Today, I am thrilled for you to hear from my sister and friend Terri Pierce. She has been a supportive sister to me and Living Deeper Ministries for a long time. Excited for you to hear her heart today!
I’ve done life alone; been there, done that, and don’t want to go back. Especially with my personal past struggle with depression and anxiety. I’ve been alone in my boat before, and in my storm, had taken my eyes off of Jesus and didn’t recognize Him in my circumstances. I had lost my hope! I was like that lone sheep who was easy prey for the enemy. There is protection in a herd. There is protection in numbers. There is protection in unity. There is protection with being in God’s plan; and His plan for us is to be in unity with other sisters.
All through scripture, from the very beginning to the end, is the importance of doing life with others. Unity was created by God and began during the creation. “It was not good for man to be alone so He created woman to be his helper.” (Genesis 2:18). Yes, Jesus got alone with God His Father and He also did life with the disciples. Then, in John 17 Jesus, right before His arrest, prayed for His disciples and for all believers to have unity! “That they might be one” (Verse 11) Just as God the father, Jesus the Son, and the Holy Spirit are three in one; we are to be one with Him and one with other believers in Him!
Our group of ladies’ small group have been meeting for almost ten years this year. We’ve been through single mom struggles, weddings, babies, grand-babies, divorces, death of loved ones, blended family issues, “baby momma drama” and absent fathers, wayward children, abuse, addiction and more together! We’ve laughed together, cried together, had ‘confession sessions’ together, prayed together, gotten in God’s Word together and have done life together! We’ve gone through Jena’s Love, Focus and Fight studies together. We’ve learned to focus and are learning to fight the good fight together. I can’t imagine life without my tribe. I know I would not be here today where I am spiritually or emotionally without the support and encouragement and prayers of other believers I have done life with.
Life is hard. We all go through storms. Each and everyone of us struggle with something. We all have our healthy and unhealthy habits and or addictions, whether we admit them or not. But through the storms, we are hopefully in the boat with other believers. Other believers who can listen to our confessions. Other believers who can pray for us and encourage us and give us Godly wisdom. Other believers who can tell us to “wake up”! Other believers who can help us to recognize that Jesus is with us in the storm and that He is coming! That when we keep our eyes on Him we can walk on water and do the impossible! That it’s ok that we took our eyes off Jesus and started to sink, because even Peter did that too! (Matthew 14)
I know that is the heart of my sister, Jena, too. That we would do life together in unity with God, His Son, His Holy Spirit, and with one another. To journey together down the path of healing and restoration together. To gather together, grow together and go make more disciples together!
“And let us be concerned about one another in order to promote love and good works, not staying away from our worship meetings, as some habitually do, but encouraging each other, and all the more as you see the day drawing near.”
Hebrews 10:24-25 HCSB
“Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, so that you may be healed. The urgent request of a righteous person is very powerful in its effect.”
James 5:16 HCSB
“If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say, “We don’t have any sin,” we make Him a liar, and His word is not in us.”
1 John 1:9-10 HCSB
Are you connected and committed to regular worship meetings with your church and others? (Psalm 92:13)
Are you concerned about others?
Are you encouraging others?
Do you have a tribe?
Are you getting together and fellowshipping with other believers ? (Even if it’s via Zoom or FaceTime for now)
Are you confessing your sin and struggles to someone you trust who will commit to pray for you?
Are you “Pursuing a Paul”?
Are you “Training a Timothy”?
Are you “Being a Barnabus”?
Who is in your boat through this storm?
He is with you! He is for you! He will carry you! He is coming for us! He promises healing and cleansing! He has done the impossible and is still in the miracle business! He wants you to walk and talk with you today! He wants you in unity with Him and with others! He wants you in the boat with other believers!
Life is hard but God is good! Part of that goodness is doing life with others ... don’t miss out on His goodness!
I truly enjoyed reading your blog Terri. Above all, Jesus has become my best friend. He’s the only one who can meet all my needs. He knows me to the depth of my being and loves me anyway. He has never left me nor forsaken me. On another note, my husband is my earthly best friend and I’m so thankful for him. He models Jesus with skin on. I know he can not replace Christ, but he does provide the companionship and love that God created humans to need. He prays on my behalf and takes decisions before the Father. He is who I want to spend my time with. I’m also blessed with a strong tribe of godly women…
Great words, Terri! Thank you for sharing such Truth & Encouragement! I am thankful for a Father who has continued to bless me with the exact people I needed during each stage of this life to help be an encouragement & accountability partner for me as well. He knows our needs & if we allow Him to do what He truly wants to do for us, we can be soo blessed & then be a blessing to others as well.