A few years ago, our family embarked on a new journey.  We had been living in the lower part of SC for nearly 12 years.  My husband and I served a precious congregation of people in music ministry as well as my work with the local school district.  As an educator, I enjoyed my time in the classroom and the administrative work I was later granted the opportunity to do.  I never anticipate working in the same vein of work on the state level. To my surprise, God opened that door and allowed me the opportunity to do such.  Shortly after I began in my current position, I was riding down the road with my daughter.  During the trip, my daughter- unprompted- presented me with a plastic Wonder Woman figurine (the type you might find in a Happy Meal).  As she handed it to me she stated, “Mommy-I am so proud of you for your new job.  I think you are like Wonder Woman.  You can do anything!  I want you to put this on your desk.  If you ever get scared and don’t think you can do something, just look at this and remember you’re Wonder Woman!”  I took that little figurine to work and had it on my desk for the longest time.  At some point, I placed it in a drawer and forgot about it until recently coming across it again.  I was instantly reminded of my daughter’s encouragement to me.  I was humbled by her words then and now. 

 Like everyone else, there are times I doubt myself for one reason or another.  I realize, I’m flawed and incapable.  I never would have imagined God would allow this country-turned-city-girl to be used in this capacity.  But with God’s help, I continue to be blessed in my work.  It’s important to note, it’s not really me, but God in me.  Ps 60:12 says, “With God’s help we will do mighty things, for he will trample down our foes.”  All that I am is because of who He has made me to be.  Without Him, I am helpless and incapable.  With Him, I’m unstoppable because He’s unstoppable!  We must realize where our strength really comes from.  Ephesians 3:20 tells us, “Now all glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think.”  Every success is a gift from Him.  Every accomplishment is because of the God I serve.  It’s in Him we live and move and have our being.  Without Him, we are nothing.  So, go be Wonder Woman, Superman, or any other hero.  But remember, you’re simply walking about playing dress-up.  That costume doesn’t give you special powers.  The source of your strength comes from above. 

I look at pictures of myself as a baby and I was what one would consider an average size child.  By the age of three, it was apparent I had discovered a joy for eating.  I have dealt with weight issues for most of my life.  Through my elementary, middle, and high school years I remember the constant bullying that I had to endure.  I was called names, made fun of, and even physically attacked in some instances.  I remember being in middle school and being required to “dress out” for the first time and being embarrassed to change in front of other guys who were in much better shape than I was.  I remember the numerous names those bullies called me; Fat Albert, fatboy, biggun’, and others.  Each time someone referred to me by one of these names my self-esteem took a deeper nose dive.  In 2007 I began a journey of losing nearly 200 pounds by exercising and making better food choices.  I assumed I’d feel better about myself once I lost the weight.  I was wrong.  Even at my smallest weight I still thought and felt like a fat kid.  I had chosen to buy into the hype and venom I had heard so many others spew over the years.  It’s now 2018 and I’m at a different place in my life.  I’ve gained some of the weight back but I’m at a point in my life I don’t feel the need to focus on that.  I’ve learned that I actually like Brian Rhodes.  Flaws and all.  I finally like myself.  And it only took me nearly 40 years to get there.  Go figure!

The book of Daniel tells us the story of Daniel.  King Nebuchadnezzar conquered Daniel’s hometown and goes about attempting to indoctrinate their best and brightest by instructing his leaders to take all the young men with no blemish, good looking, and intelligent and bring them to him (a group which included Daniel).  Once there, the king instructs they be fed the best food and wine from his table, and given a Babylonian education.  The king even went so far as to instruct the chief official to change their names.  Daniel 1:7 states, “The chief official gave them new names: to Daniel, the name Belteshazzar…..”  Daniel and his friends were renamed after Babylonian deities (false god’s).  Nebuchadnezzar’s goal was to turn them from what they had been taught and brainwash them for his purposes.  Throughout the entire situation, Daniel behaved himself wisely and respectfully doing anything asked of him while not compromising his beliefs.  He became known in the kingdom as a man of great integrity and God promoted him on numerous occasions.  The older I get the more I realize, it doesn’t matter what everyone else calls me.  You can call me names all day, but that doesn’t mean I’ll ever answer to that name.  By doing so, I’m consenting to the intentions you’re placing upon me.  Today, the only name I choose to answer to is “Redeemed.”  As a believer, I am no longer a slave to the fears of this world.  I was so loved that God sent His Son to die for the remission of my sins.  Apparently, I’m quite priceless in His eyes.

