By Jeaninne Belton WilliamsI want to start off by saying that, “faith comes by hearing and hearing comes by the word of God (Romans 10:17KJV) ; and now faith is the substance of things hoped for and the evidence of things not seen (Hebrews 11:1KJV).” “For we know that God works all things for good, for those who love him and called according to his purpose (Romans 8:28 NIV).” How do you put these scriptures into action and help you focus on creating your success through faith? But more importantly, bring honor and glory to God. What are you hoping for today? What are you seeking God for at this very moment? It takes trust and complete faith that God will bring every one of your dreams and desires into fruition.
Our God is faithful! Trust me! I lost everything, but I had everything! How did I get through the trials I experienced back-to-back? The answer was God! Through this transformation process, I had to rediscover God in a new and different way. Because my faith was being tested and stretched; and God was taking me to a greater level in him. However, I couldn’t see this at the time because I was going through! I was hurting and I couldn’t seem to get back on track spiritually; and what worked for me spiritually in the past was no longer working. I was going through my darkest moments in life. I questioned God and asked him why so much pain and when is it going to end? As soon as I got through one situation, another situation was starting up and this went on for the past several years!
I lost everything I own via an apartment complex fire at Plumtree Apartments. I lost many, many sentimental things in the fire that I had acquired over the years. Also, I lost my job, my marriage, my mother in law died, and I experienced lost, after lost, and I was hurting emotionally and physically beyond words. I was going through, and I couldn’t seem to focus on nothing but my hurt and pain. Also, I was diagnosed with breast cancer, and taking a research methodology course for my doctoral program and this course wasn’t easy. And I couldn’t seem to get to get back on track and focus on anything; and not to mention, I was drowning financially! How do you count it all joy and trust God when you can’t see him, and you’re hurting?
Like, I said, in the last article, life struggles are real, and it is a process to learn how not to make your problem(s) greater than your purpose. How did things turn around for me? How did I get back on track, and rediscover me and my purpose? I began to focus my time and attention on the major issue I was experiencing which was my marriage because it was tugging on my heart the most!
In a nutshell, my beautiful daughter, who was 11 years old at time, said, “mama aren’t you going to at least-fight for your marriage and believe God to turn your situation around?” She then went on to say, “mama, you know who’s behind this?” I knew in my heart, what my child was going to tell me. But I said nothing and listened quietly. She said, in a firm and a matter of fact way, “Satan is behind this.” I was speechless for a moment and I knew my child was right (straight out of a mouth a babe).
I didn’t know how to fight for my marriage because I had never taken a man back from the moment, I started dated at the age of 16 up until that moment. I asked myself why on earth would I take my husband back, for what and why? Taking a man back was not a part of my relationship history, whatsoever. At that very moment, I heard a little voice say, “God hates divorce and Satan hates marriages.” How was I going to fight for my marriage and get my life back together? I didn’t know how to fight for a relationship and especially for my marriage.
I come from a family that we fight physically and not spiritually. My mother during her early years carried a 22 and 38 pistol; her mother carried a 38, and my mother’s sisters all carried a pistol; and my uncles were gangsters! You didn’t mess with the Dallas, Lawson or McGee family. I was dealing with marital, health and financial issues and my graduate studies was super challenging. I was overwhelmed and stressed out because I was making my problems bigger than God and my purpose!
All I knew was to fight physically, and this was not the example I wanted to role model for my baby girl. So, I learned how to fight in the spirit! Trust me there were moments where I wanted to physically hurt my husband and be a Baby Christian. A Baby Christian waddles in self-pity and does not call things from the spiritual into the natural. In other words, hurt people – hurt people; and I felt like hurting him and everyone else around me because I was going through. But, free-people-free people. When you’re hurting, it is so easy to want to get even and settle the score. It’s okay to be anger but sin not and vengeance is not ours it belongs to the Lord. I can’t tell you I wasn’t tempted. But God be the glory, I was able to forgive and show my husband and others unconditional love. Also, I prayed for my husband daily and I reconciled him back to Christ via (1st John 1:9). I asked God to change me and how I respond to my husband, and to help me not to become bitter but better. Leading my husband back to Christ is where I begin to experience inner healing, liberty and freedom and I learned how to press into God for greater clarity and direction for my life.
