The Ripple Effects of our Perspective

“So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.”

Corinthians 4: 18

It’s been a while since I’ve taken the time to write out a blog for this platform… And why is that? Well ladies, life was really lifing, and the attacks of the enemy were far beyond what I had the capacity to fight alone. The past two and a half months have been some of the most challenging times that I’ve faced here on earth. The amount of hits and attacks were both indirect (those connected to me), and direct. A verse that we often give one perspective of is, “No weapon formed against you shall prosper” from Isaiah 54: 17. We have often seen the quote “God never said that the weapon wouldn’t form… He just said it wouldn’t prosper. “But he also never said that the weapon wouldn’t actually strike you; and cause you hurt, harm, or danger. In the face of taking blow after blow both personally and professionally, I found myself depleted. Spiritually and emotionally, I endured and withstood all that I could on my own. And eventually, God sent my reinforcements. Because God orders my steps and the steps of everyone I’m spiritually connected to, they were able to intercede, provide encouragement, words of wisdom, loving kindness, comfort, and great company when I needed it most. I had to be willing to not just internally be honest with myself. I had to be honest with the closest people to me. Spiritually, I was empty. My peace was disrupted, and the resilience that I’ve always had, seemed to be so far away that I could no longer understand the real reason for this season. I’ll provide more insight and details throughout this post. I can’t say that I have the answers or solutions because some circumstances are still the same. My perspective of the fullness of my life that God has given me, has been the shift in the trajectory of where God is taking me next. I can only thank God, for the divine connections and the divine interventions that took place a few weeks ago. God reminded me many times when I didn’t have the energy to dedicate to this platform, that he called me to write and to speak in real time. Meaning, even when times get rough, I’m called to write and or speak while I’m standing and weathering the storm. So, this blog is written in real time. I haven’t entered into my promised land, and the victory awaits it’s appointed time. But I am able to stand firmly on what the Lord has said and promised. The Lord is not a man, so he cannot lie. And what I will not do, is believe the lie of the enemy. I am fearfully and wonderfully made, and so are all of you! The righteous will be victorious! I pray strongly and boldly, that this is the season of victory for all of us!

Just to give some insight to all the things that I faced within a short period of time… Heartbreak, sickness of everyone in my household, birthday parties, HVAC issues, electronics issues/replacements, and a major loss professionally. These things occurred within a two-week period. For me, I typically shake off things pretty quickly. So, what were easy fixes, were fixed, and the other things were merely a work in progress. So, when I feel overwhelmed and stressed, I take some time to rest. Mental health is vital to our physical health, but it’s also incredibly important to our spiritual health as well. So, I took some mental health days from work, scheduled two trips, and I figured, this too shall pass… During my first trip of the year, I realized on day one that I was on a kingdom assignment. This ladies trip wasn’t meant to be an escape from the chaos. I was called to pour spiritually and minister to all the ladies that I was surrounded by. During this same trip, I woke up one morning, did my usual morning routine, and then I was hit in a way that I am still trying to recover from. Death. In one moment, I was celebrating life, and in the next moment, I was mourning a huge loss. This loss of life took the wind out of my sails and disrupted my peace with God. My level of peace with God is what allows me to move on from negative things, thoughts, and feelings pretty quickly. This grieve fractured me in a way that I wasn’t able to get past in my usual 24–48-hour time frame. So, what do we do, when the suffering doesn’t just endure for the night? How do we handle it when it lingers? At first, I just kept thinking, God I’m giving this to you, I’m leaving this at your feet… And that did NOT work. Not this time around. So, what did God do? Something he does quite often when he wants to change something in your life, he sends people! God will send people to the right place, and at the right time.

