Christmas the season where most people get depressed

🦋

Give yourself time

experience the journey

spread your wings

fly toward your destiny

 “Why are you in despair, O my soul? And why are you restless and disturbed within me? Hope in God and wait expectantly for Him, for I shall again praise Him, The help of my [sad] countenance and my God.”

‭‭Psalms‬ ‭43‬:‭5‬ ‭AMP‬‬

I was reading an article where according to the National Alliance on Mental Illness, about 1 in 5 adults suffer from depression or anxiety. The holiday season, in addition to this being the time of year when there are shorter periods of sunlight, can cause some people to battle depression or anxiety even more. But there are other circumstances that can add to the list of reasons one might have a harder time during the holidays.

Unfortunately, The reasons given include lack of time, financial pressure, gift giving, and family gathering. To make matters worse, the National Alliance on Mental Illness noted that 64% of individuals living with a mental illness felt that their conditions worsened around Christmas and holidays gatherings. 

For many, the holidays are the most difficult time of the year to live through. Depression rates rise during holidays. Many are hurting all around the world. Most people like to focus on giving the most expensive gifts even when unable to. Christmas is not about giving nor was Jesus born on Christmas. Christmas is about loving, spending family time and caring. What’s the point of giving the most expensive gift and not loving the whole year? I rather have love the whole year, then one christmas gift out of obligation. I would rather have a shoulder to cry on, a hug, a good listener, someone  who cares, and the love and respect of family and friends; than a Christmas. People spend too much money and time on materialistic things and less on their health and mental stability.  The Bible clearly says “for the one who loves another has fulfilled the law”. Love is not self seeking neither is to dishonor others. Unfortunately, not everyone understands the importance of Love. Many people are hurting all around the world. One day you can just wake up and lose everything. Christmas is not about gifts, but Love. Many are desperately looking for help, hopeless, sick, and or maybe without a job. Let us be mindful, to those who are hurting. Depression is real, and should not be taken for granted. Christmas is to share your food with the hungry, to provide the poor wonders with shelter, to clothe them and not turn away. Let us not Love in word or speach, but in deed and in truth. The Bible is very clear to Whoever closes his ear to the cry of the poor will himself call out and not answer. Do not give out of obligation instead out of Love. Many people give out of generosity, this is a true blessing. Each man should give what he has decided in this heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. 

Christmas is more than gifts and decorations. Instead of just focusing on the gifts and pretty decorations, we need to remember that Christmas is really about having a relationship with God overall. If you are hurting during holidays you are not alone. Learn to recognize your holiday triggers, such as financial pressures or personal demands so that you can combat them before any breakdown. Everyone else seems to be surrounded by love and warmth, while you feel alone and in the dark. Remember Jesus loves you. You are not alone, this was once my story too. We all have days when we feel unmotivated, but if your symptoms cause disruptions in life, it’s time to reach out for help. You can always talk to your pastors, attend a cell group and seek help in your local church or community. Readers I like to encourage you to help someone in your neighborhood, call that person who hurt you and forgive, pray for family who don’t know Jesus. Christmas is about joy and fun not giving what you don’t have. Count your blessings, you’ll be surprised to know how fortunate you are. Keep praying and don’t give up hope. Good is near the broken-hearted and God sees you.

“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.”

‭‭John‬ ‭3‬:‭16‬ ‭NIV‬‬

“For this daughter I prayed “

 ‭‭1 Samuel‬ ‭1:10‭-‬11‬ ‭NIV‬‬

In her deep anguish Hannah prayed to the Lord, weeping bitterly. And she made a vow, saying, “Lord Almighty, if you will only look on your servant’s misery and remember me, and not forget your servant but give her a son, then I will give him to the Lord for all the days of his life, and no razor will ever be used on his head.”

Hannah, was a warrior, she never gave up on prayer. We know that Hannah prayed fervently for children before and after.  The God that answers granted not only her request but five more children after the Prophet Samuel. Most remember Hannah for her sorrow, but not for the prayer woman. Hannah pray specifically for a son, but couldn't have children. She never gave up hope that God would hear her prayer.  I was moved by the way the Bible describes Hannah sacrifice to the Lord. What impacted me the most was that she dedicated her baby to the Lord and let him at temple to serve God all the days of his life. (1 Samuel 1:11).  

“It’s a girl” baby B It’s a girl the ultrasound technician said. We knew baby A was a boy. My heart rejoice as tears came down my cheeks. I praise God for answering my prayer request. For this daughter I prayed. I dreamed of a little girl to complete our family one who could become my best friend and make this family whole. Her three brothers, were born first, including her twin baby A, ones to call me mother, they are a blessing they lit up my life. With my first son I learned my motherhood how to prepare the best to be a good mother. Having boys are special too. I dream with a baby girl and I felt in my heart something was missing. As I dream to shop for tutus, have a head adorned with crocheted flowers with satin pink bands, shop for pink little dresses and knowing that one day she will have a baby of her own. Having a daughter is a mother’s dream, but it comes with big challenges, therefore, since for this daughter I prayed, I dedicate not only my daughter, but my three sons to God. 

