In my Weakness, God’s Strength Becomes My Greatest Source of Empowerment.

I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me! (Philippians 4:13)

His grace is sufficient for me, for His power is made perfect in my weakness. (Corinthians 12:9)

This post reflects a word I received from God during a moment of deep prayer—a moment when life felt like it was falling apart. I lost the love of my life, my best friend, and along with him, so many dreams I had cherished. Even now, there are times when my life goals feel out of reach. Looking around, I realized there was no one to blame for my circumstances but myself.  As a widow and the sole parent, I became fully responsible for every aspect of our lives. The weight of my choices, mistakes, and failures pressed heavily on my shoulders. Fear—both of the known and the unknown—left me paralyzed. The person I once was faded away in 2021, and since then, I’ve been on a journey to rediscover and redefine who I am today. I often ask myself: Who do I want to become in this new reality? How do I begin to rebuild, piece together broken dreams, and redesign my entire existence all at once? I’ve had to face the hard truth—I have a role to play in this new life, even though it’s one I never expected nor wanted.

I found myself unexpectedly thrust into the middle of a new story—a life I never wanted. I longed for my story to end, but God had other plans. He was resolute in keeping me here. For two long years, I felt lifeless. Each day brought only pain and disappointment, with no trace of joy. It was as if I had been hurled from the heavens into a foreign reality—one I was forced to call my life. I despised this new existence, struggling to make sense of it. It took me two years to rediscover hope and joy.

In the process, I had to uncover a new "character" within myself to play in this unfamiliar chapter. It felt like learning to ride a bicycle all over again—complete with falls, bruises, and countless failures. I had no sense of balance, and my life felt equally unsteady. There were moments when I begged God to take me to heaven, convinced I was done living. Yet, in His kindness, God reminded me that my life had a purpose—a purpose far greater than myself. He revealed that I had a role in serving others and making a meaningful difference. My life would become a vessel for His ministry.

And so, I stepped into the role of a new protagonist in my own story. Over these two years, I lost nearly everything I once knew about myself. Rewriting my life was not just challenging—it was transformative. Though the journey was painful, it led me to a deeper understanding of purpose and faith.

"For I am convinced that neither death nor life, nor angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord" (Romans 8:38-39). 

At a time when I was juggling countless "plates," I ultimately dropped them all—losing every shred of hope and expectation I once held. In the midst of this overwhelming chaos, God called me to do something profoundly simple: to be still and to know that He is God. For the first time in my life, I truly quieted my mind, my heart, and even my surroundings with an earnest desire to hear Him. That night changed everything. God transformed not just my life, but also my relationship with Him. His presence became undeniably real to me. God desires a genuine friendship with us—one where conversations flow both ways. For so many years, my prayers felt one-sided, as if I were speaking into a void. But on that night, something incredible happened. I asked, and God responded—immediately. He directed me to specific Bible verses I didn’t even know existed. Yet, even more powerful than His words was the unmistakable awareness of His presence. My room became filled with an all-encompassing love like I had never experienced before. God is love, and that love washed over me, bringing healing and clarity. It was as though my very soul had been renewed, and in that moment, I began to understand how God truly sees me. It wasn’t just an emotional experience—it was almost physical. I could feel His love in my very bones. For so long, I had believed the enemy’s lies that I was unlovable. But that night, the truth became clear: I am deeply loved by God. His love isn’t dependent on my failures, my shortcomings, or my flawed self-perceptions. It isn’t tied to the endless cycles of mistakes I’ve made or the person I thought I was. God sees beyond all of that. He sees the version of me I have yet to fully recognize—the version He lovingly created. And now, I can’t wait for the day when I will finally see myself the way He has always seen me.

 "I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master’s business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you" (John 15:15).

Since the night I silenced my heart and mind, in expectation of hearing God. My experience with faith gained a new meaning. At first, I believed that Jesus is the son of God, and there is a trinity.  I was saved by faith. I did not know God as the living and powerful God He is.  When I did not understand what seemed illogical Biblical principles, I chose to believe. With time, and seeking His presence, with a love for Him that came from deep within my soul, God became as real as any visible object I see. My life is filled with miracles  and amazing events that there could only be a creation of God's amazing creativity, beauty, and humor. After a lifelong of God coming to my rescue, saving my life from Cancer twice, and many times He created unlikely situation to protect me from robbers and sex abusers, while living in Curitiba and studying until very late. There is no way I cannot believe in Him, as the only Good God Almighty: God, the Father, who sent His only son to save humanity.  Jesus is the son of God, who died in my place so that I could enter the presence of our loving God! The moment Jesus gave his life to God, the veil of the temple was torn! We were no longer destined to live in the absence of God--the One who is the most loving, faithful and powerful--above all nations!!

