When a Label Tries to Become Your Name

I sat on a couch between my mom and dad, across from a therapist, following a “brain map” test. A brain map is a detailed snapshot of how your brain functions, measuring waves like delta, theta, alpha, beta, and gamma to show patterns of activity. I had recently been released from a behavioral health facility where I spent two weeks following a serious manic episode. My mom, wanting a second opinion, sought out a Christian mental health professional to help us navigate the next steps.

The behavioral health facility had informed my family that the diagnosis was Bipolar Disorder 1. They recommended a clinic specializing in ADD and brain testing that utilized biofeedback for individuals with complex mental health cases.

Following the test, the therapist showed us images of my brain activity. He confirmed the previous doctor’s diagnosis: I did indeed have BP 1. Based on the brain map, it was a severe case. He explained that medication would be required to prevent further brain damage that results from the manic episodes that would continue to occur if left untreated.

The therapist was gracious. He believed in the power of God to heal, but he wanted us to have a realistic picture of the severity of the illness and the precautions necessary for the future. The clinic even held Bible studies for their patients, which I began attending shortly after that meeting.

Receiving that diagnosis forced our family to face a crossroads. We had to make choices about what this meant for my future—choices rooted in our beliefs that would greatly impact my life as a 23-year-old.

According to the world’s standards, it would have been acceptable—even expected—for us to adopt beliefs like:

* “My life is never going to be the same.”

* “I have a mental illness that has no cure.”

* “Medication is the only way to survive.”

* “I just need to learn how to live with this burden.”

But before I share the path we chose as a family, we must acknowledge as believers that we are facing the greatest identity crisis our world has ever seen. With record-breaking numbers of people struggling with anxiety and isolation, mental health challenges are at an all-time high. We are living in a time where the “digital mirror” of the world tries to tell us who we are before we ever give God the chance to tell us who He created us to be.

Read the rest here: https://open.substack.com/pub/litwithprayer/p/identity-over-diagnosis-how-we-won?r=5sajy&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=true

The Bible tells us that wisdom is more valuable than rubies and that nothing we desire can compare with it. (Proverbs 8:11)

We are also told that the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom. (Proverbs 9:11)

If wisdom is the principal thing (Proverbs 4:7), we must pursue and grow in Godly wisdom this year. 

So what is wisdom? Before we tackle wisdom, I think it’s important to understand what comes before wisdom as you grow in your Christian character.

The path to wisdom begins with knowledge, which leads to understanding and ultimately to wisdom.

Knowledge, simply put, is what you know. When you first become a believer, you know very little. As you grow in spiritual disciplines like reading the Word, your knowledge—what you know—about the Word grows

Understanding comes next as you start to see how things connect within what you are learning and what it means. Context comes, and clarity and insight are developed so that you can connect it to your real-life experiences.

Just like when you learned at some point in your life that “words can hurt people.” Understanding was developed when you could see how certain words could damage relationships and erode trust.

Wisdom comes last as a result of applying what you know and understand to your life. Like in the previous example of knowing that words can hurt people, wisdom is gained when you begin to choose the words you use when speaking into your life or someone else’s.

To sum it all up in another way:

Knowledge: What I know
Understanding: What it means 
Wisdom: How I live it out

Read the rest at: https://open.substack.com/pub/litwithprayer/p/walking-in-godly-wisdom?r=5sajy&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=true

Can Life Trials benefit Your Life?

As I started this year, one of the first books in the bible I wanted to dive back into was the book of James. It’s a quick read but also filled with what I believe are some of the most important lessons for those entering this year with high hopes, dreams, and a vision for making it better than the last.

Spiritual maturity is a central theme of this book and is imperative to the life of any believer looking to grow and do all that God’s called you to do this year.

The scriptures I want to focus on today come from James 1:2-4, around our faith and enduring various life trials. I’m someone who hopes for great things from the Lord each day and year, but I would be foolish to think I’m going make it through this new year without some trials along the way.

James 1:2-4 says,

2 Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles of any kind come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. 3 For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. 4 So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing.

As James writes, I want you to consider, as you pause and reflect on these scriptures today, the question, “Can trials in my life also benefit me?”

I know it might sound for a moment that you cannot begin to believe that the trials you go through can benefit your life. I mean, you might be going through a trial right now that, in no way, shape, or form, can you see a benefit in. And if that’s you right now, I get it, I’ve been there too, even in this last year, but why would James write that when (not if) we go through various trials to consider it an opportunity for great joy?

