So he said to me, “This is the word of the Lord to Zerubbabel: ‘Not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit,’ says the Lord Almighty (Zec 4:6).
I have heard this verse in song and seen it on T-shirts and it has always resulted in a “feel good” moment for me. This morning I had the opportunity to study it more in depth and it lit fire inside of me knowing I possess God’s power and the Holy Spirit. What an emboldened feeling!
In this chapter, Governor Zerubbabel (Gov. Z from now on), was faced with the monumental task of rebuilding the temple that had been constructed in Solomon’s reign and destroyed by the Babylonians in 587/586 BCE. But he is being reminded he cannot do it in his own power and he must rely on the divine resources to overcome any obstacles no matter how colossal they may seem to be.
If you read my blog, you know I have been hospitalized many times in the last 10 months. I have had to withdraw from my graduate studies and it is interrupted the flow of my everyday life. In between the hospitalizations, I have not felt well and my blood pressure has been so low I have had to spend full days in bed because I cannot sit up without feeling like I am going to pass out. This has caused lack of motivation and at times, a wicked depression. The doctors are still not sure what the problem is and the treatment can cause immunity to antibiotics if we are not careful.
With all of this going on, I sometimes “forget” about the divine resources I have available to me. At times, I opt to just stare at the TV while I am hospitalized rather than spending the time in prayer. I always come to my senses at some point, and pray my way out of this cycle of ugliness, but it just proves if I am not allowing God to meet my needs, the devil will devour me with his wicked schemes (Eph 6:10-12).
In the verses below we learn that Gov. Z had opposition in his life that was the size of a mighty mountain. But how does God respond to it?
“What are you, mighty mountain? Before Zerubbabel you will become level ground. Then he will bring out the capstone to shouts of ‘God bless it! God bless it (Zec 4:7)!”
No matter what opposition you are facing, do not give up! What is your mighty mountain that needs to become level ground? Are you trying to recover from an addiction? I spent over 20 years in 12 step programs trying to get clean and sober. God finally set me free from those chains in 2010. How ironic that I was recovered from my addiction in 2013 and had been sober for three years when I fainted in my kitchen and became paralyzed from the shoulders down.
I remember looking at my wheelchair for the first time and all I could do was cringe. I thought my life was over. If only I had known the things I would accomplish just a couple of years later.
I am so grateful for the lessons I have learned through this disability and the things I have accomplished. What are you facing? A broken marriage? Lack of purpose or feelings of emptiness? A chronic illness? You are not alone. God is walking with you and he is building you up. Whatever you are going through, just hold on and wait for him!
I remain confident of this: I will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord (Psalm 27:13-14).
Diary of a Quadriplegic 
Thank you for sharing – for your perspective – for your courage, which in turn encourages the saints. May God fill you with an abundance of his joy as you trust in Him.
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Thank you for such a wonderful response. Very encouraging.
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Terri, this is wonderful, thank you. I pray your blood pressure normalizes soon.
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Thank you for sharing your confidence and hope, Terri. May God bless you for building up His church even as you are being built up. And may you know the strength and grace of His presence in and with you, surrounding you as a shield, this God who is our glory and the One who lifts up our heads (Psalm 3).
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Thank you for this beautiful pep talk, Terri. Your words of encouragement using God as your springboard are very inspiring. 🙂
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Dear Terri, it is so good to hear from you. Your posts are always timely and encouraging for me. You are a blessing.
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All good reminders. Thanks so much and God bless you everyday with the trust in Him Who has showed you many blessings thru all your trials…and has given you opportunities to be a blessing to so many thru these writings.
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How encouraging! I’m so thankful I can share with others.
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Terri, you are an inspiration. To be able to thank the Lord in spite of your situation, to see the good He has done, to trust Him BEFORE He explains everything – that’s true faith. God bless you.
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Good Morning my darling sister,
Thank you so much for sharing the above.
I woke up this morning feeling so so depressed because I saw my monthly period again after being so expectant with regards to getting pregnant. I always have this fear of my marriage crashing because it has been 9years plus of loosing my baby after prolonged labour and since then I have kept believing in God for another child.
Your story also remind me of how strong my late brother who went through what you are going through was still faithful to God against all odds.
