My Journey To Healing

If everyone had to put their problems in the middle and you were able to see the depths of everyone’s problems, then I am quite certain you would begin to be grateful and see that your life just really isn’t that bad, compared to others.

It seems that every time I begin to get really concerned about a problem that has presented itself in my life, God brings someone around that needs prayer for a traumatic event that is going on in their life. So traumatic that my heart becomes heavy and I weep before the Lord, praying deeply for my friend and their situation.  In the midst of it all I forget about the problem in my life, as it just doesn’t seem that concerning anymore.  I begin praising God for all the things in my life that bless me.  Often it is the simple things like having a home, clothing, food and a happy healthy family that loves me so much….this is what truly blesses me.

We often get so focused on our problems in life that we forget how truly blessed we really are.  We forget about those simple things, but if you were to take all those simple things away then life, I guarantee, would be much much harder to bear.

Today, right now, stop for a few minutes and just be grateful.  Thank God for all the things that maybe you take for granted each and every day.  Focus on the GOoD in your life and choose to have the attitude of gratitude.

BE LOVE, GIVE LOVE~

Abby

Have you ever went through a season in life thinking you were not going to survive at all?  Did you survive?  I am guessing if you are reading this you did.  I call these seasons in life The Refiner’s Fire or Growth Season.  The important thing about this type of season is did you learn from it and grow in the midst of it.

I are going through one of these seasons right now.  You see God spoke to my heart in March of 2010, just shortly after I found out I was pregnant with our first child, and said, “You put more security in your savings account then you do me and because I love you I am going to have to take it.”  I immediately started fighting against it with fears and worries about the what ifs.  Deep down inside I wanted my security to be deeply trusted in the Lord and for that to happen I knew the savings account needed to go but that still didn’t make it easy for me to let it go.  I knew that the only way I could really experience a deeper security in the Lord was for Him to take the very thing I was putting security in….my savings account.

So the refining process begun.  Each time I had to transfer money I could feel the fears rise up inside.  I hated letting go of it but then, with one transfer, I began crying out to the Lord for forgiveness because I started to realize just how much security I did put in money.  I hated that this was inside of me and I surrender to the refining process more fully.  The Lord took the entire savings account within 5 months and to this day I still don’t have a savings account.  Work slowed down, unexpected expenses came up and we had a baby but you know what, I survived and I am surviving.

My husband and I have to completely rely on the Lord for our bills to be paid and for our daily bread.  Our security is completely in Him now, not our jobs, customers, clients or family members.  We have to walk by faith and not by sight.  It has been a blessing to see how He provides when we think there is no way.

I am so grateful for this growth season because the beautiful thing is that all the fear is gone, all the worries and what ifs are gone, all the arguments with my husband over money…gone.  I am filled with peace and joy.  I know the Lord is my provider and I trust in Him completely.  What a very beautiful thing, the Refiner’s Fire.  I had to go through the fire to get to where I am today.

Here is a short video that I hope you enjoy that describes the Refiner’s Fire in a powerful way.  Be encouraged, because the Lord works out everything for the good for those who love Him.  Keep pressing forward keeping your eyes on Him.

Click for the Refiner’s Fire Video

BE LOVE, GIVE LOVE

Abby

Define what stillness is to you.  What are ways you obtain it?

Feel free to leave a comment on your thoughts about stillness.

Be Love, Give Love~

Abby

Fall Is Fast Approaching!

It’s time to turn off the air conditioner and open the windows. Even better, you can go outside without breaking a sweat. It’s perfect weather for stillness. Let us embrace it.

Want To Win?  

I have created a new Facebook page for my book, “Blossoming out of the Valley.” 

The first 100 fans to like the Facebook page will receive the first three chapters of the book FREE.

It’s simple~

• Like the Facebook page
• Write a simple message on the wall
• You’re entered

Only the first 100 fans get the first three chapters, so hurry and like the page today.

Want To Experience Stillness? 

I have created a video that will take you into the quiet moments of stillness and allow you to relax your mind. Find a quiet place, push play, relax your mind and let God do the work.

Click here for the video, or click the YouTube channel logo below.

Feel free to share the video with your loved ones.

BE LOVE, GIVE LOVE
Abby Lewis

Unique healing, restoration and freedom in living…these are the gifts that God has so graciously given me. As I learned to practice stillness with Him, God changed the course of my life. He healed my broken spirit by revealing His true character to me. Knowing Him enabled me to trust Him to guide me to the next step up the ladder out of my dark valley. He infused me with His strength, wisdom, direction, clarity and peace, which gave me the courage to keep climbing. In stillness, in my surrender to Him, He led me step by step into a life of freedom with Him.