Hallelujah!

"God reigns over the nations; God sits on His holy throne. The princes of the people have gathered together, the people of the God of Abraham. For the shields of the earth belong to God; He is greatly exalted (Psalm 47:8-9)." 

God is with us: The Afters

His Power Is our Empowerment: His Grace Is Sufficient for us, for His Power Is Made Perfect in our Weakness.

"I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me" (Philippians 4:13).

"My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness" (Corinthians 12:9).

No matter how much effort I put into relying on my own strength, abilities, and hard work, I find myself unable to win the spiritual battles and personal struggles that grip my life. The harder I try to bring about change, the more I realize some situations—especially those tied to my heart—are beyond my control. How I view myself, what I believe about my worth, and the way I process pain and trauma often feel like insurmountable hurdles. I make promises to myself, vowing to stay focused, make the right choices, and rise above my circumstances. Yet, time and time again, I feel powerless as I fall back into mistakes I vowed to avoid. These mistakes unravel my plans, and the illusion of control I had shatters around me. In these moments, frustration and self-anger take hold. Sometimes, the weight of self-condemnation becomes so heavy that I struggle to reset, restart, and move forward. I get stuck in a cycle of self-doubt, unable to see myself through God’s eyes or grasp the depth of His love for me.

“For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord" (Romans 8:38-39).

Just like Adam and Eve, I find myself hiding from God in shame and guilt. Although I know He is present everywhere and sees all, I often feel like a child playing hide-and-seek—hiding under the bed with my legs still visible. I don’t hide out of fear of God Himself but rather because I struggle to confront my own failures. My hiding, I believe, stems from deeper fears: the fear of failure, the fear of making decisions on my own, and even fears I have yet to fully understand. After Danny’s death, a painful mix of fear, loneliness, and abandonment entered my life, making me retreat further. Hiding from God and even from myself feels easier than facing the overwhelming weight of my fears, pain, mistakes, and numerous failed attempts to change my circumstances. But in doing so, I deny myself the healing and love He offers unconditionally.

"Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence?". It goes on to say that God is everywhere, even in the heavens, the depths, and the darkness" (Psalm 139:7-12).

"Can anyone hide somewhere in secret where I do not see him?". It goes on to say that God is present everywhere, in heaven and on earth"(Jeremiah 23:24). 

Regarding the supernatural world that co-exists with our own reality:

"For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places" (Ephesians 6:12.).

1 Peter 5:6-10: 

6 Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time.

7 Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.

8 Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.

9 Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings.

10 And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast.

If I hide from God, I attempt to hide from myself, delaying the realization of my mistakes and potential failures. For a long time, I was unaware of many of my fears—fears that only God could reveal to me through prayer. The supernatural world and its principles remain constant, whether we acknowledge them or not. There are deep truths about ourselves that only God can unveil. By ourselves, we are often blind to the parts of our hearts shaped by childhood trauma, neglect, and abuse. Over time, we unknowingly integrate these wounds into our identity.

As children, we didn’t have the tools to interpret painful experiences in a healthy way, so we accepted the lies told to us by others or planted in our minds by the enemy—lies about our worth and identity. These beliefs run deep, and as adults, we unconsciously fall back on the same harmful coping mechanisms crafted in our childhood. Without realizing it, many of our reactions to challenges stem from the defensive habits of the helpless child we once were.

We craved guidance, unconditional love, protection, and provision from our caregivers, but often found ourselves starved of these essentials. Unable to provide for ourselves, this lack of support shaped the way we view the world, ourselves, and even God.

"I, I am he who blots out your transgressions for my own sake, and I will not remember your sins” (Isaiah 43:25).

"God removes our sins from us 'as far as the east is from the west’” (Psalm 103:12).

"He casts all our sins into the depths of the sea” (Micah 7:18-19).

"For I will be merciful toward their iniquities, and I will remember their sins no more” (Hebrews 8:12).

