Monday, July 15, 2013
Wednesday, May 19, 2010
Saturday, March 27, 2010
Thursday, March 25, 2010
Fasting to Quit Smoking
Monday, March 22nd
Since I came back from the Camp Caroline retreat on Sunday, I have known that it would be time to give up the cigarettes. On our way home, my friends and I were discussing how God uses fasting and prayer to deliver people from addictions, heal their bodies and deliver from demonic influences. I commented that I have trouble with fasting and I don't agree that it is the only way to set someone free. Immediately when I said it, I heard God speak to me, "FASTING is exactly what you'll be doing to be free of this nicotine addiction". Well, I wasn't too crazy about that idea but I knew God ironically had a plan for me that would humble me and get my body and mind back into control. Self-Discipline is something I've struggled with for many years obviously. I believed that God would show me how to be removed from this addiction to cigarettes and He will show me when it would begin. It only makes sense to fast because fasting is an excellent way to detoxify your body. When you finally say "Yes Lord I'm willing, lets do this", He doesn't mess around with time. I didn't expect it to happen so quickly but its time to do this.
DAY 1: Tuesday, March 23rd
I was led to find an article on the internet titled, "The Best Way to Quit Smoking: Fasting to Quit". It said you should fast for three days to quit smoking, fasting on brown rice and water or carrot juice three days in a row. If you can't fast for three straight days, fast one day a week for three weeks or as close together as possible."
So now my time to get off the nicotine has come. I knew it should happen while my co-worker is away because she also smokes and we'll be separated for 2 weeks. This also comes right after the Camp Caroline retreat, which was about Forgiveness. When I found this article about fasting to quit smoking it also encouraged forgiveneess of others to free your heart from hidden anger. She says to think about everyone who has ever wronged you, make the list in your mind and then ask God to help you forgive each person and why you need to forgive them. You will find that you are not only better off not smoking but that you are better off not holding resentment in your heart.
I like jasmine rice best so I chose brown jasmine rice and I am really enjoying it. I cooked large quanities added just a little butter and it has been my meals when I feel hungry, I eat the rice, drink as much water as I can and of course, drink the carrot juice. (Side note: with the exception of carrot or beet juice, vegetable juice does not raise insulin levels like fruit juice.)
Since this is the first day on the fast and since I wasn't expecting to do it, I went to the store and bought Bolthouse Farms 100% carrot juice with nothing artificial added. That is the best choice next to actually juicing your own carrots at home, which I highly recommend. Later that evening, I did juice my own carrots. Fresh carrot juice is incredible tasting and you get the genuine, fresh nutritional value of vitamins in their raw state.
DAY 2: Wednesday, March 24
So as I am writing my progress, I was praying this morning and entering my 2nd day of fasting. God led me to read and meditate on John 3:10-21 & 1 Samuel 7:3-4. Then Samuel spoke to all the house of Israel, saying, "If you return to the LORD with all your heart, remove the foreign gods and the Ashtaroth from among you and direct your hearts to the LORD and serve Him alone; and He will deliver you from the hand of the Philistines." So the sons of Israel removed the Baals and the Ashtaroth and served the LORD alone.
Although I've also had limited quantities of tea and coffee. and a handful of peanuts and one banana, other than that I've stuck to the brown rice, water and carrot juice, completely. God is really blessing me on this fast. It does seem much easier than I ever imagined. I'm very amazed at how well I am doing. My mind is so focused on what really matters that my cravings have been reduced to hardly anything. Also, one tip was to chew cinnamon gum because the aromatic scent and flavor of cinnamon help reduce nicotine cravings. I've had some gum but I've managed to resist the cravings except for a couple of times throughout the day. I ended up smoking only 2 cigarettes yesterday, half of one at a time. I haven't been hungry at all.
DAY 3: Thursday, March 25
This fast has turned out to be an amazing experience. The heightened sensitivity is truly a natural high. I feel as though all my senses are alive again and as though my mind has been turned on again, like when you take your car in to get a tune up. You should only have a mechanic you trust do the tune-up. I'm trusting God to do my tune-up.
Am I encouraging everyone to fast? Not everything is for everyone. You know your body best and your circumstances but I encourage you to talk to God about it with a willing heart and you may discover an experience you never realized was available for you. It really is a great way to gain control of your body again and to be honest, sometimes I've felt like my body was wondering around with my brain on auto-pilot. I finally feel back in the driver's seat. I can see clearly now as though my brain has been defogged. I have a greater sense of what is really important all around me. So many stupid things distract us from being free. My health is important because I've got to keep my "vehicle" running for as long as possible so I can accomplish everything I was meant to do on this earth during the time I was meant to be here.
