There are days when it is easy to be joyful, happy, positive. You feel hope and confident that you can handle whatever comes your way. And there are days when depression, discouragement, negativity all seem rolled into one, and it is truly difficult to see the light at the end of the tunnel. I personally would love it if every day could be a “great” day. But, the reality is that some days will always be easier than others.
    Last week, I shared about the goodness of God. My focus was the song “The Goodness” sung by Toby Mac and Blessing Offor. I choose to continue along the same vein. There is still more encouragement to be had from this song. The third verse speaks of an eclectic mix of things that can remind us of God’s goodness:
        You are the joy 
        You're the smile on the face of Your boy 
        You're the flowers at that park in Detroit
        Still the words on the back of our coins
        Let's make some noise
Nothing about this verse seems linked. Yet, at the end of the day, no matter what we go through, there is ALWAYS something that reveals God’s goodness to us. It’s about appreciating the little things, those insignificant things that we take for granted. 1 Thessalonians 5:18 says: “In everything give thanks, for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.” Some may interpret this verse to mean that we should be thankful for everything, both good and bad. Others may see it as being thankful even while going through a difficult season. However you view it, I believe God wants us to see His goodness in the big and little things, as well as in the good seasons and in the bad.
    A few mornings ago, I got up and decided to spend some time in prayer. I got up with the intention of bringing something that was bothering me before God. Instead, I found myself being thankful. God took charge of my entire prayer time and what should have been me reaching out to God for help, turned into a beautiful session of thanksgiving! God helped me to realise what was really important. He shifted my focus so that I found myself being able to see His goodness in the midst of a variety of negative situations. I found myself being amazed as God helped me see how good He has truly been to me over the years. It did not matter anymore what I had actually gotten up to pray about, God’s goodness became my focus. The problem I wanted to pray about became but a small thing and I believe I had more peace in that atmosphere of thanksgiving than if I had spent a whole hour crying out to Him!
    I encourage you today to shift your focus a bit. Life is what it is yet, God is still good in spite of everything! No, your problem is no less stressful or painful but remembering God’s goodness can be the strength you need to cope. God’s goodness can be the peace you need in the midst of your storm. It can be the hope and reminder that God is with you while you are going through. Knowing that you are not alone can help you be confident that you are going to make it. Yes, God is still good no matter what!
    If you have not accepted Jesus Christ into your life as your personal Lord and Saviour, I invite you to make that step now. God wants to be there for you and with you. He wants to be the One you turn to no matter what you are facing. Give Him that chance to show His goodness to you today.​

    Ain't no doubt about You
    Everywhere that I go You keep showin' up
    Lord, You make me wanna shout it, oh
    You're the goodness in my life 
    (“The Goodness” sung by Toby Mac and Blessing Offor)
    Life is filled with both ups and downs. We cannot have one without the other and recently I was suddenly hit with one of those downs. But, what I love about God is that He doesn’t allow you to stay down, He always finds ways to give you the pick-me-up He knows you need.
    While feeling very discouraged, I found myself watching the 2022 Dove Awards on Youtube. From the first song that kicked off this event I began to feel encouraged. But there was one song that caused me to say to myself “That’s for me.” It was a song sung by Toby Mac and Blessing Offor entitled: “The Goodness.” I think what really brought it home for me was Toby Mac’s introduction to the song. He spoke about the death of his oldest son and how God helped him in the midst of tragedy to write such an upbeat song. God was still good. Part of the first verse is as follows:
    You made the rain so when it falls on me
    Should I complain or feel You callin' me
    It's all on me to stay and really catch what You're showin'
    It's my roots that You're growin’ ‘cause life is more than this moment
    Whether we like it or not, life is going to happen yet, it is so important to learn what God is showing us through those seasons. We can easily get caught up in what happened and why it happened that we end up missing the important lessons God is teaching us. Toby Mac had unexpectedly lost his oldest son. Blessing Offor had completely lost his sight as a young boy. Yet, they recognised that in spite of the bad that had come their way, GOD WAS STILL GOOD. God did not stop being good because bad things had happened. He was still good. Period.
    I am reminded here of the story of Job. What Job went through was nothing short of tragic as one tragedy after the next ripped through his life leaving him shocked, confused and grieving. Yet, he refused to deny or turn his back on his God. As far as he was concerned, worship was his option. Although he had many questions and was amply supplied by “friends” with reasons as to why tragedy had come his way, as well as suggestions on how he should respond, he chose to worship his God (Job 1:20). God was still good. That had not changed even though he had lost so much. 