Listennnnn, when I tell you how God sent my re-enforcements to fight for me in the spiritual realm and in the natural! Babbbbyyyyyy, choose your tribe wisely! These women, independent of one another all helped me shift my perspective. We’ve discussed how your show up is important to this spiritual walk. The week after the funeral for my loved one, I already committed to attending a women’s brunch event. I almost backed out since I wasn’t in a place to minister or pour to others. So, I did what my maternal grandmother always taught me… “When you don’t feel your best, get dressed, put your makeup on, and let them kiss your a** (her words, not mine). Lol Anywhooo… Friend number 1 provided a prophecy that was clearly nothing but the Holy Spirit. This woman knelt beside me as I poured out my tears of sorrow, grief, confusion, sadness, loneliness, depression, and anxiety. I cried so hard that I had no words to say only tears that flowed. And by the time I got up off the floor, I didn’t have on any more makeup either.  The only thing I will share from her prophesy on this platform was for me to re-write a list of a promises that God gave me in chronological order. Her words from the Holy Spirit were “He is always in remembrance of you, and he needs you to know that he’s working on it”. Everything that this woman said was comforting, right on time, and spot on. But I still needed to release things emotionally… And here comes friend number 2. This very dear friend of mine gets sent to me quite often because we’re so spiritually connected. She shows up right on time, every time whenever I need her. I was able to finally admit out loud that I didn’t have the capacity to show up as a friend or even in the energy of who I am because I was so depleted and broken. This warrior prayed over me and planned a girl’s date all in the same conversation. This friendship means more to me than you all will ever know. It is truly a divine connection, that I will forever be grateful for. And here comes friend number 3… Ironically, she and I are spiritually connected to the number 3. God speaks to both of us in repetitions of 3, so he clearly and strategically sent her in this order for a reason. This friend was obedient to the Holy Spirit and kept reaching out, praying, and checking in. Her third check in/ pop up surprise for a nature walk, was the final breakthrough. We walked, talked, hugged (I cried), and I was able to accept and understand the loss and grieve that I was enduring. She delivered a message from the Holy Spirit that I had just refused to accept days before. What she relayed was God’s way of letting me know that this loss is for a reason, and that the Lord was setting the record straight. During this nature walk, I was able to put everything that has happened in the past two years into the correct perspective.

First and foremost, God needed me to remember his track record of all the things he has done. The list that I was instructed to re-write, contains a litany of promises God has already fulfilled. God had to get me together because I am literally living in answered prayers. God also allowed me the capacity to be careful and intentional about the things I think internally, and the things that I verbally express externally. God gave me spiritual insights, visions, and dreams for a reason. So, something that I used to reject and speak of in disregard of his clear vision, I’ve fully accepted, and I receive it. Two years ago, when I gave God my yes, I told him to use me in any way that he sees fit. This platform of one of the many ways that God can and will use me. The perspective of our seasons is important to our spiritual journey. This past season I questioned if I was really supposed to continue with this faith walk, why I had to endure such pain and sorrow, and what in the world was wrong with me. My new perspective is different, in all the best ways. So yes, I’m called to continue on this journey! Look at your life and everything God has done. You are loved, you are valued, you are appreciated, and you are beautiful in God’s sight. These positive affirmations may or may not be helpful to you ladies. But I know that it’s certainly helped me. The pain and suffering that we face may not appear to be positive on the surface, but it is certainly a part of this walk and a part of receiving blessings. Isaiah 61:7 says, “Because you got a double dose of trouble and more than your share of contempt, your inheritance in the land will be doubled, and your joy go on forever.” So, all of us who have weathered one too many storms, that have been tested, beaten, mocked, and flat out mistreated…  I pray that we may receive double for EVERY trouble that we have overcome by the power of the Most High. To close out this very lengthy post, the scripture that came to mind is from Isaiah 55: 8-9 “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, and your ways are not my ways,” says the Lord. “For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.” There are seasons of our lives where God will not stop or remove the storm. We just have to go through it with him. Every test or trial isn’t a punishment. Sometimes, he just needs us to hold onto him tightly and never ever let him go. God has a plan for all of his children, and he loves us beyond our capacities to think, verbalize, convey, express, or show in an outward manner. Never ever lose sight of who he is, because he needs you to know him, in order to transform you season after season. I know who I am, because I know who’s I am!  Ladies, we are his most precious gems here on earth, so let’s start seeing and treating ourselves as such. I pray that there may be some words of comfort, for any woman who is facing trials and tribulations. It may be hard while you’re in it. But God will see you through it! I want to extend a special thank you to my tribe and to all the sisters in Christ who work on behalf of God and his kingdom. We need each other, and you are so valued and appreciated. Your presence, your story, your encouragement, words of wisdom, thoughts, and prayers are exactly what the women in this world need. We are powerful and mighty warriors for God’s Kingdom. Let’s allow our perspectives to change the tides of our seasons and of our lives.

Always with love,

Love Esther