Hazel I Jackson , a native of South Carolina, earned a bachelor’s degree in secondary English education from South Carolina State College and a master’s of education degree from Temple University. She did post-graduate work at Delaware University. Prior to moving to Lancaster in 1952, she taught four years in the public schools of South Carolina.
In 1961, Lancaster Sertoma Club began a mission to help African-Americans who had been deprived of job opportunities to get into their qualified fields. Every time she applied for a teaching postiion, she had to supply a picture along with the application, so school boards knew she was African-American. She was rejected 12 times–“not because of her credentials.” But, she didn’t let that stop her. It just inspired her to work harder to get a foot in the door as a subsitute teacher. Eventually, she was hired as an English teacher for seventh and eighth…
5 David’s two wives had been captured—Ahinoam of Jezreel and Abigail, the widow of Nabal of Carmel. 6 David was greatly distressed because the men were talking of stoning him; each one was bitter in spirit because of his sons and daughters. But David found strength in the LORD his God.
Depression tried to overtake me. Negative thoughts, voices speaking into my ears, whispering criticisms and everywhere I turned… everybody was going through something . There was no escaping! I wasn’t getting a breakthrough at church or from reading scripture. Finally, I gave into depression and decided to go to bed and pull the covers over my head.
Has this ever happened to you? Have you ever felt like giving up and surrendering to defeat?
As I laid on my bed it occurred to me; maybe instead of laying here feeling sorry for myself…I should pray. Just as I began to pray the Lord spoke to me. He said, “if you continue to lie here, you will become even more depressed, get up and get moving. I have already overcome for you and the only way you’re going to lose, is if you continue to lie here and remain in this state of mind.” So I got up! And, I began to ” encourage myself in the Lord.” I started speaking to myself. “You can’t change anything by staying in this bed. In fact, some situations you can’t change at all. The only way you’re going to change anything is by getting out of the bed and moving, Moving toward the change; causing the change, and/or pressing on in spite of the circumstances.” The more I spoke to myself the better I began to feel.
The circumstances around me didn’t immediately change, but I changed the way I felt about them. Yes, depression was all around me. But, I determined that I wasn’t going to let it dictate how my day would be spent. Or, how I would respond to what was happening around me. It was all up to me. I could remain depressed or remember that God has everything under control. And He is working it all out for my good and the good of others.
Perhaps, you’re going through a situation that has you depressed or discouraged. Just like David, you can encourage yourself in the Lord your God. David sought the Lord’s guidance and God told him that if he “got up” he was going to be successful and recover all. You should not only seek the Lord’s guidance but remember what He has done for you in the past. He brought you out before, He’ll bring you out again.
PRAYER FOCUS: Father, right now I am faced with a difficult situation. But, I refuse to give into depression or discouragement. I seek Your guidance and encouragement. Thank you for ALL the times you worked it out in the past. IN JESUS’ NAME, AMEN.
“Surely He has borne our griefs (sicknesses, weaknesses, and distresses) and carried our sorrows and pains [of punishment],…”
You have been called out and separated by God. You were not created to be abused. You were not created to suffer with depression or anxiety. You were chosen to fit in the hands of God who has already accepted you. How you need to know the height and depth of His unfathomable love for you.
Some women have never been secure in the love of their natural fathers, and it affects how they view their Heavenly Father. There is no doubt about His love for you. He made the ultimate sacrifice just to prove the genuineness of His love.
You are so valuable that Satan held you for ransom, requiring that your Heavenly Father pay an unimaginable price. What price would God pay to see you freed? He sent His Son armed with love and wrapped in flesh. He showed how much He loved you and just how valuable you are to Him, by hanging on the cross…beaten beyond recognition, with a crown of thorns on His head. All just because He loves you!
Never again question His love for you. You may not understand it, but believe it. He absolutely loves you. Not only when you are right, but also when you are wrong. You are special and full of potential and possibilities. You are the daughter of a King. He is the King who spared no expense to pay the ransom that delivered you from all that would have you in bondage.
Be Free…and know that your Heavenly Father loves you more than you will ever be able to comprehend.
PRAYER FOCUS: Heavenly Father, thank you for the ultimate price you paid for me. Even when I didn’t deserve it; you sent Your Son to redeem me. There is no greater expression of love than for one to lay down his life for another. Thank you for ALL that you have done for me. Help me to realize Your love for me. IN JESUS’ NAME, AMEN.
BEVALUED 