How We Got Over

Introduction

Have you been faced with mountains you cannot move, burdens too heavy to bear? This book was written for you. If you haven’t had a problem, keep living. This book will encourage you and help to prepare you for that season. It’s good for all to be refreshed by the testimonies of how God Never Fails. The bible says we will have trials, and that trials are not all bad. Trials result in growth and development. We gain wisdom, courage, and unwavering faith through trials. James 1:2-4 says to “consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.”                                                      

How We Got Over

This is a true story of how God’s grace is sufficient for you. My children and I found ourselves in what seemed like a dead end situation that could have destroyed us. We desperately prayed for deliverance but God said: “My grace is sufficient for you.” Many times during our trial I had intentions to pray Psalm 70, an urgent prayer for immediate response. Instead I would turn to Psalm 40 by mistake, a prayer of patient waiting on the Lord. I discovered that Psalm 40 starts out as a prayer of patient waiting, then ends with an urgent plea for immediate response. God wanted us to develop patience through what we were going through. Making an urgent request to God was important, but we had to develop patience first. We also learned to trust Him at his Word. In retrospect, I can say without a doubt, our terrible trial was good for us. Psalm 119:71 says “It was good for me to be afflicted so that I might learn your decrees.” We sought the Lord, and He taught us through His Word. Our love for Him was strengthened through it all. He proved to us that He is a way-maker. Out of love for God I was committed to obeying Him. I wanted the blessings of God and I knew I had to obey, according to Deuteronomy 28.

Let it be known, I don’t profess to have reached the mark. I’m a definite work in progress. I’ve said many times, I’m not there yet, and at times I think I’m going backwards. But thanks be to God who always picks me up with His Word and sets my feet on solid ground. Solid ground is established through faith in His Word. Philippians 3:13-14 (AMP) says: “I do not consider, brethren, that I have captured and made it my own yet, but one thing I do (it is my one aspiration): forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the (supreme and heavenly) prize to which God in Christ Jesus is calling us upward.” 

I’m sharing my story now because I want to help someone else faced with a dilemma. 2 Corinthians 1:4 says that God always comforts us in our troubles so that we can comfort others with the same comfort we ourselves have received. It’s good to reflect on past miracles to keep your faith and confidence in God. When David was faced with his giant he reflected on how God had delivered him in the past, and gained strength and courage that He would do it again.  

Initially, I wrote this book as a tell all; the good, bad, and ugly. But the Spirit of God convicted me. I will not dishonor my family or myself. That would make them look bad, and I would look even worse. Somebody might write a book about me one day. Jesus showed me when He sees the Saints, He doesn’t see the bad and ugly. We are arrayed in pure white linen, bright and clean, without stain or wrinkle. When God forgives your sins they are in the sea of forgetfulness, never to be remembered anymore. If we have truly forgiven, we won’t keep bringing it up either. God never embarrasses or disgraces anyone, and He doesn’t want us to either. So I’ve done a lot of editing, including just enough to illustrate the point in a respectful way.

Love Covers a Multitude of Sin

To tell the story I must digress a bit. After my children were born, being a mother was my ministry and priority. During the early years I was soaking up everything I could about parenting, and child development. To my benefit I was taking a lot of classes along those lines. I prayed for insight into being a good mother. One thing God taught me in raising children was how powerful love is in promoting all aspects of health, including spiritual health. I started having symptoms of illness during the second pregnancy, and after the second child was born. I know my attention and love for my children is what reversed the symptoms. Love is a great stress reliever for the recipient and giver. Breast feeding was therapeutic. God created us with natural hormones to promote peace and overall well-being when we need it the most. God gave me many good examples of motherhood outside of immediate family. An aunt was a good role model. She was sometimes accused of spoiling her son, always believing his side. She didn’t let that stop her from doting over him. She continued with lavish love and attention toward him. Watching love in action nourishes the soul. Another aunt was the definition of serving others. She loved taking care of people, waiting on them hand and foot. If you were sick she would closely watch over you all day, and check on you all through the night. There was no neglect. She always called me by my pet name, and she could sure talk that baby talk. Leave it to Beaver was one of my favorite TV shows growing up. The love and devotion to family warmed and healed my heart just watching the show. God blesses all of us with tender loving kindnesses, and love and kindness drives out all evil. Even if the good memories are few, just a little bit of love will cover a multitude of sin. (I Peter 4:8) We all have the capacity to overcome evil by doing good. The goodness will heal and nourish your body, soul, and spirit.