Closing remarks and encouragement:  What name are you answering to today?  The world will attempt to label you and pull you away from God’s purpose for your life.  What matters is the name you choose to answer to.  Don’t forget, you’re not battling flesh and blood today.  Confuse the enemy and choose to love those who attempt to hurt you.  Place your focus on things with eternal value.

Have a blessed week, my friends!!!

I heard this story recently and it was too good not to share it with you.  I’m unsure who the author and cannot take credit.  But it’s a good one!  Here it is:

An elephant and a dog became pregnant at same time.  Three months later, the dog gave birth to six puppies. Six months later the dog was pregnant again.  Nine months later, the dog gave birth to another set of puppies. This pattern continued for a while.  On the eighteenth month the dog approached the elephant questioning, “Are you sure you are pregnant? We initially became pregnant on the same date.  I have now given birth three times to over a dozen puppies.  Most are grown to full size, yet you still haven’t given birth.  What’s going on?”  The elephant replied, “There is something I want you to understand. What I am carrying is not a puppy but an elephant. I only give birth to one in two years.  But, when my baby hits the ground, the earth feels it.  When my baby crosses the road, human beings stop and watch in admiration.  What I carry draws attention and admiration.  What I’m carrying is mighty and great.”

While reading this story I was reminded of David.  When Samuel called for Jesse’s son’s to be presented to before him so a new king could be crowned, David wasn’t included in the original lineup.  David, being the runt of the bunch, was left out of an important moment.  Samuel began looking over Jesse’s handsome son’s but didn’t feel the leading of the Holy Spirit to anoint any of them as the next king.  When Samuel ask if there were any others, David was called in from shoveling sheep poop to be presented before the prophet.  No doubt, in that moment, David did not look the part of a king, yet the Holy Spirit led Samuel to anoint him as such.  Following this moment, there was no grand celebration.  David was simply sent back to the fields to continue his work.  It would be decades later before he would ascend to the throne.

David had to endure years of hardship and running for his life before he eventually became king.  I have often wondered if he ever became discouraged during those times.  All we’re told is that he remained faithful to whatever God placed in front of him.  He always chose to behave himself wisely and submitted to the authority God placed over him, even at his own demise.

Friend, I want to extend congratulations to you today.  You’re pregnant and probably didn’t even know it!  God has called you to do a mighty work for the kingdom.  Problems arise when we get so caught up with our current surroundings that we can’t see past what God has impregnated us with.  Life is not about waiting for the next promotion.  It’s about serving faithfully where He has planted us.

Closing remarks and encouragement:  It may take some time for that promise to come to pass but I assure you, once you give birth, the world will stand in amazement at the work of God in your life.  What you are carrying is mighty and great simply because it came from Almighty God Himself!  As Zech 4:10 reminds us, “Do not despise these small beginnings……”  Just be faithful and wait!

Have a blessed week, my friends!!!

Like most families, we have our morning routine.  Today was no different.  I woke both children up and prompted them to begin getting ready.  I walk away for 10 minutes busying myself with odd things only to return to confirm they have followed directions and started dressing themselves.  My son, the rooster of the family, had already dressed himself and was watching videos on the YouTube Kids app.  As I entered, he began showing his phone to me and said with excitement, “I really want to do this!!!”  Normally, it’s some crazy video about creating slime or performing some daring feat.  This particular video was of a few young children walking around handing out presents to random people at Christmas.  You could see the joy and desire in his eyes as he continued watching.  He has always been a giving child, even to his own detriment.  Money has no real value to him and he would give you the shirt off his back if you needed it.  He has such a tender heart.  It that moment, I was encouraged to help make it happen.  While the father side of me wants to protect him from people taking advantage of his giving heart (now and in the future), I want to also make sure he never loses his heart to help and do things for others.  Isn’t that what Christianity is about?  Showing God’s love, especially those in need?