    Psalm 27:13 says, “I remain confident of this: I will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living.” When our hope is in God, we can expect Him to be there for us and to strengthen us as we go through difficult situations. We can have hope that He will bring good out of our challenging circumstances and that what we will learn at those times will make us stronger, wiser and better. God never fails.
    This is what I am learning as I go through my own challenges. God is still good no matter what! That doesn’t change even though I may have a good day or a bad day. And, it is a truth that gives me hope in the midst of any situation. 
    So, whatever you are facing today, I am not going to promise you that things will get better overnight but I can tell you that God will never leave you alone in your situation and that He will give you the strength and grace you need to make it through. You are going to make it! He is still good no matter what!
    If you have not accepted Jesus Christ into your life as your personal Lord and Saviour, I encourage you to do so now. God wants to be your strength and support so that as you go through life’s challenges, you can be encouraged that you will see God’s goodness no matter what you go through.

Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruit (Proverbs 18:21).
    Over the years, I have learned to take these words seriously and am still learning to watch what I say. When we are in challenging situations it can be so difficult to speak those words that can bring life and help us to overcome. 
    I was listening to a testimony from Virginia who was diagnosed with sinus issues that became so painful that it hurt her to even blink. She refused the medication the doctor prescribed and opted instead to use the over-the-counter drug, Ibuprofen. She also prayed and trusted God for her healing and God encouraged her that this too will pass. One night, the pain and pressure became so bad that she began to walk the floor declaring God’s Word for her healing. Some time later, she listened to a christian program and during the time of prayer, she received her healing. She acknowledges that her condition may not seem as serious as others but it was serious for her. Her experience taught her to trust God instead of choosing to fall apart. She was encouraged that God loves her and He is faithful.
    As I listened to her story, one of the things that caught my attention was the fact that when things became really bad she began to pace the floor declaring God’s Word over herself and her situation. She could have chosen to think and to speak her negative situation - after all that would have been the common, even normal thing to do. However, she chose to speak God’s promises for her healing over her life, expecting and trusting God to come through for her. I can tell you from experience that it can be so easy to speak and declare negative words as fear grips you. It can be easy to forget that God is right there with you and that He desires to help you through. Virginia was believing God for her healing but the journey towards that healing was fraught with obstacles and challenges and her faith was consequently tested. Yet, she chose to use her tongue to speak life instead of death, to speak healing instead of sickness and God came through for her.
    I am reminded of the Shunammite woman in 2 Kings 4:8-37. She and her husband would accommodate the prophet Elisha whenever he passed through their town. To reward her for her kind hospitality, Elisha asked if there was anything he could do for her. He found out that she had no son and promised that a year later she would bear a son. Unfortunately, however, one day the child got sick and died and she took him to the man of God, Elisha. Interestingly, when asked about her child’s well-being she responded: “It is well.” Yes, she could have honestly revealed that something was wrong but instead she used her tongue to utter the words: “It is well.” The man of God prayed and the child was revived. As far as the mother was concerned, God had promised her a son and I believe she chose to hold on to God’s promise to her. I also believe that her faith, spoken through her words of faith, contributed to her son coming back to life.
    What are you choosing to speak today - words of life or words of death? I like the way the Message version puts it: “Words kill, words give life; they’re either poison or fruit - you choose.” The choice is still ours. I have learned over the years to speak words that align with God’s Word - not because I was seeing something positive happening but in spite of the negative that I was experiencing. I encourage you to declare God’s Word over your situation instead of negative words based on fear and discouragement. Let God’s Word be your final word!
    If you have not accepted Jesus Christ into your life as your personal Lord and Saviour, I encourage you to do so now. God has provided us with the tools we need to live and thrive in this life. His Word is one of our most powerful tools. Let’s use it!​

    “Blessed is she who believed, for there will be a fulfillment of those things which were told her from the Lord” (Luke 1:45). 
    When God gives us a promise we expect that things will go well. However, that is not always the case and His Word and prayer is what we have to hold on to when our promise from Him seems threatened.
