First, a note from Kim:

Elisa Vazquez is a gifted speaker and author of Smellin’ Good OR STINKIN’ BAD ?.  She is also a wise godly counselor, but above all she is a faithful prayer warrior and student of God’s Word. Elisa and I met at America’s Keswick’s Pastors’ Conference about ten years ago. I began to understand her intimate relationship with God through prayer and His Word during those “optional” prayer times for women during the conference. Elisa is faithful in participating in these times and her prayers are rich and eloquent, filled with Scripture and based on the promises of God’s Word. But the real evidence of her prayer life becomes obvious when we meet again the following year. Elisa will say, “How is ______________? I’ve been praying for her/him/that situation.” She doesn’t just pray at the conference. She writes it down and continues to faithfully pray even when she goes home. I recently learned that Elisa spends every Thursday in prayer – all day! She meets online or by phone with several women around the country and they pray – all day! This is the power behind her life and her ministry. If you ask Elisa to pray for you, she prays for you! And she prays using the promises of God, His Word, that bring hope and increase our faith. Because of Elisa’s example, I was challenged to schedule a day of prayer each month, and this is changing my life and ministry! I love this woman of faith and wisdom and immensely value her friendship and counsel.  

I hope you will not only take time to read Elisa’s article, but will also get a copy of her book and learn more about her amazing story!

If You Faint

by Elisa Vazquez

“If you faint [lose heart, despair, or fall apart] in the day of adversity [trouble, anguish, affliction, distress] your strength is small [narrow]” (Proverbs 24:10, NKJV).

“If you fall apart during a crisis, then you weren’t very strong to begin with” (The Voice).

Are you agonizing over a crisis right now—a crisis over which you have absolutely no control?  Perhaps it’s a wayward son or daughter, a seemingly insurmountable toxic addiction or habit, a crushing financial burden, or an incurable disease. You find yourself trapped in an emotional cul-de-sac—a dead-end street.  You’re feeling spiritually drained—powerless to fix the problem. Deep in your heart there’s the nagging question, “How do I keep from giving up—throwing in the towel—when everything around me is falling apart— crumbling?”

Wait!  Before you surrender to discouragement and abandon all hope, listen to the following story.

For several years I have been doing a Bible Study in a nursing home.  Not all of the residents who come to the study are elderly.

Michael is a young man (I would guess in his late forties), who never misses a Bible study.  He always shows up on time, and is the last to leave.

Michael has multiple sclerosis—a complex neurological, debilitating and crippling disease of the central nervous system, which causes muscular weakness and loss of coordination and speech.  He is confined to a wheelchair, and oftentimes struggles to maintain an upright posture.

Michael has a beautiful, infectious smile, and he radiates the love of Christ, in both his words and actions. Now what makes him so special—such a beautiful human being—is that although his body is wasting away as a result of his terrible, debilitating sickness, he is always positive and joyful, and never misses an opportunity to encourage others.

It has become my practice, after each Bible study, to pray for the individual needs of the attendees. I always leave Michael for last, because when I finish praying for him, he then takes my hand and prays God’s blessing over me.  What a privilege and honor it has been for me!

A few months ago, I asked those who were present in the Bible study, “If God were to say to you, ‘Today I will grant you just one special petition.’  What would you ask for?”

One person said “I would ask Him for my healing.”  Another said, “I want to go home to be with my family.”  An elderly woman, whose relationship with her daughter had been severed because of past misunderstandings and deep hurts, discouragingly expressed that she deeply desired a visit from her daughter.

I then turned to Michael and asked, “What’s your special petition—your greatest desire?  What do you want God to do for you?”

I expected Michael’s response to be, “I want God to heal me of this crippling disease.” I was dead wrong!  He turned to me with a radiant smile and said, “I desire more than anything for God to fill my heart with His limitless, unconditional love for others. I want to serve Him more passionately.  I want my life to honor and glorify Him?”

I was impacted and humbled by his response.  There was a sudden hush in the room.  All eyes were on Michael. . . .

