Verse of the Day – Exodus 14:14, Fix-It With Fran: All Things Faith, Family, Food, Fun and more!

The Lord himself will fight for you. Just stay calm.”

Today’s verse of the day is RIGHT on TIME. I love how this particular translation instructs us to “stay calm.” (in contrast with others that tell us to “be still.”)

2018 has been quite the year, indeed and staying in/returning to a state of calm (#ProtectYourPeace) has been essential in dealing with all of the circumstances I’ve encountered thus far.

First Brandon’s Flu turned Pneumonia, I started a new job (#Hospice #HeartOfASocialWorker) and recently I’ve had my own series of health challenges. Topped off with a recent, 4-car rear end collision this week.

I’m grateful to have walked away from the incident without any major injuries, but as an individual who experiences chronic joint pain, whiplash is definitely challenging.

BUT GOD. I’m STILL HERE!

I’ve not been active on social media, but happened to log on yesterday and one of my favorite blogs/Facebook pages, Hope for the BrokenHearted, had just the encouragement I needed.

Living With Chronic Pain

If there’s anything I have learned over the years, it’s that VERY FEW people understand what it is like to live with chronic pain. The image above really conveys the experience very well.

Although it can be different for everyone and occur at varying extremes, I would imagine with some certainty that most individuals with chronic pain experience each of these phases in no certain order.

I have some days/weeks/months that are VERY good and then others that are not so good.

When my hip pain flares up, I always think of Jacob and say to myself– God I’m not letting go until you Bless me! (That’s the AME Zion, Sunday/ Vacation Bible School baby in me. I know ALL my Bible Stories…😄… But I really do think of that. I just refuse to believe that this recurring pain is without PURPOSE).

I know some may wonder how you can believe God for things (be they physical, spiritual, financial, etc.) while you continue living with chronic pain?

My answer: It’s an exercise. That’s why I often call this my “faith walk.” I have to continue to walk this thing out until I see what it is that I’m believing God for.

The same way I can work out and adjust my eating habits to see the weight-loss/muscle gain that I desire. It doesn’t always happen as quickly as I might desire it to, but I keep going…..

I keep going because I fully understand that I may not receive my total healing on THIS side of Heaven. I can say that with peace in my heart and mind because I TRUST, RESPECT and HONOR the SOVEREIGNTY of God.

His plan for my life is PERFECT and I’ve seen this “setback” serve as a blessing more times that you’d imagine.

I often work with seniors and it’s AMAZING how my ability to describe the ache and discomfort of joint pain breaks down this invisible barrier during our initial encounter.

It’s no longer, “Young Social Worker” and “Senior Patient,” but two people who understand and connect with one another’s physical pain.

There’s true empathy rather than sympathy. It’s a POWERFUL experience.

I have to continue to walk this thing out until I see what it is that I’m believing God for.

I’m STILL HERE!

Needless to say, 2018 has been ‘no crystal stair, but I’m STILL HERE; I’m #OnAMission and #iPRESS because #PURPOSE is waiting!

Please keep us in your prayers. I’m on driving restriction for the next week and the husband has to drive me around (as pictured, below).🙏🏾😄😎💖

I also hope to get back to blogging more regularly, once I am fully recovered and adjusted to my new role. I have a few other updates coming that I’m excited to share with y’all and (prayerfully) some of the elements I introduced last year will be making a triumphant return!

As long as I’m still breathing, there’s DESTINY for me

— there’s HOPE for tomorrow.

I’m STILL HERE

~Travis Greene “Still Here”

Scriptures for Additional Encouragement and Meditation

Hebrews 11: 1-3 Amplified Bible, Classic Edition (AMPC)
11 Now faith is the assurance (the confirmation, the title deed) of the things [we] hope for, being the proof of things [we] do not see and the conviction of their reality [faith perceiving as real fact what is not revealed to the senses].

2 For by [faith—trust and holy fervor born of faith] the men of old had divine testimony borne to them and obtained a good report.

3 By faith we understand that the worlds [during the successive ages] were framed (fashioned, put in order, and equipped for their intended purpose) by the word of God, so that what we see was not made out of things which are visible.

Psalm 28:7 New Living Translation (NLT)
7 The Lord is my strength and shield.
I trust him with all my heart.
He helps me, and my heart is filled with joy.
I burst out in songs of thanksgiving.

James 2:14-26 The Message (MSG)
Faith in Action
…21-24 Wasn’t our ancestor Abraham “made right with God by works” when he placed his son Isaac on the sacrificial altar? Isn’t it obvious that faith and works are yoked partners, that faith expresses itself in works? That the works are “works of faith”? The full meaning of “believe” in the Scripture sentence, “Abraham believed God and was set right with God,” includes his action. It’s that mesh of believing and acting that got Abraham named “God’s friend.” Is it not evident that a person is made right with God not by a barren faith but by faith fruitful in works?….

2 Corinthians 4:17-18 New Living Translation (NLT) For our present troubles are small and won’t last very long. Yet they produce for us a glory that vastly outweighs them and will last forever! So we don’t look at the troubles we can see now; rather, we fix our gaze on things that cannot be seen. For the things we see now will soon be gone, but the things we cannot see will last forever.”

Psalm 46:1-2 New Living Translation (NLT) “God is our refuge and strength, always ready to help in times of trouble.”

Lamentations 3:22-24 Amplified Bible, Classic Edition (AMPC) “Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. I say to myself, “The Lord is my portion; therefore I will wait for him.”