Overcoming: Our Easter gift

Overcoming: Our Easter gift By Kathleen Maxwell-Rambie Copyright March 2024 Have you ever thought of how people in heaven see you — and how God sees you in situations? Fourteen years ago, I found myself in the middle of great loss and feeling weaker than I had ever felt in my life. My view of the situation and being a relatively young widow was not positive, to say the least. It seemed to me all my dreams of what I thought life would be in this season were washed away. I realized if I continued seeing my life in a negative light, it would lead me down a path I really did not want to go down. So, I began to ask God how he, and the rest of heaven, saw me and my life. He took me to I John 5:4 (NIV) which states, “Whatever is born of God overcomes the world. Who is he who overcomes the world but he who believes Jesus is the son of God.” That scripture states that, as children of God, overcoming power resides in us to overcome any situation we face. Jesus overcame the grave and conquered death. He rose above his circumstances. The definition of overcoming is: To get the better of, to get the victory over. I felt God say, “Kathleen, I see you as an overcomer. You have my power within you to overcome the heartache you feel. You have a God given right to get the better of this situation and make a profit from it.” That was not exactly how I saw my situation, and I asked God to change my thinking to see myself as an overcomer. I knew that only God could heal my heart, and I also knew I had choices. John 16:32 (INIV) says, “In the world you will have tribulation but take courage; I have overcome the world. The word for tribulation here is translated as pressure. Yes, this world brings plenty of pressure! Jesus says we will have trouble in this world, but not to stress about it because His power in us will help us to make a profit from any trouble. God is too good to let us encounter problems without providing the provision for us. I have discovered that life is more about finding the provision in tribulation instead of fixing the problem. I John 4:4 (NIV) says, “You dear children are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world.” Nothing is greater than the power of God in us to overcome in any situation. You and I never have to settle for defeat. The power to overcome is more powerful than any force that comes against us! Now that is good news! Jesus gave his all to his disciples. He loved when I’m sure he did not want to, but did out of obedience to God. Then some of them turned against him, complained, betrayed and help crucify him. He overcame the grave. He is an overcomer, and we are made in his image; therefore, overcoming power resides in us. Overcoming is God’s Easter gift to us and part of the new life he gives to us. Sometimes our overcoming looks different and takes longer than we might think. Making a profit from a difficult situation is often seen in growth in our character. Who are we, and how do we show up when the cards are stacked against us? A number of years ago, there was a rift in a relationship with a dear friend. I kept trusting God to heal the relationship and prayed that truth would come to heal the friendship. A few years ago, my friend came to me and began to share an experience they had encountered that opened their eyes. They now saw things differently and stated they admired my character and how I walked through the situation. The words were healing and my heart smiled at God’s goodness and overcoming power, Overcoming took much longer than I liked, but it finally came. This Easter season is your new beginning to begin and walk in the overcoming power Jesus provides. Begin today by asking Jesus to come into your heart and ask him to open your eyes to the overcoming power that is in you. If you know Christ, I challenge you to daily ask God to show you situations through his eyes. You are not a victim; you are an overcomer. Jesus overcame his adversity so you and I can overcome things that come against us. Overcoming is God’s Easter gift to each of us-so let’s receive it and enjoy it!

Kathleen Maxwell is a native of the Hill Country, a writer and speaker. You can contact her at kathleenmaxwell1@gmail.com. For more information, articles, her podcast or to purchase her book, “Thriving Through Seasons of Grief,” visit her website at www.kathleenmaxwellrambie.com