Hannah pray fervently for a baby, but her prayer was specifically for a son. According to the Bible, the Lord had closed her womb, and her rival kept provoking her in order to irritate her. Hannah dedicated Samuel to the Lord, I made a vow to the Lord and dedicated my daughter to the Lord. I love my children and they are all a gift from God. Motherhood was such a beautiful experience that I had really treasure. I encourage you readers, if you have a Princess as I do, pray for protection, safety, well-being, relationship with God, friends and influence, school-life, health, future husband, relationship with their father, siblings relationships and finally wisdom and discernment. The Bible says: “Train your children in the way he should go, And even when he is old he will not depart from it. (Proverbs 22:6).

You might not be praying for a daughter nor a baby.  I encourage you, keep praying. God is near the broken-hearted, he rescues those who spirit are crushed. The Bible says: do not receive, because you ask wrongly. I have learn to pray and ask God specifically for the things I want. I pray for a daughter, God answered me.  Don’t give up and keep praying. The righteous person faces many troubles, but the Lord comes to the rescue each time. 

God is in your Story!

‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭48:10‬ ‭AMP‬‬

Indeed, I have refined you, but not as silver; I have tested and chosen you in the furnace of affliction.

One of our biggest challenges in life is to be tested.  We are pressed on every side by troubles, but we are not crushed. We are perplexed, but not driven to despair. We are hunted down, but never abandoned by God. We get knocked down, but we are not destroyed. Have you ever experience something that you felt was divinely inspired not to take place? Have you ever prayed for God to do something, only to see opposite occur? It can be overwhelming and frustrating. When God doesn’t do what we would like our natural inclination to do, it makes us vulnerable. Did we not pray enough? Did we not study enough? God’s ways are not our ways, and God’s thoughts are beyond our own. You have to trust that God is in your story. I can testify that our prayers are being answered in God's perfect timing. Do not intend to take the pen away from the author of your story. God’s plan for you is to trust him.

Waiting for something to happen is often very difficult for many people to do. As we wait, we get anxious. Many times we give up waiting and try to do things in our way, instead of waiting for Gods promises. Many times we give up waiting because we were disappointed before. Life is about waiting and learning. If our kids would get everything they ask for, would they learned anything in life? Do we give our kids everything they ask for? The answer is no. Can you imagine giving your car to your 10 year old child only because they asked? There is a time in life when we are not ready to receive everything we ask for either because we are immature or maybe we wouldn’t vaporize it. Maybe God is after our hearts. He wants us to be humble. Perhaps, he is changing our hearts as we continue to pray not because we need something but, because we need to change our hearts. Maybe as we pray we need to forgive. When we don't get what we ask in prayer is not God saying no, instead we are not ready. I encourage you readers to trust and wait on the Lord. As I write here a little of my first book, I can testify, that even with all my bruises and scars; God was in my story. I can guarantee you that God has not drop or lost the pen. Believe that your story has a beautiful and powerful testimony for the Glory of God. Do not give up.

“Living with faith and courage is something that life requires of each of us. Never, absolutely, never give up! Never give in no matter what! Fight it through! And I promise you something with all my heart God will help you.

~ Kathryn Kuhlman

Tus hijos están Esculpidos en las manos de Dios

 Isaías‬ ‭49:15-16‬ ‭RVR1960‬‬

“¿Se olvidará la mujer de lo que dio a luz, para dejar de compadecerse del hijo de su vientre? Aunque olvide ella, yo nunca me olvidaré de ti. He aquí que en las palmas de las manos te tengo esculpida; delante de mí están siempre tus muros.”

‭Cuanto amo saber que cada oración que he elvevado, reposa en copas de oro llenas de incienso frente al trono de la gracia, como lo leemos en (Apocalipsis 5:8). Una madre nunca deja de orar por sus hijos, siempre esta en el muro velando. Madre virtuosa enseña a tus hijos a orar y nunca dejes de orar por tus hijos. Apoya a tus hijos, dale mucho amor y atención. No esperes que llegue la tribulación para orar por tus hijos. Una madre nunca deja de orar. 

Dios nos ha dado a todas las madres un Amor genuino para nuestros hijos. Es un Amor agape un Amor inexplicable. Una madre lo soporta todo y lo perdona todo.  Dios nos tiene en sus palmas de las manos esculpidos. Tenemos evidencia bíblica de que pertenecemos a su rebaño, somos redimidos, podemos estar seguros de que el nunca nos abandonará. El Amor de una madre, es un Amor fraternal y profundo que ninguna madre lo puede comparar. Como una madre puede olvidar a sus hijos. No importa la edad de nuestros hijos; seremos madre toda la vida. 