If you continue to read on to verse 3 we find out that trails give us the ability to grow in our Christian character to produce things like endurance, patience, persaverance, and steadfastness. These Christlike qualities are developed through trials, as we begin to expand the way we look at them beyond just the negative or painful things they bring.

Trials test our faith to see if we’re going to depend on the Lord or depend on our own strength.

Your trials have great benefit, producing within you the Christian character that God wants to see fully developed. Verse 4 is not about being a perfect Christian without sin, but a spiritually mature one. We all start our lives as spiritual babies requiring spiritual milk. But we can’t stay there and must grow in our knowledge and understanding of the word of God so that we can become spiritually mature.

A spiritually mature Christian grows from the trials of life so they don’t just break them but also build them. I know you might be hearing this now, thinking many of your life trials have only broken you, but I want to encourage you to really look for the things that God produced within you during those tough times. For one, you’re here now, having come to the other side, and if you are still going through it, choose to see what the Lord can build within you as you move through this.

Like Pator Phillip Anthony Mitchell, one said, “I believe pain should pay you, and you would be a fool to go through pain without it paying you, and what it should pay you, it should pay you in is wisdom, knowledge, character growth. Don’t let it be a coffin that buries you.”

Again, those words may be harsh to hear, having been through some serious life challenges that were painful, but ultimately, you get to decide what this means for you going forward.

Will you choose not to sell the peace and joy that comes from your Heavenly Father, who walks right next to you through these seasons?

Read the rest at: https://open.substack.com/pub/litwithprayer/p/let-your-trials-build-you?r=5sajy&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=true

This episode marks a return — and a new direction.

After time away from writing and podcasting, I’m stepping back into this space with a clearer sense of calling and focus. Overcomers is a place for believers who want to grow deeper in their faith, understand who they already are in Christ, and learn how to live from the victory Jesus has already won.

In this welcome episode, I share:

• Why I stepped away and why I’m coming back
• The heart behind Overcomers
• What it means to live as an overcomer according to Scripture
• What you can expect moving forward

Salvation is the beginning — not the end — of the Christian life. As believers, we are already victorious in Christ, yet we are still being formed, refined, and prepared through obedience, faith, and daily fellowship with the Lord.

My prayer is that this space would help equip you to grow in Christian character, deepen your prayer life, and walk faithfully in whatever season God has you in.

New episodes will be released weekly.

If this resonates with you, I’d love for you to join me on this journey.

Read the written version and join the Overcomers community at: litwithprayer.substack.com

Last week we left our story with Queen Esther inviting her husband, the King of Persia, and his second in command, Haman, a descendant of the Amalakites, to a second banquet. Here, Queen Esther would make her request to the king. Haman did not have any idea that the queen was herself Jewish and related to Mordecai, the Jew.

Although the decree to kill all the Jews had been set for a certain date and Haman was invited to a second banquet with the queen and king, he could not be happy because of his hatred towards Mordecai. Haman’s wife and friends suggested he have gallows built specifically to hang Mordecai. They suggested that he ask the king if he could hang Mordecai  the next morning. This would finally make Haman happy and he could enjoy the banquet with the king and queen later that evening.

That night before the day of the second banquet, the king could not sleep. He had one of his servants bring in the book of records and had it read to him aloud. The news that had been recorded gave an account of Mordecai saving the king’s life when he overheard two of the king’s personal servants’ plan to kill him. Mordecai reported what he had heard and after an investigation was done, it was found to be true. The king asked what reward or what honor had been given to Mordecai and the servants reported that nothing had been done.

As the king was thinking, Haman had entered the outer court and had planned to ask the king to hang Mordecai the next morning. When the king heard that Haman was in the outer court, he called for him to come into his chambers. He asked Haman to suggest an appropriate display of honor for someone that the king really wanted to honor. Haman immediately thought, “who else would the king want to honor other than me?”  He proceeded to suggest that a royal robe that the king had worn be put on the person and let that person ride the king’s horse with the king’s royal crest on its head. One of the king’s princes would parade the person through the town square and proclaim to the people that he is the man that the king delights to honor.

