BlogSite SpotLight: Holding On To Jesus

Today it is my great pleasure to introduce to you:
Holding On To Jesus!

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Brenda @ Holding On To Jesus is a sweet sister in the Lord who always seems ready to uplift and bring encouragement to others in whatever way she can! If you’ve not met Brenda, I highly encourage you to check out her blog and have your socks blessed off! I’ve included her About page below, as well as one of her very encouraging posts. Enjoy!

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About Me

Welcome to Holding onto Jesus! My name is Brenda and I am so glad that you are here.

If you are looking for a place to come and find encouragement and hope; if you want to learn how and what to pray for; how to keep going when chronic illness brings you down. If you want to learn how to how to forgive yourself and accept the grace and love that Jesus is holding out to you, how to accept yourself as a daughter or son of the King then this is the place to be.

My goal is that my posts will lift you up, inspire you, show you how to fight with scripture and use the power of prayer. I am hoping to instill in you the importance of a continual deepening of your relationship with God through the reading and studying of His word.

God has given me a passion for helping people, encouraging them, wanting them to feel loved and accepted. I want to see people grow in their prayer life, to really help them see all what needs praying for. I want you to come to realize what a powerful weapon praise is and not just spiritually, but emotionally and even physically.

Having lived with multiple chronic illnesses for more than 25 years, I have been through both the highs and the lows, the continuous circle of side effects your meds can run around you. Feeling useless and worthless. I was first a wife with chronic illness and then a single mom with chronic illness. Talk about feeling like a failure! But God brought me through it all and the journey isn’t over yet!

Then few years ago I started another journey, of finding what grace really meant. That journey has brought me to new and fuller understanding of my worth through the eyes of God. What an amazing discovery that has been. I hope to share it with you.

A bit about myself. Four awesome people call me Mom and I ‘m a grandma to four fast-growing girls. I have lived in the beautiful mountains of western Montana for more than 25 years, surrounded on all sides by God’s wondrous creation. I enjoy music, sewing and crafts when my body allows, staying in touch with friends and family and wind chimes (you can never have too many!)

I share my home with two precocious cats Matty and Silas. Matty drools when he’s happy and content. Silas loves to do his version of the side stroke across the carpet. They sure keep me smiling.

Once again, I thank you for stopping in. I pray I can be used to help you come to understand just how precious to God you are. How He wants so much to help you on this journey we call life. How He wants you to be able to live it with joy. And who knows where we will end up if we share this together. Won’t you join me?

How To Encourage Others When You’re Already Suffering

Let’s face it, life is tough. Some days, weeks, months and even years can be hard to get through, due to one difficulty or another. It can wear you down, affecting many areas of your life.

What about other people? I see many suffering under heavy burdens. In fact, there isn’t anyone I know who couldn’t use encouragement in one form or another. But how do we do this when we ourselves are suffering and going through so much? Isn’t it too much for God to ask of us?

No it isn’t. As believers we are to be the hands and feet of Jesus. It was when those hands and feet were nailed to a cross that Jesus, even then, reached out to others; to give aid.

And let us not grow weary while doing good,

for in due season we shall reap

if we do not lose heart.

Therefore, as we have opportunity,

let us do good to all, especially to those

who are of the household of faith.

Galatians 6:9-10

He saw His mother in agony as she watched Him; hanging there crucified. He knew she would need comfort and help after He was gone; so He placed her in John’s care, to provide for her.

He heard and knew the change of heart in the thief dying next to Him. He reached out with a promise that yes, the thief would join Him that day in paradise.

He was even thinking of the people who were involved in crucifying Him, when he asked the Father to forgive them.

…Just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life

a ransom for many.”

Matthew 20:28

If Jesus could reach out in love and concern for others during His horrific ordeal, then I don’t think that leaves us any viable excuse. As believers, we are the whole body of Christ. When one part suffers, thewhole body reacts. Or should. We need to reach out like Jesus did; in spite of what is going on in our own lives.

Think of when you stub your big toe. Hard. Your leg jerks back, your toes stiffen and your foot freezes. Your back muscles tense up, your hands squeeze into fists. Your neck tightens, you hold your breath, your jaw clenches. Your brain receives the signal and responds with pain. Your mouth opens in a silent (or not so silent) cry. All this reaction for one small action of pain. This is how the church should be.

But now indeed there are many members, yet one body. And the eye cannot say to the hand, “I have no need of you”; nor again the head to the feet, “I have no need of you.” No, much rather, those members of the body which seem to be weaker are necessary. That there should be no schism in the body, but that the members should have the same care for one another. And if one member suffers, all the members suffer with it; or if one member is honored, all the members rejoice with it.

1 Corinthians 12:20-22, 25-26

Pray. This should be our first response when we see or hear about a need. But at this point in time, the body of Christ, has for the most part, lost its zeal for prayer. The main reason seems to be that we don’t want to sacrifice of our time. But when people know you will pray for them, their burden becomes shared. When they hear you pray with them, they are lifted up.

Smile. This requires lowering your phone and raising your head to look around you; to make eye contact. Sorry, I couldn’t resist that one.Normally when you smile at someone; they smile back. It’s natural. It brightens people’s day. Such a simple thing, that gives huge pleasure.

Be kindly affectionate to one another

with brotherly love, in honor giving preference

to one another; not lagging in diligence,

fervent in spirit, serving the Lord;

rejoicing in hope, patient in tribulation, continuing steadfastly in prayer;

distributing to the needs of the saints,

given to hospitality.

Romans 12:10-13

Use your words. Words of encouragement can be a life saver. Look at their efforts thus far and compliment them. Help them focus on the positive side. Share a verse that has helped you. Don’t preach. Only give suggestions if asked.

Give them something. A card, treat, or a hug. Giving something of yourself says a lot. Give of your time if it suits the need. Write an encouraging verse or saying and give it to them to read later.

Having then gifts differing according

to the grace that is given to us,

let us use them.

Romans 12:6

Use social media as an outreach. Look at what you are reading. God led me to start a blog as a way to reach out to people. If you’re reading this, then it’s working. On Facebook, I am always passing on pertinent articles; fun, encouraging posts, pictures and videos. Facebook reaches across the globe, so the possibility of you encouraging someone is endless.

Listen. Sometimes all someone needs is to talk; to vent, to vocalize their frustration or anguish. Be willing to be that person.

I, therefore, the prisoner of the Lord,

beseech you to walk worthy of the calling

with which you were called,

with all lowliness and gentleness,

with long-suffering,

bearing with one another in love,

endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit

in the bond of peace.

There is one body and one Spirit,

just as you were called in one hope of your calling.

Ephesians 4:1-4

Think of what encourages you. How would you like people to help you or treat you? What lifts you up? Most of the time it is a simple thing. Remind yourself how much it helped you. Ask God to impress you with what to do for whomever needs it.

Be the hands and feet of Jesus, in spite of how you are struggling. Believe me, by doing so, you will help lift yourself up. Helping to encourage others is a blessing for ourselves also, as it gets our minds off of our own situation.

Therefore comfort each other

and edify one another,

just as you also are doing.

1 Thessalonians 5:11

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That I may be encouraged together with you

by the mutual faith; both of you and me.

Romans 1:12

Until next time, God bless.

~Brenda

Brenda, thank you so much for your sweet spirit, gentle encouragement, and uplifting words! May God bless you and increase your ministry to others. And may He bring you many years of Peace and Joy in Him!