Christianity, Freedom, Healing, Life, Marriage, Prayer, Relationships

Here We G.O.A.T Again…

This Picture Is Worth A Thousand Words

GOD IS THE GREATEST OF ALL TIMES AND REMAINS UNDEFEATED!!!

Last month I spent a few days in Puerto Rico. I REALLY needed the time away and was quite grateful my friend invited me and my mother to hang out and relax with her and her mother over a long weekend. I own five businesses. Five. Not all of them are public knowledge. My point is, I often feel the weight of a lot on my plate. Each of them carries a unique stress. Delegating has become a strategic ally.

I’m one of those people who needs a significant amount of quiet time. Too much noise without a break begins to feel like chaos to me. I get dressed in silence in the morning and I LOVE it. I’m engaging with God, hearing my thoughts, casting some of them down and embracing others. I’m not saying others can’t do the same through the news or music blaring, I’m just saying it’s a distraction to ME. This is one of the reasons I don’t share hotel rooms. Have you ever noticed that people who like to listen to music while getting ready in the morning, tend to assume everyone does? I’ve found it quite strange for anyone to SPLIT a room and do something that completely changes the atmosphere without asking how the other person feels about it. Now if someone is in YOUR room that you’re paying for solely, that’s different. And please don’t be a guest in someone’s room (not paying) and turn on the television or music without asking the host…that would be a bit rude, no?

Back my story. So, while in Puerto Rico, I took full advantage of the natural sounds. On one side of her mansion was the beach and the ocean maybe 100 yards from her pool, if that. On the other side of the house was the rainforest. I’ll put it this way, no one there needs to buy nature sounds on any app or machine. The birds, bugs, reptiles, whatever all of them were…the sounds were so clear. So very bold. I felt quite immersed in nature. Large crabs crawling around, their claws “click clicking” the asphalt. The 3-4′ iguanas in the front yard every morning. It was a different vibe altogether. I believe that helped me to dive into the recesses of my soul where these muddled feelings were. I was away from all distractions and expectations. No one passing my office and then stopping in and plopping down despite the fact they saw me typing, or reading, or on the phone.

In this quiet, with no deadlines, I began to feel a subtle ache in my heart and I was free to investigate what I was feeling. Finally some “me” time. No one asked why I stayed in my [guest] room for hours on end. No one pressured me to eat, binge watch with them or do ANYTHING when I didn’t feel like it. They just let me BE. It was just a wonderful time of relaxation. I had an opportunity to pause and begin processing some things that have been paining me the last few months. I had been FEELING very disappointed and let down. Of course feelings don’t always portray the truth. And that is what I needed to get at. I needed to see what was going on from God’s perspective, the perspective of His truth and not my bias towards my feelings, interests and perspectives.

A painfully fruitful process began that day and culminated last Friday morning. When He was done answering I felt light enough to SOAR. What had been bothering me and weighing me down was no longer an issue. This past week I moved in to practicing what He taught me and things have felt so much better over all. What I realized in Puerto Rico was that I had to bridge a gap between what I understood cognitively and what I actually embraced in my heart. Cognitive dissonance is dangerous. Sometimes your feelings have to catch up with your faith and if you aren’t intentional about the progress, it won’t happen.

I have six points to share with anyone who has endured a turbulent season relationally. If you find yourself hurt or frustrated over something that has pained you before, and part of your frustration is that you’re here again, this may be for you. These are the six steps that brought me OUT and I have no plans to return. Ultimately, I’m responsible for my feelings about something and hoping someone else changes or alters their thoughts or actions so that I can feel better is a bit too much to expect and the power for ME to feel better should never rest in the hands of another.

Point #1- Don’t beat yourself up over what you’re sensitive to.

Maybe you watched your next door neighbor care for a chicken from the time it was a chick to a full grown hen. You watched her give eggs to neighbors in need. And then you witnessed her grieve when the mean neighborhood mutt whose owner was never responsible enough to keep the dog locked away properly, massacred the hen. Perhaps watching the attack and how it affected people who no longer were able to enjoy eggs as much, has given you a sensitive spot for animals and people in need. Perhaps this is why you fund or work at a soup kitchen.

