The suffering of the righteous and the pure of heart is very different than the suffering and calamity of those who are in rebellion or compromise. Just as this verse from Proverbs reveals, the suffering of the righteous involves falling a certain amount of times, seven times, but they will always rise again and be delivered from it every time. In contrast, the wicked, rebellious ones will not go through a process of falling and rising and may go on for years or even decades without facing very much trial and hardship at all. BUT, when the appointed time comes for them to reap what they have sown, and they have not taken the many chances for repentance given, they will fall by calamity without that same promised deliverance and help given to the righteous.

The Lord has been speaking to me persistently these past few weeks about the approaching financial up change. He called it that, and I understand Him to mean this: for ALL there will be great change. This change will flip things up to their right position.

He said it is here, now, at the doorstep.

When I asked the Lord what this new year of 2025 will be marked by for His people, I heard the reply, “Total Dependence.” He began to share with my spirit that this year His followers will operate in a state of absolute surrender and complete dependence on Him for everything that will come.

I don’t see a solution, I don’t see a way to overcome this present darkness rising against me,

but You.

I am opening the books of remembrance.

I am unsealing what’s been hidden in the dark places; it shall be uncovered now for all to see.

Let it be.

All of us have been offended in this life, deeply wounded, and oftentimes have never received an apology from our offenders. Even still, the offenses come rolling in day by day.

So how do we keep an unoffended heart?

Is it really possible?

With each degree of intimacy with Jesus comes another chink in my armor. Another layer of bronze on my shield. Lies will begin to bounce off me like an arrow bouncing off a brazen shield on fire.

Child, listen. This is important. Are you really listening?

I allow these ungluings, these frustrating frayings and unravelings. I permit this unplanned disorder in your day. I approve these inconveniences. All because... I want you to stop trying to FIX.

Stop. FIXING.

Are you ready? To come and sit with Me in your brokenness?

Why are you hiding Beloved? I've been calling your name with hungry passion. I have been pressing my Spirit on those tender places in you so that you might draw near to me. Why won't you come? There's a place beneath the oak tree in the meadow that I wait for you to come and sit. The grass is full and soft, my shoulder ready to be leaned upon. The wind-blown wild flowers beckon you to come as they move and bend to the sound of my beating desire. It's constant. I smile as I think of who you are to Me, the joy you infuse into the world by simply existing.

There is an anointing, a high call from Heaven on your life. You know it. You've known it all along. Since you were that little kid staring up at your bedroom ceiling with tears streaming, staining shaking shoulders and a broken will. Layered under sharp-edged whispers and shouts, scarred heart tissue, oh and that lake of tears and sweat that you meant to revisit when time became more available, there is a knowing that you were designed for a purpose of great design.