    This was the case with Ashleigh who received a promise from God that she would have a baby girl named Mila. When she became pregnant through in vitro fertilisation, she and her husband, Travis, were ecstatic. However, eighteen weeks into her pregnancy, an ultrasound revealed that her amniotic fluid was leaking. Her doctor told her that her daughter did not have enough amniotic fluid to practice breathing so her lungs would not fully develop and she would suffocate. She consequently advised her to abort the baby. However, in complete faith, Ashleigh refused to follow this advice. So, for the next five weeks, she went on bed rest while family and friends prayed for Mila. She also clung to God’s promise that she was not alone and was encouraged by Luke 1:45. She expected that God would keep His promise and that she would have a healthy baby. At twenty-three weeks her amniotic fluid was still low and she was admitted to the hospital where she received antibiotics and steroids to help in Mila’s development. They were not sure she would develop even if she made it to full term but Ashleigh was not worried. She expected that her daughter would have no deformities or abnormalities. Doctors also expected her to complete her remaining ten to twelve weeks in the hospital. However, a week and a half after being admitted, on her thirty-third birthday, an ultrasound revealed that her amniotic fluid levels were normal. She was able to return home for her birthday. She remained on bed rest and when the time came, delivered a healthy baby girl. 
    I have listened to this testimony a few times and every time I hear the part about her amniotic fluid levels becoming normal, tears fill my eyes. It’s a reminder to me that my God is able to do the impossible. Even when the experts give advice based on facts, God’s Word and promises to us have a way of refuting those facts.
    I am reminded of Jeremiah 32:27 which says: “Behold, I am the Lord, the God of all flesh. Is there anything too hard for Me?” Jeremiah had received a word from the Lord that Judah was going to be taken captive by Babylon. Yet, in spite of this, God told  him to buy a field belonging to his nephew. It did not make sense because the Jews were about to lose their city to their enemies, the Chaldeans! Yet, God gave this instruction knowing that their land would eventually be restored to them. Jeremiah went to God with his doubts about what He had asked him to do but God encouraged him by reminding him that nothing was too difficult for Him to accomplish.
    I believe this is God’s Word to us today, that nothing is too hard for Him to do. It is a reminder that has served to encourage me over the years as I faced various  challenging situations. Luke 1:45 is, I believe, another word of encouragement to us today. It is a reminder to us to have faith, to hope in God because He will fulfil what He has promised us.
    What has God promised you today - in your marriage, your family, your finances, your job, your health? Don’t give up. Don’t stop believing just because obstacles are presenting themselves. God still has the final say. His Word will not return to Him void but will accomplish what He desires it to accomplish (Isaiah 55:11). Be encouraged!
    If you have not accepted Jesus Christ into your life as your personal Lord and Saviour, please do so now. God is not a man that He should lie (Numbers 23:19), He is not slow in keeping His promises to us (2 Peter 3:9). If He says it, that settles it. He will fulfil His promises to you!

    Sometimes in our effort to escape one problem, we jump straight into another one worse than what we ran away from. This was the case with Joy, a human traffic victim, who found herself trapped in sex slavery for twelve years. 
    She was adopted at a very early age into a loving, Christian home where she developed a love for the piano. However, in her teenage years, she turned to marijuana and alcohol in order to fit in with her peers. She also left home because she did not want to abide by her parents’ rules. During this time, in order to make money, she turned to prostitution and was subsequently introduced to crack cocaine. The latter helped her to mentally and emotionally survive her life of prostitution. 
    After several years she began to long for a normal life and one day, she cried out to God for help. God answered two days later. Her pimp was the target of an FBI human trafficking sting operation and when she was called to a hotel room to supposedly meet with a client, she was met by FBI agents who had come to rescue her. A female advocate for human traffic victims attended to her and told her that God had sent them to tell her that He loves her and that this was her way out and that if she would give her life to Him, He would set her free. She went on to tell her that she had worth and value and that God would take her out of her darkness. Today, Joy’s life has completely changed and she has returned to her music which she uses to worship God.
    This testimony caught my attention because like so many stories, it is a story of hope. As dark and as long as Joy’s torment seemed, it did not last forever. Many times, it can be easy to feel as if our tragic circumstances will never end. In Psalm 13:1 David cries out to God in similar fashion: "How long, O Lord? Will You forget me forever? How long will You hide Your face from me?"
    David clearly felt isolated and alone. He longed for deliverance and did not know how much longer he could go on. Yet, he trusted in his God. Although God seemed to be taking long to come to his aid, he expected Him to rescue him: “But I have trusted in Your mercy, my heart shall rejoice in Your salvation” (v. 5). The answer had not yet come but he lived in hope that God would not fail him, that He would come through for him.