No one has walked in your exact shoes. So, when you are sensitive about or passionate towards something, don’t let the fact that others don’t “get it” cause you to think something is wrong with you. You simply have a different perspective. And guess what? Those people at the soup kitchen you assist are grateful for your soft spot! You may be the reason more people are helped or that they are able to eat something other than soup. No need to over explain your sensitivity. DO YOU and let those who benefit and appreciate what you have to offer be your focus instead of those who don’t understand you and condemn your position. Point your energy in the right direction! Some may NEVER understand! And while we love them too, we simply don’t debate them about hens, eggs, mean stray dogs or how that relates to being sensitive to those who are in need. They may be totally great at sending you birthday cards, but terrible at relating to or respecting certain sensitivities. If you keep expecting them to give beyond the limited capacity they’ve demonstrated in a given area, whose fault is it that you are repeatedly disappointed? Scan the room of your life and find the person you can talk chicken, hens, mean dogs and soup kitchens with. In a nutshell, appropriate your expectations. You’ll feel much better! Every person in your life is different and everyone brings something to the party. Spoons have a function, and forks a different one. Don’t expect spoons to puncture, nor forks to scoop. Lots of disappointments will be eliminated.

Point #2- Don’t Beat anyone else up over what they aren’t sensitive to.

We can communicate our wishes and still leave people the LIBERTY to be how they CHOOSE to be. Anything beyond communicating our expectations and desires and we slide into manipulating, guilting, nagging and generally feeling unhappy if people don’t behave in a way that makes us comfortable. It’s a control issue in the sense we want to control the behavior of another adult or a control issue in the sense we are giving another human being too much control over our emotional well-being.

THIS IS WHY it is important to get to know people BEFORE investing in deep relationship with them. There are ways they may choose to be that are completely damaging and offensive to you and everything you stand for. Often times we stay in unhealthy relationships because “we’re in it now” and are simply waiting for a person to change. What if they’re happy the way they are? What if it works for them? If you want someone to be different simply because it works better for you, then “they” may not be the issue at all. Kick the selfish habits and seek relationships with people who are like-minded. It’s pretty amazing how well things flow when people within a relationship ascribe to the same or similar foundational convictions. Do you really have time to teach someone to be honest, respectful or decent? Do you want them to practice (pass and fail) on you? I prefer a bit more predictability and stability as I navigate the challenges life brings. I’d prefer not to be hit with “friendly fire”. I already have to tackle the world. I don’t want to tackle or be tackled in the comfort of my own home or personal relationships. I’ve gotta have a safe place somewhere.

Point #3- Stay Tuned…

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Christianity, Freedom, Healing, Life, Marriage, Prayer, Relationships

Change HAD to come…

All this time, I thought that I missed Him. By the time I graduated from college at 21, I was also an EMT. My plan was to go to grad school for a MS in Medical Science. I wanted to be a PA. I’d already decided medical school would take too long. I’ve always had an interest in medicine and healing- just didn’t love school. I love science and math though. I’m both left and right brained. I still remember the bones of the body. What grade did we learn that? Then after one of my brother’s bouts in the ICU, I became really queasy when I saw blood or vomit, etc.. I didn’t used to be that way. I was taking a few pre-reqs and a classmate caught me during lab (I was fainting) when they cut open the cadaver. I felt like I had to start from square one and figure out my life. That was depressing. A few years later, I looked into nuclear medicine. Back then I wasn’t encouraged to pursue that AND ministry. It was like I was either committed or not (to ministry). So it was HR and then real estate.

Now twenty years later, and 10 years after I started studying non-mainstream modalities, I’m opening a wellness center. I didn’t miss Him! Helping people be Well IS part of my scroll. A few years ago I became frustrated with my level of faith. I felt stagnant. I began to see how so much of my “depth” was RELIGION as opposed to intimacy with Him. I wanted to better understand the invisible I’m supposed to be able to believe for. And I’m the type that needs to understand the fundamental principles of things. I didn’t want to testify about a SUPERNATURAL God, but have a regular, natural, nothing special life. If “The Lord is my shepherd I shall not want”, then why did I lack peace, health, loving relationships, abundance, etc.? I also needed to learn how to believe PAST betrayals and disappointments that had crippled my hope. I started studying quantum mechanics (physics) and it really opened me up to the infinite possibilities hidden in faith. I did one thing differently and a new world was unlocked. New places, new people, new connections, new (to me) concepts. Revelations I had in part, fully revealed and explained by generals of the faith. FAITH TO FAITH!!! New tests too! New pains too! New goodness too! I’m content, but I’m not satisfied. There’s more for me to unwrap in Him.

Sometimes all we have is a piece- a tidbit…and timing takes care of the rest. And sometimes SOMETHING DIFFERENT has to be done. I’m not talking about doing something to earn or deserve. I’m talking about doing something to press in to Him harder. I’m just sharing some of my story. Things I haven’t really shared. There’s ALWAYS a story. Is there an old dream you let go of, were talked out of, or figured you were wrong about? Ask Him about it. What if this is the season to breathe on them again? Of no one told you today…. I love you and so does He. #thewellfrequency

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Christianity

Depression is NOT a Life Sentence!!!