Later that day, as I pondered his profoundly meaningful words, I thought to myself, “The dreadful, debilitating illness of multiple sclerosis has crippled Michael’s physical body, but not his spirit!” In spite of his painful affliction, from the depth of his heart emanates a melodious song of pure praise to his Creator. What an an amazing inspiration this young man is to me, and everyone who knows him!

Again, we reflect on Solomon’s words:   “If you faint [lose heart, or despair] in the day of adversity [trouble, anguish, affliction, distress] your strength is small” (Proverbs 24:10).

When we are going through the unrelenting, violent storms of life, the secret to not fainting, or succumbing to discouragement, hopelessness, and despair, is found in fixing our eyes on the Lord; that is, putting our total trust in Him, who is our refuge,  our comforter, our strength, our helper—a very present help in time of trouble.

Michael has learned the secret of contentment in the midst of anguish, distress, despair, sorrow and pain: His eyes are focused on the One who will keep him from becoming fainthearted—from despairing—from giving up.  His soul is firmly anchored in Jesus, from whom he draws his spiritual strength and vitality daily.

To prevent our strength from being small, or narrow, we must obey the Apostle Paul’s injunction to be strong, not in our own strength, but in the strength and power of the Lord  (Ephesians 6: 10).

You see, it is the Lord who arms us with strength for our daily, fierce battles (Psalm 18:32, 39).  It is He who gives us power when we’re fainthearted, and when we have no might—when we are weak and weary— He increases our strength” (Isaiah 40:29 ).  He declares to us, “In quietness and [utter] confidence [trust in me] shall be your strength.”

It is crystal clear in God’s Word, that we rise above life’s disappointments and all life’s adverse circumstances, by keeping our minds and eyes focused on the Lord; that is, by utterly trusting Him. That’s why the writer of Hebrews exhorts us, “keep your mind on Jesus, who put up with many insults from sinners, then you won’t get discouraged and give up” (Hebrews 12:3, CEV).

David, who was acquainted with heartache and sorrow, said in a moment of great anguish, “I would have lost heart [despaired], unless I had believed that I would see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living” (Psalm 27:13, NKJV).  It was because this Shepherd-King trusted wholeheartedly in “the goodness of the Lord,” that he did not lose heart in times of anguish and despair.

Again, I ask, “Do you feel fainthearted—feel like you’re going to fall apart in your crisis?”  Then listen to David’s words of encouragement and reassurance for you today: “Wait on the Lord; be of good courage, and He shall strengthen your heart; wait, I say, on the Lord!” (Psalm 27:14).

David’s words are reinforced by the prophet Isaiah who says, “But those who wait on the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint” (Isaiah 40:31, NKJV).

We see clearly, then, that waiting on, and utterly trusting in the Lord in the midst of our crises, is the key to being filled with joy, peace, spiritual strength and assurance. David, once again reassures us that, “The LORD gives strength to his people; [and he] blesses his people with peace” (Psalm 29:11, NIV).

 

So I repeat.  Before you give in to discouragement, let the Lord strengthen your heart, and renew your spirit.  Receive His gift of peace as He gently whispers to you:

“Fear not, for I am with you [in your crisis]. Be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, Yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand” (Isaiah 41:10, NKJV).

Our heavenly Father promises:  “I will strengthen you . . . . “  He is faithful to His promises!

Elisa Vazquez is a conference speaker and teacher of the Word. She obtained a Bachelor of Arts Degree from the College of New Rochelle in New York City, and a Master’s Degree in Biblical Studies and Theology from Regent University in Virginia Beach, Va. Elisa was recognized and honored by inclusion in the Who’s Who in American Christian Leadership, 1989 Edition. As an ordained American Baptist Minister, she served three years as Associate Pastor at Central Baptist Church in Brooklyn, NY and eleven years as Senior Pastor at Christ the King Baptist Church in Queens, NY. Elisa faithfully leads a Bible study in a Jewish nursing home facility and was most recently inducted into the Ordination Council for the American Baptist Churches of Metro NY.  Elisa is the author of Smellin’ Good or Stinkin’ Bad: What is your scent? (available online at Amazon and Barnes & Nobles)