you know that the addiction, abuse, and rejection were all part of the enemy’s plans to make you feel unloved and unwanted- EVEN THOUGH you were already a chosen one. It’s amusing how the devil has worked overtime[for generations] to keep God’s people from entering the Promised Lands- yet still, God is always raising up a “Gideon” or “Joseph” or “David” to lead His people.

Will you be willing and obedient?…

Have you read those Bible stories? I am sure you see yourself in the life of “Joseph”. From the God-given dreams to the envy/hate from his family members. Think about your life and what you had to go through just to be you. Think about the times you were bullied by people who should have protected you. Think about the times you were abandoned by people who should have guarded you with their lives. Yes, I am talking about parents who should have protected their children but fell short because they themselves were unable to heal from the unfortunate experiences they went through as children. Because of this, it perpetuated the cycle of abuse and dysfunction.

Think about this. Think about how you continued to love as difficult as it was-even when there was valid reasons for you to hate.

Think about how you chose to self inflict wounds[ lived a lifestyle of some form of addiction – sex, drugs, alcohol, etcetera].

Think about how you chose to mask the pain instead of intentionally trying to make other people’s lives a living hell because you were unhappy with yourself.

God saw all these things. He saw your attempt to live an honest life and a life with strong desires to do the right thing – but fell short. God knows our hearts. He knows when we want to do the right thing but are unable to because of weakness or being spiritually oppressed. Yes, there is such a thing as spiritual oppression. This is one of the effects of sin that an unbeliever is ignorant of – and the enemy uses for His advantage.

“Among them the god of this world [Satan] has blinded the minds of the unbelieving to prevent them from seeing the illuminating light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.”

2 Corinthians 4:4 AMP

“and they may come to their senses and escape from the snare of the devil, having been held captive by him to do his will”

2 Timothy 2:26

Before I became a born again believer I knew nothing about the “Kingdom of God” or the required Savior[Jesus Christ] needed to be delivered from eternal damnation and my many sins. I grew up in religious environments , so the name Jesus was very familiar to me. However, it was just a name. Boy, did that perception change in 2016! #Forevergrateful

When I had the priceless opportunity to encounter Jesus for myself- everything changed. EVERYTHING!

“Jesus said to him, “I am the [only] Way [to God] and the [real] Truth and the [real] Life; no one comes to the Father but through Me.”

John 14:6 AMP

This encounter was the beginning of my spiritual walk and a journey. One that is still active.

I’m still holding on to promises.

I’m still walking by faith.

I’m still seeing the Kingdom of God.

I’m still hoping and praying.

I’m still standing.

I’m stronger.

I’m better. Much better.

While much of my transformation is yet to be seen in the material- it’s already done in the spiritual. It’s a matter of when my time has come fore the undeniable manifestions of the “goodness of God” to be made manifesg in my life. The truth is I’ve tasted and have seen that the Lord is good. And there is nothing more than anything I want than to experience the goodness of God in the land of the living.

“I would have lost heart, unless I had believed That I would see the goodness of the LORD In the land of the living.”

Psalm 27:13 KJV

Friend, I am writing to encourage you. To be strong and to stay in love. The enemy would love for you to get locked out of certain blessings(that only come through a life of love). There are places you can only go with love as the currency.

Let God work out the kinks in your life. As long as you do your part, by staying connected with Him, all will be well. He is already faithful. The Lord can do no wrong. He is not a man that he should lie and make empty promises. He said what He said.

Those promises will come to fruition. Think of “Joseph” as a testimony, story, and evidence of the goodness and faithfulness of God because he(Joseph) experienced it. Many of our ancestors experienced the goodness of God in their own right. Now is your time.

There is a path for you. Get on it if you are not. And stay on if you are. Nobody told you the road would be easy( or maybe they did). Either way, you were built for this.

Keep your head held high.

Meditate on the promises of God day and night.

Be grateful for the small things.

Keep the vision or visions in front of you.

Keep in constant contact with the Lord by expressing your need for Him always.

And have fun. Trust the Holy Spirit to lead you to a good time. Ain’t nobody like Him.

Thank you for reading.

Corwin L Guilliams- CLG Lifestyle

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