Some people know this (those who read my book) and some don’t. I lived battling suicidal ideation for a very long time. I was living and laughing amongst friends, preaching and fully immersed in ministry AND wanting to die.

When one lives with that level of depression, it isn’t that they don’t SEE reasons to live. They DO love God, their spouses, family, children, and loved ones! They just can’t see living with such acute pain for so much longer!

It isn’t always because something horrible happened (although that doesn’t help). It’s like living with an anchor that constantly pulls the mind down to a deep dark hopeless place. It’s like living with a sleep mask that never lets the light of hope be seen. We NEED hope to LIVE! It’s living in deep pain without being able to articulate to your (own) self what’s wrong-needless to say anyone else!

It hurts to live with it and it hurts to be so deeply misunderstood. When I would hear people talk about others’ struggles, making comments like “suicide is selfish” or “it’s just never that bad”, or “people are weak- look at what I’ve been through”, I’d sink deeper into disconnection, feeling that I couldn’t trust my private thoughts with ANYONE.

There came a time when I got in my car and went to my mother at 4am, because I didn’t trust myself to make it through the night. There’s the inner conflict: wanting to want to live, but feeling like I just couldn’t do it anymore! She called a doctor the next morning. I was prescribed anti-depressants. Once those kicked in, I felt like I was treading instead of drowning. I had a reprieve and I began to take inventory of everything. I was able to sort through it all and come to the realization that the same God who heals cancer or the illnesses and imbalances in the pancreas, stomach, liver, and heart, is the same God who can heal the brain. The brain is an organ capable and susceptible to disease and imbalance just like the rest of them, DESPITE THE ROOT! I knew then that medication indefinitely or forever was NOT my portion. I was not willing. I knew I could be HEALED.

My prayer for the church at large is to stop being afraid. Be willing to learn and explore the healing modalities that BELONG TO GOD, yet aren’t popular in religious circles. Just because you, your pastor, or bishop have never heard of it doesn’t mean it doesn’t exist!!! I made the decision I wanted the joy & peace the BIBLE says is available to me!!!

Being healed of constantly living with the stress of being in crisis mode isn’t something I take lightly and most importantly, I’m living proof that it is POSSIBLE.

After years of being in the clear, I got YHVH tattooed in Hebrew on my wrist. It’s His name in its purest form, unfiltered and untranslated. Hebrew letters are ALIVE! Everyday that I see it, it’s a reminder that His name is the only mark that has ever and will ever go on my wrist. GLORY TO GOD!!! It’s REAL to me, because I know where I’ve been!!! I KNOW what Jarrid Wilson was going through. No one is exempt until one goes as deep as is necessary to be transformed. There are no shortcuts.

Please pray for Jarrid’s wife, family, congregation, AND the many among us who are privately suffering. 😔🙏🏾

To the religious folk regarding my tattoo and Leviticus 19:28:
1. Be careful
2. He isn’t dead 
3. The reason scripture says the letter killeth is because we are more loyal to our finite and often misconstrued understanding of it OVER relationship (with Him) and motive. Consider the religious sect who were angry about Jesus healing on the sabbath (the rule) and wanted to throw scripture at the Word Himself!

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Christianity, Healing, Prayer

Guilty!!!

I’m guilty. I don’t just mean in the past, but lately. I’ve been guilty of frustration. Guilty of impatience. We do know that patience isn’t waiting right? We’re going to wait regardless when it comes to what only God can release. Patience is actually waiting with the right attitude. We can murmur, complain and pout while we wait, or we …

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Christianity, Prayer

Jesus IS the middle….

The truth for a Christian, whether you’re ready or not, whether you like it or not, is that Jesus IS the ministry of reconciliation. He is SUPPOSED to be the CENTER of EVERY relationship you have, whether it’s marital, friendship, parental, sibling or otherwise. He will allow EVERY relationship you have to suffer and fall apart, just so that He …

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Prayer

Thirsty for Mercy….

Jonah 1 & 2 “I will pay that which I have vowed…” We’ve all done it-  we have experienced the glory of God and His loving presence has rested on us, and we’ve responded…”reveal your will for my life”…”make me, mold me”…”have your way with me”….”Lord just send me and I’ll go”. How.many.times.have.we.said.these.things? And we mean it until what He …

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Prayer

My Faith is on Trial……

During the past few weeks my sleep pattern has been irregular. I notice this happens when I feel various burdens, am keeping watch and interceding for others. Quite a few of my very close friends are weathering storms, enduring trials and fighting to believe that God is the same Father and Author of their previous seasons of rejoicing.  Each of …

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