When My Affliction is Great by Evelyn J. Johnson
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When life is exceeding our expectations, we may say, "Pinch me and make sure I'm not dreaming," but when the curve ball has been pitched and we weren't even poised with a bat to take a swing, we may find ourselves asking, "How could this be happening to me?"
My friend, Evelyn J. Johnson is sharing her experience with this through her reflection of Psalm 110 to remind us where our help comes from - not just for the end of the battle, but when the battle is raging. A still, small voice guided her each step - literally, each step - of the way, and friend, this voice is available for us, too.
Evelyn J. Johnson is the Founder of Joy’s Circle to coach, encourage and empower individuals to believe in their true given talent and gifts. She loves to teach others to tap into their purpose, to bring their dreams and desires to full manifestation biblically.
Evelyn is a stroke survivor and has been using her voice ever since to encourage bible teachings, motivation, empowerment, and leadership. Evelyn knew her voice was her gift.
Evelyn is the co-author of two books and can be reached at www.joyscircle.com, @joyscircle on Instagram and www.facebook.com/joyscircle
The ball dropped at the stroke of midnight. There was a sound that surely heard throughout the heavens. We gathered in the house of prayer to celebrate and experience letting go of the old year of 2017 to enter the New Year of 2018. My vision and goals were set in stone, and I just knew it was my year. I even came into the New Year saying that “This is My Year."
It was a moment which felt like all the stars aligned exactly right for me. As I observed all the excitement in the crowd, the energy made you feel like 2018 was going to be an impressive year. Then, my world came to an abrupt halt on January 22, 2018. I was immediately taken to the hospital, because I had a stroke.
Yes, that is right. A stroke.
I asked God, "How could this be happening to me?" This was my year, and I did not expect my body to crash and burn so early in the year. Lord, I had plans for 2018. My plans have been altered. Then, the silent hover inside my mind. The only thing I could think about asking God was “Please God do not take my voice.” These words were on a loop in my head, “Please God do not take my voice. You can have anything on my body, but please God do not take my voice.”
It was like my full-throttle open request to what I am asking God to allow me to keep. Do not get me wrong, I need healing to the left arm that felt like it fell off my body. I need healing to the twisted face, I need healing to the continual spillage of salvia that ran down my face, but more importantly I needed to keep my voice above anything.
My morning felt normal as any other morning commuting to work. I arrived at work as normal, no signs, symptoms or warning light flashing that day. This day turned out no different than any other day. I did the normal routine, said good morning to my manager and co-worker. We chatted and I started the daily routine of paying my bills for our facility. It was getting close to lunch, so I thought before I left for lunch I would make a pit stop in the lady’s room.
As I settled in the restroom. I noticed there was a wet spot on my shirt, then I looked down at the floor and noticed a wet spot on the floor. I looked up at the ceiling to see it was leaking. As I transitioned over to the sink to wash my hands, while looking in the mirror I said these words, I am having a stroke! I immediately turned to the door and was unsuccessful in being able to open the door with my left hand. Then, panic started setting in, and I accidentally turned the lights off.
Now, I am standing in the darkness alone and getting panicky. Then, I heard a voice say, “Stop, calm down and turn the light back on.” I took a breath, switched the lights back on and reached for the handle with my right hand, I knew I had to get out and was successful in opening the door this time. All the while talking to myself heading back to my office.
Asking myself, "How will I tell my boss?" Every step I took to get back to my office, that small voice kept telling me to “Get back to the office, sit down and write 'call 911.' You are not feeling good.” My boss was getting ready to walk out the door for lunch, and I turned around immediately and held up the handwritten note. Thank God she acted immediately and called 911.
I had to realize this was still my year, but it was my year of healing to prepare for the assignment God had planned for me.
As I lay in that hospital bed, my affliction felt great. Though David never experienced a stroke, he had encountered the opposition of his enemies, which was great. However, David's enemies became his footstool (Psalm 110:1). We will encounter sickness, enemies revolting against us, and battles, but we must remember as David writes in Psalm 110:
The Lord is at your right hand - Psalm 110:5
The Lord was with me through my stroke and He will be with you, too. Reach out and grab hold of His mighty hand to comfort you.
Now, It's Your Turn!
Before opening God's Word, take a moment to pray and ask God to meet you there. Then...
Read Psalm 110 a couple times. Highlight what stands out to you.
Circle verbs or specific wording you notice.
Then, write down a bullet point takeaway based on this. "I-statements" help make this personal. Think of this as a challenge statement.
When my affliction is great, I will remember the Lord is at my right hand, and I will reach out and grab hold of His mighty hand to comfort me.
Then, jot down a question or two to think about today. You don't have to have the answer to this question now. And yield to the Holy Spirit - prayerfully ask God to search your heart and lead you to more truth and grow your faith through the Holy Spirit.
When have I felt the weight of affliction? In what ways do I feel this now? As I trust God with this through prayer, I believe I will see victory - yes, even here. Amen.
Again, we don't have to be Bible scholars and talk only in the thou's and art's of King James version to read this book. ...because when we pray before we read, we are not alone. The Holy Spirit is with us, guiding and teaching us.
Praise God for this!
And praise God for refreshment as we are intentional to spend a summer in the Psalms together, for if we want His truth to ever be on our lips, it must first be planted in our hearts.
Our strength grows as we rely on strength from above. Our joy grows as we see God transforming us from the inside out. Our peace grows as we spend time in God's presence, and we find rest when we intentionally seek the Lord first in our lives, for the Lord is ever our portion.
The good life, well it starts with a good day. Then another. Then another. Let's choose to live #TheGoodDay one day at a time.
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