Did you know that we are all given special giftings? When you were born God’s intention was to gift you with special blessings. The Bible speaks of these gifts and how we are to develop them. Romans 12:6 -8 states “Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, let us use them: if prophesy, let us prophesy in the proportion of our faith; or ministry, let us use it in our ministering: he who teaches, in teaching; he who exhorts in exhortation; he who gives, with liberality; he who leads, with diligence; he who shows mercy, with cheerfulness.”

I do not have the gift of cooking; it feels unnatural for me to follow a recipe and nine times out of ten things goes amiss. Mike, my husband on the other hand has this gift and can whip up a delicious meal in no time; he methodically follows recipes and adds his own flair. Mike is also a numbers guy and I am not. I have never been able to balance a check book, but I can intercede for the needs of many.

By now, if you are an adult you should have already recognized your gifts. If you have not, it’s because you have not asked God. “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or showdown of turning.” (James 1:17) Yes, that means that our gifts are not only free but perfect. We ask God to direct our every path and for the wisdom to know what we are called to do in His kingdom. When you finally discover your gifts, the more you exercise them the more fine tune they become. “To those who much is given much is expected” (Luke 12:48).  Gifts comes with responsibility, I have the gift to teach the Word of God, interpret and to share it with others. If I were not doing this it would not be considered a sin but if you are not using your gifts, you are restless and feel a void. My sister Norma is called to intercede for others and when she prays, it is for hours or until she gets a breakthrough. When she is out of her element there is an imbalance in her spiritual walk.

During the recent news report of the 9/11, a story was shared about a stockbroker who had changed his career path due to the attacks. He became a doctor, this was his real calling and it took a catastrophe to redirect him, the gentleman added that he was never happier.

We are individually called to serve God in this crazy world and were picked to be born at this time. Gifts matter and if you are called to be a mother of four, be the most gracious mother, if you are called to drive a bus filled with screaming children do it with a smile. If you are called to run a corporation do it with the wisdom of God. If you are called to teach be the best teacher and pray for your students. If you have been gifted with your hands, use them to glorify God. If you are called to serve God, do it with all your heart.

Give of yourself to others and your blessings will be many. “Give, and it will be given to you:  good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over will be put into your bosom. For with the same measure that you use, it will be measured back to you”  (Luke 6:38)

When an athletic trains for a race, the training is for a win to reach the goal for the prize that they worked so hard for.  Just as your body can be conditioned to win, so our minds must be trained to win in battles. Some of us have many crosses to bear;such as, serious illnesses, addictions, loss of a love ones, finances,etc. God allows these trials to make us stronger and he will never give you more than you can handle (1 Cor 10:13), God will always give us a way out. We need to stand our ground and use the Word of God as our main weapon against the destructive tactics of the enemy. Maybe you received a bad report from the doctor, what you do with this information will set the standards on your recovery. If you allow fear to come in then you have personally invited the enemy to take hold of your thoughts. Fear is a spirit and a stronghold, you have the authority to bring it down (Rom 8:15) God did not give us a spirit of fear, so that means it comes from Satan. When we operate in fear we are weak in our prayers because trusting God is no longer effective. So you pray but with the lack of faith, your prayer is in limbo. Yes, God hears you but you lack three things to get you through your trials.

1. Encouragement
2. Wisdom
3. Faith

   

Without encouragement you feel empty (nobody cares, why me?), without wisdom you do not have the guidance of God, Without faith you cannot pray. All this keeps us in bondage and Satan has you right where he wants you, defeated. When I was told by the neurologist that I had Parkinson’s it was not easy for me to pray, I first had to get over the initial shock.  I cried but then I prayed. God allows us these times of sorrow to bring us into His trusting arms. From every trial we experience, we are to draw from Him and understand that all is in His control, not ours. If we doubt, we are being double minded, such actions holds back from a complete trust in God because inside we waver between conviction and doubt.  God wants us to trust in Him more than ever, and I know that for some of us this is a huge step to take.

A very dear friend of mine is suffering from stage four cancer and in treatment with no signs of remission as of yet. She is trusting God and battling for her life and she should be afflicted with pain but has not had any signs of it. Why? I cannot answer that, but I can share with you that she is a strong believer and servant of the Most High God. Her attitude remains positive as she focuses on a miracle. Will she get this miracle? God answers every prayer with yes, no and wait. As my friend waits, in the interim she is trusting God and that is a remarkable attribute to instill in others.  Whether  her report is negative or positive, she remains focused on the prize at the end of the race.

My Prayer:
Dear Heavenly Father, I cannot do this alone, I am tired, angry, and want to give up! Please Lord help me get through this, I can no longer continue this battle on my own. Dear Lord I cry out to You for Help. Please hear my cry and deliver me from this affliction, help my unbelief and walk me though this darkness.  Thank you Father for caring for me. Please help me in every area of my life to trust in You.  AMEN

Remember you are never alone! He cares and I do too!

Even after attending Mass today a dark cloud wanted to keep me company, these spirits are real and if you do not know how to pray it off  you, it will keep you from doing God’s work. I pushed forth to rid myself of this depression; I prayed for others, answered a few emails and watched of my youngest grandchild for a few hours, he insisted on playing hide and seek.

My walk with the Lord is steadfast and I live to serve Him but I’m still a mere mortal subjected to the attacks of the enemy. It is 1:30 PM and my plans for the day are still not even close to being complete. I consumed flavors potato chips to get me through but that never works. Finally I made my way to the treadmill and that aroused my endorphins; I prayed the Rosary and suddenly that looming cloud disappeared. It’s a mind game with the devil and he has an assignment to rob, to kill, and to destroy (James 10:10).

Please know that you are not alone when you suffer from depression, this is normal, especially when you come off a high for The Lord. The enemy is there as a constant reminder of our shortcomings; he is a lier and we need to put him in his place.

My short simple prayer:
Dear Heavenly Father,

I thank you and praise you for all you that are doing in my life. I know that this spirit of depression is not from you. Lord, please help me get through my day in victory and allow your Holy Spirit to guide my thoughts. I empty my heart, mind and spirit and ask that you Lord will fill it with your perfect love. Your word says that “I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full”( John 10:10) Thank you Jesus!

To get back into the spirit of God the pictures of our recent trip reminded me of how greatly we were all used.