DAY 4: March 26 Today was the day I began to slowly come off the fast. Part of me didn't want to because I was still feeling euphoric, blessed and happy to have experienced this. I feel free from both nicotine and food addictions. I thank God for this experience and now have not only given up the nicotine but have also taken charge again of my body making it submit so that I can be led by the spirit and not the body. My mind, will and emotions are standing in agreement with my spirit, which I've surrendered to the Holy Spirit of God. I've actually dropped a few pounds too -- added bonus. My perspective and ability to focus on the "right" things is amazing. I remember making the choices that I acted on these last few days and doing things that I wouldn't have normally done. In one split second I decided to call a "distant relative" I hadn't forgiven yet. Since I couldn't get hold of this person for over a year, I thought surely I wouldn't get through but I did. When she answered, I could hear inside my head what I wanted to say but instead what came out of my mouth were just words of love and encouragement. It was commpletely a God moment. I know she felt better and I did too but I was certainly in shock by what just happened giving her encouragement and loving support instead of giving her a piece of my mind or my list of needs. Incredible.
The other experience was that I was in a grocery store. There was a toddler screaming and crying so hard and so loud that you could hear him from corner to corner of the 210,000 square feet of the store. Instead of getting on my nerves sending me over the edge, I was completely calm and in fact, I went around the corner of the isle, smiling and offered to help the young mother. She had her hands full with 2 children. It was probably the wrong thing to do because she just wrestled to control the toddler and get him back into the seat of the cart then took off. I seriously prayed for her and the child the rest of the time. I thought surely he would have given up after awhile but this lasted at least 30 minutes in the store before she got out of there. Imagine that as your grocery shopping experience every week. I've certainly got it easy compared to her life.
Just something I wanted to share.
I will say that forgiveness WAS a huge part of this experience this past week. I forgave myself for the hurtful things I've done to my body. I've forgiven family and friends. I've even forgiven my husband for the speeding ticket $125.00 that came in the mail today. That did upset me at first, but not as much as it would have any other time, and I calmed down and got everything into perspective. Its only money and what's done is done. No need to bring shame to him, I'm sure his own feelings about it will be enough for him to deal with, I don't need to make it worse. I just left it out on the table for him to see. Your sin will find you out. LOL
The following website has some amazing things to reveal about fasting. http://www.jentezenfranklin.org/fasting/fastingbasics.php
Since I came back from the Camp Caroline retreat on Sunday, I have known that it would be time to give up the cigarettes. On our way home, my friends and I were discussing how God uses fasting and prayer to deliver people from addictions, heal their bodies and deliver from demonic influences. I commented that I have trouble with fasting and I don't agree that it is the only way to set someone free. Immediately when I said it, I heard God speak to me, "FASTING is exactly what you'll be doing to be free of this nicotine addiction". Well, I wasn't too crazy about that idea but I knew God ironically had a plan for me that would humble me and get my body and mind back into control. Self-Discipline is something I've struggled with for many years obviously. I believed that God would show me how to be removed from this addiction to cigarettes and He will show me when it would begin. It only makes sense to fast because fasting is an excellent way to detoxify your body. When you finally say "Yes Lord I'm willing, lets do this", He doesn't mess around with time. I didn't expect it to happen so quickly but its time to do this.
DAY 1: Tuesday, March 23rd
I was led to find an article on the internet titled, "The Best Way to Quit Smoking: Fasting to Quit". It said you should fast for three days to quit smoking, fasting on brown rice and water or carrot juice three days in a row. If you can't fast for three straight days, fast one day a week for three weeks or as close together as possible."
So now my time to get off the nicotine has come. I knew it should happen while my co-worker is away because she also smokes and we'll be separated for 2 weeks. This also comes right after the Camp Caroline retreat, which was about Forgiveness. When I found this article about fasting to quit smoking it also encouraged forgiveneess of others to free your heart from hidden anger. She says to think about everyone who has ever wronged you, make the list in your mind and then ask God to help you forgive each person and why you need to forgive them. You will find that you are not only better off not smoking but that you are better off not holding resentment in your heart.
