When tragedy knocks you down

Updated: Aug 29, 2020

Y’all, this week has been low key, shoot actually high key, a difficult one for me. And you know, nothing awful or dramatic happened, it was all internal.

I felt very down and fearful. Of what you ask? Oh just the ushe things I struggle with: making the wrong decisions, fearful that the decision I make may be because I’m not hearing God’s voice well, fear of being hurt.

I literally could not sleep last night. I woke up super early and found myself on Instagram 🙄 (low key addicted lol) and saw Chadwick Boseman died. Ughhhhh 😭. My mind immediately wanted to go to how awful 2020 has been so far.

But, rather than continuing to meditate on the negativity, I decided to open up the word of God!

As I was sitting before His feet I started off with, “God, I feel...” And He stopped me and said, "I am not a feeling, I am a constant, enduring, stable truth; know this truth."

God says since He abides in us (John 15;4), since we operate by the Holy Spirit (Romans 8:5), we can’t simultaneously operate in our feelings. We gotta choose faith? Or feelings?

And I legit only have one choice, faith! If I decide to operate in my feelings, I don’t know where I would end up. 😳😝.

God then lead me to the story of Paul and Silas in prison, in Acts 16. These two men, after following the leading of the Holy Spirit, went to a town to share Jesus.

A demon possessed girl was following them around being annoying, and Paul being the boss he is 😎 just opened his mouth and casted that spirit out of her.

Her demon possession was lucrative for her slave owners. And once the slave owners realized their money source dried up, they were pissed 😡 🤬!

They and others in the town beat the mess out of Paul and Silas and threw them into prison.

But guess what Paul and Silas did? They began to praise the Lord! 😭🙌🏾. Because they knew God directed them to that exact place at that exact time. What does Jenn normally do? Freak out and question if I heard God well. 😂

As Paul and Silas praised, SUDDENLY, the shackles that once kept them bound loosened and their jail cell doors opened. And not only that, but the same happened for everyone else in the prison.

The guard who was watching over the jail knew he was toast, legit about to lose his job and dignity when everyone in town finds out while he was on duty in inmates all fled. So he was about to commit suicide. But Paul stopped him.

Amazingly, the jailer and his entire family came to know Christ through the jail-shackles fiasco.

And in the end, the people that beat up Paul and Silas came back and apologized for their wrongdoings.

So in summary:

A relationship with God may not always be roses and sunshine, hardships may occur. (John 16:33)
But when hardships occur your praise (or thanksgiving to God) will be your monopoly get out of jail free card. Your trials will turn into breakthrough. When you praise the Lord, He will abide with you and in his presence is protection and security. (Psalm 22:3, Psalm 91:1-3, Psalm 16:11)
In your breakthrough, even those around you will also be inspired to get theirs.
Your trials ➡️ praise

➡️➡️your praise ➡️breakthrough

➡️➡️ your breakthrough ➡️ others breakthrough and souls being saved

5. You will gain restoration and reparation for the wrongs you endured on others watch

(Joel 2:25)

I know these times are hard yall. There are just so many injustices, tragedy after tragedy, global pandemics, hurricanes, furloughs and unemployment. It's not easy but God is with us. Trust that His love for us will carry us through every storm. I am continuing to learn to do the same.

I have told you these things, so that in Me you may have [perfect] peace and confidence. In the world you have tribulation and trials and distress and frustration; but be of good cheer [take courage; be confident, certain, undaunted]! For I have overcome the world. [I have deprived it of power to harm you and have conquered it for you.]

John 16:33

Facts about Jenn Jenn

I am a total homebody. I use to love being out and about in town, at every party but now I just like my couch and a cozy blanket, good convo, good people, good FOOD, lots of food, and good music.

I guess thats what happens as you get older? 🤷🏾‍♀️