Las madres detestamos ver a nuestros hijos sufrir. Queremos salir a socorrer en sus problemas. He aprendido y puedo ver cuanto Dios nos ama. Dios tiene cuidado de nuestros hijos. Muchas veces podemos pensar que Dios se ha olvidado de nuestras oraciones podemos sentir abandono de Dios. Pero, Dios nunca olvida una oración de una madre. El señor te oye, no esta sordo ante lo que le dices y no esta ciego para no ver lo que te esta sucediendo. Lamentablemente en el mundo que vivimos hoy día, hay madres que si se olvidan de sus hijos, abandonan y hasta los maltratan. 

El versículo 16 dice “te tengo esculpida” esto nos da consuelo por que Dios tiene nuestro nombre tatuado en su mano. Dios tiene cuidado de ti y de tus hijos. No te rindas, nunca dejes de orar por tus hijos. Aunque no veas resultados, Aunque tus ojos vean  a tus hijos perdidos; recuerda que Dios los tiene esculpidos y Dios tiene un plan perfecto para tus hijos. Tus hijos son herencia de Jehova y ellos entraran a la tierra que fluye leche y miel. Cuando te sientas desmayar; recuerda que Dios te ama tanto a ti como a tus hijos. Dios no te dejara el transforma tu vida, y la vida de tus hijos permítele entrar, y ese amor agape te abrazara y nunca mas te sentirás sola. Recuerda que los nombres de tus hijos están tatuados en la palmas de sus manos.  Dios nos atrae con cuerdas de Amor. Las escrituras registran en (Lucas 11:11-13) “nosotros siendo malos, sabeis dar buenas dádivas a vuestros hijos, cuanto mas vuestro padre celestial dará el espíritu santo a los que les piden? Nunca te rindas, tus hijos le pertenecen a Dios. 

“Y todos tus hijos serán enseñados por Jehova”

~ Busca su voluntad en todo lo que hagas, y el té enseñara cual camino tomar.

 (Proverbios 3:5-6) 

    Nuestra naturaleza es confiar en algo o en alguien. Salomon nos dice que pongamos nuestra confianza en el Señor Dios de pacto. El dirigirá nuestros caminos en el cumplimiento de su voluntad, en lo que es justo y agradable para nosotros. Uno de los retos mas grande de mi vida; ha sido ser madre y pastora. Ser madre de 4 hijos ha sido lleno de retos y bendición. En cada embarazo desde mi primer hijo hasta los gemelos ha sido para mi retos y desafíos en una jornada de ser madre y pastor líder a la vez. Por su gracia tengo hijos profesionales valientes servidores y con mucho temor a Dios. Mis hijos estuvieron la oportunidad que yo no estuve de ser nacidos y criados en un hogar que fue fundado en la Roca. 

Vivimos en un mundo caído y lejos de Dios. El mundo espera que tengamos hijos rectos con temor y perfectos. El mundo también espera una caída de tus hijos para juzgarte. La sociedad espera que los hijos de los pastores sean lideres y perfectos.  Reconozco, que ser madre no es fácil. Nuestros hijos son diferentes y tienen su propia identidad. Es imposible evitarle los problemas aún  cuando queremos salir a su rescate. La Bíblia registra; He aquí, herencia de Jehova son los hijos; cosa de estima el fruto del vientre. Como Saetas en manos del valiente, así son los hijos tenidos en al juventud. Bienaventurado el hombre que ha llenado su alijaba de ellos; no será avergonzado cuando hable con los enemigos en la puerta. Aunque el mundo quiera señalar las vidas de tus hijos y descalificarles; sabemos que ellos están en las palmas de las manos esculpidos. A todas las madres que están en el muro haciendo vallado por sus hijos; Nunca dejes de orar y nunca dejes de creer. Apoya a tus hijos. Escucha y envuélvete en los asuntos de tus hijos. Siempre háblale de Jesus y sus enseñanzas. 

Jesus nos enseño a poner toda nuestra dependencia en el. A confiar en Dios y no en nuestro propio entendimiento. Cuando el mundo te descalifica, Dios te capacita. Así como mucho de nosotros Solomon trató todas las cosas, y los encontró vanidad y aflicción de espíritu. Así es como nos pasa a mucho buscamos conocimiento el cual también es vanidad. Es imposible tener todas las contestaciones. Debo admitir que en un momento al igual que muchas madres; pensamos que sabemos los caminos que nuestros hijos tomaran. Como madre queremos evitarles dolor y evitarle su procesos. Solo podemos ser mejor madre cuando buscamos la voluntad de Dios en un mundo tan lleno de prejuicios y estereotipos. No podemos depender de nuestro propio entendimiento, pero reconocerlo en todo y el enderezara  nuestras sendas. Ser madre viene con muchos retos y desafíos; pero cuando nos humillamos y reconocemos que no tenemos todas las respuestas y además que no lo sabemos todo. Dios muestra en medio de tu humillación como el te exaltara y te dará la victoria en el tiempo señalado. 