We find Peter writing to “God’s elect” in the New Testament.  Most likely this writing was purposed to be for those scattered throughout the Asia Minor in the Northern region.  But if you’re a believer, you too are considered part of the “elect.”  1 Peter 5:2-4 states, “Be shepherds of God’s flock that is under your care, watching over them—not because you must, but because you are willing, as God wants you to be; not pursuing dishonest gain, but eager to serve; not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock. And when the Chief Shepherd [Jesus] appears, you will receive the crown of glory that will never fade away.”  In the same way I desire to protect and look out for my children, I’m also instructed to take care of and protect others that God has put in my path.  While the callous side of me would like to ignore helping those who have chosen to be lazy, I’m still called-as a believer-to shepherd and take care of those around me.  To our flesh, it’s nice to accumulate earthly riches and tangible things.  But it’s pointless to have and not give to others in need, simply because we don’t feel they deserve it or we’ve simply decided to be selfish.

Closing remarks and encouragement:  As a Christian, we are all called to serve and minister to those in need.  What would life be like if we viewed each blessing we received as a chance to help someone else?  The riches of this world will come and go but the love and God is forever.  God has already promised to supply all [your] needs.  What are we waiting for?  It’s time to bless someone else!!!

Have a blessed week, my friends!!!

I remember this young girl I was friends with in kindergarten and first grade.  Her name was Shelly.  She was spunky little tomboy and enjoyed playing on the daycare playground as much as I did.  We were the best of friends until the latter part of my first grade year.  I’m not sure what happened but, I remember she began to lie to me in almost any conversation we had.  I would ask her a question and she would purposefully tell me the opposite of what I knew to be true.  For some reason, she would give me little toys or notes and then go and tell our teacher I had stolen them from her.  I didn’t understand why she started to act this way but it was a valuable lesson I learned early in life.  Throughout my life, I have made purposeful choices in who I would build relationships and spend my time with.  I learned the necessity of surrounding myself with those I could trust that were as loyal to me as I was to them.  I would never de-friend anyone who treated me badly.  But I did learn the importance of keeping those people at an arms distance so as not to get taken advantage of.  As I became a teenager, it became important to surround myself with friends who challenged me to be the best person I could be.  Someone to tell you, in love, that your actions were incorrect and you need to make things right.  Everyone loves a “yes” man/woman.  But those types of people are like leaves.  Wherever the wind blows, that’s where you’ll find them.  What we really need are people who can serve as roots in our lives.

King Rehoboam was the son of Solomon and succeeded his father on the throne.  Even though his father was known to be one of the wisest men in history, Rehoboam apparently didn’t learn much from his father.  2 Chronicles 10 finds the labor force of his time approaching him asking for their work load to be lightened.  In return, they would serve him faithfully.  He asks them to go away for three days and takes this time to consider his options.  He approaches the older men who had served his father and asked them what he should do.  They all agreed he should listen to the workers and lighten the load.  Rehoboam turns to the guys he grew up with and posed the same question.  Their response was he should use this time to exercise his power as king and make their load even heavier.  2 Chronicles 10:8 says, “⁸ But he forsook the counsel which the old men gave him, and took counsel with the young men that were brought up with him, that stood before him.”  By listening to the wrong people, His ignorant choices caused him to lose nearly his entire kingdom.

Closing remarks and encouragement:  We should always ask, “Who are we surrounding ourselves with?”  Had Rehoboam listened to wise council and honored God, his reign as king would have looked very different.  Who we surround ourselves with will determine our successes or failures.  Who’s in your circle of influence?

[Transparent moment-proceed at your own risk, ha ha!]  The past year and a half have been some of the hardest of my life for a myriad of reasons.  If I’m being totally honest with you, I struggled in my mind more so than not.  I’ve felt beaten down by my own thoughts more than any person had the chance to attack or judge me.  Those voices told me I wasn’t good enough, capable enough, or talented enough to do, well, anything.  Anxiety has always been a part of my life in some form (though I’ve always hidden it well).  But it has become more pronounced in this period of time (and before anyone attempts to get super-spiritual on me, this admission is not acceptance of this issue like it’s some wonderful gift-because we all know it’s not-rather, I’m openly admitting the struggle I’ve endured).  My inability to get past it has been paralyzing at times.  The constant mental attacks were, no doubt, a calculated attempt by the enemy to slow me down and prevent me from accomplishing a specific work for the kingdom.  But I’ve come to the realization of something-and it has literally changed my thinking.  As believers in Christ, we are the authors of our story.  Writers have the power to change the story as they see fit.  Twists can be inserted where one isn’t expected.  An author can take a negative situation and put a positive spin on it – or vice versa.  We all have thorns in our flesh to deal with.  Anxiety is one of my thorns.  But our thorns don’t define us.  As authors, we are the ones sitting at the keyboard or with a pencil in hand writing each word, line, and chapter.  Our book becomes a culmination of our life’s choices and doesn’t end until we take our last breath.  The good, the bad, and the ugly—it’s all there.

