Know that you are loved and prayed for today.

This is one of the chapters in the new book by Margaret Feinberg, Fight Back with Joy! http://fightbackwithjoy.com/about/ . I was given the honor and privilege of having one of the Advanced Reader's Copies to preview a couple of months back and I have been waiting and counting the days until its release.

Knowing that people are praying for you when you are going through a difficult time is one of the most honored privileges that we as Christians are able to experience.  I know this first hand. 

Less than a year ago, I made a very challenging and difficult decision to leave my husband.  
I know that this is about Joy and I will get to the point, on the way though we are talking about knowing that you are loved and prayed for.  You see, I had been begging my husband to drink less, spend more time with me and less with his buddies, to make good choices, and none of this was happening. I was having time and time again of begging him to not drink so much, to not drive home when he was drinking, to give me a call.........
I had said on a number of occasions that he had to choose between me and the alcohol.  I don't remember the exact details of that weekday, I just know that I had some decisions to make.  
I had been seeing my counselor for some time, she had been bathing me in prayer.  She had asked that I find key friends to pray for me as well.  There were a few close to me that I kept on speed dial.  I had a plan in place and I had to make it happen. As I packed my stuff and left for the unknown length of time, I knew that these select few were praying...... and praying hard!
There was a huge amount of peace and presence of the Lord with me.  It was a horribly emotional time, I don't think I quit crying for a couple of days, but I knew I had God with me.  That somehow this would all be ok. 

I had the support of my church members as they began to hear about my plight. My girls were not happy and they were very angry with me.....but I was at peace.  God was with me.  He was there....whispering in my ear....
I've got this....
You will be alright...
I know this isn't easy, but you are right where you need to be.....

I heard Him.  I felt Him.  I knew He was with me.  I had no doubt.  God was right there the whole time.

In Margaret's book

I found that it didn't matter the circumstance, it didn't matter the situation, it didn't matter my emotional state, I was fighting back with joy.

I am so looking forward to sharing this book, that I have my entire ladies' bible study starting it this month! I believe strongly in the words that Margaret shared and the rationale behind them.  I believe God spoke through her for many of us women, to fight back with Joy.  To find our joy in the midst of the fight.

#FightBackwithJoy

http://mar.cta.gs/0bi to find the book on Amazon

http://mar.cta.gs/0bh to find the book on Barnes and Noble

http://mar.cta.gs/0be for the promo video