Ha! Poned!

That's my sons' gleeful exclamation when they get the last word! "Poned!"

How appropriate to what God brought me through this week. While a tidal wave of financial stress surrounded me, God was doing a healing work inside my heart. Two weeks ago at the solemn assembly at our church, a gentleman spoke a prophetic word exhorting the pastor and elders against "selfish disregard". For some reason, those two words turned into a boulder that was hurled into my heart. At my son's quiz meet over the weekend, I started sharing with a friend and suddenly I was sharing about a 10-year-old incident, an incident that has been shaping my life over the past 10 years, where words were used with selfish disregard for my life and that of my husband's. Wow, I thought that had been dealt with, until the pain started coming in waves. Now that I think of it, the two years after that incident included other profound losses and with the unique defense mechanisms that God gave us to function, unmanageable pain was pushed inside until it could be dealt with. So, the time came. This week.

First, the realization of the injustice hit me and I told God like David does in the Psalms exactly what I wanted done to the perpetrators. It was not pretty. So, God, next step? Wouldn't you know, Beth Moore got involved in the process. Last night, on James Robison, she spoke about the omnipotent Word being spoken over the potent word that originally devastated you. That omnipotent word was a blessing. She referred to Job who prayed for the elders who had cursed him. At that moment, God reversed his situation and restored his life in abundance. In my daily reading I also read, "When I called, You answered me: You made me bold and stouthearted." (Psalm 138:3).
So He said, "Come , Let's go back to that meeting." And so I mentally went back, holding Jesus' Hand and with confidence, I confronted each unjust and false statement made to me. I was firm. Then my heart softened as He said, "Now, bless them." And so, I blessed all my perpetrators with words that are true, words that fall gently like dew, words that edify. May it be so and may they never be allowed to bring death to any others by their words.

I left the prayer room with my heart light. A friend has been praying that I will soar. Today I was going over Session 7, "A Heart that Intercedes" in Beth's A Woman's Heart, God's Dwelling Place, and the picture of the woman formerly stooped but now straightened by God came into view. Her case had been hopeless to the uttermost, but God delivered her. So many of us are 'stooped' right now, in shame, in guilt, in hopelessness, thinking that this situation is forever, but God's Word, Psalm 138:8 says, "The Lord will fulfill His purpose for me; Your love, O Lord, endures forever-- do not abandon the works of Your Hands." He invites us all to cry out to Him, to let Him be our strength. So, let God have the final Word. Let His blessing over you neutralize Satan's destructive words. Yes, you can say. "PONED!" Our God reigns!

Father, I thank You that You are always with me, that You hold me by my right hand. Thank You that You guide me with Your counsel, and afterward You will take me into glory. Whom have I in heaven but You? And being with You, I desire nothing on earth. My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever...but as for me, it is good to be near You. You, Sovereign Lord, are my refuge; I will tell of all Your deeds.
In Jesus' Name, Amen.
(Psalm 73:23ff used as a prayer)