Posted on by Dr. Tammi Love · 3 Comments

It’s Worth It

Emotional healing is a remarkable feat. Kudos to those living victoriously – no longer distracted by taunting triggers and stressors. For those still pursuing emotional healing, still wrestling with creative diversions, the path to overcoming can feel like repeated cycles of defeat. Traveling the unassuming terrain toward becoming healthy (again) proves to be an arduous journey. Yet it’s worth it.

Our human condition is dressed in feelings and emotions. We can’t escape the natural consequence of action and reaction. However, we can accept the challenge to secure a healthy pathway to healing, not succumbing to repeated feelings of hurt that mislead us to misery and bondage.

I’m leading a study on the prophets Elijah and Elisha in the Bible with a group of women at my church. During our study time, we discussed Elijah’s feelings of defeat while carrying out God’s plan for his life. Elijah’s emotional state led him to run away from the ensuing hurt pursuing him. Jezebel, that is. 

From an anguished heart Elijah told God in 1 Kings 19:4, “I have had enough, Lord.” Elijah felt he could no longer escape the taunting of Jezebel’s threats to kill him, nor could he escape his weariness. He felt alone and was giving up on any hope of rescue or healing. Then God responded. God released an angel to Elijah’s side to alert him to the resources right in front of him, resources God was providing as needed healing to carry Elijah through the rest of his journey. 

At Elijah’s lowest point, he recognized, through God’s reminders, that wholeness was within reach. Even though Elijah experienced unjustified hurt along his journey, Elijah also experienced healing by the permissive hand of God. It was worth it.

Along my journey I’ve learned that it’s okay to feel defeated in this life, even while having a relationship with God. The truth is, committing to live for God and not self will position us on a challenging journey that comes with feeling hurt sometimes. However, in the nick of time, God reveals Himself, alerting us to His resources and might. Those resources may include counseling services, rest, relocation, new friends, a new mindset, nourishment, visions, whispers of encouragement, an army of angels, a table of overflow prepared for us set before our enemies, revelations, and forgiveness. 

No matter the trigger or trauma we encounter, we don’t have to wallow in feelings of defeat. Wallowing will suffocate us. Our healing is in God – He is ours, and we are His.

It’s all worth it.

“but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.” – Isaiah 40:31

Posted on by Dr. Tammi Love · 2 Comments

Get Some Rest

Beloved,

In all of your getting,
get some rest.
Mental rest.
You jeopardize your goal and impact without it.

“Then, because so many people were coming and going that they did not even have a chance to eat, he (Jesus) said to them (the apostles), “Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest.” – Mark 6:31

Posted on by Dr. Tammi Love

Safe in His Arms

When I was a little girl, I was stung in the head by a bee. It occurred on the day my mother designated as ‘hair washing day.’ My ponytails were undone, my once neatly sectioned parts were untidy, and I was pleasantly free from prim and proper to comfortably carefree. I was playing outside, with my wild hair, near a shed where my father and brothers were working, unaware of bees swarming above me. While carelessly skipping and dancing around in my imaginary world, I heard a buzzing near my head. Soon after, I felt the intense sting of a bee in the middle of my head. The pain sent me screaming and crying with arms flailing into the house, where I sought the safety of my mother. She tended to the sting and allowed me whatever time I needed to cry everything out – the physical pain, the embarrassment, and the ridicule from my brothers. I cried myself to sleep on the living room couch, not awakening until dinner time.

It’s difficult today to live a life unaware of our surroundings. What’s looming in our midst is no longer someone else’s problem. The struggles and complexities of our government, our health care system, our education system, our climate, and our relationship with God all pierce the daily realities of our families and communities intimately. Still, God allows us to find His grace in times of need, to include rest that carries us through the darkest hours. God carries us when we’re weak from the stings of life. We’re safe in His arms.

“Because we don’t have a high priest who can’t sympathize with our weaknesses but instead one who was tempted in every way that we are, except without sin. Finally, let’s draw near to the throne of favor with confidence so that we can receive mercy and find grace when we need help.”– Hebrews 4:15-16

“Come to me, all you who are struggling hard and carrying heavy loads, and I will give you rest. Put on my yoke, and learn from me. I’m gentle and humble. And you will find rest for yourselves. My yoke is easy to bear, and my burden is light.” – Matthew 11:28-30

Posted on by Dr. Tammi Love

I Am Persuaded

Just when I think the bustle of life is slowing down, an urgent situation, an uncertain circumstance rolls in and disrupts my vibe. My pretty, wrapped-up in a bow thought processes to set-aside “me-time” or a “mental health day”, quickly dissipates to practically nothing until the next weary moment comes crashing in. As a teenager, I dreamt of my adult years as compartmentalized experiences that would yield a carefree life. Boy, did I get a reality check! My adult years have proven to be a mixture of sorts ranging from indescribable joys, hard-to-handle uncertainties and near-death experiences that have actualized a life I could not have planned for. I dare not complain. Even with its highs and lows, my life is better than what I could think or imagine. So, I press on.

My pressing is teaching me to flow with God as He dictates when and where and how. And I’m following His leading, getting what I need when I need it the most. Rather than be pushed away, I feel drawn even closer to God, motivated in a renewed mindset.

I am persuaded to live with fervor. I am persuaded to pray with fire. I am persuaded to serve with faith that moves mountains. I am persuaded. The life God has given me persuades me to be an example that points the lost, the broken, the forgotten, the cast aside – to Him. To Him, who saves me from myself. To Him, who is mighty in ALL things. To Him, who is Alpha and Omega. To Him, who bids us all to draw near to Him and find rest. Are you persuaded to begin a renewed walk with God? I invite you to do so today.