    We, too, need to live in this hope. It’s not a hope in our ability to rescue ourselves but in God’s ability and in His desire to do so. God has promised to never leave us nor abandon us. Simply put, no matter what we are going through or how long it may take, God is right there with us and at the right time, He WILL deliver us!
    When Joy cried out to God, she did not get an answer right away. And, when the answer came, it came directly to her and for her. That is what is so beautiful to me. Help came with her name on it. The FBI agents and the human trafficking advocate came just for her and with a special message from God just for her! God can be so personal and He knows exactly how to assure us of His love and care for us!
    God knows where you are at right now. He sees and feels your desperation and your desire to give up. But, don’t you dare give up! Help is closer than you think. God will be there right on time! Don’t. Give. Up!
    If you have not accepted Jesus Christ into your life as your personal Lord and Saviour, I encourage you to do so now. God loves you so much and desires to rescue you out of every hurtful and painful situation you may have found yourself in. He is NOT blind to your tears or deaf to your cries. He sees, He hears, He cares and He will deliver you at just the right time!
​

    While we are going through storms we don’t always see God at work. It is sometimes in retrospect that we are able to see that God’s hand was there all along, guiding us and keeping us.
    This brings me to the testimony of two friends, Mark and Brad, who went mountain climbing on Mt Rainier in Washington, USA. Their ascent was event free and they were able to reach the top of the mountain without incident. However, on their way back down, the weather suddenly changed and they were faced with a blizzard. They finally realised that in order to survive the weather, they would have to dig a snow cave. They dug for seven hours with the help of the shovels they had brought. They remained trapped on the mountain for three days while prayer went out on their behalf. When the weather cleared they were able to make it down the mountain. They were rescued along the way and taken to hospital where they were treated.
    During their ordeal, they prayed for wisdom. Although they had no clue they would go through this experience, God had them covered. They had all the supplies they needed; He directed them to dig a snow cave to shelter them from the storm; the signal they sent out did reach the help they needed although they themselves had no clue if their attempt was successful. One interesting thing that really showed God in the midst of their situation was Mark’s shovel. When he got off the mountain he discovered that, unknown to him while on the mountain, part of the shovel was broken thus making it defective, yet, this was the same shovel that had enabled him to successfully dig that snow cave for seven hours!
    Psalm 46:1 says that God is a present help in trouble. God will be there for us when we need it and He can use anything to provide the help we need. I always like to refer to David because he faced some insurmountable challenges yet, every step of the way God was there for him and always brought him through. He spent years running from king Saul and there was even a time when God used the Philistines - Israelite enemies - to protect David because they believed that he was now on their side (1 Samuel 27). As I said God will use anything or anyone to help us in our time of need.
    I encourage you today to trust God. We don’t always see His hand while going through challenges but it is there, guiding us, leading us, sustaining us. God knows exactly how to take care of us when we are in trouble and He will never abandon us in our time of need. So, take heart. Whether you can see it or not, God is right there helping you through. You are not alone.
    If you have not accepted Jesus Christ into your life as your personal Lord and Saviour, I invite you to make that step now. God wants to be your Protector, Deliverer and Saviour. He will never fail you, He will never abandon you so, be encouraged!

    I have chosen to continue with the song “Firm Foundation” by Cody Carnes. I gleaned so much encouragement and strength from it, I am choosing to pull as much from it as possible.
    I love the entire song, but there’s a part that really spoke to me - the bridge. It highlights the reality of the challenges of life. We can’t always escape them but we can survive in the midst of them (Matthew 7:24-25).
    Rain came, wind blew
    But my house was built on you
    I’m safe with you 
    I’m gonna make it through.
​I was first introduced to this song during my own storm. I was scrolling through some worship videos on YouTube when I decided to listen to this one. It was new to me but one morning as I awoke I heard over and over again in my mind the words, “I’m gonna make it through.” I don’t think I even remembered immediately where I had heard that line but when I did remember, I pulled up the song and it became a great source of hope and encouragement for me during trying times. 
    I recall even now a testimony I listened to recently about Ryan, an eighteen-year old young man who suffered severe injury after a ski accident. His L1 vertebrae had been shattered and he faced the possibility that he might never walk again. He was scared but he prayed and trusted in his God. His family also rallied around him in prayer. To make a long story short, through prayer, therapy and sheer determination, he gradually regained feeling below his waist and was able to walk and continues to do so with the help of orthopaedic braces. He was afraid he might not have been able to cross the stage in his graduation on his own to accept his diploma … but he did! 