In his letter to the people at Corinth the Apostle Paul wrote this, “…Therefore, so that I would not become arrogant, a thorn in the flesh was given to me, a messenger of Satan to trouble me—so that I would not become arrogant.  I asked the Lord three times about this, that it would depart from me.  But he said to me, “My grace is enough for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” So then, I will boast most gladly about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may reside in me.  Therefore I am content with weaknesses, with insults, with troubles, with persecutions and difficulties for the sake of Christ, for whenever I am weak, then I am strong.” [2 Corinthians 12:7-10 NET]  God allowed this (sometimes) paralyzing thorn in my life.  This is something I would have never wished on myself.  It has been humbling, to say the least, as I’ve felt helpless and out of control at times.  Thankfully, my Heavenly Father, has been there the whole time reminding me His grace is enough for me!  His power is made perfect in my weakness.

Closing remarks and encouragement:  God allows those moments of weakness to come as a reminder He is really the one in charge.  He doesn’t expect us to have all the answers.  If we did, we wouldn’t need Him.  But even in our weakest moments and/or seasons, His grace is enough for us!  Rather than try to pretend we have it all together, lets take our cue from the Apostle Paul’s playbook.  Let’s boast about and be content in our weaknesses!  These insults, troubles, persecutions, and difficulties are all for the sake of Christ.  We’re strongest in our moment of weakness.  When we sense those attacks, lets celebrate rather than cower to the enemy.  The enemy only attacks those he sees as a threat to his plans.

Have a blessed week, my friends!

Side note:  I do not desire your pity.  I am MORE than a conqueror through Christ and continue to overcome this issue daily with His help.  Please don’t miss the entire purpose of this blog –which is encouragement to you, regardless of your thorn.

As a child, I was always intrigued by fire.  I would find ways of getting my hands on matches just so I could strike them and see them burn.  One day, I hit the jackpot as found a lighter my parents set aside for lighting candles on our birthday cakes.  One day, around the age of 5 or 6, I decided I wanted to see a bigger flame so grabbed the Sunday Funny Paper to make myself a torch.  Standing in my parent’s room (where I got the paper), I rolled it up, lit it, and let it burn while holding it over a trashcan (thank the Lord for a small amount of common sense).  Seconds later multiple pieces burned off (still lit) and fell into the can.  No harm, no foul.  Then a few more fell but missed the intended target, slowly blew through the air, and fell onto the light colored carpet in their bedroom.  I got more than I bargained for as I watched the carpet begin burning.  I knew I had to get the fire out so I began to stomp it with my shoes.  Then, another piece broke off the paper as I stomped that one too.  It probably took me about a minute to get it all under control but it felt like an eternity.  I knew I was about to get in big trouble (and I did), but there was still this little part of me that enjoyed watching it burn.

I guess I’m a pyromaniac because I still like fire–but I like a different type of fire these days.  Not long after my carpet burning incident (maybe a year or two later) I gave my heart to Christ.  That day, a fire started to burn that has continued all these years later.  Eventually, if left unattended, it will burn out without the proper materials to stoke it.  The same can be said of our spiritual lives.  If we’re not tending to our fire, it will burn out.  What does our fire, our walk with God, look like today?  Are the flames burning brightly?  Or have they been reduced to a pile of ash with the occasional ember?  In the Old Testament, when a sin was committed, there was a requirement for a specific type of sacrifice be brought before the priest.  He would burn the sacrifice on the altar and stand as representative before God.   Leviticus 6 finds God instructing Moses on the importance of the fire for the sacrifice.  Verse 13 states, “A fire shall always be burning on the altar; it shall never go out.  Thankfully, Christ’s atoning work on the cross took away the requirement for animal sacrifices to be made as He, the Lamb, was the ultimate sacrifice.  This made it possible for us to go directly to God through His Son to ask for forgiveness for ourselves.  But now it is our responsibility to keep our own fire burning.  That fire, via the work of the Holy Spirit, is necessary to keep sin burned from our lives.  What does your fire look like today?

