Doorway to a New Life
Jeanette's Testimony of a Transformed Life
Don’t you be afraid, for I am with you. Don’t be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you. Yes, I will help you. Yes, I will uphold you with the right hand of my righteousness. Isaiah 41:10
During a time of extreme loneliness and sorrow, Jeanette turned to God in an effort to discover a sense of meaning. Immediately life became brighter. Jeanette found much more than meaning, including, as she put it, the doorway to a new life.
Jeanette's Doorway to a New Life
I have been given a new lease on life through Jesus Christ and God. Jesus has shown me the "doorway to a new life" many times over.
I first gave my life to the Lord in February of 2001. My husband had moved across the country for a job transfer and my two teenage children did the same. They went to live with their biological father after many years of having little contact with him or his family.
Our 5 bedroom, 4 bathroom, 3300 square-foot home - our adored castle - was now a vacant and empty place. I felt buried by my sorrows each night as I was there alone. It was on one of these nights that I was reading the first chapter of the initial book in the "Left Behind" series. I was so shaken by the scenario painted of the Rapture, I got on my knees and prayed to the Lord to give my life whatever meaning it should have. Anything at all would be better than what I was feeling.
The Testing of My Faith
My son has died from cancer at the age of 22. Losing him was a huge test of my faith. It has left a hole in my heart that will never completely heal. Yet minute by minute I grow stronger in the knowledge that my son is now with Jesus, in our Father's hands, watching over us.
Two months ago my husband was diagnosed with Stage IV lung cancer. Another blow! But somehow, whatever happens, I know God will help me to understand what I need to, and that I will move on in whatever capacity he brings me through. With all of the sadness, heartache, happiness and love in my life, I know I would not be the same if not for my love for the Lord. He is my way, my truth and my life. He is the path to live as I should, my doorway to a new life
Life Became Brighter
Even though I wasn't really certain what to expect, my life became brighter. I learned what a difference my own actions and words could make to me and others around me. This positive place became my new world, where I prayed in my own way, my own time, whenever and wherever I could.
I have become very solid and strong in my faith, one day and one need at a time. We have now been in our new home for 5 years. Since then we have two new grandchildren from my daughter who now lives near us. My husband's son and his family, and my mother have also followed us to this area.
I have learned also that as parents, friends, co-workers and neighbors, we are meant to be caretakers and caregivers for each other. God has given us people in our lives to enrich us and also for us to embrace with his love. We all belong to Him; we are just here for the glorious, crazy ride that is life, until our lives really begin with Him in eternity.
Father be with Jeanette continue to bless her and her family. Lord be with those of us who are still battling loneliness Amen.
1. West Coast Prayerline - 712-451-6000. Access code 281432#. Meeting times daily@ 6am Mon – Sun and 9pm Mon – Fri. (Facilitated by Elder Michael Blue & Elder Wanda Flowers.)
2. East Coast Prayerline - 605-990-0700. Access code 503942#. Meeting times @ 6am and 9pm weekdays and 6:30am weekends. (Facilitated by Chris Brooks). You can also visit www.gracefam.org.
3. San Francisco Prayerline - 641 297 4600. Access code is 7792#. Meeting times daily @ 6:30am Mon – Sun (Facilitated by Sis. Grant and Elder Wanda Flowers)
4. CPR Prayerline - - 218 862 1000. Access
code is 996832#. Meeting times @ 9pm Sunday to Friday (Times are EST: Facilitated by Yvette Stoute.)
5. Urgent Prayer Request +0208 202 4863(London number) or text +7940443879
6. Emergency Prayer -1 888 820 8627 or visit www.pray4meinc.com .
RAY OF HOPE 4 U
61 Selborne gardens
London NW4 4SH
England, UK
+447940443879 (London)
rayofhope4u@hotmail.com
www.rayofhope4u.co.uk
http://rayofhope4u.blogspot.com
http://www.squidoo.com/rayofhope4u
http://www.mission2zimbabwe2010.vpweb.co.uk
prayerline +44208 202 4863 or text +447940443879
Tuesday, 31 August 2010
Do You Have A Toothache Is There a Cure For Loneliness?
Do You Have A Toothache
Is There a Cure For Loneliness?
Be strong and courageous, don’t be afraid, nor be scared of them: for Yahweh your God, he it is who does go with you; he will not fail you, nor forsake you.” Deu 31:6
The hardest thing for me in the last few years has been coping with loneliness. Sometimes loneliness is a temporary condition that departs in a few hours or a couple days. But when you're burdened with this emotion for weeks, months, or even years, it's definitely telling you something.
In a sense, loneliness is like a toothache: It's a warning signal that something is wrong. And like a toothache, if left unattended, it usually gets worse. Your first response to loneliness may be to self-medicate - to try home remedies to make it go away.
Busyness Therapy.
You may think that if you fill your life with so many activities that you don't have time to think about your loneliness, you'll be cured. But busyness misses the message. It's like trying to heal a toothache by taking your mind off it. Busyness is only a distraction, not a cure.
Buying Therapy.
Maybe if you purchase something new, if you "reward" yourself, you'll feel better. And surprisingly, you do feel better - but only for a short while. Buying things to fix your loneliness is like an anesthetic. Sooner or later the numbing effect wears off. Then the pain comes back as strong as ever. Buying can also compound your problems with a mountain of credit card debt.
Bed Therapy
You may believe that intimacy is what you need, so you make an unwise choice with sex. Like the prodigal son, after you come to your senses, you're horrified to discover that this attempt at a cure not only makes loneliness worse, it also makes you feel desperate and cheap. This is the false cure of our modern culture, which promotes sex as a game, as recreation. This response to loneliness always ends in feelings of alienation and regret.
