"Plow up your unplowed fields; do not plant your seeds among thorns." (Jeremiah 4:3)
To plow your fields is to prepare them for sowing, to make them fertile so you can reap a rich harvest. Your unplowed fields are those talents, resources, and strengths God has given you, yet those that have remained dormant and unable to reach their full fertile potential because of the oppression and F.O.G. (fear, obligation, guilt) of domestic abuse. "Don't plant your seeds among thorns." Don't give away your strength and beauty to toxic people who won't nurture, cherish, and love you for who you are, those who instead choke the potential growth of your seeds. Now is the time to begin plowing your unplowed fields!
To plow your fields is to prepare them for sowing, to make them fertile so you can reap a rich harvest. Your unplowed fields are those talents, resources, and strengths God has given you, yet those that have remained dormant and unable to reach their full fertile potential because of the oppression and F.O.G. (fear, obligation, guilt) of domestic abuse. "Don't plant your seeds among thorns." Don't give away your strength and beauty to toxic people who won't nurture, cherish, and love you for who you are, those who instead choke the potential growth of your seeds. Now is the time to begin plowing your unplowed fields!
"Blessed are You, O God, with every pure blessing.
Blessed are You because You have made me glad,
And because it has not turned out as I was expecting;
but You have treated us according to Your great mercy."
(Tobit 8:15-16)
Blessed are You because You have made me glad,
And because it has not turned out as I was expecting;
but You have treated us according to Your great mercy."
(Tobit 8:15-16)
"The fervent prayer of a righteous person is very powerful." (James 5:16)
"Do not throw away your confidence, which has great reward. For you have need of endurance, so that you may do the will of God and receive what is promised." (Hebrews 10:35-36)
How can we discern the will of God, and what is the promise we're to receive? The answer is simple: as children of God we are called to thrive in His grace, sheltered under His comforting wings (Psalm 17:8, 36:7, 61:4, 91:4), to draw ever closer to Him. Have you been focusing more on your tumultuous relationship than on Him? Spiritual drought can be a result of abuse; we tend to "forget" and neglect our spiritual lives because all our focus is on the daily crazy-making and other abusive patterns we've been forced to endure. When we shift gears, when we take time for self-care by opening ourselves more to God through prayer, daily devotions such as the Rosary, and inspirational spiritual reading (particularly Sacred Scripture), we find greater peace and more stability of mind. This stability of mind then helps us, through the guidance of the Holy Spirit, to make the decisions we need to make based on His will for our lives. And the promise? The peace of God will abound, no matter what decisions need to be made. "Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you." (John 14:27)
How can we discern the will of God, and what is the promise we're to receive? The answer is simple: as children of God we are called to thrive in His grace, sheltered under His comforting wings (Psalm 17:8, 36:7, 61:4, 91:4), to draw ever closer to Him. Have you been focusing more on your tumultuous relationship than on Him? Spiritual drought can be a result of abuse; we tend to "forget" and neglect our spiritual lives because all our focus is on the daily crazy-making and other abusive patterns we've been forced to endure. When we shift gears, when we take time for self-care by opening ourselves more to God through prayer, daily devotions such as the Rosary, and inspirational spiritual reading (particularly Sacred Scripture), we find greater peace and more stability of mind. This stability of mind then helps us, through the guidance of the Holy Spirit, to make the decisions we need to make based on His will for our lives. And the promise? The peace of God will abound, no matter what decisions need to be made. "Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you." (John 14:27)
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Let not your hearts be troubled; believe in God, believe also in me … Peace I leave you; my peace I give you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid …in me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world … Now I am coming to you; and these things I speak in the world, that they may have joy fulfilled in themselves.”
(John 14:1,27; 16:33; 17:13) Do you notice the repetition? Jesus spoke these words directly before His death and Resurrection. The repetition tells us to pay close attention--He means what He says! Christ wants us to be at peace. He wants our hearts to rest in Him, untroubled because we've surrendered completely to His divine will for us. |
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"God is faithful, and He will not let you be tested beyond your strength, but with the testing He will also provide the way out so that you may be able to endure it." (1 Corinthians 10:13)
But now thus says the LORD, He who created you ...
"Fear not, for I have redeemed you;
I have called you by name, you are mine.
When you pass through the waters I will be with you;
and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you;
when you walk through the fire you shall not be burned,
and the flame shall not consume you ...
Because you are precious in My eyes,
and honored, and I love you ...
Fear not, for I am with you."
(Isaiah 43:1-2,4-5)
"Fear not, for I have redeemed you;
I have called you by name, you are mine.
When you pass through the waters I will be with you;
and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you;
when you walk through the fire you shall not be burned,
and the flame shall not consume you ...
Because you are precious in My eyes,
and honored, and I love you ...
Fear not, for I am with you."
(Isaiah 43:1-2,4-5)
God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.
Therefore we will not fear though the earth should change,
thought the mountains shake in the heart of the sea;
though its waters roar and foam,
though the mountains tremble with its tumult ...
Be still, and know that I am God.
(Psalm 46:1-3,10)
"We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed.” (2 Cor 4:8-9)
“Strength and honour are her clothing; she shall rejoice at the time to come.”
(Prov 31:25)