    Testimonies like Ryan’s of how God intervenes in impossible situations is a reminder to us that once we build our house on God, the rains and the winds of life will not be able to prevail against us! We are safe in Christ and we have the confidence that we are going to make it! This faith is usually NOT based on what the eyes can see or our feelings experience, but strictly on what God’s Word says and on HIS ability - not ours - to do impossible things.
    If you have not accepted Jesus Christ into your life as your personal Lord and Saviour, I encourage you to do so now.You have nothing to lose when you choose to put your trust in God. We cannot get away from the storms of life but when our life is hidden in God, we are safe and nothing can prevail against us!

   I’ve still got joy in chaos
    I’ve got peace that makes no sense
    I’m not going under, 
    I’m not held by my own strength 
    ‘Cause I’ve built my life on Jesus
    He’s never let me down
    He’s faithful through every season
   So why should He fail now?
​                                                                                                   (“Firm Foundation," Cody Carnes)
I love the second verse of this song. It speaks of resilience and hope. Imagine experiencing joy and peace when you are supposed to be experiencing sorrow and turmoil. Outside of Christ, this would be a difficult task but in Him … let’s just say that nothing is impossible! But it also speaks of the reality that time and time again God brings us through various trials and tests. While we are going through God gives us the strength to keep our head above water and to just keep going.
    Psalm 34:1 comes to my mind. David was on the run from a very jealous King Saul. He escaped ironically to their enemies, the Philistines, and attempted to find refuge there. He went to Achish the king of Gath hoping he would not be recognized. Unfortunately for him, the servants of Achish recognised him (1 Samuel 21:11). He had to act quickly. He decided to pretend madness in front of them (v. 13) and scratched the gate and allowed himself to dribble down on his beard. His plan worked and the king drove him from their city (vv. 14-15). Because of this escape from his enemies he penned Psalm 34.
    "I will bless the Lord at all times: His praise shall continually be in
    my mouth. This poor man cried and the Lord heard him and saved 
    him out of all his troubles. The angel of the Lord encampeth round         
    about them that fear Him and delivereth them." (vv. 1,6,7)
David knew the many times God had delivered him from trouble, the many times God had kept and sustained him while he was being pursued by his enemies. He understood where his help came from and like the lyrics in the song, he understood, I am sure, that he was not held by his own strength and that he would never go under because his foundation was built on his God, a God who consistently did not let him down and who was faithful in his good seasons and in his bad.
    I can relate to David in different ways. I have seen time and again when God has delivered me from impossible situations. I am so confident now that Jesus will never leave me nor forsake me that when times are tough that confidence is where my strength comes from - knowing that Jesus is right there with me, that I am not alone and that He will will never fail me.
    I usually say that challenges are going to come whether we like it or not. However, God is our strength and shield. We CAN have joy in chaos, peace that makes no sense and the confidence that we will NOT go under because our God, the only true and living God will sustain us and keep us!
    If you have not accepted Jesus Christ into your life as your personal Lord and Saviour, I encourage you to make that step now! Jesus will never leave you nor fail you. He will always be there, giving you the strength you need to go through any trial and the ability to come out victorious no matter what!

   There is a little story in the Bible that Jesus tells His disciples to encourage them to obey His Word. In Matthew 7:24-25 Jesus compares those who both hear and do His Word to a house that is built on a rock. When the rain, flood waters and winds came and beat against that house it did not fall but was able to stand because it was built on a rock. 
    That portion of Scripture has come back to me during a challenging season in my life. I am reminded of it thanks to a song by Cody Carnes entitled, "Firm Foundation (He won’t)." This song has become like an anthem to me. From the very first verse we are reminded of God’s sovereignty and His inability to fail. 
    Christ is my firm foundation the Rock on which I stand
    When everything around me is shaken I’ve never been more glad
    That I put my faith in Jesus ‘cause He’s never let me down
    He’s faithful through generations so why would He fail now?
    He won’t
The reality is that when you choose to make Jesus your foundation, your focus, your strength and support, you can rest assured that you are “safe.” He is obligated to cover you, protect you, keep you safe in His arms and care … but you MUST trust Him!
