Encouragement by FA

03/07/2024

I just want to come on here and speak about those that struggle with chronic pain/ illness (as someone who does).

These battles can often feel isolating. The thought of having to explain how they feel is overwhelming. Sometimes they just wish for a moment someone can feel what they're feeling, not because they want them to be in pain but so they can understand. The nights alone in their room crying, feeling helpless. Having to cancel plans they really wanted to do because they need to rest. The fatigue that leaves them not being fully present. People trying to help when they genuinely don't understand how. The fear of people thinking they are incapable because of pain. Doctors just trying to throw them medicine and not listening.

Something about people that struggle with chronic pain/illness is that they are some of the strongest people you will ever meet. Rarely will you see them cry. Rarely will they complain. Rarely will they be the ones to give up. They put up with more garbage then most. Why? Because they've been through so much and have grown to have endurance. They have a different outlook on life. They see everyday as a blessing. They each often have miracles God has done in their to keep them going. They are living for something greater than themselves.

People can have a narrow view of what healing is thinking it's either being fully healed without pain or nothing. Black and white. Someone with chronic pain/illness is quick to notice the "littler" instances of healing, sometimes getting frustrated when everyone is so set on them being fully healed and not seeing the "little" ways God has healed them along the way.

People with chronic pain/illness come to a place of accepting their story. Not because they don't believe for full healing or don't want it, but because in order to keep going there has to be an acceptance of the grace God has given them for today. They have to have a sense of reality but hope at the same time. They learn to function in where God has them in the present to be better in the future. They know that what they are going through is apart of the bigger story of their life. They learn to have an outlook of "I wouldn't trade this for anything because it's shaped me into the person I am today." They know that their story can positively impact others as they continue to hold on.

Since people with chronic pain/illness are so strong they often struggle with reaching out to others. They don't want to burden others. They deep down still long for the support and community.

I say this to say, if you know someone with chronic pain/illness, I encourage you to check in here and there. You never know how much you reaching out will mean to someone that often feels so isolated.

If you are reading this as someone with chronic pain/illness know you aren't alone. You are loved. You are doing great. God's got you in the palm of His hand. It's going to be okay🫶🏻

01/05/2024

Healing is not linear. It can look like different things. We serve a loving God who heals. Expectation, hope, and belief of this healing is important. Claiming healing is important. How often does He heal when or how we expect though? Most things are never the way we think. As Isaiah 55:8-9 says, “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the Lord. “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts."
God has more of a big picture plan. God does what's good for those that love Him and are called according to His purpose (Romans 8:28).

Automatically, for someone that struggles with full body pain, it's "we're going to pray for complete healing." Believe me, I've prayed for it too and I hope for it. I appreciate it. At the same portion, having to deal with my physical pain has actually allowed emotional and spiritual healing. The Lord has been gracious to develop a faith and strength in me that is able to make it through lives toughest challenges. He's grown my discernment. A motivation and perseverance. I'm able to empathize and minister to people on a different level. I'm able to see the world in a different light and understand my body better. It's created more self awareness. The list goes on. My pain has been used as a healing and maturing piece. The person I am today would have not happened without the trials. The pain we feel can be a gift. And just because someone doesn't get healed when or the way we want them to, doesn't necessarily mean there is something deeper wrong with them. It's just not God's timing, and someone that has lived with pain for so long learns to be okay with that. It doesn't mean they've lost their desperation. It doesn't mean they don't believe enough for it. They have learned to live and trust God until their time comes, if their time comes on earth.

A story I was told was about this lady that got paralyzed and in a wheelchair. For a while she had people around her praying for her to walk again and be completely healed. She was hardcore hoping for it too. This didn't happen but she began to see why. She was able to write a book about it and connect to others that if she weren't still in the wheelchair she couldn't. She started to see her life in a wheelchair as something that wasn't a hinderance but rather a gift. She knew it was a part of her ministry. It wasn't that she gave up on her healing but it's that she saw the purpose for where she was in her life. God gave her the grace to be able to keep functioning and touching people's lives. She had inner healing through it and knew that healing for her was different than what everyone expected it to be.

This isn't to say not to believe in complete healing for yourself. I believe and have faith that God is in the business of doing that. I am encouraging you to think about different ways healing can look like, and that God's plan is different for everyone. Healing looks different for everyone. It's not always cut and dry. He did miracles in the Bible and still does today. I've seen them in my own life. He gives us grace to handle the trials and be able to function in the way we need to for His glory. We just have to trust Him and walk in His footsteps for our life. It's in His timing🤍

Your encouragement to get through the day🤍

30/04/2024

You have so many things your heart wants to say. You want to journal but your wrists can't bare to hit the page. Parts of you feel back to square one while others feel like they have overcome. Your whole body aches, not wanting to sleep an inch. At least you can come and write this.