I like jasmine rice best so I chose brown jasmine rice and I am really enjoying it. I cooked large quanities added just a little butter and it has been my meals when I feel hungry, I eat the rice, drink as much water as I can and of course, drink the carrot juice. (Side note: with the exception of carrot or beet juice, vegetable juice does not raise insulin levels like fruit juice.)
Since this is the first day on the fast and since I wasn't expecting to do it, I went to the store and bought Bolthouse Farms 100% carrot juice with nothing artificial added. That is the best choice next to actually juicing your own carrots at home, which I highly recommend. Later that evening, I did juice my own carrots. Fresh carrot juice is incredible tasting and you get the genuine, fresh nutritional value of vitamins in their raw state.
DAY 2: Wednesday, March 24
So as I am writing my progress, I was praying this morning and entering my 2nd day of fasting. God led me to read and meditate on John 3:10-21 & 1 Samuel 7:3-4. Then Samuel spoke to all the house of Israel, saying, "If you return to the LORD with all your heart, remove the foreign gods and the Ashtaroth from among you and direct your hearts to the LORD and serve Him alone; and He will deliver you from the hand of the Philistines." So the sons of Israel removed the Baals and the Ashtaroth and served the LORD alone.
Although I've also had limited quantities of tea and coffee. and a handful of peanuts and one banana, other than that I've stuck to the brown rice, water and carrot juice, completely. God is really blessing me on this fast. It does seem much easier than I ever imagined. I'm very amazed at how well I am doing. My mind is so focused on what really matters that my cravings have been reduced to hardly anything. Also, one tip was to chew cinnamon gum because the aromatic scent and flavor of cinnamon help reduce nicotine cravings. I've had some gum but I've managed to resist the cravings except for a couple of times throughout the day. I ended up smoking only 2 cigarettes yesterday, half of one at a time. I haven't been hungry at all.
DAY 3: Thursday, March 25
This fast has turned out to be an amazing experience. The heightened sensitivity is truly a natural high. I feel as though all my senses are alive again and as though my mind has been turned on again, like when you take your car in to get a tune up. You should only have a mechanic you trust do the tune-up. I'm trusting God to do my tune-up.
Am I encouraging everyone to fast? Not everything is for everyone. You know your body best and your circumstances but I encourage you to talk to God about it with a willing heart and you may discover an experience you never realized was available for you. It really is a great way to gain control of your body again and to be honest, sometimes I've felt like my body was wondering around with my brain on auto-pilot. I finally feel back in the driver's seat. I can see clearly now as though my brain has been defogged. I have a greater sense of what is really important all around me. So many stupid things distract us from being free. My health is important because I've got to keep my "vehicle" running for as long as possible so I can accomplish everything I was meant to do on this earth during the time I was meant to be here.
DAY 4: March 26 Today was the day I began to slowly come off the fast. Part of me didn't want to because I was still feeling euphoric, blessed and happy to have experienced this. I feel free from both nicotine and food addictions. I thank God for this experience and now have not only given up the nicotine but have also taken charge again of my body making it submit so that I can be led by the spirit and not the body. My mind, will and emotions are standing in agreement with my spirit, which I've surrendered to the Holy Spirit of God. I've actually dropped a few pounds too -- added bonus. My perspective and ability to focus on the "right" things is amazing. I remember making the choices that I acted on these last few days and doing things that I wouldn't have normally done. In one split second I decided to call a "distant relative" I hadn't forgiven yet. Since I couldn't get hold of this person for over a year, I thought surely I wouldn't get through but I did. When she answered, I could hear inside my head what I wanted to say but instead what came out of my mouth were just words of love and encouragement. It was commpletely a God moment. I know she felt better and I did too but I was certainly in shock by what just happened giving her encouragement and loving support instead of giving her a piece of my mind or my list of needs. Incredible.
The other experience was that I was in a grocery store. There was a toddler screaming and crying so hard and so loud that you could hear him from corner to corner of the 210,000 square feet of the store. Instead of getting on my nerves sending me over the edge, I was completely calm and in fact, I went around the corner of the isle, smiling and offered to help the young mother. She had her hands full with 2 children. It was probably the wrong thing to do because she just wrestled to control the toddler and get him back into the seat of the cart then took off. I seriously prayed for her and the child the rest of the time. I thought surely he would have given up after awhile but this lasted at least 30 minutes in the store before she got out of there. Imagine that as your grocery shopping experience every week. I've certainly got it easy compared to her life.
Just something I wanted to share.
