There are times change comes before we recognize it. It blindsides us, taking rhythm completely out of the picture. That's what February has been for me. At first, I attempted to hide the magnitude of the situation by taking it on in solitude. How often is isolation exactly where the enemy wants us? In his craftiness, he attempts to misguide us (Proverbs 3:7), feeding us lies about handling it better on our own. However, as relational and spiritual beings, we are created for relational and spiritual responses. That being said, in the spirit of "power, love and self-discipline", step forward and seek comfort in fellowship and knowledge of other believers (2 Timothy 1:7). The comfort offered here is unparalleled because of the ability of the Lord to enter into those crevices and meld your heart to His. He calls us into specific times of prayer, mourning and rejoicing as His creation rectifies us in these situations with community (James 4:7-10).
Child of God, the enemy is the master of deceit. Take Eve, for example; his cunning tricked her not into physical death but spiritual death and eternal separation from her heavenly Father (Genesis 3:1, 4-5). Do not fall prey to isolation. Remain privy to the enemy's strategies and aware of the power of prayer, "for where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them" (Matthew 18:19-20).
The power of prayer is something I recently pored over. God shot a dart into my heart and his vestiges ran deep. The aftermath of these lessons have been powerful.
For a short time, I lost my ability to concentrate and remained in an almost constant state of dizziness and disorientation. This would be discovered shortly thereafter as being caused by seizures. When not dizzy nor disoriented, I couldn't stop falling asleep. Between hospitalizations and appointments, no medical professionals had answers. I stopped listening to God and was in a fret about not being able to do enough. I had already bought into the enemy's lie that I needed to handle this on my own, for calling on help or fellowship would be insulting to the King of Kings. God's divine intervention turned this around for me.
During this time, God brought prayer warriors alongside me to teach me the difference between listening to Him and listening for Him. He opened my heart to the concept of spiritual rest and opened my eyes to His tenderhearted power being made perfect in my weaknesses (2 Corinthians 12:9). God reminded me what trust is and painted the most beautiful picture of fellowship I have ever experienced. Not only that, the Lord aptly answered prayers through unexpected avenues the more open I was to receiving help.
I am a server by nature, therefore, receiving help is difficult for me. It makes me feel vulnerable and burdensome. While still in a resting state, God gently reminded me that Jesus came to this world as a babe. He walked me through the process of allowing others' in so that they may more adequately experience His Son's love. In the body of Christ, it is a duty, honor and privilege to serve others but also to be served. God used my physical healing to demonstrate this concept to me. I am so thankful for this particular trial. I shall boast all the more now that my weaknesses only increase His strength, "so the last will be first, and the first will be last" (Matthew 20:16).
Grace as unmerited favor is readily and always available for anyone seeking it. The rhythm of grace is intimate and my increased understanding of the depth of prayer connects this concept spiritually. Prior to this particular health issue, these concepts had never interacted. Without the urgency to draw this conclusion, I fear I would not understand it with the same logic. There is so much truth to the phrase "everything beautiful in its time". As benefactor, God brings each piece of the puzzle together to intricately glorify His creation and we benefit. 'Tis the sweetest sound I've ever heard.