The king loved Haman’s suggestion and told him to quickly go do it and be the person that parades Mordecai. What a shock and turn of events for Haman. He did as the king commanded and after he paraded Mordecai, he quickly went home with his head covered. He was humiliated and very upset. As he was discussing the matter at home with his wife and friends, the king’s servants came to take him to the banquet.

After the king had a great time at the banquet he asked Esther for her request. She could ask him for anything up to half of his kingdom. She asked that her life and the lives of her people be spared from being killed and annihilated. She said she would not have said anything if they had been sold as slaves, but being killed and destroyed was different. The king asked who was responsible and the queen said “the adversary and enemy is this wicked Haman!” The king was furious and he went out into the garden while Haman begged Esther to spare his life. When the king came back inside Haman had fallen across the couch where the queen was sitting and the king accused him of assaulting the queen. The guards told the king that Haman had prepared gallows to hand Mordecai who had saved the king’s life. The king ordered that Haman be hung on his own gallows. Mordecai later replaced Haman and became second in command to the King of Persia.

Read the rest at: https://litwithprayer.substack.com/p/facing-imminent-danger-part-4?sd=pf

Queen Esther had a difficult decision to make which was a matter of life and death not only for herself but for her people. She had hidden her identity as a Jew and now a proclamation to kill all Jews had been decreed for a certain date. After fasting for three days and nights she made a decision to go into the inner courts of the king and wait to see  if she would be killed or given permission by the king to approach him. She said in a message to Mordecai, her uncle, “I will go to the king, which is against the law, and if I perish, I perish.”  She went in faith and with courage.

The king raised his golden scepter allowing Queen Esther to come and speak with him.  The Bible says that she found favor with the king and he asked her to give him her request. He said he would give her up to half of his kingdom. Queen Esther came prepared with her request. She didn’t beg the king to save her people at that time. Here is her opportunity to make such a request, but instead she invites the king and Haman to come to a banquet that she has prepared for him. The invitation pleased the king so he quickly called for Haman and invited him as well.  

Haman attended the banquet with the king and again the king asked Queen Esther for her request, up to half of his kingdom. Queen Esther invited the king and Haman back for another private banquet the next day and said she would make her request at that time. Haman was so happy on his way home from the banquet until he saw Mordecai the Jew. Mordecai would not bow to him and tremble before him. Haman was incensed, but restrained himself from doing anything at that moment. He didn’t want to spoil the memory of being with the king and queen at the banquet. 

When Haman got home he gathered his wife and friends and bragged about the banquet, his riches, his blessings, his many children, and how he had been promoted. But he did reveal what was truly in his heart. With all of his great riches, family, and promotions, when he saw Mordecai sitting at the king's gate (the town square where business is conducted), these great things meant  nothing to him. His hatred toward Mordecai was greater than the good fortune he was experiencing.  

The evil heart is never satisfied. Haman could not fully enjoy all of his worldly blessings and his family as long as he saw Mordecai disrespecting him.  You may be wondering, “Why didn’t Mordecai show respect and bow to Haman?” The book of Esther does not give the reason for Mordecai’s refusal, but it does describe Haman as the son of Hammedatha the Agagite. Haman came from the lineage of Agag, former king of Amalek. The Amalekites had been enemies of the Jews for many centuries because they were the first to attack them when they came out of Egypt and continued to have battles with them as recorded in the Old Testament. Some historians believe that Haman may have worn a pagan symbol or idol. Bowing to an idol goes against God’s law which is Jewish law (Exodus 20:2). When Mordecai is referred to as, “the Jew,” it would be customary for a Jew not to bow to an idol or pagan symbol.  

Jesus said in Matthew 15:19, “For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, sexual immorality,  thefts, false witness, blasphemies.” God does not look at the outward appearance of a person, but what is in a person’s heart (I. Samuel 16:7). What comes out of the mouth, your words, comes from your heart and the Lord searches all hearts and understands every plan and thought. (I Chronicles 28:9).

Read the rest at: https://litwithprayer.substack.com/p/facing-imminent-danger-part-3?sd=pf

Last week we left the story of Esther with a death sentence over the Jewish people. The wicked Haman had talked the King of Persia into signing a proclamation that on a certain day all the Jewish people would be killed, including women and children, young and old. Haman allowed his hatred for Mordecai, the Jew, to include every person who was of the Jewish race.

