O bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of joy instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair.
While listening to worship music this morning I was encouraged when I heard the chorus of this song called “Never lost by Rita Springer” being sang by Maverick city music.
The words are
Who are you great mountain, that you should not bow low?
Jesus defeated the darkness, He has never lost a battle
In Isaiah 54:4 the scripture reads
4 “FEAR NOT,FOR YOU WILL NOT BE ASHAMED.
BE NOT CONFOUNDED, FOR YOU WILL NOT BE DISGRACED.
FOR YOU WILL FORGET THE SHAME OF YOUR YOUTH,
When Joshua passed; I experienced this shame that I have never felt before. I was so embarrassed to even speak about it at times, especially when one would ask how he died. Just the look on their faces when they would hear that he was murdered would make me cringe at times. Because let us be honest most times when one hears that a male has been murdered the elephant in the room is what did that person do that someone would want to take their life?
For a while I found myself stressing to people that Joshua was a good kid and never gave me any problems. I would always make sure that I add in that he has never been involved with the police before leaving the conversation as if once I stated that- they would believe me for sure.
I remember making it my duty when I saw negative things posted online about Joshua. I would jump on social media in the comments because I felt like it was something I had to do to change the narrative that society has placed on Black males that when killed that not all were thug, drug dealing gangsters. It was like there was this mountain of shame sitting on my chest each morning. Until I remembered In Christ there is no bondage nor shame. 2 Corinthians 3:17 says Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.
Other verses that helped are
- Colossians 2:10 I Am Complete in Christ
- John 15:15 I Am Christ Friend
- 1 Corinthians 6:17 I Am United with The Lord and With Him in Spirit
- Romans 8:1 There Is No Condemnation for Those Who Are in Christ
- Philippians 3:20 I Am a Citizen of Heaven
- Hebrews 4:16 I Find Grace and Mercy in Times of Need
- Ephesians 2:6 I am God’s Workmanship
- Ephesians 3:12 I May Approach God with Freedom and Confidence
- Philippians 4:13 I Can Do All Things Through Christ Who Strengthens Me
And I noticed that once I started to read these verses aloud and pray them over myself that the mountain of shame began to move away. I no longer felt like I had to justify anything pertaining to Joshua death to anybody except that his killers are still out there, and they would be caught.
I get this question a lot about knowing what Bible verse to use when feeling struck down. We have great resources right at are fingertips one being the internet. Simply head over to Google and type in Bible verse on sadness or whatever it is that you may be dealing with and personalize it to yourself in prayer and I promise you not based on my strength, but Gods that you will begin to see your mountain move. Another wonderful way to uplift your spirit is to play worship music which will allow that Garment of praise to fall on you in your moment of weakness. Thank God in those times for what he has done and ask him to continue to show you ways to find joy again.
I pray that this will help someone on this journey called Life and to remember that we have not received the spirit of Bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of Adoption, whereby we cry out Abba Father “Romans 8:1”
This is your season to pray without ceasing.
Well Until next time, stay bless and remember God is ABLE!!!
#Joshuasmom
#JUSTICEFORJOSHUABENNETT