Fretting or trusting? The choice is yours

Recently, I began reading Psalms 37. It was a familiar passage; however, I had not visited it in a long time. As I read the passage, it seemed so relevant to our current state of affairs here in our nation. Psalms 37-1-9 (NIV) says: “Do not fret because of those who are evil or be envious of those who do wrong; for like the grass they will soon wither, like green plants they will soon die away. Trust in the Lord and do good; dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture. “Take delight in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to the Lord; trust in him and he will do this: He will make your righteous reward shine like the dawn, your vindication like the noonday sun. “Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him; do not fret when people succeed in their ways, when they carry out their wicked schemes. Refrain from anger and turn from wrath; do not fret it leads only to evil. For those who are evil will be destroyed, but those who hope in the Lord will inherit the land.” “Do not fret,” is stated three times, and when I thought of the word fret, I pictured someone wringing their hands. I researched the original translation of the word in the Hebrew, and it had a totally different meaning than what I pictured. The word fret, from the Hebrew and the Strong’s Concordance, means “to glow or blaze with anger.” Wow. I see a lot of anger and hatred flying around our country with Republicans, Democrats, conspiracy theorists and, unfortunately, with Christians. This makes me sad that we cannot value relationship just because someone has a different train of thought, questions us or agrees with us. Satan loves to cause strife and division in families, churches, denominations and among friends. For those of us who walk with God, I feel it is simply a negative strategy to rob us of peace and distract us from what God really wants us to do, which is to lead people to Jesus, pray with the sick, comfort those who mourn and love like he does. James 3:16 (KJV) states: “For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work.” We see the evidence of our nation blazing with anger and in strife toward one another, and it has allowed evil to flourish. God tells us in Psalms 37 how we need to conduct ourselves. Our forefathers wrote it on our currency, “In God we trust,” but we have strayed from trusting God and doing good. This passage also says to delight ourselves in God. To me, this means to be fascinated with him, direct my attention to him and commit my way to him each day. God instructs us three times to not blaze with anger, but to trust in him, so it must be important. If you are guilty, let me encourage you to repent, trust, commit your way to God and get back on track. God wants to use you and me to show those around us the love of Christ and the joy of walking with him. When we do this, Psalms 37:10 (NIV) says, “the meek will inherit the land and enjoy great peace.” Psalms 37 also tells us to hope in the Lord, wait on him, turn from evil and do good. When we do these things, we obtain the promise found in Psalms 37:37 (NIV), “…there is a future for those who seek peace.” So, do not fret and step into your future.

Kathleen Maxwell-Rambie is a native of the Hill Country, a podcaster, author, writer and speaker. Contact her at kathleenmaxwell1@gmail.com. You can also purchase her book, “Thriving Through Seasons of Grief,” or listen to her podcast on her website, www.kathleenmaxwellrambie.com

Serving the right fruit brings restoration

Picking the right fruit to serve brings restoration • Kathleen Maxwell-Rambie • March 2023 copyright

Several years ago, I sat on my back porch watching a roadrunner zip by and baby bunnies hop across the field. I pondered my problem and began talking to God about it. He is never too busy to visit with me and is my helper in times of trouble. Psalms 46:1(NIV) says, “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.” Running to him is always the best thing to do. I usually let things roll off my back, but a recent event with someone left me a little bruised and upset. “Lord, you saw what happened,” I softly said to God. “And it hurt my feelings God,” I continued. Just as I uttered the words, I remembered a statement I heard years ago.” You don’t have a right to be hurt, you have a right to be healed.” I took a deep breath and closed my eyes. I felt misunderstood and I wanted to nurse my hurt a little before I really turned it over to Jesus for healing. I contemplated hanging on to my hurt and offenses for a little while, but as I’ve matured in life and my walk with the Lord, I know that is not the best thing for me or the situation. Galatians 5:22 says, “For the fruit of the Spirit, is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such there is no law.” We put ourselves in a win-win situation when we practice these attributes and give them to people. And let me just say, it takes lots of practice. The fruit of the Spirit is how God wants us to live. He has given them to us to govern our lives and when we live in them; we stay in step with Him. Most of all, I feel God wants us to give them away to others to touch their lives. I felt God ask me, “Kathleen, what fruit do you need to serve in this situation?” Once again, I took a deep sigh. … I wasn’t sure I wanted to serve anything to anybody, but I quickly let go of that thought as I thought of God’s patience with me and his kindness and love. “Well God, it needs love; I can be loving like you.” I muttered, still struggling. “I can serve patience because you have been patient with me, and I can give self-control even though I do not feel like it,” I continued to pray. “Change my heart God.” I began to ask God to help me to love like he does, pour patience over the situation and to exercise self-control instead of doing what I felt like or wanted to do. Everything in our lives is about us being conformed and changed into the image of God. He uses everything in our lives, the good things and the hard things. I also realized I could serve some gentleness in my approach to this person and that could defuse defensiveness and create a pathway for communication and restoration. Step one in tough and difficult situations is always to get my heart right in situations. When I lay down my right to be right and ask God to help me see things from his perspective, forward steps toward restoration are always made. Do you examine your heart in situations and ask God where it needs to change? Not long after my conversation with God, I arranged to meet this person, as it is usually better to address situations soon so walls do not build between the two of you. “God give me your heart and give me your grace and power to serve the fruit of your spirit and say healing words,” I prayed. As we met, I gently stated my love for the person, my desire for restoration and wanted to hear their perspective. I saw the situation begin to change. I saw where I needed to be more patient and let God work on the situation instead of me. As I served with self-control, kindness and love, things changed and there was a beautiful restoration. What fruit do you need to serve to others around you? Do you need to lay down your right to be right? Which fruit do you need to practice? God is right there to help you, to change you and your conflict or tough situation. I challenge you to pick a fruit and get busy practicing and serving it to those around you. You will be glad you did and so will those around you.