I was greatly inspired and relieved after reading your write up.
Your words of encouragement really made my day because I woke up with tears in my eyes thinking about not having children of my own almost 10years in Marriage.
May the Lord almighty continue to be our strength irrespective of the storms of life.
Looking forward to reading more inspiring write ups from you.
God bless you .
Judith Henry.
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Oh how my heart hurts for you. Thank you for being so vulnerable and so brave. You will be in my prayers.
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Thank you for your encouraging words, sister Terri!
As a Christian, I have learned that it is not enough to kill the lion like Samson. I must trust God to send the bees in the carcass and eat honey from it. Lesson: it is not enough to mortify the deeds of my body. To be like Jesus, I must experience the power of resurrection, that power that comes from above, the power that no man or devil can stop, that power that fears nothing and makes me more than a conqueror. I have learned not to be satisfied too quickly but to press on until the miracle blooms like a rose in the desert! God bless you!
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Such a powerful post Terri! Sometimes all of us forget about those divine resources He has placed at our disposal and start to drift into places we have no business being. Thank you for this gentle reminder that if we will be faithful to the end, we shall see the goodness of God.
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Terri, It is always just such a pleasure reading your blogs and being continually uplifted when reading them. Thank you for the reminder that I need to continue to use God’s weapons of righteousness to overcome any opposition that I am facing, whether it is from within or without. Thank you for always being in the trenches with your sisters in Christ with your prayers and encouragement. Thank you for being that great example to us all. To God be the glory. Amen!
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Although this is an anonymous comment, I’m quite sure I know who you are just based on the style of this writing. I love being in the trenches with you, my dear sister.
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Thanks once again Terri! The reminders are so important. I too, fall into those dark nights of the soul. I run headfirst on my own power and then wonder why it doesn’t work. It’s become easier and faster to pull out of those periods by remembering all of the things I have to be grateful for. Soon I find myself accepting the good and free gifts of God to move forward in His will and re-discover the servants heart in which peace and joy reside.
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Gratitude is so important. Thanks for the reminder.
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Prayed for you little sister.
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Thank you – always needed!
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I’m reading this from a hospital bed right now and I needed to hear a message of not giving up and keeping my eyes on God and my heart centered on Him. Thank you so much Terri…I know you have been facing much more than I have and for much longer in your health battles but I thank you for allowing God to shine His light so brightly through you to help many others like me. Praying for you and sending hugs and love to you always! -Crystal Tyler
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I love you Crystal! You have inspired me on a challenging day. I just now prayed that God would heal you and take away your pain. I also pray you will keep your eyes on Jesus, the great physician, just as you are. I don’t know where you are located but if I were close by, I would find a way to your hospital room and pray with you! Your sister in Christ, Terri.
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I love you too, Terri and thank you again for letting God’s light shine through you (especially when my own light seemed to be heading towards despair at the time). I finally was discharged from the hospital (Hallelujah) and am just looking to mend and shore my faith up again. You and your blog have certainly helped me with that and I thank God for you. Wishing you many blessings and better health for the both of us! -Crystal
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Amen, Terri!
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Terri, when I am faced with the difficulties surrounding my terminal lung cancer, I think of you. Thank you so much for always inspiring me. I have often had the wrong view of what we call “working” for the Lord. I see this overwhelming evidence of how much you care in giving to us all as you share about your life’s struggles and the insights that God gives you as he continuously equips you with the divine weapons of his righteous. This is God’s definition of his work in you and in me. I am reminded of this when I listen to Rizon’s song Pray & Work: https://youtu.be/O7T68SRApbw?feature=shared I understand that my past view of “work” is based on the world’s view and that I must continuously pray to God to not just do his work but to make certain that I am in line with what he defines is my work for him. Your example of perseverance and consistency despite the constant health struggles helps me in many more ways that I can express. Thank you for being the most excellent sister in Christ and the greatest example of persevering during the seemingly impossible times. I love you dearly but as always never as much as God does. To God be the glory. Amen. 🙏🙏😘🤗🐸
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🙏🙏😘🤗🐸
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Terri, thank you always for inspiring me. 🙏🙏😘🤗🐸
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Terri, thank you for always inspiring me. Kim Joh
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