From Ch. 1 Practicing Stillness with God

Blossoming out of the Valley

BE LOVE, GIVE LOVE

When you look at this picture I took, what do you see?  Most people would say a almost dead tree or a tree barely making it.  But what I see, is much different and much deeper.  First of all, I need to tell you that I just love nature, especially trees and spending time in nature is by far one of the most favorite things I do.  I get a stronger and deeper connection with God and receive so much joy while being in nature.  So back to the picture.  What I see is a very strong tree!!!  Even though a big storm stripped him of almost everything, he still had strong enough roots to carry him through, survive and become fruitful again.  So now let me ask you if a strong storm/trial came into your life and stripped you of almost everything you had, (death in the family or close friend,  bad health report from doctor, you lose your job, get cheated on, stolen from, tornado takes your house, bad car wreck, economic recession, etc) would you have strong enough spiritual roots in the Lord, Jesus Christ, to carry you through, survive and become fruitful again.  Think about it….

Luke 6:46-49    The Wise and Foolish Builders

⁴⁶ “Why do you call me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ and do not do what I say? ⁴⁷ As for everyone who comes to me and hears my words and puts them into practice, I will show you what they are like. ⁴⁸ They are like a man building a house, who dug down deep and laid the foundation on rock. When a flood came, the torrent struck that house but could not shake it, because it was well built. ⁴⁹ But the one who hears my words and does not put them into practice is like a man who built a house on the ground without a foundation. The moment the torrent struck that house, it collapsed and its destruction was complete.”

BE LOVE, GIVE LOVE

Whether you are in a pit of despair, like I was, with issues too numerous to count, or you—like many people—have one nagging issue or insecurity that keeps you from freely living, God is ready to help you. Just as He uniquely pursued me, God will uniquely pursue you. Just as He brought me freedom by walking me through a unique healing journey, He can do the same for you.

The inspiration to write the book Blossoming out of the Valley, came from my desire to encourage others to move forward on their own journeys to becoming healthy, whole individuals who are able to be love and to give love to those they encounter. I hope that the book will help you recognize that God is mercifully and lovingly pursuing you, and that you will choose to turn to face Him. I hope that sharing the ways God helped me heal from my chaos will inspire you to allow God to help you climb out of your dark valley into a relationship with Him that is full of freedom, peace and love.

To learn more or to place your order click here

Be Love, Give Love~

Abby Lewis of Healing Naturally

I felt lead to share this excerpt, from Blossoming out of the Valley, with you today.  I pray that it speaks to your heart.  It might be one of things that is keeping you or someone you know from truly finding  peace and stillness with God.  Enjoy!!

Are you too busy? When we are busy, we are certainly distracted. The very word busy feels like a curse. It evokes overwhelming, negative feelings in us because we have all experienced the chaos of busy. Being B-U-S-Y can be thought of as Being Under Satan’s Yolk. Under this influence, we typically neglect resting in God’s presence and are often distracted from what He is calling us to do. When I hear people say they are  too busy, I encourage them to seek God’s direction on how to structure their time. God calls us to be active servants, but He does not desire us to be so active that we feel chaotic and lose our joy. When we are living the lives that God has called us to, we may have much to accomplish, but it will be accompanied by peace, strength and a sense of purpose. Because of this, I encourage people to remove the word busy from their vocabulary and replace it with blessed instead. We are indeed blessed that God chooses us to be active participants in fulfilling His purposes in our lives and the lives of those around us.

If you feel lead to read more or to order your very own copy then click here ~~Read More~~ If you know someone that needs to hear this, then please share this with them.  Thank you Kindly!

BE LOVE, GIVE LOVE

An Excerpt from Blossoming out of the Valley

Chapter 1~Practicing Stillness with God

The exciting thing is that it only takes a small change of focus to practice stillness with God. Make a simple choice to take minutes, hours or even days to be still with God, presenting yourself just as you are. God is waiting for all His children to be still so He can speak wisdom and direction to them. He wants to bless you with love, joy, peace, comfort and healing. He wants to heal and restore you.

Author Max Lucado, in his book The Applause of Heaven, describes the blessings of practicing stillness with God like this:

Think about the people in your world. Can’t you tell the ones who have been to his mountain? Oh, their problems aren’t any different. And their challenges are just as severe. But there is a stubborn peace that enshrines them. A confidence that life isn’t toppled by unmet budgets or rerouted airplanes. A serenity that softens the corners of their lips. A contagious delight sparkling in their eyes. And in their hearts reigns a fortress like confidence that the valley can be endured, even enjoyed, because the mountain is only a decision away. Take a trip with the King to the mountain peak. It’s pristine, uncrowded, and on top of the world. Stubborn joy begins by breathing deep up there before you go crazy down here.¹

I couldn’t have said it better. I was going crazy down here, but God touched me in a moment of stillness and began to change me. He was there all along, but I had to be willing to go to Him to find the peace that I so desperately craved. When I chose to respond to God’s pursuit of me, I began to experience His powerful deliverance as He led me step by step out of my dark valley. With each step, I found greater peace and more freedom. However, what sustained this peaceful rest was my commitment to practicing stillness with God. I chose to stay focused on God for strength and direction, even as I got further and further away from the chaos of my dark valley.

To read more and to place your order CLICK HERE

BE LOVE, GIVE LOVE

~abby