This week has been a rough one again. The holidays are here engulfed in expenses, travel, expectations from friends and family, business and personal obligations, just one thing compounded with another. Through it all I was praying for mental relief but there were days I wondered if the Lord was even listening. Frustration, fear, doubt, anger, exhaustion all crept into my thoughts, weakened my spirit, and questioned my faith. What am I constantly praying for if nothing is changing, if hills and valleys are my constant path, if I'm dreading the next day? All these emotions I thought to myself as I tried to concentrate on the words I wanted to convey to God. Even after prayer I didn't feel an answer nor relief. It seemed as if I was the only one worried about tomorrow. No whisper, no thought, nothing from God to fortify my belief, nothing to solidify my faith. But my spirit wouldn't permit me to give in to my dark thoughts. I kept praying and sought fellowship. There had to be others like me in spiritual turmoil.
I sought out my spiritual mentor and house of worship. I desperately needed it. The spirit of fellowship brightened my spirit. The voices of musical praise strengthened my soul. It let me know that others are praying for and with me. It let me know I too have the same fears, concerns, and desires as others. Fellowship helped me strengthen my prayers and fortified my faith. It soothed my soul.
No matter where we are in our faith, fellowship provides us with strength. Being around other believers gives us the chance to learn and grow in our faith. It demonstrates to us why we believe and is the excellent food for our souls. The writer of Psalm 138 says of God, "In the day when I cried out, You answered me, and made me bold with strength in my soul.” When we are right with God, we never go into turmoil alone. We have the Creator of the Universe on our side. I know at times it's hard to walk in faith. But walking by faith, not sight means fixing our eyes on what is eternal: “So we fix our eyes not on what is seen by our own sight, but on what is unseen through faith, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal. And sometimes we need others to fortify our faith and strength in Christ.
I encourage you to find your home of worship, be it a Mosque, Synagogue, Church or Temple. Fortify your soul with others who share your beliefs, values and faith. It's divine food for your spirit and soul. May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.
But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin.
For where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I among them.”
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