This plan will help you understand how each process we go through is not in vain but helps us to grow up and, consequently, help others to get out and be restored.
Débora Felinger
Day 1
Scriptures: Psalms 147:3, 2 Corinthians 4:17-18
EVERYTHING WORKS FOR GOOD, EVEN THE WOUNDS
Do you know how pearls are formed?
These objects considered jewels, are formed in a very particular way.
The pearl grows from a painful process; the result of a foreign or undesirable substance like a parasite or a grain of sand, entering the oyster. Inside the oyster, exists a lustrous material called mother-of-pearl. When a grain of sand penetrates, mother-of-pearl cells begin to work and cover the grain of sand with layers and more layers to protect the helpless body of the oyster. As a result, an attractive pearl is formed. An oyster that has not been injured in some way, does not produce pearls, because the pearl is a scar from the wound.
You and I cannot avoid being hurt in some way, but we can choose what to do with those wounds.
My desire is that you turn each wound into something as valuable as a pearl… or even more.
Let’s pray:
“Dear God, I surrender to you and give you every wound of my heart. Please, let everything that I have lived, work for good. Help me know your will, even in uncomfortable situations. Help me forgive as you forgive me every day. In the name of Jesus, amen”.
Day 2
Scriptures: Isaiah 41:15, Isaiah 43:4, Isaiah 48:10
VALUATION ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
A while ago, I read something amazing.
The price of an iron bar is five euros. When it’s turned into horseshoes, it’s worth ten euros. If it’s transformed into needles, it’s worth three hundred and fifty euros. As knife blades, it’s worth thirty-two thousand euros. Can you imagine the number of blows, and the terrible process that bar must go through to increase its worth? The more it is manipulated, the more hammered and exposed to the fire, beaten, crushed and polished, the more it’s worth.
Considering the iron bar as your real life, every difficult situation, every blow, and every hammering are not in vain.
Isn’t it funny to think something you despise, actually increases your value?
When Jesus came to earth, He learned the same work as his terrestrial father, Joseph. During the Gospels, we see how many referred to him in a derogatory way: “Isn’t He the carpenter’s son?”.
This occupation was considered very humble in the eyes of society in that era, but you know what? Although many people saw Jesus as a mere carpenter, being a carpenter, allowed him to know the weight of the cross on which he finally would be crucified. So now think again. Isn’t it amusing to know that what you thought of as under-appreciated, is what actually prepares you for your future of victory?
We may keep lists in our minds of emotions, events, and people who have offended, hurt or abused us in some way, but today I encourage you to write down five positive things or qualities that increase your value and the life of those around you. You’ll see that everything you’ve lived (even bad things), brought you here, and made you the valuable person that you are today.
Let’s pray:
“God, help me to understand that I am valuable because Jesus died for me, and each process gives me unique value. Help me to omit the voices that discourage me. I want to see myself as you see me. In the name of Jesus, amen.”
Day 3
Scriptures: Psalms 66:8-12, 1 Peter 4:12-13, Isaiah 43:2
PROCESSING ⏳
A while ago, I was walking with a friend. A short time into our walk, the sky became dark gray and it started to rain heavily. We decided to go into a well known, fast food restaurant to get out of the rain, though we had only one euro coin between us. That wasn’t enough money to buy food, which was required for us to be there. We needed to place an order to stay inside and truthfully, we were hungry. Thinking of how we could buy food without paying the full price, forced us to look for different opportunities; web sites, using an app, or discount codes. By doing this, we were both able to eat for only that one euro! The experience taught me a valuable lesson. The process of going through difficulty polishes your unique and marvelous qualities. It activates your sense of survival, making you a wiser, quicker-thinking person.
The process also unlocks us. In the beginning, it may looks like an obstacle , but it’s just the opposite. It doesn’t move you from your comfort zone, but it does remove the comfortability of the place where you are; forcing you to step back and use your innate senses.
The process changes you and helps you to order your priorities, and promotes you to a higher level. A familiar example is that pearl we discussed on Day 1. Then there’s the grape, that gets trampled in the winery, processed and stored until it becomes wine.
Finally, the process shows you the supernatural reality that covers us. Is a tricky thing to try to explain how two opposite words like reality and supernatural, could be used in the same phrase and concept, but that’s what it’s about, turning your reality upside down so you can take root in heaven.
Let’s decide to love each process in our life and understand their benefits in our walk with God, and don’t be discouraged! I assure you that the current sufferings of the present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in you. With the support of God, all is possible!
Let’s pray:
“Dear God, please help me to trust in you. I just want to be strong even when I cross through a storm. I want to keep my eyes on you. Help me to see the value of each process that you permit in my life, and to be a witness for every person around me. In Jesus’s name, amen”.
