I will respond

      Faith walkers! It’s been a long time since I last wrote for my blog. So much has been going on that sometimes it’s hard to keep up.  There are also times when I finally get some time to relax and all I want to do is sleep or catch up with shows on Netflix and Hulu. I have to do better at prioritizing my time with work and my personal brand. If others can do it, I know I can as well! 

     One thing I have learned during this hiatus is to ALWAYS listen to God the first time. Oftentimes I underestimate myself when it comes to hearing God’s voice. I’ll hear God speak to me just as clear as if I was on the phone with someone and ask myself, “Did God really tell me that?” And then I’ll keep asking for more and more signs, knowing good and well I heard God the first time. I can laugh about it now but honestly, I bet God was saying, “Really
Tyrah?” But I’m so thankful for his grace and never giving up on me. 

     A month ago, I went through a bad breakup....well "ending". It was truly devastating how it ended and even harder to keep my mouth closed about it. My flesh wanted to curse him out. My flesh wanted to let everyone know my side of the story so that they could curse him out too. My flesh wanted to give up on all future relationships to save myself from getting hurt again. The flesh will try to make you do so many things out of character. As much as I wanted to get ratchet on the gram, twitter and text messaging, The Lord’s peace rested upon me. Instead of going off, I prayed. I prayed for peace and I prayed for a soft heart. I even prayed for him. My heart was hardened y’all, and if I explained the situation, it would've been justified by a lot of people. 

      As mentioned in a previous post, I have a bible study group and each week one of us will give the word. It was my week to give the word and I knew it would be a little difficult for me, but I wanted to push through. I prayed and asked God to send me something that will not only help my friends, but myself as well. He led me to the book of Ephesians.

     Chapter 4, verse 29 says, “Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.” 

Whew. Just when I wanted to act up God told me to relax. So then I kept reading to verse 31.

     “Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you. 

 God knows just what we need to read. 

     After I read those verses, I was reminded how our actions should reflect our faith. Our faith pleases the Lord. At all times people should be able to look at us and see the God inside us. How are we responding to things that try to set us off track? How are we responding to our brothers and sisters in Christ? 

 When was a time you were tested to respond as a Christian? Did you pass the test? How are we responding to our trials?

     Sometimes it’s hard to respond in a godly way, but it feels so great to respond in love. We have the power to respond the way Jesus would want us to. Remember that the enemy’s job is to try to kill, steal and destroy but God has given us POWER. Although it may not feel good, it’s all working out for your good! It pleases the Lord when we remain in him and respond in love. I’ve learned that God does not play about his children and will handle all trials that may try to steal our joy and peace. 

     Like I stated earlier, I should have listened to God the first time. I did not, but I have repented and I feel so much better than I did a month ago. I am thankful for God’s peace. I am thankful that he got me out of a situation before it was too late, even when I was second guessing myself. 

      God is so incredibly good! There is no situation too big or too hard for God to handle. He has given us the strength to keep pressing on towards our goals.