I will say that forgiveness WAS a huge part of this experience this past week. I forgave myself for the hurtful things I've done to my body. I've forgiven family and friends. I've even forgiven my husband for the speeding ticket $125.00 that came in the mail today. That did upset me at first, but not as much as it would have any other time, and I calmed down and got everything into perspective. Its only money and what's done is done. No need to bring shame to him, I'm sure his own feelings about it will be enough for him to deal with, I don't need to make it worse. I just left it out on the table for him to see. Your sin will find you out. LOL
The following website has some amazing things to reveal about fasting. http://www.jentezenfranklin.org/fasting/fastingbasics.php
Tuesday, March 16, 2010
Sometimes you have to just get dirty!
Bleeding Knuckles - March 14th 2010
Sometimes you have to just get dirty and it was my turn to work the weekend at the duplex rental. Brian couldn't work the reno because he had to work the weekend at the store. I volunteered to put in my time to keep the reno moving forward. A little over a week ago we finally got started in the basement suite. I'm very anxious to see how it is going to evolve. That's what I loved most about the upstairs reno, which still needs more polishing touches before we can mark it off as completed. Meanwhile we're diving into the basement reno with anticipation to see how it is going to evolve as well.
So now I've rolled up my sleevs and I'm ready to tackle my list. Let me explain that although my list is half the length of the one upstairs, each task seems much harder to me. Now because these tasks are very physical (not something I am very adept at) and time consuming, I managed to only get 3 jobs done. I told myself, "Charlotte, tackle the hardest job first while you still have the energy level". So, I knuckled down (pardon the pun, you'll understand why later) and started scraping the hallway walls.
Let me explain why I had to scrape the walls. At one time in the life of this house somebody (it wasn't us) plastered the hallway with some form of stucco you might see on a ceiling. Then the walls were painted over several times (ok, that might have been us but I'm sure it was only once). Scraping walls was necessary and extremely hard to do! Let's just say that even the word "scraping" sounds painful and it was. Sometimes the tool I was using, well, actually the tool using the tool had an over-zealous moment. If you turn the thingymbob at just the wrong angle you can inflict pain on yourself as your knuckles scrape against the tiny, hard bumps along the wall. Actually this instrument of torture should have this warning: "Warning: this scraperthingy you just bought may result in bloody knuckles if not held at a 45* degree angle when in use". I don't know, something like that might have helped me or at least a scraper-do-dad lesson might have been in order.
My husband, a true handy man to have around, just isn't that handy when it comes to tidying up after himself. The upstairs kitchen and living room needed some organizing and general tidying up. I put all his tools in the storage room, picked up all the tools and product strewn all over the counter and then cleaned the sink and counter tops. I swept, picked up trash and recylables. By this time I took a lunch break. It was a beautiful day outside so I drove to Wendy's and got a salad, drove back to the duplex and sat outside in my car as I ate my lunch.
After lunch it was time to move on to the next task. I went back and tried a little more scraping but that didn't last long. Next I washed kitchen walls, although that was even more painful than the scraped knuckles. You see when you use TSP (heavy duty degreaser and all purpose cleaning product made with Trisodium phosphate) you really should wear rubber gloves. When we were cleaning up the debris from the kitchen demolition I already wore the rubber gloves for protection and gripping ability. I really don't recommend using rubber gloves as work gloves. I'm sure it was the nails that did them in. Rubber gloves do not withstand water or other strong, flesh eating liquids when they have holes in them. My fresh wounds came in contact with the TSP and the result was Terrible Stinging Pain.
The walls were stained with nicotine and sometimes I had to scrub really hard. I only say this because when I was done my finger tips were almost burning. Finally I headed back to the hallway and tried again to finish the scraping but by this time my arms are about to fall off so I finally had to call it quits.
Brian will just have to finish this tomorrow.
Sometimes you have to just get dirty and it was my turn to work the weekend at the duplex rental. Brian couldn't work the reno because he had to work the weekend at the store. I volunteered to put in my time to keep the reno moving forward. A little over a week ago we finally got started in the basement suite. I'm very anxious to see how it is going to evolve. That's what I loved most about the upstairs reno, which still needs more polishing touches before we can mark it off as completed. Meanwhile we're diving into the basement reno with anticipation to see how it is going to evolve as well.