Closing remarks and encouragement:  While it’s important to keep most fires contained, the fire we carry as believers should be spread wherever we go and to everyone we come in contact with.  People should sense conviction for their sins simply because of the presence of God we carry with us (though, make no mistake, it’s not our job to point fingers at them).  We must make a conscious effort to keep those fires burning.  So, my fellow pyromaniacs, grab some wood and let’s, “…burn, baby, burn!!!”

Have a blessed week, my friends!

Every Sunday, I get up earlier than my entire family and make my way to the church to prepare for the day.  This past weekend, from the moment I woke up, my mind just felt foggy.  My thoughts were everywhere and I was having a hard time wrapping my mind around the ministry responsibilities of the day.  After fumbling around I walked outside to realize the weather was mirroring my own personal feelings.  That southern humidity filled the air as my sweat glands began to work overtime.  As soon as I got in my car, I realized I could not see out any of my windows as they were all fogged up. I rolled the side windows down as well as using the front and back wipers in an attempt to clear things up. As I began driving through my neighborhood my windows continued to fog up quicker than I could clear them.  I needed to use heat to clear them but the heat was causing me to sweat even more.  It was just a constant battle of mental and literal fog.  I immediately felt the Holy Spirit speak to me asking, “What’s fogging your windows?“  I knew there was a spiritual implication so I began soul searching in an attempt to rectify the issue.  As I reflected over the prior days, I realized they had been filled to overflowing with menial issues that seemed to need my attention.  Unfortunately, I had allowed the busyness of the prior days to take priority and steal my personal time with the Lord.  I realized I hadn’t sat down for a genuine time of prayer in a few days.  It wasn’t an intentional move on my part, but it had led to the fog I was experiencing.

Busyness is NOT a spiritual gift.  Truthfully, I hurts us more than it helps us.  It’s like the dog who chases his tail constantly.  He’s attempting to accomplish something he sees as important when the casual onlooker knows it’s a waste of time.  The dog places such importance on a menial task.  For the believer, personal time with our Heavenly Father can’t be optional.  Without it we are left feeling foggy and, lost, and confused.  His presence is what gives us direction, clarity, and the soundness of mind to walk the road He has placed before us.  Whatever we allow to consume our minds is going to be the very thing that controls our actions and reactions.  The book of Isaiah reminds us in chapter 26, verse 3, “You will keep the mind that is dependent on You in perfect peace, for it is trusting in You.”  Fog isn’t a happenstance or a mistake.  It’s a tactic used by the enemy to prevent us from seeing the reality of the things around us.  Fog diverts our attention and leaves us feeling helpless.  If he can confuse us, he can control us.

Closing remarks and encouragement:  What’s fogging our windows today?  What do we need to get rid of in our lives?  Purpose to clean out the clutter.  Clutter can come in the form of television, unhealthy relationships, extra-curricular activities……basically anything we put before our relationship with God.  Let’s do a little spring cleaning!

Have a blessed week, my friends!

It was just like most Sunday mornings as I arrived at church early to prepare for the days service.  8:55am rolled around and from my peripheral vision I saw this sweet little image I’d come to expect running towards me as fast as her little feet would take her.  It was my sweet girl, Mason!  She was the daughter of one of my praise team members and just the most precious little girl in the world to me (and still is).  Every Sunday, she would run straight to me and we would shower each other with sweet sugars, exchange big hugs, and just chat for a few minutes.  Many times, I would hold her throughout our practices lugging her around on my hip.  Later, we would always make our way to the nursery as I helped her cut up her sausage patties for breakfast and we would play for a few minutes longer until my responsibilities took me away.  Mae-Mae (her nickname) was like my child before I had a child.  God sent that little blessing (who has recently been chosen to be on the JV Cheerleading team at her school and is staring down teenage life) into my life at just the right time.  My wife and I were headlong into our infertility issues with no end in sight as we waited to see what God would do on our behalf.  That sweet face always gave me the encouragement and fortitude to press forward in the midst of our own personal barrenness.  I can’t tell you the number of times God would use that little squirt to encourage me in the moments my heart was hurting and aching for a child of my own.  She wasn’t my child, but her parents selflessly shared her with me as if she were.  It was during that season that I learned how important it is to sow where I wanted to go.

