Breakthrough

Breakthrough

Dawn is my absolute favorite time of the day.

I love to see the sun break through the darkness and

begin a new day. 

* Break through the dark to a new day

* A breakthrough in modern medicine

* Breaking through an enemy line 

There are many areas where we as humans need a breakthrough.

In my last post, I shared my journey with MS.  I needed a breakthrough with my health.  Perhaps you need a breakthrough in a certain area.
* Your finances?
* With your children?
* In your marriage?
* Or something else only you know.
There are also many social issues that need to be conquered and defeated.

* the opioid epidemic * child exploitation and sex trafficking * poverty * cancer and more.
The enemy I want to defeat is suicide, especially in young people.

So let's armor up, Warrior!

What kind of battle plan do we need to defeat these enemies?

We can learn from one of the greatest warriors in history.  Most people recognize the story of David and Goliath. As a young person David went up against a giant enemy who was mocking God while his country's adult warriors were cowering in fear.   Though that is the most famous of David's battles, he had many interesting encounters where God gave him very unusual battle plans.
Once David asked God about fighting the Philistines who were about to attack. The Philistines hated Israel and especially David.  They were an incredibly intimidating army, full of cruelty as well as persistence.  That's a bad combination if you were their target.
God told him to have his army circle around behind them and wait for the sound of marching in the tops of the poplar trees. Then, they could attack.
Ummm, OK, now there is a plan no general would come up with....... ever!
But of course, he defeated his enemy.

David knew one very important Truth. Only God can truly defeat your enemy.

Earlier in the same chapter, we learn that David had just been anointed king. When the Philistines heard about it, they came after him in full force.  David got himself to a safe place and asked God if he should go out and fight. He did not just run right out and face them because of his past successes. He humbly prayed and asked if God would hand them over to him.
The Lord replied, "Yes, go ahead. I will certainly hand them over to you."
After defeating his enemy David exclaimed, "The LORD has broken through my enemies before me like a breaking flood."  He named that land "Baal Perazim", which means
                    The God who Breaks Through!

So, friend, here is the plan:
We are going to talk to the One who loves you dearly. He knows your situation. He has the perfect plan to break through and defeat your enemy.  

I am not just suggesting you do something I have not tried myself.  Actually, I have done it both ways.  I have pushed through to try to change a situation with my own logic and power. I have also asked God for His plan.  

Guess which one works better.

But, guess which one is harder to do.

Ugh!  It is hard to be still or worse yet, to be silent.  It is also very hard to wait.  Sometimes, I need reminded of who the real enemy is.

It turns out, God's wisdom is always better than mine.

When it comes to marriage, children or family, it can be especially challenging to ask for God's wisdom and not just react.  On some occasions I need to stand or speak up and say the hard thing.  Other times I need to be silent (This usually happens when I am clearly right and have a brilliant statement just waiting to burst out of my mouth).  

What about social issues? They seem so huge.  Can we actually do anything to prevent suicide, stop the drug epidemic or end school shootings?

2 Corinthians 10:3 We are humans but we do not wage war as humans do. (4) We use God's mighty weapons, not worldly weapons, to knock down the strongholds of human reasoning and to destroy  false arguments.

So, the answer is yes. But, we need God's battle plan.  He knows the best way to defeat the giants that plague our society.

My “enemy” became suicide when our nephew, Noah, took his life in 2016.

I knew I was to pray about this terrible epidemic. But what else? God knew my heart. I wanted to “do”.  Eventually, I knew God's plan for me in this battle against the enemy of suicide.  Actually, the battle is against lies people believe about themselves and their situations. There is also a mental break that takes place.  

First, God stirred a passion in me to tell  people how valuable and dearly loved they are.

Second, I captained a team for the Out of the Darkness Walk for suicide prevention. It funds the hotline as well as support groups and many educational venues. The event actually does so much more than I realized. At one point in last year's walk, I found myself walking near a sweet young man who was there alone.  He was quite overweight and was struggling to continue. He told me he just knew he had to be there.  He also knew he had to keep going.  It was clear he was not just talking about the walk.

(If it is on your heart to be a part of this you can click on the link at the bottom and find out more. I'm sure I will post this link again as it gets closer).

The God who breaks through loves you.  He knows the things that are important to you. Ask Him for His plan. Whether it is a personal issue, like marriage, or a social issue, like suicide, the breakthrough ALWAYS BEGINS BY PRAYING.

My Friend, I am praying with you and for you this week. May you see breakthrough in the areas where there has been struggle.

And please,

Never Forget the Truth - The God who breaks through truly loves you. 💕

_{^{Out of the Darkness Walk - Team Noah}}