Our ingrained behaviors and beliefs can only be revealed and healed by the Holy Spirit. With His grace and love, He begins to erase the pain, showing us the depth of God’s transformative power. Through the Holy Spirit, we are empowered to overcome lifelong struggles and distorted self-perceptions. As Scripture reminds us:

"The Holy Spirit, which is the supernatural presence of God, lives within those who accept Jesus Christ" (Romans 8:6-11).

When we experience God’s love, forgiveness, and strength in our weakness, we begin to see ourselves as He sees us—worthy, loved, and redeemed. His unconditional love is overwhelming and beyond comprehension. The Bible repeatedly affirms His forgiveness, assuring us that when He forgives, He also forgets. By surrendering our hearts to God, He washes away our darkest moments—our thoughts, actions, anger, and pain. He sees everything yet loves us unconditionally, granting us the peace that surpasses all understanding.

In moments when life feels like a storm, shaking our foundations and testing our faith, God fills us with His peace. Even amidst chaos, His peace remains steadfast, rooted in the knowledge that He is real and faithful to His promises. He calms the storm, provides for our needs, and opens the doors of heaven, allowing us to witness His supernatural works. Though unseen, His power operates constantly on our behalf, ordering His angels to protect and guide us. The enemy seeks our destruction, but our God, in His sovereignty, does not allow even a single hair on our head to be touched. Hallelujah!

For those who reject Christ, however, the enemy claims authority over their souls. Upon death, they are cast into a place of absolute darkness—hell, where the absence of God magnifies every sorrow. No earthly suffering compares to the torment of eternal separation from Him. Yet even now, God reaches out to everyone, crafting opportunities for them to know His love. He commands His angels to work tirelessly for their salvation. Ultimately, the decision of where we spend eternity rests with each of us.

"Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved” (Acts 4:12).

"Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:6-7).

All that God desires is for us to invite Him into our hearts, surrender control, and trust Him with our lives. We often construct emotional walls to protect ourselves from pain, creating harmful coping mechanisms that prevent true healing. This illusion of control becomes part of our identity, making us believe we are the only ones who can protect ourselves from hurt. Yet, burying our pain does not make it disappear—it festers, silently contaminating our hopes and dreams.

When we surrender to God, He dismantles the walls we’ve built and heals us gently. The Holy Spirit reveals the root of our pain without condemnation, guiding us to understanding and freedom. Through His healing, we are restored, and our once-dead hopes and dreams are revived. God’s love is transformational and ever-present, expressed through His constant provision and protection. He is the light that brightens the darkest corners of our lives—the reason the sun rises each morning.

Dear reader, if you long to experience a love beyond imagination, know this: God desires your heart and friendship. Because of Jesus, we can boldly enter God’s holy presence. This is all He wants—to be in relationship with you.

“Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit" (Acts 2:38). 

"Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me" (John 14:6).

"For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life" (John 3:16).

What a breathtaking and profound expression of love! Why should I spend my life resenting parts of myself when the Creator of the universe loves me unconditionally—even in the midst of my failures? His love is truly beyond comprehension! My life changed forever the moment I encountered His presence. God’s all-encompassing love became undeniably real—so powerful that I felt it deep within my soul.

Oh, how good and faithful is our God! He meets us exactly where we are, no matter our struggles or circumstances. Jesus, in His boundless love, gave His life so we could live in communion with Him. He descended to hell, taking authority over the keys of hell and death, demonstrating His immeasurable devotion to humanity. He went to the depths of despair to rescue us, securing a future filled with hope. Because of Him, we are saved from an eternity of darkness and separation from God—a hopeless reality we cannot even begin to fathom.

Without Him, there is no light, no hope, no peace. Hell is the absence of God’s presence—a place where evil runs unchecked and protection is absent. While it may be difficult to understand why hell exists, we must trust in God’s goodness and allow the Holy Spirit to reveal its purpose to our hearts and minds. It is a sobering truth that can only be fully grasped through spiritual revelation.

It’s essential to know that hell was never part of God’s original plan for humanity. It was created for Satan and his fallen angels—a place to confine their evil and shield God’s children from harm. God’s deepest desire is for everyone to find salvation. His heart aches when He sees His beloved creation misled by Satan’s lies. One day, we will see with perfect clarity the countless ways He pursued us, protected us, and reached out with His love. We will understand how He sent His angels to guide and preserve us—even in moments when we didn’t recognize it.

If we genuinely seek Him, He will open our spiritual eyes to see His unending love and the miraculous ways He works on our behalf. God’s love isn’t just real—it is relentless and unfailing, waiting to be fully embraced by anyone who opens their heart to Him.