Day 4
Scriptures: Matthew 18:21-22, Matthew 6:14-15, Ephesians 4:31-32, Mark 11:25
THE POWER OF FORGIVENESS
From birth through our entire life, we are confronted with many situations that may offend us or maybe, offend others. It’s in these times when we respond with anger and opposition, and usually, generate hatred and bitterness, which becomes a thorn to ourselves. Reading this you’ve probably started to remember some similar situations in your life. Maybe, there is one particularly bad moment in your mind. A situation that every time you remember it, you taste the bitter pill, and you think it’s impossible to withdraw and forgive. Perhaps you’ve tried to forgive, but nothing makes you “feel” like forgiving.
Today, I have a new flash for you: FORGIVENESS IS NOT A RESPONSE, IT IS A DECISION.
It’s not easy. It may have been a short time ago, or perhaps when you were just a child, but the thorn is still there. It’s impossible to just wait and feel forgiveness for someone who hurt you. Instead, be firm and decide to forgive, even if you don’t feel it, because it will be the moment that your mind becomes convinced and these words don’t come back empty, that your own words will set you free. You will feel several changes for good; emotional changes (happiness will be back), physical changes (as you let go of the weight and your chest feels opened), but moreover, you’ll feel your spirit change, because without this barrier you’re free to receive the blessings from God into your life.
A long time ago I read: “Hate is the only poison that is taken, waiting for the other to die”. This is sad but true. For that reason, forgive and be happy, free yourself and all the things in your life will be clarified. And have peace that whoever has hurt you will reap what was sowed, but by then you will no longer remember it because you will have a healthy heart and a free soul.
We are what we do with what happens to us in life. No one has the power to make you be someone you don’t want to be. Never blame someone else. The decision is yours. Release that person, free yourself, declare yourself in victory, and enjoy every blessing from heaven.
Let’s pray: Because this is your personal space, my advice is that you take a moment of reverence for God. Ask God to forgive you and bring his love to you, and for the capacity to forgive others. After that, start to pray for every person who’s hurt you, release your forgiveness by naming each person, (even those you don’t feel like forgiving, those who are not near or even alive), bless their lives, dismiss all the hate and bitterness that Satan has planted in you, in Jesus’s name, amen.
Day 5
Scriptures: John 3:16-17, Romans 1:16, John 1:12, 1 John 1:9
RESTORATION 2.0
A crisis is also known as ‘a challenge’ because one of two results is expected; approval or disapproval. In school, it’s called ‘promoted’ or ‘not promoted’, and there is no better example than that because a crisis will either demote you, or it will promote you. I chose the second option, and that’s the reason why I’m here sharing this plan with you.
In my critical moments, while constantly complaining to God like a little girl, I chose to hold on to him with all my strength. Right there, I decided to lift myself up, and fight for his approval at the end of the challenge.
I’m not going to lie to you, there were moments when I felt invisible. When no one could hear me or see me, I just listened to the silence from Father (God), who was calm and logical, saving me from drowning in the situation. Those who wait on the Lord will fly like eagles and have new strength (Isaiah 40:31), please, never forget that promise!
God tells us that our thoughts are not the same as his, and reminds us that our plans are not his plans. We often remember this at specific times in our life, but it applies to our entire lifetime because God wants your complete life.
Be conquered by his kingdom of love, I did and his love covered me, and my life made a spectacular turn.
Your Father has a great purpose for your life, and no matter what you or anyone else believes about you, your life has meaning. Not only meaning, but high value paid by Jesus Christ on the cross, and remember; IT WAS FOR LOVE.
Your Father loves you, he thought of you, created you, gave you a name. God doesn’t allow bad things in your life, these happen because of many things, but yes, he has the power to transform these situations into things for good, and made good, with love.
I don’t know if you know God, or you if talk to him. You may believe he’s mystical, with no certainty that he really hears you and considers every word you say. Maybe you don’t know he exists. Maybe you do but only in the context of a religion that is not for you, that you’re not good enough to talk to him, or see him as distant and punishing, launching thunder and lightening on those who don’t agree with him (for a long time I imagined God like this), but he is not like that.
The greatest part of his love is a relationship, and believe me when I say that he wants to have this type of relationship with you, (he does!)
God is love, and he wants to be your friend and your father; he just wants to be everything that you need. So, if you’ll agree, I ask you to repeat out loud, the following prayer from the bottom of your heart.
Let’s pray:
Dear God, I come to you knowing that you hear me. I understand that you love me as I am, and even before I was born or committed sin, you loved me and gave your only son for me. For that reason, right now, I want to experience the power of forgiveness and love that reigns through Jesus Christ by the cross. Please, forgive me and cleanse me. I want to be a new person in you. You are my Father and my king. Come into my heart and take your place on the throne of my life. In Jesus’s name, amen.
If you prayed that, congratulations! You are now part of God’s great kingdom of love and right now, there is a wonderful celebration for you happening in heaven.
Don’t forget to share this good news with others 😊