So now I've rolled up my sleevs and I'm ready to tackle my list. Let me explain that although my list is half the length of the one upstairs, each task seems much harder to me. Now because these tasks are very physical (not something I am very adept at) and time consuming, I managed to only get 3 jobs done. I told myself, "Charlotte, tackle the hardest job first while you still have the energy level". So, I knuckled down (pardon the pun, you'll understand why later) and started scraping the hallway walls.
Let me explain why I had to scrape the walls. At one time in the life of this house somebody (it wasn't us) plastered the hallway with some form of stucco you might see on a ceiling. Then the walls were painted over several times (ok, that might have been us but I'm sure it was only once). Scraping walls was necessary and extremely hard to do! Let's just say that even the word "scraping" sounds painful and it was. Sometimes the tool I was using, well, actually the tool using the tool had an over-zealous moment. If you turn the thingymbob at just the wrong angle you can inflict pain on yourself as your knuckles scrape against the tiny, hard bumps along the wall. Actually this instrument of torture should have this warning: "Warning: this scraperthingy you just bought may result in bloody knuckles if not held at a 45* degree angle when in use". I don't know, something like that might have helped me or at least a scraper-do-dad lesson might have been in order.
My husband, a true handy man to have around, just isn't that handy when it comes to tidying up after himself. The upstairs kitchen and living room needed some organizing and general tidying up. I put all his tools in the storage room, picked up all the tools and product strewn all over the counter and then cleaned the sink and counter tops. I swept, picked up trash and recylables. By this time I took a lunch break. It was a beautiful day outside so I drove to Wendy's and got a salad, drove back to the duplex and sat outside in my car as I ate my lunch.
After lunch it was time to move on to the next task. I went back and tried a little more scraping but that didn't last long. Next I washed kitchen walls, although that was even more painful than the scraped knuckles. You see when you use TSP (heavy duty degreaser and all purpose cleaning product made with Trisodium phosphate) you really should wear rubber gloves. When we were cleaning up the debris from the kitchen demolition I already wore the rubber gloves for protection and gripping ability. I really don't recommend using rubber gloves as work gloves. I'm sure it was the nails that did them in. Rubber gloves do not withstand water or other strong, flesh eating liquids when they have holes in them. My fresh wounds came in contact with the TSP and the result was Terrible Stinging Pain.
The walls were stained with nicotine and sometimes I had to scrub really hard. I only say this because when I was done my finger tips were almost burning. Finally I headed back to the hallway and tried again to finish the scraping but by this time my arms are about to fall off so I finally had to call it quits.
Brian will just have to finish this tomorrow.
Wednesday, March 10, 2010
God directs our steps - He concerns himself with the details.
Some people don't believe the Bible should have so many translations and that some are better than others but I personally believe that regardless of which translation, God speaks to us using His Holy Word and quickens it to us just when and how we need to hear it for each day. The scripture God gave me today was in the New Living Translation:
Psalm 37:23 (New Living Translation)
"The steps of the godly are directed by the Lord. He delights in every detail of their lives."
Some other translations more readily recognized:
Psalm 37:23 (King James Version)
"The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD: and he delighteth in his way."
Psalm 37:23 (Amplified Bible)
"The steps of a [good] man are directed and established by the Lord when He delights in his way [and He busies Himself with his every step]."
Psalm 37:23 (English Standard Version)
"The steps of a man are established by the LORD,
when he delights in his way;"
Psalm 37:23 (New International Version)
"If the LORD delights in a man's way,
he makes his steps firm;"
Psalm 37:23 (New Living Translation)
"The steps of the godly are directed by the Lord. He delights in every detail of their lives."
Some other translations more readily recognized:
Psalm 37:23 (King James Version)
"The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD: and he delighteth in his way."
Psalm 37:23 (Amplified Bible)
"The steps of a [good] man are directed and established by the Lord when He delights in his way [and He busies Himself with his every step]."
Psalm 37:23 (English Standard Version)
"The steps of a man are established by the LORD,
when he delights in his way;"
Psalm 37:23 (New International Version)
"If the LORD delights in a man's way,
he makes his steps firm;"
Renovating my Faith
I'm thanking God for a lesson on faith today! Faith is accepting that God has answered your prayer resolving your need before you see the manifestation of it in completed form. Today I had such a perfect faith lesson I hope I can hold onto it.
I had several issues at work and another personal issue that were beyond my ability to resolve. In each case scenario, I needed help from outside sources to resolve. Obviously I needed His awesome power to influence and arrange each resolution from several business professionals in various fields: banking, lawyers, immigration officers, etc.
