Posted on by Dr. Tammi Love · 2 Comments

Maybe God is Trying to Tell You Something

My 50th year of life has been a mammoth rollercoaster ride of sudden turns, deep dives, and exhilarating highs. As soon as I think I have a handle on things, here comes something else. At one leg of this year’s journey, I felt defeated with thoughts that I was stuck in a position of feeling like I was catching up more than I was in sync with the anticipation of promising possibilities presented in each new day. I found myself with my head down, caught up in my work – so much so that I began experiencing pain in my neck and back. Then suddenly, God exposed a blessing in plain sight for me to acknowledge. As the scales fell from my eyes, I was reborn in those moments of uncertainty and revived to live in the truth of my gifts and callings. Still, I felt there was something else lingering. I became finally convinced – maybe God was trying to tell me something.

I realized this epiphany during a session with my therapist. God revealed, “Tammi, you’re stronger than you think you are.” The course of this year and my life have been routines of action, jumping in to do whatever was necessary to accomplish a goal, overcome a hardship, encourage, or listen. Responding in times of need was my natural reflex. However, assuming my strength on the rollercoaster was not an adjective I allowed for myself. It wasn’t until I shared with my therapist the events of my life in the last three years that the notion of strength rang in my spirit. “Tammi, you’re stronger than you think you are.”

Closing out this calendar year, and preparing for another birthday in the new year, God is sounding alarms within my heart. God is directing me to my innermost parts. God is speaking to the work He began in me, to remind me that my strength comes from Him. God is reminding me that as I begin a new year I’ve never experienced before, there are seven key truths concerning me to hold close to my heart:

  1. When I’m weak, God is strong.
  2. The battle is not mine; it’s God’s.
  3. Trust God, even when it hurts.
  4. Everybody can’t travel where God is taking me.
  5. Finish what I’ve started.
  6. My obedient works will not return to me void.
  7. I, and everyone connected to me, win.

I’m stronger than I think I am. 

Just as God is trying to tell me something, He’s also trying to tell you something. I encourage you to find out what that something is. We don’t have the time we think we do. Ignoring God and His pleas to follow Him will provoke God to get our attention with sudden turns and frightening dives along our journeys. God doesn’t want us to wander any longer. Be still and hear His voice. No more chasing mirages. God is our living water.

“You’re going to find that there will be times when people will have no stomach for solid teaching, but will fill up on spiritual junk food—catchy opinions that tickle their fancy. They’ll turn their backs on truth and chase mirages. But you—keep your eye on what you’re doing; accept the hard times along with the good; keep the Message alive; do a thorough job as God’s servant.” – 2 Timothy 4:3-5

Posted on by Dr. Tammi Love

It’s All in the Reach

Over a year has passed, and I’m still navigating a rotator cuff injury. My range of motion is better, but not quite 100%. I struggle from time to time with my reach. Reaching across seats for my purse after it’s fallen on the floor, reaching for a bowl from a top shelf, or reaching too far behind me to catch the sleeve of my coat to put it on. My reach is just plain pitiful at times. It’s been a frustrating experience.

Right after my injury, I engaged in weeks of physical therapy, as directed by the doctor. My treatment included practicing exercises at home to gain strength in my injured shoulder. The more I practiced, the more hopeful I became. But as soon as I allowed the busyness of life to distract me, my confident aim diminished, and the scope of my reach shortened. 

There is a narration in scripture that describes a woman who suffered hemorrhages for 12 years (Luke 8:43-48). The narration tells how this woman reached out to touch the hem of Jesus’ garment for healing. Even though a crowd surrounded Jesus, the woman did not allow that distraction to hinder her determination to reach the one she believed could heal her and replenish her life.

Whether we fall, stand, or hold on for dear life, our reach is an exercise in seeking God, of reaching in hope and for hope. The woman with the issue of blood sought Jesus. She found Him, and a mere touch of His cloak and her determined hope was the prescription that released her from 12 years of discomfort and shame. Jesus’ words to the woman sealed the result of her reach – “your faith has healed you. Go in peace”.

Our hard-pressed predicaments compel us to reach for God. Our joyous determination urges us to stretch out our praise to God. Daily, we are challenged to refuse the urge to reach for unproven sources that tear us down, leaving unrest. We are purposed to seek the life-giving words and affirmations inspired by God. He will lead us to wholeness. He will lead us to becoming a new creation.

“Seek the Lord while He may be found; call on Him while He is near.”  – Isaiah 55:6