"Crushed and Carried"
Proverbs 12:25: "Anxiety in a man’s heart weighs him down, but a good word makes him glad."
There is power in recognizing when we need a "good word" and seeking it out from God or supportive people. #GroupJesus and home churches, the meeting of the saints is strong.
After three weeks that felt like three months of extensive travel, I felt as though I'd entered a "no God zone." I knew the weight would be heavy beforehand, so I positioned myself with God through thoughtful prayer.
A week after my return, I was anxious to get back to the place I felt most comfortable. It was a worship night at church, all previous events had been canceled due to the weather; they shifted to streaming online, but now all were ready to go!
The spirits were lifted higher in the folks who attended, and numbers greater than expected came to worship in the "Round."
Everyone seemed to be there for an encouraging word, starved and thirsting for spiritual refreshment.
"Oh, there were words of encouragement! Along with slobbering faces, tears of freedom, and undefined love."
Caught up in this divine manifestation, I too heard the expected, yet unanticipated...
The trenches I had just been fighting through were bloodier than I even knew. It was God's strength that carried me into battle; He was the reason I still had strength.
God lifted this shield I had worn throughout my stay, and for just that one moment, I was crushed. My body went numb, my breath was swallowed, my legs began to fail. In the same flash of time, all was back again.
What an incredible, miraculous defender we have! His mercies allow our grace to prevail through any and all circumstances.
That was the encouraging word I needed but didn't recognize. God, You alone are my power and strength!
2 Corinthians 4:8-10
"We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed; always carrying in the body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be manifested in our bodies."
#GroupJesus #Testimony #GodIsMyStrength #HarvestLexington #WorshipintheRound
Throughout my spiritual journey, I have often experienced moments where anxiety and life's pressures felt overwhelmingly heavy, much like the "anxiety in a man's heart weighs him down" described in Proverbs 12:25. What I’ve learned is the incredible power that comes from seeking and embracing a "good word" — a message of encouragement, support, or scripture that renews our hope and strength. During a particularly challenging season of travel and uncertainty, I sensed a "no God zone," a place where His presence seemed distant. However, through intentional prayer and leaning on my faith community, I found the resilience to press on. Returning to a worship night where believers gathered for encouragement, I witnessed firsthand how shared worship and words of assurance can create a spiritual refreshment that quenches deep thirsts for hope. One vivid moment stuck with me: feeling physically overwhelmed in a moment of divine holiness — numbness, breathlessness, and weakness overwhelmed me only to be restored instantly. This experience reminded me of 2 Corinthians 4:8-10’s promise of being afflicted but not crushed, persecuted but not forsaken. It’s a testament to God’s sustaining grace even amid trials. For anyone navigating anxiety or spiritual battles, it’s vital to remember that you are not alone. Carrying your burdens to God and embracing encouragement from a supportive faith community can make a profound difference. Whether through scripture, prayer, or communal worship like the #WorshipintheRound event shared in this testimony, spiritual encouragement renews our strength and enables us to overcome the unseen battles we face daily. In my experience, the shield of God’s protection and grace is always there, even when we feel crushed. Accepting His strength not only restores us in the moment but empowers us to keep moving forward with faith. I encourage everyone to seek out those "good words" — divine or human — that bring gladness to your heart and lighten your load.
