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

Hang On To Hope

“I never thought I would live to see the day.” Lately, in our country’s present and not-so-distant past, I find myself repeatedly saying these words. One tragedy after another, one heinous statement after another, one injustice after another, leaves me wounded in these United States of America. Most look to some form of respected leadership for answers and guidance during tumultuous times. Unfortunately, I, as well as others, are finding disappointment in touted leaders whose influence goes no further than a photo-op and witty social media post. 

The persistent turmoil in our nation requires much more than what we have offered as a response. It requires a courageous confession, earnest prayer, patience, obedience to God, and openness to a movement that refuses all manner of injustice and embraces peace.

In our most difficult moments when we wrestle with the impossible, we must muster the strength to plead the words of Psalm 5:1-7,

“Hear my words, Lord! Consider my groans! Pay attention to the sound of my cries, my king and my God, because I am praying to you! Lord, in the morning you hear my voice. In the morning I lay it all out before you. Then I wait expectantly. Because you aren’t a God who enjoys wickedness; evil doesn’t live with you. Arrogant people won’t last long in your sight; you hate all evildoers; you destroy liars. The Lord despises people who are violent and dishonest. But me? I will enter your house because of your abundant, faithful love; I will bow down at your holy temple, honoring you.”

Give yourself permission to hang on to hope. Leave room in your heart to trust God no matter what it looks like. A glorious new day is in view where God is lifted high. It is so.

“So what are we going to say about these things? If God is for us, who is against us?” – Romans 8:31

Posted on by Dr. Tammi Love · 4 Comments

Put It All in His Hands

We don’t get far in life without having a made-up mind to follow God. We get the best results in our pressing when we are adaptable to the ways and means of God. This means we’ve got to dig deep to access the faith that goes against the norm and defies man’s abilities. This faith will activate God to do what no other can do. God deserves, not just words of compliance, but our actual obedience to trust Him, even in the scariest of times. We’ve got to put it all in God’s hands.

Putting it ALL in God’s hands takes us to places where we can’t see our way out. It takes us into our prayer closets, where we try to make sense of what doesn’t make sense.

But putting everything in God’s hands also settles our anxious heart. Resting our burdens at the feet of our God gives us blessed assurance of whose we are and who has His eyes on us, even when we don’t think He’s near.

Charles G. Hayes wrote the popular gospel song, sung passionately by many church choirs, “I Put It All in His Hands.” As a teenager, I joined others in our teenage choir in singing the song. I find the words very encouraging today.

“Whatever the problem, I put it all in His hands.
I know that He can solve it; I put it all in His hands.
This and that; This and that, I put it all in His hands.
No matter how great or small
He’s the Master of them all
I put it all in His hands.”

Go in peace. God will handle it all. Put it in His hands.

Posted on by Dr. Tammi Love

I Don’t Mind Waiting

The evidence of an effective Christian leader or an eager follower of Christ practicing their faith is one who waits on the Lord. Waiting isn’t a nuisance for them. It isn’t a waste of their time. Waiting on God is the best strategy for a Christian to get what he or she desperately wants – an answer from God. Whatever that answer may be, a Christian doesn’t mind waiting on the Lord.

Only God delivers answers to difficult questions man usually fumbles with temporary fixes. Only God closes doors to reveal promise in open windows. And only God orchestrates seasons of tribulation to be the birthing ground for breakthroughs. God sees the bigger picture. That fact has to be a remarkable game-changer for Christians. It has to make a difference when struggling with defining moments to trust God or man. 

The lost man or woman relies on seemingly clever tactics, innovations, and networking maneuvers amidst uncertainty. However, the re-born follower of Christ counts on and respects the beauty of waiting on and trusting God. Waiting is a sacred experience of expectation that reveals God’s magnificence, His rebuke, His love, and His instruction. Most of all, our waiting on God activates a renewal in our faith walk, a revival of our calling, and restoration of our zeal to obey Him. This perpetual rebirth is enough to allow us to run on just a little while longer, trusting everything will be alright.

“but they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.” – Isaiah 40:3