BVOV Magazine 2013 - present

B V O V : 1 5 by Sarah Pearsons We must be diligent to guard our hearts and not allow the enemy to inflict more hurt and pain through unnecessary grief. not an advocate of burying emotions because I believe, in the long run, that can do damage. I do believe 100% in resisting the enemy of our souls, no matter how he comes against us. As I've grown older, I've found that my relationships are what make life rich, closeness with the Lord and closeness with the people He has called me to. We were created for fellowship and connection, and it is the Spirit of God who tethers us together for such a time as this. As we spend time together, our souls become intertwined like the strands of a cord, tightly woven together by the love and memories we share. These bonds run deep, and when that cord begins to unravel through disconnection, whether by distance, divorce, offense or any other kind of separation, it's natural for the soul to be affected and to be touched even to the point of tears. The Bible tells us that Jesus "wept over" Jerusalem (Luke 19:41), that He is "full of compassion" (Psalm 145:8) and "touched with the feeling of our infirmities" (Hebrews 4:15). Many people, though, believe it is necessary to grieve and even impossible not to in situations like these. But the Bible says that we who know God, should not "sorrow as others who have no hope" (1 Thessalonians 4:13, New King James Version). It's OK to recall, to remember, to inquire of the Lord and even cry out to Him in the most difficult of situations, but we must be diligent to guard our hearts and not allow the enemy to inflict more hurt and pain through unnecessary grief. In 1 Samuel 30, King David faced a moment of exceptionally profound distress and loss. He and his men came home from battle to find that their wives and children had been kidnapped and taken captive. Their possessions had been stolen, and their homes burned to the ground. The Bible says they wept until they could weep no more. However, David knew that if he wanted to win and experience victory, he would have to get back up. The Bible tells us that, as he encouraged himself in the Lord his God (1 Samuel 30:6). How do you encourage or strengthen yourself in God? Isaiah tells us about the Anointing on the Messiah to give us "beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness" (Isaiah 61:3, NKJV). What an exchange! What an advantage we have over the enemy when we open up our mouths and give God praise! We have the power to declare the ensuing victory instead of yielding to depression and defeat. David was a master at this. Even in the face of adversity and disappointment, he would write songs to reaffirm what he believed to be true about the Lord. He experienced triumph after triumph as he sang, "You, O LORD, are a shield for me, my glory and the One who lifts up my head" (Psalm 3:3, NKJV). When my mom went to heaven, I too, felt the weight of heaviness try to keep me down. It was a punch that hit a little harder than the rest, but through the numbness, dizziness and my blurred vision, I heard the voice of my Coach in my corner, the Holy Spirit, encouraging me as He said, Sarah, GET BACK UP! Powerless people lie down, but powerful people lay hold! I know from experience that there is no better way to come up out of a daze than to open up my mouth and give Him praise. I decided to live what I preach, and made the choice to rejoice! The morning of the Celebration of Life service for my mom, I heard the Lord ask me a question: Sarah, didn't I say to rejoice with those who rejoice? I realized that my mom is doing nothing but rejoicing in heaven, and I should be rejoicing with her. She isn't in the least bit disappointed or in despair over her current condition. I began to take every

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