Kathleen Maxwell is a Hill Country native, a writer, speaker and podcaster. She is passionate about helping others discover the joy of walking with God. Contact her at kathleenmaxwell1@gmail.com. For information, articles, podcast or to purchase her book, “Thriving Through Seasons of Grief,” visit www.kathleenmaxwellrambie.com.

Dealing with fear of the unknown

Dealing with fear of the unknown Kathleen Maxwell-Rambie Feb 19, 2023 0

The longer I walk with God, the more I realize I need a fresh revelation of his love for me in challenging times. Most of us could use an upgrade when it comes to comprehending God’s love for us. Scripture is clear about the connection between the love of God and fear. I John 4:18 (NIV) says, “There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love.” The more we live in an understanding of how radically loved we are, the more confident and secure we are. Fear torments and is like punishment. God’s heart for us as his kids is to be free to enjoy life and live secure in his love. I feel it is imperative that we treat fear as a robber or thief instead of a house guest. I was the queen of excuses, guarding the fears, thinking they were normal. After studying I John 4:18, when I feel fearful, timid or hesitant, I ask God for a greater revelation of his love for me. One of the biggest fears many struggle with is the fear of the unknown. It often paralyzes people and keeps us stuck and from living a life of faith. In reality, life is full of the unknown. Many times, we want a guarantee before we step into the unknown, but the only thing we can really rely on in life is the love of God and the fact that he promises to be with us. I learned this when my mother was stricken with a debilitating rare disease, and I was tormented by the unknown and the fear of losing her. One of the blessings of her illness was that I learned a very valuable life lesson: God is always with me, and he loves me. He was with me in one of my darkest valleys, and I lived Psalms 23:4 (NIV): “Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.” I felt his hand steady me, guide me and comfort me, and it is part of the fabric of my being, not just a scripture. We are in uncertain times with inflation, shootings and many other things, but I can tell you with all confidence, God is with us to guide us, if we partner with him. We will never face a situation without the presence and care of God. It is up to us to hold his hand, seek him and magnify God, more than our situations. Our confidence must be in his presence, love and trust in him. Hebrews 10:35 (NIV) says, “So do not throw away your confidence; it will be richly rewarded.” As we conquer our fears, it helps others walk out of their fears. Overcoming your own fear is not just about you, but also about those God wants you to impact. We must see the bigger picture in overcoming our fears. As we walk in these days of uncertainty, remember Psalms 112:7 (NIV): “They will have no fear of bad news; their hearts are steadfast, trusting in the Lord.” Ask God for a greater understanding of his love for you and tell fear and panic they are not your friends. Rest in his love and presence, hang on to your confidence and trust him.