I cried out to God for help and He heard me. In each circumstance, He helped me. I watched as each problem, one by one, was turned over to the professional in their field. Instantly I felt the relief of burden although I did not see the completed resolution, I had given it to the one that had the power to resolve each issue. I never worried about whether they were qualified or how they would resolve it but I let go of each burden as they took it upon themselves to carry out their tasks toward a resolution.
What a valuable lesson! Why, God, when I lift up my voice in prayer and give you my “burden” – that thing that concerns me and weights me down with worry and/or fear, why do I continue to worry about it as though you would fail me. I seem to have more faith in a human being in his/her professional ability than I do in the Almighty One and Only Living God, all powerful. I felt ashamed when I realize whom I had really put my trust in.
For example, to have authorized documents from the government I was required to follow through their slow, lengthy process and red tape. My form I sent in was returned to me twice and now it looked like I would have to complete yet another unforeseen step in the paperwork process. This step required certifying a copy of one of my documents. This certified copy would be the final document needed to satisfy the proper authorities and complete my application.
While I was at work, it suddenly came to me to call my friend, who works for an accountant. She confirmed that she was a “commissioner of oaths”, which means she had the power to certify the copy of the document I needed. I was so instantly relieved. We made an appointment to meet each other for lunch the next day and she would take care of it. I didn’t doubt her ability at all. I didn’t doubt her authority. I didn’t doubt that she would hold true to her word. I saw the situation already completed and finished! To me it was as good as done, as though I already had the completed, authorized document in my hand. Even though I still had to wait until tomorrow to meet with her to actually certify the copy, then send it registered mail to the governmental powers that be, which meant another 30 - 60 days until it was approved and then delivered by the post office into my hands. Right now, today, I don’t have that final approved documentation from the government but it was as good as done, that’s how I felt. All because my friend said she would do it for me. I took it in good faith.
Why is that easier than actually praying and giving a problem to God, trusting him to complete what I have entrusted to him? My life lesson today was on trusting God for the final answer as though I already have it in my possession right now. God promised – so I believe him! And that is faith. Selah
I had several issues at work and another personal issue that were beyond my ability to resolve. In each case scenario, I needed help from outside sources to resolve. Obviously I needed His awesome power to influence and arrange each resolution from several business professionals in various fields: banking, lawyers, immigration officers, etc.
I cried out to God for help and He heard me. In each circumstance, He helped me. I watched as each problem, one by one, was turned over to the professional in their field. Instantly I felt the relief of burden although I did not see the completed resolution, I had given it to the one that had the power to resolve each issue. I never worried about whether they were qualified or how they would resolve it but I let go of each burden as they took it upon themselves to carry out their tasks toward a resolution.
What a valuable lesson! Why, God, when I lift up my voice in prayer and give you my “burden” – that thing that concerns me and weights me down with worry and/or fear, why do I continue to worry about it as though you would fail me. I seem to have more faith in a human being in his/her professional ability than I do in the Almighty One and Only Living God, all powerful. I felt ashamed when I realize whom I had really put my trust in.
For example, to have authorized documents from the government I was required to follow through their slow, lengthy process and red tape. My form I sent in was returned to me twice and now it looked like I would have to complete yet another unforeseen step in the paperwork process. This step required certifying a copy of one of my documents. This certified copy would be the final document needed to satisfy the proper authorities and complete my application.
While I was at work, it suddenly came to me to call my friend, who works for an accountant. She confirmed that she was a “commissioner of oaths”, which means she had the power to certify the copy of the document I needed. I was so instantly relieved. We made an appointment to meet each other for lunch the next day and she would take care of it. I didn’t doubt her ability at all. I didn’t doubt her authority. I didn’t doubt that she would hold true to her word. I saw the situation already completed and finished! To me it was as good as done, as though I already had the completed, authorized document in my hand. Even though I still had to wait until tomorrow to meet with her to actually certify the copy, then send it registered mail to the governmental powers that be, which meant another 30 - 60 days until it was approved and then delivered by the post office into my hands. Right now, today, I don’t have that final approved documentation from the government but it was as good as done, that’s how I felt. All because my friend said she would do it for me. I took it in good faith.
Why is that easier than actually praying and giving a problem to God, trusting him to complete what I have entrusted to him? My life lesson today was on trusting God for the final answer as though I already have it in my possession right now. God promised – so I believe him! And that is faith. Selah
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