The Source of Strength

For the past several months, I have had the privilege as a political writer of getting to know a wonderful man who lives in the mountains, loves his family, honors God, and has been fighting North Carolina for 40 years to get the state to honor a duly signed contract regarding property rights. I began the project a little dubious as to why I was getting involved. As in most things, I entered with zero knowledge, but with a heart open to where God might be leading me, and I ended up being blessed beyond measure. I now consider Phillip a cherished friend, and am so glad I took on the project. Despite a devastating disease that has sapped this man my own (young!) age of his strength, he praises God every day, sending a Facebook message every morning that opens with, "Good morning world!" It never fails to make me smile, to feel encouraged, to feel I can do what I must do that day.

You can read my article later today at northcarolinaconservative.net that tells Phillip's story.(Another Mountain Man Battles NC Over Property Rights.)I hope you all will read it, and that you will lift him and his family in prayer. I also hope that you might consider how easily many of us give up, think politics (and faith) don't matter, don't vote, don't care, and don't enter into difficult struggles or debate for fear of offense. We are so afraid of taking a stand, of voicing an opinion, or caring about more than the next reality show. We are losing our country with barely a whimper. We sacrifice our soul so we can "all get along."

I was feeling terribly horribly awful yesterday morning. Had barely slept the night before due to a ringing in my ears so loud that I struggled to hear around it. I felt dizzy, with paresthesia in my fingers, intense joint pain, chest pain, and nausea. Then when I showered, I was so weak, I had to rest my arms every few seconds while washing my hair. I called the doctor, knowing something was very wrong. I honestly thought I could die. They rushed me in immediately, and decided I was having "an adverse reaction to the sinusitis medication." One person in 10,000 exhibits the negative reactions I was having. I am a trend-setter! As soon as I stopped the meds, the symptoms decreased markedly, and I began feeling better than I had felt in a long time. While I had adverse reactions to the meds, they had apparently knocked out the worst of the sinusitis, and for now, the doc has taken me off all meds except a nasal spray.

But as I was thinking maybe I was about to die, I didn't feel as much distress as one might think. I was a little scared, and I felt terrible, but through it all, I prayed. And when I prayed, I knew I was not alone in this. I know God is real, I know Jesus, and while certainly sinful and filled with skeletons in my closet, I am convinced I am forgiven and loved beyond measure. If I must die, I know where I will wake up. Phillip knows that too, and it is the source of his strength. What a comfort it is to know that when I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I really can fear no evil, for my Shepherd is with me.

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God is our protection and source of strength. He is always ready to help us in times of trouble. So we are not afraid when the earth quakes and the mountains fall into the sea. We are not afraid when the seas become rough and dark and the mountains tremble. There is a river whose streams bring happiness to God’s city, to the holy city of God Most High. God is in that city, so it will never be destroyed. He is there to help even before sunrise. God says, “Stop fighting and know that I am God! I am the one who defeats the nations; I am the one who controls the world.” The Lord All-Powerful is with us. The God of Jacob is our place of safety. (Psalms 46:1-5, 10, 11 ERV)




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