Genesis 12:4-5 tells us about Abram (later renamed Abraham).  It states, “⁴ So Abram went, as the Lord had told him; and Lot went with him. Abram was seventy-five years old when he set out from Harran. ⁵ He took his wife Sarai, his nephew Lot, all the possessions they had accumulated and the people they had acquired in Harran, and they set out for the land of Canaan, and they arrived there.  This is one of the first things were hear about Abram.  God has just informed him, he was to follow Him “to a land I will show you.”  This was a great step of faith for Abram as he really had no encounters with God until this point and nothing to base this knowledge on.  God has just promised Abram he would become a great nation.  This seems impossible as he and Sarai, his wife, are childless and beyond child-bearing age.  Lot was not his child as Lot’s father had died prematurely.  Reading through the story reveals to us that, though Lot was not his son, Abram sowed fatherhood.  He cared for and put Lot’s needs ahead of his own.  He rescued Lot when he had been captured.  He faithfully parented a child that was not biologically his own.  It would be twenty-five more years (when he is 100 and his wife is 90) before God’s promise would come to fruition and they would actually have a child (Isaac).

Closing remarks and encouragement: Waiting on God stinks.  There’s no other way to put it.  We live in a microwave society that wants everything now (and I’m guilty of it myself).  While we’re in our waiting season, it’s important to pay attention to what God is doing IN us, rather than focusing on what we want from Him or what we don’t have.  Like Abram, we must remain faithful in our waiting season(s).  Abram sowed fatherhood even in his moments of barrenness.  Choose to be faithful while you wait on God today!  And don’t forget to sow where you want to go!

Have a blessed week, my friends!

For the first part of my life I was quite the pessimist.  If I knew I was about to be involved in a certain activity, I would sit for hours sometimes rehearsing what could go wrong.  I would allow my mind to fixate on and entertain these thoughts.  This habit caused me much inner turmoil and anxiety.  After a while, I became fearful that negative things were always lurking, waiting for me at every corner.  This terrible habit even caused me to back out prematurely from certain situations out of fear of failure.  More so than not, each situation had a positive outcome.  One day, something clicked for me.  I was always waiting for the other shoe to drop.  One day the Holy Spirit reminded me, God is the author of my story.  The cool thing about being an author is the ability to write the story as you [the author] see fit.  Life is chocked full of unexpected twists and turns.  Many things that happen are absolutely beyond our control.  The only control we have is how we’ll respond.  Being an author is a powerful job.  I have learned the importance of writing my plans in pencil and handing the eraser to God.  The author gets to choose how things will end…..and He’s already promised His children the victory!

Psalms 3 finds King David being hunted by his son Absalom.  No doubt David’s heart was breaking to know his own flesh and blood was there to kill him so he could overtake the throne.  Talk about feeling betrayed!  Verse 1 & 2 state, “Lord, how they have increased who trouble me!  Many are they who rise up against me.  Many are they who say of me, “There is no help for him in God.” Selah.”  We tend to read over the “Selah,” but that was an important moment.  The Amplified Bible defines Selah as meaning, “A pause…to think of that [that = what has just been said, has just happened, or the current state of a situation].  Selah was a time to pause and reflect.  After his initial time of reflection, David states in verses 3-8, “But You, O Lord, are a shield for me, my glory and the One who lifts up my head.  I cried to the Lord with my voice, and He heard me from His holy hill.  Selah.  I lay down and slept; I awoke, for the Lord sustained me.  I will not be afraid of ten thousands of people Who have set themselves against me all around.  Arise, O Lord; save me, O my God!  For You have struck all my enemies on the cheekbone; You have broken the teeth of the ungodly.  Salvation belongs to the Lord.  Your blessing is upon Your people. Selah”  Verse 1 & 2 weren’t an admission of defeat, rather a statement of his current reality.  But after he stopped to reflect [Selah], he was reminded how God had been his shield when he needed protection.  He began to proclaim such in verse 3 and beyond.  Maybe he was remembering his fight with the bear, the lion, or even Goliath.  Even though he knew he was in trouble, he was able to lay down to rest knowing God was taking care of him.  His past experiences led him to trust his/our Heavenly Father.

Closing remarks and encouragement:  It’s hard to be pessimistic when you Selah (pause and reflect) on what God has brought you through.  Realizing that God is the ultimate author of our story, and knowing His desire is to see His children succeed, should make us all a lot more optimistic.  Even if we’re in the worst battles of our lives, just take a Selah moment.  Just pause and reflect.  If He did it before, you know He’ll do it again!  Take a breath, my friends.  Just because we can’t see it happening with our own physical eyes doesn’t mean He isn’t already working things out for us!  Maybe it’s time for a Selah!