    Why do you think King David survived trial after trial? Why do you think He was a man after God’s own heart? He put his complete trust, faith and confidence in his God. Even when he failed he turned his focus and his heart right back to his God and trusted Him to see him through. Whether he was being pursued by King Saul who wanted to kill him or betrayed by his son, Absalom, who tried to take the kingdom away from him many years later when he was king, he trusted in his God. A number of his psalms reveal his choice to trust in his God in times of trouble: For in the time of trouble He shall hide me in His pavilion. In the secret place of His tabernacle He shall hide me, He shall set me high upon a rock (Psalm 27:5); The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusted in Him and I am helped (Psalm 28:7a). 
    Who are you putting your trust in - family, friends, some other source? Over the years, God has been teaching me to put my trust totally and completely in Him. There was a time when family and friends may have been my first line of support.  I realise now that I am running to people first less and less. In recent years, God has been teaching me to run to Him first. It’s a choice to trust Him above all others, to believe and understand that He and He alone can and will get me through whatever situation I may be going through. It’s not that people cannot help but God wants to be my first line of protection and defense; the One I run to first when I am facing challenges. God has never failed me; He has never abandoned me; He has never let me down. I am glad that I can speak from experience instead of simply through the testimony of others. I encourage you as well to let God be the first One you run to. Stand on His Word, it will not fail you. When family, friends and others fail you, just know that God never will. His Word is sure and it must accomplish what He desires it to accomplish (Isaiah 55:11). 
    If you have not accepted Jesus Christ into your life as your personal Lord and Saviour, I encourage you to do so now because when life’s storms come your way - and they will - you need a solid and safe foundation to stand on. Jesus is that foundation and He will never leave you, forsake you or fail you. Just trust Him!

    I recently watched an inspiring movie called “Not Broken.” It’s about a young girl named Winter who was born with dyslexia. Her learning disability made school life difficult even when she changed from a regular school to a special school. The one thing she was good at was art. Unfortunately, her mother did not support her because of her own disappointment as a child living with a father who was an artist. As Winter got older she grew increasingly discouraged and finally dropped out of school. She attempted to work in various jobs but even this turned out to be a failure. She was discouraged, depressed and felt as if she was not good enough. 
    She finally decided to turn to her art and showed her work to a local curator. Although the woman liked her work it was not the style she was looking for. Sad and disappointed, she burned all of her pieces except for one. She finally met another curator who saw her ability and who was willing to showcase her work in her art gallery. By this time, her mother began to realise the value of her ability and finally gave the support needed. 
    Winter may have been dyslexic and may have felt damaged or broken but she was not. She just had to find what she was good at and fit in where God had created her to fit in. She did not have to be like everyone else, she just needed to be herself. I love the way she expressed it when she finally realised her value. She said: “Our differences don’t diminish our value, that’s what makes us special!” Before she came to this realization, however, you could almost feel her sense of hopelessness as each effort to make something of herself was met with failure. Many of us I am sure can relate. We may not have a learning disability like Winter but there may be some area in our life where we feel “disabled,” some area that makes us feel inadequate. However, that area does not define us and does not determine our worth or value. God does that.
    When you think about it, Jesus met and healed many “broken” people during His season of ministry. They were worth His attention, they were worth His compassion, they were worth His effort. Jesus did not come for perfect people who had it all together but for those who were sick, lost and in desperate need of a Saviour (see Mark 2:16-17). They had value in His eyes. I am pretty sure He didn’t see their defect, rather their value and, to be quite honest, Jesus’ ministry would have been quite ineffective without them. Let’s face it, their story, their testimony found its way into the Bible to bring hope, healing and encouragement to all who read it. We need their story of brokenness to show and to prove God’s unconditional love, mercy, grace and favour to all of us. 
    When I suffered a heart attack last year, it threatened to break me and render me useless, at least that’s how I felt. But the reality is I am not broken. God can and is still using me. He had to remind me of what I do have … life! Sometimes we can so focus on our defects or on something negative that happened to us or on what we think we have lost that we forget what we do have and that it is still of great value. Be thankful for what you have, for who you are even if you are not like everyone else, even if you don’t have what others may have. What you do have is good enough … you are good enough and God is able to use you just as you are for His honour and glory!
    If you have not accepted Jesus Christ into you life as your personal Lord and Saviour, I encourage you to do so now. We all have defects, we all have shortcomings, we all have failed in some way. While we may be focusing on those negative areas, God chooses to see the value and worth He put in each of us. 
    You are not hopeless or helpless as you might think. God has created someone special, someone of worth and value … God has created YOU!