Rise Up ~ A Speak to My Soul Devotional
RISE UP!
You women who are so complacent, rise up and listen to me; you daughters who feel secure, hear what I have to say! ~ (Isaiah 32:9 NIV)
It seems to me that there are so many things that are trying to bring good people down these days. From failed marriages to a failed economy there is this barrage of “more” that hits us right at the heart and in the home each and every day.
I know this all too well because for me personally this has been a very tumultuous season in my life and in my ministry. The swells from the storms have been so fierce and so intense that there have been times when I just sit there with my head buried in my hands wondering when will it all end. Have you felt like that? You know that feeling where you just can’t take anymore.
In the last two weeks my world has been turned upside down. Instead of making me want to crawl in a hole and “give up” it has just made me mad! Enough is enough already! Less than two weeks ago, on the same day, my mom (who’s 57) was diagnosed with Breast Cancer and my grandmother (mom’s mom who is 86) was diagnosed with Bone Marrow Cancer.
I was completely devastated. Two of the strongest and most influential women in my life were both battling cancer. I couldn’t breathe. I cried and cried (and not the pretty cry, but ugly cry that comes deep down from your soul) then I started to get…angry.
Ladies, there is a battle going on in our world right now. Yes, it is cancer, but it is also so many other things, and if we don’t RISE UP and start to get battle ready we are going to continue to ride the tumultuous waves as they crash down around us.
Friends, we are in a battle;
For our kids
For our finances
For our families
For our health
For our jobs
For our beliefs
In Ephesians 6:11 (NKJV) it says, “Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.”
We can’t stand around any longer and pretend like everything is ok, because the reality is that it’s not. We are called to RISE UP and get battle ready each and every day. Unfortunately so many have been beaten down by life and struggle just to get up and go on with life, nevertheless to RISE UP and get battle ready.
I hear ya, believe me I do. But the reality of it all is that the battle wages on in and around us each and every day whether or not we even take the time to be aware of it. So, why not grab the bull by the horns and prepare for battle with me?
Come back tomorrow (Wednesday 3/4) to find out exactly how to get battle ready!
Until then take today to be praying about what you need to do to rise up in your life.
Seeking JOY on the Journey,
PS – My mom has her surgery tomorrow (Wednesday 3/4). I covet (and appreciate) your prayers for her to have a great surgery, an early appointment, for her lymph nodes to come back clear and normal, and for the family as we seek to rise up and stand beside her through this. Thank you dear friends, Melissa
Photo Credit: Flickr by ecinrebroxmyworld.net95
Hi Melissa,
I prayed that the good Lord place his hands on the surgeon & doctors tending to your mother and that the surgery is a sucess. That her recovery is also painless & speedy. I’ve been there I’m a 2 1/2 yr Breast Cancer Survivor.
God Bless,
Brenda
Hey There Brenda,
Thank you SO much for your prayers for my mom tomorrow! You have no idea the peace it brings to me knowing that she is being bathed in prayer right now!
Congrats on your successful victory over it as well! You Go Girl…Rise Up!
xoxo,
Melissa
Melissa, I too am angry and ready for battle, we can do it together girl!
Sandra,
I am so thankful to be in this battle with YOU!
Melissa
Prayers for the skillful hands of the surgeons, fast healing and peace and calm for all.
My sister told me God put it on her heart this morning to give me a message he felt I and a family I am healping deal with the death of their 6mo 2 weeks ago (I spent the week in the hosp with them to support them as much as I could thru the heartbreaking week)
But the Gist of the message was GOD UNDERSTANSDS, I may not understand but everything is for the greater good and it not to hurt us but help us (maybe not now but in the greater picture. It made so much sence to me this morning.
Right there beside you my friend 🙂
We will be standing in the gap for your family tomorrow. I’ve got my armor ready and Lord willing His strength for the battle <3
Mel,
Amen! Yes, we women must rise up at this time. The unseen war is very real. The tagline to my “The Sisterhood of Beautiful Warriors” is Arise! You Can Change Your World Because Christ Has Changed You. What you’re talking about is what my book-in-process is all about. Could I reprint this devotion on my “Sisterhood” site: http://lucyannmoll.com/beautifulwarrior/ ?
May God continue to bless you mightily!
Blessings and hugs, Lucy