Also, the movie War Room helped me to turn my apartment into one large war room. In a nutshell, I took authority over my mind, my marriage, and God sent powerful women grounded in the word to serve as my spiritual prayer partners. Also, my big brother, who has always been my mentor and spiritual confidant poured back into me spiritually and through the word of God. And it was through these powerful Christians, prayer, faith and trusting God to see me through. Also, I sought help and support from a Christian counselor.
At this point, this is where I truly learned how to “count it all joy”; and to apply the scripture (Romans 8:28) “For God works all things for good for those who love him and called according to his purpose.” When I started calling the desires of my heart from the spiritual into the natural. And I completely let go and started believing God for the desires of my heart. This is where I saw God move on my behalf. Further, the song titled, “On the Battlefield for my Lord,” this song took on a whole new meaning in my life. It was through all of this, where I realized my role in my husband’s life was to reconcile him back to the Lord. If I could have chosen another method to be tested by God. I wouldn’t have chosen this method whatsoever. However, we don’t get to choose the method that we get tested in. This is totally up to God. However, the goal is to pass the test and to give our testimony, to provide hope and encouragement to others.
As you already know, what you do for Christ will last. So, if you are trying to impress your friends, neighbors, your Boo, relatives, etc., by focusing on how you can achieve success, to please them; and you’re personify an image that you got your life together. When in fact, you’re struggling internally trying to figure out who you are and your purpose. I encourage you to do things, to please you, which will ultimately help you obtain the desires of your heart. And don’t do things that someone else desires for you. Do-You! Do what is best for you and you don’t owe anyone an explanation, on why you have chosen a certain direction to take in your life at this time. But, make sure your direction aligns with God’s purpose and his desires for your life.
This is where, I strongly encourage you take time by re-focusing on creating your personal and professional success. As I mentioned in F.O.C.U.S Part I. Find a place where it’s just you, and you’re free from all distractions, where you can hear that little voice inside of you. In your quiet place write down your dreams and aspirations; and develop your plan of action that will bring your dreams and aspirations into fruition. I would like to encourage you to begin with the end in mind. Work your plan backwards and start moving towards achieving your dreams and aspirations.
So, as you refocus your time and attention on creating your success in this new season of your life. Remember, when you seek God’s wisdom, direction and guidance for the plans for your life. You will won’t miss your mark and your desires of your heart will come into fruition. You will be able to make God your focal point and make your purpose bigger than your problem(s).
So, what are you hoping and believing for yourself in this season of your life? Is it to go back to school, change careers, retire, relocate, write a book, get out of debt, start a family, start a business, buy a home, etc.? I strongly encourage you to start now and you will experience an inner joy and peace that surpasses all understanding. You will have a stronger inner faith, a deeper relationship with God. And you will learn how to completely trust God even when you can’t see him. I had to learn how to let go and let God!
Well, I am pleased to share that I am stronger, more confident and closer to God than I have ever been in my life. I am experiencing a joy and inner peace that transcends from the inside of me. And there are days, I simply cannot contain my happiness. I cry and thank God that he brought me through my darkest hours of my life! I couldn’t see it at the time I was going through that he used all things I was experiencing to help me in this season of my life! You have come too far to quit! Stay encouraged! God’s got you!
Jeannine Williams is the CEO and founder of Jae-9’s Educational Consulting, and Jae-9’s Properties and Rentals. she firmly believes in “helping people to help themselves.” She has been very successful in providing training and development to students, parents, and administrators in K-12 and higher education. Throughout her career she has placed a strong emphasis on adult education, human resource management, administrative operations, supervision and organizational development.
Jeannine is a doctoral student at Walden University, and the proud primary parent of her daughter Brianna Nicole; and firmly believes that charity begins at home. Moreover, Jeannine is the youngest of four children, enjoys writing poetry, spending quality time with her family and close friends, traveling and giving back to her community via her time, talent and resources.