Little did Haman know that Queen Esther was also a Jew. She kept her identity a secret because her uncle told her not to reveal it. She was orphaned as a child when both her parents died, and was adopted by her Uncle Mordecai. When the king was looking for a new queen to replace his disobedient wife, he had his men search his kingdom for the most beautiful young virgin women who would be considered as the next queen of Persian. Esther was one of the young women taken for this competition. Although it sounds glamorous the young women taken would all have to sleep with the king and if not chosen to be his queen, they would become a part of his harem and not have their own husbands or families.

Esther was beautiful and lovely and found favor with the servants that helped her and when her turn came to visit the king, he fell in love with her and chose her to be his queen. Queen Esther could only visit the king when he called for her. If she were to go see him without being called, she would be killed unless the king lifted his golden scepter allowing her to visit. When news got back to Esther about the decree to kill all Jews, Mordecai asked her to go to the king and ask him to save her people.

Mordecai made it clear to Esther that God may have chosen her to be in this position for such a time as this. He said if she did not act, God would deliver His people, but she would not be spared. If she kept silent she would not be spared according to Mordecai, but if she went to the king without being called she could be killed. She had to make a difficult decision and called for her people to fast from food and water for 3 days. Esther and all her maidens fasted as well.

Read the rest here: https://litwithprayer.substack.com/p/facing-imminent-danger-part-2?sd=pf 

The midterm elections have been completed and you may be happy or upset at the outcome. Did you know that the Bible is full of stories containing lies, conspiracies and politics? In Ecclesiastes 1:9, the verse reads, “There is nothing new under the sun.” Although we have made technological advances and man’s knowledge has increased over time, the nature of man is still influenced by good versus evil, light versus dark, and God’s love versus Satan’s hatred towards mankind.

In the book of Esther one man’s hatred towards another almost caused the slaughter of the Jewish people. During the reign of King Ahasuerus the Jewish people had been living in Persia. Many years before the land of Israel had been invaded by the Persians and the Jews were taken as captives to Persia. Although they were captives, the Jews continued their religious practices and served God among the Persian people who served idols.

Mordecai was a Jew who became the enemy of one of the king’s top leaders, named Haman. Haman had been promoted by the king and an order was given that all the king's servants who were within the king's gates had to bow and pay homage to Haman. Mordecai sat within the king’s gate but would not bow or pay homage to Haman. The other servants told Haman and when Haman saw that Mordecai would not bow or pay homage he became very angry. The servants told Haman that the reason Mordecai gave for not following the king’s rule was that he was a Jew.

From that day on Haman decided that he would get rid of Mordecai and all of the Jewish people. He came up with a plan casting lots (like throwing dice) to set the future date of the genocide. He went to the king and told him that there were certain people scattered around Persia who had their own laws and did not follow the kings laws. He talked the king into signing a decree which set a date for the destruction of all the Jews, young and old. The decree allowed the killers to take all of their possessions as well. Once the king had signed the decree he could not go back on his word or change his mind. When Mordecai found out about the decree he was very upset and cried out to God for help.

Read the rest at: https://litwithprayer.substack.com/p/facing-imminent-danger-pt1?sd=pf 

One of my favorite holidays is Thanksgiving with friends and family. It’s the one day that most Americans take time to celebrate around a table, give thanks to God, and spend time catching up with each other. It’s also the day that many Americans see as “turkey day” without any thoughts of thanksgiving to God.

Throughout scriptures in the old and new testaments we see verses of giving thanks to God for His loving kindness, tender mercies, His goodness, His faithfulness, and awesome grace. (Psalms 106:1;I Thess. 5:18). King David in the book of Psalms wrote songs and verses  giving thanks and praises to God. Although he had many moral failures (committed adultery with Bathsheba and was responsible for the death of her husband), he was repentant and asked God for forgiveness. He had a very close relationship with God and through his lineage with Bathsheba, the Messiah would be born.

In the book of Luke, there was an occasion when Jesus was traveling to Jerusalem near the border of Samaria and Galilee.  He came across ten lepers who cried out to Him and asked Him to have mercy on them. Jesus responded and told them to go and show themselves to the priest. Why would Jesus respond this way?

