Mentally, I know that as a Christian, I can count on the fact that tribulation will come. I also know in my head that I am not to fear it. It is just part of the process to grow me up in the most holy faith. I believe it. I know I was saved eternally by the Grace of God and that the power of Jesus’ name is real. I have always known my faith would be tested and indeed it has been tried and tested throughout these 45 plus years since putting my hand to the plow to follow Jesus wherever He leads me.

It’s a choice to rejoice.

I know it is a choice to rejoice as I endure through trouble and in my sufferings through the testings of my faith. Since “that day” when I decided to follow Jesus, I have been determined to stand before Him and with Him in His grace. Grace freely given. It is impossible to EARN. But I also know it is a choice to actually receive it personally. And, I have decided—as the song says—No turning back. No turning back.

“I will call upon the LORD, who is worthy to be praised; so shall I be saved from my enemies.”

Psalm 18:3, 6 NKJV

I have always believed that, but I had never actually tested that it was true.

God’s favor is amazing

He gives me the ability to do something which is humanly impossible for me to do apart from His grace. David Jeremiah says it is a divine kindness or an act of true compassion on the part of God Himself toward needy or undeserving human recipients.

Yes, I KNEW all of that in my head.

Then, came the opportunity to believe it in my heart. And respond with my actions.

He prepares us ahead of time with instruction that we are to use in our spiritual battles.

That day arrived totally unexpectedly.

It was a horrible day of fighting with my husband. We were both angry. We were in the doorway of our bedroom.

Both of our children were standing next to us. We were ALL crying and yelling.

It had never dawned on me that physical tribulation would come from my own husband. I was not prepared for what came next…

SUDDENLY…

I was stunned. My husband grabbed me with both his hands around my neck. I could not breathe. He had never ever done that before. I was not prepared in my mind to defend myself. I was most certainly in a victim mindset.

The Power of Jesus NAME

HOWEVER…SUDDENLY…

God had prepared me. I remembered that I had recently heard a Bible Study on the radio about the power of Jesus’ NAME.
With no breath in me, The Holy Spirit yelled out of my mouth…

J E S U S !

AND THEN…SUDDENLY…

My husband’s hands FLEW AWAY from my neck and I went from Victim to Victor.

The Faithfulness of our God

“In my distress I called upon the LORD, and cried out to my God; He heard my voice…and my cry came before Him even to His ears…”

“He delivered me from my strong enemy, from those who hated me; for they were too strong for me…”

Psalm 18: 6, 17

WHY did God do that for me?

That, my friends, was a definite act of GRACE and FAVOR toward me.

AND toward my husband and my children. What if my husband had succeeded?

But to God be the Glory! He did NOT succeed! Almighty God showed me the POWER that is in the very NAME OF JESUS.

God showed His love when we did not earn or deserve it. We were ALL in a very carnal state.

Why did He rescue us?

Psalm 18:19b “He delivered me because He delighted in me.”

“When you know that Jesus changes everything, you see that there is no area of our lives where Christ does not make something beautiful, even from ashes.”

Our Daily Bread devotional.

“Mighty One, You are an amazing God; greater than my ability to imagine, beyond any word I could use to describe You.”…
”Heavenly Father, You’re greater than the most powerful forces in the world. Use me to point others to your grace.”

Encounter with God

Awaiting His shout,


Christian Life Coach
Leading from Your Strengths Mentor
www.loavesandfishescoaching.com