Kathleen Maxwell is a Hill Country native, a writer, speaker and podcaster. She is passionate about helping others discover the joy of walking with God. Contact her at kathleenmaxwell1@gmail.com. For information, articles, podcast or to purchase her book, “Thriving Through Seasons of Grief,” visit www.kathleenmaxwellrambie.com.

7 tips to manage holiday grief

7 Tips for managing grief during the holidays by Kathleen Maxwell-Rambie copyright 2022 The holidays can be stressful for anyone, but when you’ve lost someone you love, they can be particularly challenging, because so many memories are tied to holidays. I speak from experience, as someone who was widowed at 49 and lost both of my parents shortly after losing my late husband. Here are some of my tips that helped me through the painful holidays and brought healing and wholeness to my heart: Tip No. 1: Embrace the pain. Holiday memories can bring the grief and emotions we have swept under the carpet to the surface. These memories can be painful, but let me encourage you to embrace the pain. Embracing the pain instead of denying it means we are honest with ourselves and can begin to move forward. We live in a society where many people don’t want to admit their hurt and appear to have it all together. I found that, in our great pain and honesty, Jesus meets us to bind up our broken hearts. Cry and embrace the pain. Jesus understands, and he cried when Lazarus died in John 11:35. God promises to heal our pain in Psalms 147:3 (NIV), which reads, “He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds:” Tip No. 2: Remember,you are never alone. In my dark days of grief, the Christmas season was difficult, because I just did not feel like celebrating. The man that I had spent the majority of my holidays with, the person who made them special and fun, was gone. That year, as well as the years that followed, all I could celebrate was that God was with me, and that was worth celebrating. Matthew 1:23 tells us, “The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel,” which means “God with us.” Celebrate that you are never alone. Tip No. 3: Rest. The holidays are challenging when you are grieving, because you are exhausted. Emotional pain wears you out. Be kind to yourself and allow yourself to rest. I had to “ground myself” because I just could not move at the same pace I normally could. I learned that rest was a weapon, and I had to use it to be the best version of myself. Tip No. 4: Create new memories. Normal as you know it is gone. This was a hard pill for me to swallow, but it was a fact. That first Christmas after Joe died, my kids, who were all adults, did not want to come home. Home was painful, because Dad was gone. We had to make a new plan. I reserved us a condo in Cabo San Lucas, and creating a new memory helped us adjust to our new normal. Tip No. 5 Celebrate in a different way. Honoring your loved one on a holiday is important. This can be done as a family or by yourself. Allowing yourself a little private time the morning of the holiday to process your pain can be very beneficial. I remember one holiday waking up early to journal and write a letter to my late husband telling him what was on my heart. Another year on Father’s Day after losing my dad, I talked to him while having my morning coffee, just like I would have if he were here. Somehow, doing these little things allows you to share your holiday with your loved one. Tip No. 6: Initiate connection and make a plan. My first New Year’s Eve without my husband, I didn’t have any plans. I felt so lost and very insecure. A few days before the holiday, I called some friends and invited them over. I couldn’t just wait for others to include me or invite me; I had to step out of my comfort zone and make a new plan. Somehow, having a plan made my heart feel more secure. Tip No. 7: Defuse the awkwardness. When I was with friends or family and did break down and cry, I would simply let the tears roll and say, “I just need a moment to cry.” Friends and family can feel uncomfortable when we cry, so helping them be at ease in our pain, defuses the awkwardness. I wish I could take your pain away during the holiday season and ask God to touch your tender heart and bring healing. Jesus came to bring us hope and bind up the broken-hearted. May Immanuel make himself real to you during the holidays. Kathleen Maxwell-Rambie #grief #griefsupport #griefjourney #griefandtheholidays #healingjourney #Holidays #author #thrivingthroughseasonsofgrief #authorsoffacebook #podcaster #podcastlife Book link https://bit.ly/kathleenmr Kathleen Maxwell is a native of the Hill Country, a writer and speaker. She is passionate about helping others discover the joy of walking with God. You can contact her at kathleenmaxwell1@gmail.com. For more information, articles, her podcast or to purchase her book, “Thriving Through Seasons of Grief,” visit her website at www.kathleenmaxwellrambie.com.