During Jesus’ time on earth leprosy was an incurable contagious disease. The disease is caused by a bacterial infection that grows slowly and affects the nerves, skin, and mucous membranes. Untreated the disease will eat away at skin, cause blindness, loss of fingers and other extremities of the body, and eventual death. Because the disease was contagious those that had leprosy had to be separated from their families and the general public. They formed their own small communities like this group of ten lepers. According to Biblical law, only the priest could declare a person clean after inspection and that person would be allowed back into society. Today, leprosy is curable with antibiotics and drug therapy. It is not a common disease and most new cases are found in India.

The ten lepers had heard of Jesus and His healing and miraculous works. They did not come close to Him because it was against their laws to do so. Even from a distance they cried out to Jesus to have mercy on them. When Jesus told them to go and show themselves to the priest, they did as He said. They had faith for their healing and were obedient to do as Jesus instructed. They didn’t wait to see if they were healed first, they followed Jesus’ instructions. As they were on their way to see the priest, they were cleansed of the disease. One of the lepers when he saw he was healed, turned back and with a loud voice glorified God. He went back to Jesus, came close to Him and knelt by His feet and gave Him thanks. He was a Samaritan and not a Jew.

Jesus asked, “Were there not ten cleansed? But where are the nine?” Jesus commented that the only one that returned to give glory to God was this stranger (Samaritan). Jesus said to the Samaritan, “Arise, go your way: your faith has made you whole.”  He was already cleansed of the disease but if he had any missing fingers or disfigurement, his body was made whole.

Read the rest at: https://litwithprayer.substack.com/p/why-be-thankful?sd=pf 

The Apostle Paul wrote most of the New Testament in letters to the various churches such as the churches in Ephesus, Corinth, and Thessalonica. Although Paul was not one of the twelve disciples, he met Jesus on the road to Damascus. Before he met Jesus, his name was Saul, Saul of Tarsus. As Saul, he was a highly educated Jew in the law, the scriptures, and was also a Roman citizen. Saul was a religious leader who knew the scriptures, kept the law, and thought that followers of Christ were the enemy of God. He was responsible for hunting down Christians and having them killed. After he had an encounter with the risen Jesus, he was converted, became a Christian and was renamed Paul. Paul dedicated the rest of his life to spreading the gospel, planting new churches throughout the region, and wrote letters to the churches when he was in prison. 

Because new Christians were coming out of paganism and idol worship Paul explained God’s saving grace versus the law (10 commandments & the other 600 laws) and gave instructions to the churches. Although some of Paul’s instructions and teachings were directed at the culture of his day some Christians today disagree on the true meaning of his teachings as it applies to our day and cultural norms. The Bible tells us to study the Word and become a good student rightly or correctly understanding the meaning of His Word. There are many passages that cause controversy among Christians, but are not major issues that would make a difference in one's salvation or going to heaven. Many times scriptural controversies distract us with the main message of God’s love, our need for salvation, His saving grace, and our faith walk. Arguing with one another on scriptural teachings can be divisive, cause guilt, be judgmental, legalistic, and take our focus off what is most important.

We will take one example and discuss whether men and women should wear hats or head coverings when praying or prophesying according to I Corinthians 11. Some people say men should not wear hats or caps in church because it is disrespectful to God. However, Jewish men wear Yamakas on their heads and it is very respectful. Some say long hair is the covering on the head and not a hat or fabric. Men should not have a head covering and do so by wearing their hair short, but women need to have long hair because they need to have their heads covered. Some say women should wear head coverings, hats, veils, in church but only certain religions and denominations practice this custom. Does wearing something on top of your head as a man or a woman make a difference to God? Will He hear your prayer only if you have your head uncovered as a man but covered as a woman? Will God hear your prayer only if you are a man with short hair but if you have long hair no? What about all the women with short hair? Will God not hear their prayers?

The point is when reading scripture, we must also take into account the context of the message. What were the customs of that day and how did those customs relate to what the scripture was addressing. When we don’t fully understand and know the answer, we can go to God and ask Him to reveal the meaning and give us understanding. When it comes to hats or no hats, short or long hair, a woman or man praying or prophesying, what is the Holy Spirit telling you? If you feel convicted that you should pray without a hat, then follow your conscience. Should your convictions be the same as someone else’s? If God is telling you that you should have short hair, should you make others feel bad if they have long hair? How short is short and when does hair become long? 

read the rest at: https://litwithprayer.substack.com/p/rightly-dividing-the-word?sd=pf