"I am He who lives, and was dead, and behold, I am alive forevermore. Amen. And I have the keys of Hades and of Death" (Revelation 1:18).

God's love is unwavering. Even when we feel distant, His presence never leaves us. During moments of loneliness, when our world feels like it’s falling apart, it may seem as though God is absent. We often pray in anxiety and fear, especially when facing life-altering challenges. In desperate moments, we may cry out, asking where He is amid our pain, fear, doubt, and despair. Our emotions become overwhelming, and our focus shifts away from Him. In those prayers of desperation, we sometimes forget to turn to the Holy Spirit, to ask Him to quiet our hearts so we can hear His voice and feel His presence. God calls us to be still, to pause in prayer, so we can truly hear Him and acknowledge His unwavering presence.

Understanding God's sovereignty is not just a concept to grasp intellectually; it’s a truth we must embrace with our hearts. When life feels chaotic and uncertain, anxiety often creeps in, bringing fear and confusion. Emotions can become deafening, drowning out peace. While we may read about God's sovereignty and His almighty care, it can be challenging to translate this knowledge into trust, especially when fear takes hold. Knowing about God's control is one thing, but experiencing it—truly resting in His presence—requires us to quiet the noise around and within us. In the stillness, we can hear His voice, and our fears begin to fade as His peace fills us.

"Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth" (Psalm 46:10).

The verse above has been interpreted in many ways, but all interpretations point to God’s supreme power and authority. It reminds us that there is no one greater—He is our Savior, Protector, and Provider. Personally, learning to "be still" transformed my understanding of prayer and my relationship with God. I used to view prayer as a one-sided conversation, imagining my words traveling through the heavens to reach Him. For a long time, I believed God simply listened and chose whether or not to respond based on my wants and needs, rather than His will for my life.

It was during a time of absolute despair and powerlessness that I finally allowed this verse to penetrate my heart, not just my mind. I asked God, "What does it mean to be still? How can I be still in the midst of fear and chaos?" I asked Him to teach me. I began to read His Word with a new intention, asking Him to reveal Himself to me as I removed distractions. I silenced my thoughts, waiting expectantly to hear His voice. I craved His presence. I needed His presence. I was weary from constant anxiety and panic attacks.

 It was in that stillness—when my heart and mind were finally quiet—that I heard Him. God made me deeply aware of His constant presence in my life. I realized He had never left me, even during my darkest moments. When I cried out for rescue during a time of personal suffering, I didn’t realize I was already in His protective hands. He was holding me all along. In my weakness, when I had no strength left and was utterly exhausted from sleepless nights due to abuse, His presence restored me. I experienced a physical, spiritual, and mental renewal that only God could provide. He is faithful, and His love never fails.

"God reigns over the nations; God sits on His holy throne. The princes of the people have gathered together, the people of the God of Abraham. For the shields of the earth belong to God; He is greatly exalted

(Psalm 47:8-9)." 

In my moments of stillness before God, through prayer, I discovered something profound: God desires a deep, personal relationship with us—a friendship where conversations flow both ways, naturally and instantly. As I brought my questions to Him, He responded by placing Bible verses in my heart—verses I hadn’t even remembered. His presence was indescribably calming, embracing me with a love so pure and overwhelming that it brought me to tears. I had never felt so loved. Despite feeling unworthy, His love surrounded me, tangible and undeniable, reaching every part of my being and filling the entire room with its warmth. I had been so wrong to think my prayers had to travel far to reach Him—He was never distant. He was always near, always listening, always at work. God never sleeps, and we are the apple of His eye. There is nothing He won’t do to reach us and fulfill His perfect will in our lives. His love is constant, immediate, and all-encompassing.

 "I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master’s business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you" (John 15:15).

"He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus (Philippians 1:6)."  

The God Who Stays: Matthew West

Very good text about being still in the presence of God.

(Text taken from Google)

"Be still, and know that I am God" (Psalm 46:10).

The Bible verse "Be still, and know that I am God" appears in Psalm 46:10. The full verse reads, "Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth". 

Explanation:

The verse is part of a longer section of the Bible that emphasizes God's power and security. It can be interpreted to mean that one can wait on God even in times of chaos. It can also be interpreted to mean that one should recognize that God is in control of all circumstances. 

Additional Bible verses to reminds us of God's favor towards our lives. Please, read the promises of God for your life.

Romans 8:31-39: