Arise and shine, this is something I believe we are called to do as children of God. We’re called to arise and shine in every circumstance, to not let the things of this world affect us. I know that’s easier said than done! But, being a born again Christian isn’t easy. We’re told to pick up our cross and follow Jesus, to take joy in persecution so why do we think we’re going to have a easy life once we’re saved? Why don’t we not know how to fight this battle of the mind?

I have witnessed over the past few years more people coming into the church with broken hearts, with deep anguish in their hearts and spirits. I was one of those people and hopefully one day I will be able to share my testimony.

I know what its like to be depressed, anxious and suicidal! I know what its like to reach the very end of yourself and question what’s the point of breathing any more, when every breath is excruciating and just getting out of bed is a battle. I know what its like to be scared to go to the shops on your own because you feel like everyone is looking at you, I know what its like to feel isolated and unable to communicate the thoughts in your head, feeling like no one would understand you or even care. I know what its like to be in the bottom of a pit and the battle it takes to get out. I know that at that moment in time arising and shining is so far from how you feel but believe me its worth it.

I want to encourage you to spend time with God, to worship Him and love Him. I want to remind you to fix your eyes on God and not your problems, we are called to arise above the cares of this world and to radiant the glory of the Lord, we are called to shine. I know this sounds like it won’t help but it truly helped me, I would spend the first moment of every day with God and I would write out how I feel, I would share my thoughts and fears. I would explain to Him how I feel and get all my thought from my head onto paper and it’s amazing to read back a few month later and see how far you have come. It’s great to also read how my Father speaks to me because He loves me and knows exactly how I’m feeling.

I decided nearly three years ago to only listen to worship music and to spend time just listening to it and this has helped me find peace, it helps me to shift my focus back from my problems to God. I wanted to fill my heart and mind with the praises of God and to give Him every song I sang from that moment on. That doesn’t mean I don’t hear the music of today, of course I do, every coffee shop you go in, shopping mall is full of music. I just chose to only sing songs that glorify God and to spend my time listening to worship songs especially when my emotions get to much.

I decided that I would spend time reading my bible everyday, sometimes its chapters and other times its only a verse or two. But, I made a commitment that I would read my bible and meditate on it so its written on my heart and mind. I do this because when a thought come thats not from God I can go “Back off! I’m a daughter of a King, I’m loved and forgiven and nothing you say will change that!” I even have verses I memorised like “For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.” 2 Timothy 1:7 Why, because the Word has power! Jesus quoted scripture to Satan so why would I do anything different!

I’ve found that when you are at your weakest, that’s when the battle takes place! My advice to you is to do these simple steps daily and when the enemy comes in like a flood the Lord will raise a standard, that He will stand with you and guard you. You might face a challenge but God will get you through, I want to encourage you to spend time with God and to keep your eyes fixed on Him. That no matter what you fix your eyes on Jesus and you will arise and shine. God bless.