All I really need

Sometimes all I need is a friend. A friend that understands me. A friend that understands my season. A friend that sees me now, and sees who I'll be tomorrow. A friend that sees my heart. See's where I'm going. Loves me through it all.

In recent hard times, I have found a friend in God. I have found a friend that loves me through the darkest of seasons. Not in, but through. He loves me through it all. Holds my hand and leads me home. Through the tunnel. Over to the other side. Walks with me. And when I can't walk anymore, carries me the rest of the way. Sometimes all I need is to laugh. To laugh till my breath I'm out of breathe. To laugh till my belly hurts. To laugh till I'm on the floor. To laugh, even at nothing, nothing at all. Joy. There's healing and restorative power in joy. Laughing with a friend. Through it all. Through the tunnel. Through, not in. Sometimes all I need is quiet. To block out the noise. To hear my thoughts. To hear God's heart. To feel my heart. To be calm. To just rest. To be quiet, and to rest. To journal. To be still. Sometimes all I need is to hear the rain. The sound of the thundering rain. The feel of the cool breeze. To hear the wind. To calm my breath. To bring me joy. Joy, sometimes, is intentional. Sometimes, all I need is to pray. To let go and to let God. To write it all down. To cry it all out. Sometimes the hurt is too much, it needs to be let loose.

So... turn on that music that makes you dance, and dance carelessly with your eyes closed. Turn on that music that calms you, and sit quietly with your eyes closed. Call that friend that makes you laugh. Go for that run. Watch that movie. Read that book. Sleep in.

In seasons of unrest and difficulty. Where the darkness seems to shine brighter than the light. Be intentional about focusing on the light. It may surprise you that as you focus on the light, it will suddenly shine brighter. It is the nature and power of light to overcome darkness. Where the stress seems overpowering, where the uncertainty seems to cloud all reason...in seasons of overwhelm, choose to be centered on God.

Winning against anxiety requires a shift in focus. For each, you have to stop focusing on what's causing the anxiety, to focus on what causes joy. Shifting focus is so important! Rid yourself of all distractions, to be filled with whatever is good, whatever is perfect, whatever is praise-worthy. Intentionally think on good things!

I pray for you in this season. The waters that rise will not drown you. The mountains you face, you will overcome. From the hurt you feel, you will heal. You will be all that God has purposed for you to be. You will rise. You will shine. Amen.

P.S: I previously wrote about how important our company is. Who is in your inner court? You need prayer partners. People who will stand in agreement with you for anything wholeheartedly! The Bible says that if two people will agree on something on earth, it shall be done for them in heaven! You need laughing partners. I recently had a good long chat with a friend of mine. We laughed so hard I almost fell on the floor from laughter. At some point, I admit I was laughing at the silliest things. After this call, it felt like a weight had been lifted off my shoulders. I felt so good! Your soul needs this. P.P.S: In ridding yourself of distractions, don't forget that toxic friend or toxic boyfriend. Thank me later.

Merilyn Phiri