Psalm 119:105 says, “Thy word is a lamp to my feet, and a light to my path.” This, among many other bible scriptures that I will share with you throughout this article, has been a profound source of inspiration for me. It has particularly been a source of encouragement and inspiration over the last two in a half years while I, along with the rest of our nation, have worked diligently to overcome the many challenges and hardships of our current economy.
Perhaps it is due to the creative writer and poet in me but of all the books in the bible I find the book of Psalms most soothing, comforting, and solace. Whatever the exact reason may be, fact is I enjoy studying and find encouragement from all books of the bible. Yet, if I had to choose I’d definitely say my absolute favorite among them all is the book of Psalms because the verses there are like love letters from the heart of God to mine, hence, the title of this article, “Thy word is a lamp to my feet…and an Inspirational Love Note to my heart.”
Take for example the scripture I opened this article with. It simply means to me as I read it, that the word of God lights my path so that my steps in life are divinely ordered. This gives me a feeling of divine protection, guidance and the confidence to step out on faith no matter what comes my way in life with a sense of knowing that I am supported and guided by God.
Another of my favorite inspirational bible verses from the book of Psalms is, “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.” ~ (Psalm 46:1) This scripture gives me hope when I read it. It also helped me get through the very scary and uncomfortable experience of being laid-off work three times in the last two-in a half years due to our nations current economic situation.
However, despite what the news reports say about the unemployment rate still being at an all time low, regardless of how long the government argues over the current economic situation of our country, I have been abundantly blessed and God has proven repeatedly in my life that He is still in control.
I can boldly say this today, because while enduring the financial hardships I have faced as a result of those lay-offs, I have continued to see the needs of myself and my family met. In fact, I still have not found new employment in the six months period since my most recent lay-off in December of 2010. It seemed every time I would find a new job it would last for a while then they’d start downsizing and laying people off due to the economy.
Yet, I have continually received expected and unexpected blessings daily that I believe are the direct result of me honoring and looking to God as my source and unlimited supply. However, for those who are more logical than spiritual and need hard core factual proof of this truth, allow me to share a bit more of my story and a few of my personal testimonies in greater detail.
Following my first lay-off in spring of 2008, instead of seeing it as a loss I turned what appeared to be a negative into a positive. I took advantage of the opportunity and went back to broadcasting school at Atlanta Broadcast Institute to finish getting my formal education in my career that I already have almost 10yrs experience in doing for a living.
This was a long time dream come true that I had previously prayed for asking God to not only open the door for me to do but to also allow me to graduate with honors. Trusting in the promise of God through the scripture in Philippians 4:6-7 which says: “Do not worry over things, but always by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your request be made known to God. And the peace of God, which passes all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Jesus Christ.”, I not only graduated with special honors awards for my leadership and team spirit, I also was the Salutatorian of my June 2008 class.
Additionally, as a result of that lay-off and going back to broadcasting school, I got the esteemed opportunity to intern with the Director of Production & Promotions and A&R at multi-platinum Atlanta based Record Producer, Dallas Austin’s recording studio company, DARP, Inc.
After the second lay-off a year later in spring of 2009, I began praying for God to reveal to me His Divine Will and Plan for my life. I asked him to show me what He wanted me to do with my time, my talents and my passion for creative writing and my desire to get my radio show Love Notes back on-air. I asked God to show me how my desires for my life aligned with His Divine Will and calling on the purpose for my life.
Along with this prayer, I studied and stood on my faith in the bible verse from Isaiah 58:11 that says, “And the Lord shall guide you continually and satisfy your soul…” Then in January 2010, God answered me by putting in my spirit the divine idea to first start sowing a seed by using my time and talent as a contributing writer for my church’s news magazine. Then he increased and expanded my gift of poetry and creative writing by leading me in spirit to create my blog website, Inspirational Love Notes, where I currently write and publish original poems and articles daily that provide inspiration and spiritual encouragement like this article.
Just like with my radio show God is using my passion and gift of creative writing to reach his people and keep them encouraged through the difficult and trying times of our nation’s economic situation. Also, to remind all that God is real and still on the throne.
Most importantly God is using the unique way he expresses himself through my talents as a creative writer and poet to send expressions of His unconditional love.He also uses my own passion to maintain a very intimate relationship with Him to inspire others to pursue a personal relationship with him in their lives as well. Lastly, through the bodies of creative writing I use my blog website to publish, I remind others of God’s promises by sharing bible verses and scriptures such as the ones I’ve enclosed in this article as well.
I’m not afraid or ashamed to share my very personal experience with you in this article because I know so many of you are going through the same thing right now. Also, because I know that God would not have allowed me to go through all that I have without Him having a perfectly orchestrated divine plan for me to come out on the other side of it all better off than before.
I know that God allowed me to go through that experience so that I may use my testimony today and in the days to come to be an inspiration to someone else who’s struggling in their journey to overcome the same or similar experience. Perhaps that person may be you. Either way, I know that what God did and is doing for me He can and will also do the same for you.
With that said, I leave you with these two final bible verses to be of inspiration and pray that it shall be more than enough to strengthen your faith while working to overcome whatever life challenges you may be going through at this time. Remember, “Do not worry over things, but always by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your request be made known to God. And the peace of God, which passes all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Jesus Christ.” ~ Philippians 4:6-7
And of course my all time favorite from the book of Psalms, Psalm 23, “The Lord is my Shepard I shall not want…” Due to the length of it I will not quote the whole thing as I did the others but strongly encourage you to read it for yourself later in it’s entirety. I hope this article and my testimonies have been helpful and encouraging to you in some way.
For more of my original works of inspirational articles and poems please visit my website, Inspirational Love Notes @ www.lovenotesonline.info.
Until next time, I behold the Spirit of Christ in you…and surround you in Love & Light!
A One Love Production
By Anna M. Hendricks
Copyright 2011
Reference: Holy Bible from the Ancient Eastern Text, Lamsa’s Translation