The Best Advise
When all these approaches don't work, you may ask, is there a cure for loneliness?
We need to begin with a correct interpretation of this warning signal. Loneliness is God's way of telling you that you have a relationship problem. While that may seem obvious, there's more to it than just surrounding yourself with people. Doing that is the same as busyness, but using crowds instead of activities.
God's answer to loneliness is not the quantity of your relationships, but the quality.
How is your relationship with God? Is it close and intimate, like that of a loving, caring father and his child? Or is your relationship with God cold and distant, only superficial?
Loneliness is God's way, first, of drawing us closer to him, then forcing us to reach out to other people.
Be A Friend
Friendship requires giving, but it also requires taking, and many of us would rather be independent. Yet the persistence of your loneliness should tell you that your past stubbornness hasn't worked either.
If you muster the courage to restore your relationship with God, then with others, you'll find your loneliness lifting. This is not a spiritual Band-Aid, but a real cure that works.
Your risks toward others will be rewarded. You'll find someone who understands and cares, and you'll find others whom you understand and care about as well. Like a visit to the dentist, this cure turns out to be not only final, but much less painful than you feared.
Be Prayerful
Even though it’s hard to see through tears that you now cry, Just know that there will come a day when your tears, He will dry. And though words alone won’t ease the pain that you now feel, Just know that in time, your heart, God will heal.
I pray that God will give you peace, and strength in your heart As He holds you in His arms, and from you, He won’t depart. May you always be encouraged, may you ever hold on. And remember, "My child, you're not alone." GOD IS ALWAYS THERE… AMEN
RAY OF HOPE 4 U
61 Selborne gardens
London NW4 4SH
England, UK
+447940443879 (London)
rayapatrick@hotmail.com
www.rayofhope4u.co.uk
http://www.mission2zimbabwe2010.vpweb.co.uk
http://rayofhope4u.blogspot.com
prayerline +44208 202 4863 or text +447940443879
Emergency Prayer USA -1 888 820 8627 or visit www.pray4meinc.com .
Is There a Cure For Loneliness?
Be strong and courageous, don’t be afraid, nor be scared of them: for Yahweh your God, he it is who does go with you; he will not fail you, nor forsake you.” Deu 31:6
The hardest thing for me in the last few years has been coping with loneliness. Sometimes loneliness is a temporary condition that departs in a few hours or a couple days. But when you're burdened with this emotion for weeks, months, or even years, it's definitely telling you something.
In a sense, loneliness is like a toothache: It's a warning signal that something is wrong. And like a toothache, if left unattended, it usually gets worse. Your first response to loneliness may be to self-medicate - to try home remedies to make it go away.
Busyness Therapy.
You may think that if you fill your life with so many activities that you don't have time to think about your loneliness, you'll be cured. But busyness misses the message. It's like trying to heal a toothache by taking your mind off it. Busyness is only a distraction, not a cure.
Buying Therapy.
Maybe if you purchase something new, if you "reward" yourself, you'll feel better. And surprisingly, you do feel better - but only for a short while. Buying things to fix your loneliness is like an anesthetic. Sooner or later the numbing effect wears off. Then the pain comes back as strong as ever. Buying can also compound your problems with a mountain of credit card debt.
Bed Therapy
You may believe that intimacy is what you need, so you make an unwise choice with sex. Like the prodigal son, after you come to your senses, you're horrified to discover that this attempt at a cure not only makes loneliness worse, it also makes you feel desperate and cheap. This is the false cure of our modern culture, which promotes sex as a game, as recreation. This response to loneliness always ends in feelings of alienation and regret.
The Best Advise
When all these approaches don't work, you may ask, is there a cure for loneliness?
We need to begin with a correct interpretation of this warning signal. Loneliness is God's way of telling you that you have a relationship problem. While that may seem obvious, there's more to it than just surrounding yourself with people. Doing that is the same as busyness, but using crowds instead of activities.
God's answer to loneliness is not the quantity of your relationships, but the quality.
How is your relationship with God? Is it close and intimate, like that of a loving, caring father and his child? Or is your relationship with God cold and distant, only superficial?
Loneliness is God's way, first, of drawing us closer to him, then forcing us to reach out to other people.
Be A Friend
Friendship requires giving, but it also requires taking, and many of us would rather be independent. Yet the persistence of your loneliness should tell you that your past stubbornness hasn't worked either.
If you muster the courage to restore your relationship with God, then with others, you'll find your loneliness lifting. This is not a spiritual Band-Aid, but a real cure that works.
Your risks toward others will be rewarded. You'll find someone who understands and cares, and you'll find others whom you understand and care about as well. Like a visit to the dentist, this cure turns out to be not only final, but much less painful than you feared.
Be Prayerful
Even though it’s hard to see through tears that you now cry, Just know that there will come a day when your tears, He will dry. And though words alone won’t ease the pain that you now feel, Just know that in time, your heart, God will heal.
I pray that God will give you peace, and strength in your heart As He holds you in His arms, and from you, He won’t depart. May you always be encouraged, may you ever hold on. And remember, "My child, you're not alone." GOD IS ALWAYS THERE… AMEN
RAY OF HOPE 4 U
61 Selborne gardens
London NW4 4SH
England, UK
+447940443879 (London)
rayapatrick@hotmail.com
www.rayofhope4u.co.uk
http://www.mission2zimbabwe2010.vpweb.co.uk
http://rayofhope4u.blogspot.com
prayerline +44208 202 4863 or text +447940443879
Emergency Prayer USA -1 888 820 8627 or visit www.pray4meinc.com .
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