Failure

Sometimes you feel like a failure, but this does not mean you are one.  There are several steps to success.  This oftentimes involves missing the mark or failing in the process.  So, though you may not get the results you desire on the first try, don't give up.  Try again.  Change some things and make it a better attempt.

Failure is the first step to success!

Faith

Faith is not what you are able to see, but what is unseen

So when your life is in shambles, remember God has all the puzzle pieces

And He will put them together at will; one piece here and another there

When you are hanging on by a thread, remember that God holds the fabric of your being and He will never unravel

When your sight begins to fail, trust God enough to follow Him blindly knowing he will never lead you wrong

When everything is thrown at you, have faith in God to know that He is shielding the darts of the enemy

When no words you can utter, remember the Holy Spirit will pray for you

When hell comes at you, trust that a standard will rise, preventing any victory the enemy thought he would have

When death comes knocking, trust in the blood of Jesus that causes the death angel to pass over

Though you can’t see God working on your behalf, your extreme faith knows that He is

So when you are overwhelmed by the cares of this world stop, lift your head, open your eyes to the Heavens, and be reminded of who is your help

My God won’t let me die

My Lord won’t let me fail

My faith won’t let me forget

Paula Bibbs-Samuels

9/26/2015

Today may not be what you expected, but it is better than the alternative....death.

Better

You expect me to claim “BETTER” after all I’ve been through?

You want me to overlook the hurt and the pain of several years?
Huh! You say “let it go and move on”
Do you understand where I come from?
I’m not talking about a snubbed toe or a dirty look
I’m talking about guns being shot at me and being hit with a right hook
I’m talking about rejection from friends and family alike
Boyfriends cheating and staying out all night
I’m speaking of experiencing death of several loved ones
My mom included
And you say "don’t be bitter?!"
Tell me how? Show me the better you speak of
Because I’m looking at church people who have lied on me
And all the while shouting and speaking in tongues
I’m dealing with losing jobs and not being able to pay the bills
All while trusting in you and trying to be still
Bitterness has become my very best friend
And you say “Better”, so my problems to you I lend
I will give to you my hurts, my pain, and my shame
I will lay at the altar those things I wish to gain
You say look to the hills from where I will find help
You tell me not to look back, but to focus on my next step
All the things that have happened to me in my past
You say are gone away, because I am now made new
So I release the people who have offended me
And I forgive those who have caused me hurt
I stand before you broken, stripped, and naked
And I say, “Lord, do the work”
I will not move from your presence
Nor from the altar will I leave
I will stay on the Potter’s wheel
Until you, God, are done with me
I renounce my allegiance to bitterness
And I walk in love and forgiveness
You have for me a hope and a future
So, I will no longer be bitter, but Better