Life with the Faltinsky Family

Heaviness starts with a little concern. A small burden that grows and grows. A small issue that turns into a load. Heaviness is feeling weighed down, overwhelmed, like you cant cope anymore. 

As I look around the room I feel overwhelmed, I feel like everything is on me at once. Like no matter how much time and effort I put into my ‘to do list’ it’s not shrinking. I feel frustrated at myself and everyone around me. My kids are out of control – its my fault.  I feel discouraged and defeated. Iam failing as a mum and a wife.  Iam treading water….getting nowhere.

Where is my joy, my energy? And my thoughts are so negative and critical.  I don’t feel myself, nor am I acting myself.

I broke down in tears, with my head in my hands – I feel tired and weary. 

Have you ever felt like this? I lived this friends, it was real for me, but Iam here to tell you their is always hope in the midst of your battle when we look to Jesus.

As I folded another basket of washing I put on a podcast, desperate for some encouragement.  My ears were drawn to Isaiah 61:3 that day and I realised the truth…

To appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the LORD, that he might be glorified. KJV (emphasis in bold, mine)

Heaviness is actually a spirit! No wonder I didn’t feel myself!

This spirit is  sent to distract you and get you off track. Heaviness tries to wear you out and wants to keep you weighed down! It wants to make sure you feel overwhelmed and out of your depths.  Exactly how I was feeling!

But God has given us the answer to overcome this right here in the verse friends! Wear the garment of praise for it chases that spirit of heaviness in your life away!  When we start to praise, the power of God is activated and every negative spirit has to flee! 

I must say it took me a bit to push aside my flesh, because I didn’t ‘feel’ like praising God, (sorry Lord) but this is the truth friends. The last thing the spirit of heaviness wants you doing is lifting your hands and opening your mouth speaking and singing words of praise and adoration to God!  But I had to push past how I felt to see and have the victory in my life.

I blasted my favourite worship song, lifted my head and lifted my hands to God! I opened my mouth and my heart as I began to sing to Him. It felt so good to praise God again.  I looked around me and saw the truth.  

This weighed down, frustrated and defeated mumma is not me (Iam a Child of God)

My house was not a mess (a few toys on the ground is nothing)

 My children were not out of control (They are just being kids – 1.5, 3, 6 and 8)

Iam not failing (Iam an Overcomer) 

Iam moving forward (Always changing and always growing because of the Spirit that’s within me)

Iam a good mum and a good wife (my kids get 3 meals a day – snacks too 😉

I can do this! (Through Christ Jesus who gives me the strength to keep going)

It amazed me how much I believed that lie from the enemy to the point that It changed how I was seeing things!  Heaviness dims our vision and robs our hope. 

When we recognise heaviness is a demonic spirit we are able to overcome it easily! God has given us the tool, but what good is a tool unless it is being used!    

So everyday Iam intentionally putting on my garment of praise which literally means to be “wrapped up in Praise”.  Just like you habitually get dressed every morning (hallelujah) So we must put on praise and thanksgiving! God has given you this to put on my friends, take action, get dressed and get loud! Magnify the Lord all throughout your day. Think about His goodness, His love!

He will become so big that all your problems will be so small!   

Let me finish with this today.

If you have heaviness on you, or you feel trapped, overwhelmed and discouraged, frustrated or anxious, their is only one thing you need to do – Get dressed in Praise!

Lift your head and your hands up, open your mouth and praise our almighty God today and everyday! 

Until next time,

Your sister Sam xx