"He will cover you with His feathers. He will shelter you with His wings. His faithful promises are your armor and protection." - Psalm 91:4

Do you continually read His words? Do you ingest them into your heart and soul? Where do you get the thoughts about yourself (and others) that you entertain or replay in your mind? 

Earlier this week I was battling heaviness. I had recently listened to a Staci Eldredge podcast about the lies we attach ourselves to. Maybe not intentionally agreeing with the thoughts, but leaving the door open to them. Isn’t that what the serpent did at the very beginning? He placed a hint of a question, a hint of doubt in the mind of Eve (Gen 3). Having thousands of years of experience, the unseen enemies we continue to battle still do the same thing. Maybe it’s in an experience that you had no control over where the enemy broke through. Maybe it’s in a mistake or failure that pries the door open and allows shame and guilt to enter in. Maybe it’s in what you choose to look at, listen to, or read. Maybe it’s in how you were treated or devalued by a stranger, a coworker, a family member, or even by someone you loved and trusted. The thoughts and emotions based on very real experiences begin to turn your mind away from who Jesus says you are. 

The heaviness I experienced this week was a combination of all of those attacks and more. I had spent time in reading and prayer earlier that morning. As I continued in everyday household chores, the heaviness still existed. I stepped outside to spend time in the sunshine, breathe, and pray. The prayers continued and as I was laying in my hammock (Hold On To Me by Lauren Daigle was playing on my Iphone, a song I haven't heard in a long time) I opened my eyes and saw this beautiful white feather. The words from Psalm 91 came to mind. “He covers you with His feathers” "rest in the shadow of His wings". I smiled. The heaviness lifted. Hints of heaviness would later return but not as dominating. It’s a battle. My strength in the Lord continues to grow. He isn’t finished working in and through me (Eph 2:10). In THAT moment however, when I opened my eyes, the reminder and gentle whisper of His words (that I have faith in) lifted the heaviness. The words implanted in my heart came to life in what I saw. Heaviness was replaced with comfort. After sitting in that comfort of presence for a bit, I got up, got my camera, and captured the beauty of the reminder. It wasn’t until that afternoon I sat down and read the whole chapter. I thanked the Lord for His words and His promises. I thanked Him for continually growing of my faith. “Lord let faith rise up in me." Jesus' disciples requested similar - "show us how to increase our faith.” (Luke 17:5&6)

The Spirit is such a beautiful gift. John 14:26. He reminds us. He equips with what is needed for the moments. Encouragement for today: spend time in His words. Read His words about who HE is. His words will also remind you of who you are and who you were created to be. Know that the Spirit will bring those words to life. His words are our weapons of warfare against the places we allow the enemy into. What do you allow to cover you? Rejection, abandonment, insecurity, doubt, fear…There are so many negative influences after your heart and mind attempting to cover who He created you to be (John 10:10). Reject those lies and let God cover you with His feathers instead. Rest in the shadow of His wings. Let Him clothe you in His mantle of love. What does His word say about His creation? God’s word says “it was very good” (Gen 1:31). Instead of saturating my mind with outside attacks and negative experiences, I can choose to spend time replaying His words and the experiences I have with Him. In reading and knowing His words, the gifts of a perfectly timed white feather become whispers of scripture and an experience with God. Instead of being triggered by negative emotions in what my eyes see or what my ears hear, time in His words can open up more opportunity for what I encounter to bring reminders of my Father in Heaven. The only way to continue to see Him and know His heart, is to continue spending time with Him. Spend time in His word. Meditate on His words. Dwell on them. Spend time in prayer. Spend time in the being still and knowing (Psalm 46). Stand on His truths. He created you in His image (Gen 1:26&27). He loves you with an everlasting love (Jer 31:3). He sings over you. Allow His love to quiet your anxious heart (Zeph 3:17). He fights for you (Ex 14:14). Give space to let His truths remind you of who He is. Be with Him. Take time to listen to this beautiful song by Megan Woods and be encouraged!

“The truth is I am my Father's child

I make Him proud and I make Him smile

I was made in the image of a perfect King

He looks at me and wouldn't change a thing

The truth is I am truly loved

By a God who's good when I'm not good enough

I don't belong to the lies, I belong to You

And that's the truth” - Megan Woods

Stake claim in the beauty He surrounds you with. Seek Him in it. Recognize those moments when the Lord whispers and choose to believe in His everlasting love. Dwell in those moments. The God of the universe is always walking with you. The enemy would love to fill your mind with doubt and fear. Stand on His promises. Find shelter in the Almighty. The Lord provides for the birds of the air. He will most certainly sustain you. "And aren't you more valuable to Him than they are?" (Matt 6:26)