But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.
This scripture has been my mantra lately. Sometimes, when we’re stressed and overwhelmed, we need some words, some strength, some truth to get us through. This has been one of those rhema words for me.
Recently, I found myself completely stressed out from working full time as a doctor in a women’s prison, being a full-time author gearing up to promote my latest release, and being in ministry school. I had to take some time to pull aside and strengthen myself in the Lord. It was time to make some decisions. What would stay? What would go? What things were most important for me to fulfill my destiny?
Sitting alone on the beach in Jamaica, (because that’s the only place to really hear from God in cases of severe stress?) I felt the presence of God. I could hear His still small voice in the waves of the Caribbean ocean. He encouraged me to trust Him. To cast all my cares on Him and trust that whatever decision I made, He would be with me. He would take care of me.
Instantly I was strengthened. The scripture is true. Trusting in the Lord renews our strength. It allows us to soar above our problems, fears, and cares and be able to run toward our destiny at top speed.
I was able to come home and make a huge life decision. I would let go of the thing causing me the most stress and bringing absolutely no happiness to chase destiny. I would step out on faith and chase my destiny and my hearts deepest dreams. Sitting in my prayer room on my 40th birthday, I decided to quit my career of the past fifteen years. I would walk away from being a doctor, something I never loved, to pursue my passion – writing, music, and ministry.
My latest release, The List, covers another important area in which many Christian women find themselves waiting on the Lord. It’s about single, successful, saved but still sexy black women who have gotten tired of waiting on God to send their soul mate. Recent stats show that 48% of black women are single. That’s a whole lot of sistahs waiting. On my 40th birthday, I also had to deal with God about finding myself in that number. I had to be strengthened in that waiting on and hoping in Him, I could live a life of peace and joy, completely trusting in Him.
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I do hope you have been inspired by this wonderful devotional. Now, enter for a chance to win an autographed copy of The List by Sherri Lewis.
Trivia Question: What was Sherri’s career prior to becoming a full time writer?
About the author
Sherri Lewis authored her first book at the age of six. Her family considered her pencil and crayon on brightly colored construction paper creation a masterpiece. She continued to enjoy writing short stories and poems throughout her young adult life.
Her writing was put on hold while she attended Howard University as an undergraduate, then medical school at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine. The writing bug bit again a few years ago, and pencil, crayon, and construction paper were replaced by laptop and printer.
Sherri is the bestselling author of My Soul Cries Out and Dance Into Destiny. Her most recent release is The List in March 2009. She is the co-founder of the Atlanta Black Christian Fiction Writers’ Critique Group now, the Faith Based Fiction Writers of Atlanta with Essence Best-Selling author Tia McCollors.
Sherri’s life passion is to express the reality of the Kingdom of God through the arts including music, dance, film and television, and literature; and through sound biblical teaching. Her ministry thrusts include the message of the Kingdom, intimacy with God, intercessory prayer, understanding prophetic ministry, ministering emotional healing, and birthing individuals into their destiny.
Visit Sherri online:
Website – www.sherrilewis.com
Blog – www.sherrilewisbookclub.blogspot.com
MySpace – www.myspace.com/sherrilewis
Facebook – www.facebook.com
Purchase the book here:
About Renee Williams
Hello everyone,
I want to thank Ms. Williams for posting this blog. It is so true for me. I’ve had so many ups and downs, but thru it all….my God has been right there looking down on me. He give me the strength to move on to another day and I’m so blessed for that. I can’t wait to read Ms. Lewis’ book the list, it sound so true for me.
Thank you for posting that blog again.
God bless
Dorothy, I’m so glad you were blessed by this devotional! Yes, through it all, the good and the bad, God is there. All we have to do is call out to Him, turn the situation over to Him, and the let Him go to work. It’s not always easy, I know, but oh the benefits when we do.
Thank you for supporting the tour. Anytime you need a refresher, just stop by the site and re-read any of the devotionals shared. They are “right on time”!
Sherri was a doctor at a prison.
Sherri, I so admire you for walking out on faith and pursuing your passions. I do believe God wants us to wait and listen to him and be in tune with his timing. There so much He has in store for us. Thank you for sharing your journey.
Blessings,
Ty
Heyyy Ty! Thank you again for stopping by and supporting the tour. I too admire Sherri for stepping out on faith to pursue her dream. I am so trying to not be impatient and wait on God, and not give Him a situation and then take it right back when He doesn’t answer in my time. I know He has so much in store for me. I just need to get out of His way.
Sherri,
I can relate to the difficulty in making those kinds of tough decisions, but you made an excellent point about having. Solitude to hear a Word from the Lord. Thanks for the message.
Blessings,
MaRita
Very nice, Sherri. So that was why you jetted off to Jamaica? Hmmm…
We talked about having moments of solitude to hear God’s voice last night at church. When I was in Hawaii earlier this year, it was so peaceful there, my mind stayed focused on God. There was no hustle and bustle, no phone, no computer, just me & God. I’m really grateful for that time there.
Thank you Sherri for a wonderful message.
Thanks for your inspirational words. We must remember, everything in HIS time, not ours. Congrats on your latest release.
The answer to your trivia question: doctor
Amen Vanessa, amen! Thanks so much for stopping by and supporting the tour.
I really needed this yesterday and today.. I had to read it over and over to really let it in my spirit.
Thanks for reminding that “God is one and there is no other”
Trivia Q: Ms. Lewis profession before her writing career was as a doctor in a women’s prison.
Be inspired and Encouraged!!
I needed this yesterday, today and will need it tomorrow also I know. I pray that we all will “be inspired, no matter what’s going on”.