Breathe, it's going to be okay. God has heard you when you pray. The gifts that have come are ones of love and the ones coming just like those, are sent from above. Things take time and that's alright. The fight is worth it in the end. Whether you see it or not, there's a purpose for it, friend.

Don't doubt the things that are good. Just because things have been tough doesn't mean you have to be misunderstood. Hold your head up high and keep hoping. There's joy that comes in the morning. Trust the Lord and the discernment He's given you. The more you doubt, the more fear can fuel.

You are brave and stronger than you know. Also remember, you reap what you sow. The Lord is with you every step of the way. He sees and comforts you when you're afraid. Be still and know that your life is on purpose. You are beyond loved and cherished.

Your scars don't define you, they only make you stronger. They remind you what you've been through and what the Lord will continue to conquer. Fight the good fight because you're built to win. With Jesus the enemy will not stand🤍

22/04/2024

Walking in obedience is a beautiful form of worship. God honors your obedience. This life isn't promised to be easy. Living a life for Christ is sacrificial and can be uncomfortable. I watched a video yesterday that talked about either taking the safe road or the road that to the outside world wouldn't make sense. The deciding factor talked about in this video was what could you do more on your own and what requires more trust and dependence on God? The later one is the road that is the one that should be taken. It may be hard. It may seem out of the ordinary. It may not be fully what you want to do. Or maybe it is now but wasn't before because well...keep reading to understand 🙂

The other night, I went to college night and the lady was talking about the call and will of the Lord on our lives. We can think of it as this tight rope where if we make one wrong move it's over. We can also think of it as trying to find clues of what God wants. The clue category is what usually think of. The lady said that God doesn't want it to be either. He just wants us to trust, worship, and obey Him. He will put hints in our way so that when what He wants us to do comes up, it will be the desire of our heart and we will walk in obedience. There are so many things in my life that I wouldn't want to do in my flesh but the Lord has placed things in me along the way so I will desire what He desires, and do what He has for me to do with His strength. Not on my own but the Holy Spirit working in me.

So, the question is, are you willing to take the risk to walk in obedience with God, even when it's hard? Even if it doesn't make sense to man? Even if you disappoint others? What is God calling you to today? If you don't know this answer, I encourage you to sit in His presence and talk to Him, just like a friend.🤍

20/04/2024

Food for thought on this fine Saturday!!

Interpretation Part 1

20/04/2024

Hi guys! It's been a bit since I posted. I believe in this season the Lord is having me write more on here then speak. There may be a mix, but y'all are going to start to see more little nuggets of encouragement, wisdom, and what the Lord is speaking to me. We will see where this goes! I've been writing a lot and I am excited to share😊

15/02/2024

Hello guys! I hope you're doing well. In 2019, I started a YouTube channel titled "Encouragement by FA" which turned into a podcast in 2020. I haven't picked it up since 2021, but I feel like God is showing me that it is time.

My moto from a few years ago was "your encouragement to get through the day" and that is going to stay the same. This time around episodes will be longer and more prepared. I will be spending time with God asking what He has me to do.
I really want to stay consistent with posting on Wednesdays as well. Consistency is key. Over the past few years, I have had some great opportunities to grow my craft but one thing that has been put at the wayside is public speaking. That has been something God has always put on my heart, and I have so many words in me that need to be spoken out. I've missed speaking infront of a camera like I did everyday in high school. I have countless videos on my phone of me speaking and I'll post them for a brief second and delete them 99.9% of the time and I'm done with it. This is the season that no matter how uncomfortable. No matter how much I may worry how what I say is perceived, I am going to speak.

I pray that this podcast encourages you. I pray the Lord uses this podcast to touch you in areas you need to heal and areas I do too. I pray we have some special moments together. I pray this is safe space. I pray that God uses me as a vessel for His kingdom in ways I couldn't imagine. I'm so ready and excited for this journey with y'all. Are you??🤩

The trailer recording will be going up next Wednesday and then Wednesday, February 28th the first episode of the revamp will be coming out!

Make sure to follow the listening platforms and social media in my bio! You can even listen to some of my old podcasts. They may not be up much longer though.