Pastora Madeline Alvarez, 🦋

Breaking the Shackles of Shame

When the Lord saw that he had gone over to look, God called to him from within the bush, “Moses! Moses!” And Moses said, “Here I am.” (Exodus 3:4).

He answered, “I heard you in the garden, and I was afraid because I was naked; so I hid.” (Genesis 3:10)

Many of us had ran away from our ministry,  family, friends, goals and dreams. Its easier to run away from our failures and shame than facing it.

 I've walked away from toxic friendships, my ministry, and dreams. For many years, I was a slave of my shame. When God called me to pastor I was still a shame of my past. I believed every negative word instead of God's word.  Later, when I was ordained as a Prophet, I was still feeling guilt.  My Spirit was crushed. I saw how many underestimated my calling. I saw many trying to justify themselves by pointing out my past. They always found ways to discouraged me. They believed more in those from outside than myself. Since, elementry  school I never fit in any group because I was never good enough for them. I ran away from lies of the enemy until I said "Lord here I am". Thats when it hit me and I decided to face my shame and failures.  

I understood that I was ugly but still beautiful. I learned that I can not  change my past but I can change my future and still be used by God. We create a mess in our shame, trying to throw off the weight of our sins. We walked away and hid accusing others trying to justify our shame to other people. We don't want to take responsibility. But we no longer naked. We don't need to hide our shame because God will cover our shame as he did with Adam and Eve. And the Lord God made for Adam and his wife garments of skins and clothed them ( Genesis 3:21).

I walked away from open doors of opportunities because a closed door from the past failure still resounded in my ears rather than, working through the rough patch to keep it strong. We run away from things that God has given us instead of facing it.  An author wrote a book "When you don't like your story "by Lysa Terkeurst. Moises, had failed in many areas and even running away after killing the Egyptian. Moisés was raised in the wrong family. He was feeling shame for not only killing, but being raised as an Egyptian instead of his real Hebrew family. God wasn't finished with Moises and He is not finished with you. "Unique for being broken". 

For the foolishness of God is wiser than human wisdom, and the weaknesses of God is stronger than human strength. (1 Corinthians 1:25). God is calling you to let your failure, move forward in all he has for you to do and live boldly. Many people enjoy listening and telling stories but they feel a shame to testify their own real story.  Unfortunately,  many use that as an excuse to maintain their self isolated from society and God. 

Your story is not to be a shame,  your past doesn't define you. If you walked away from your sinful nature you are now new creature; old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.

God repairs us for his glory. We are his masterpiece. He said, “Can I not do with you, Israel, as this potter does?” declares the Lord. “Like clay in the hand of the potter, so are you in my hand, Israel. (Jeremiah 18:6 NIV).

Don't hide your shame neither your scars. God will always cloth us. God always has clay in the potter. Come as you are.  Come to God in repentance instead of shame. God can work his glory and victory over your shame.  

Hallelujah, what a Savior! 

~Pastor Madeline Alvarez,  RN 🦋

Overcoming Temptation 🍏

Temptation comes in so many forms. It's easy to excuse our decisions and justify ourselves. While is true that the enemy is roaming the earth seeking people to destroy; it is also true that as Christians we have the Holy Spirit in times of trouble and doubt. Who is responsible when we give into temptation or lose control? The Bible has many scriptures to help us understand the fact that we all face temptations but; we are not to blame God.  Each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed. 

 Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am tempted by God”; for God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does He Himself tempt anyone. (James 1:13 NKJV).

Let's remember that we are not alone.  We've all occasionally fallen for a lie, whether it was something as trival as false advertisement or as serious scams that had many questioning "where is your God" (Psalm 46). Have you ever try taking a short cut? Ironically, that shortcut became the longest route. Have you ever cheated on a school/ college test? Cheating had consequently cause you to end up with a failing grade or even repeating the semester. Have you lied on your taxes to make more money and ended up paying more? Have you ever lie to your children? Yes, God does seems far away at times in the materialistic and hostile world we live in. We will encounter those who flatly deny God's existence. Satan's first move was to convince Eve to doubt God's promises. Do Not rush the process. Worship in the hallway,  clap for those who pass until its your turn. Be faithful to your God. Be patient. Never stop praying because miracles happens everyday. "Jesus says", “You belong to your father, the devil, and you want to carry out your father’s desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth, for there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies” (John 8:44). Let go and let God. We often try to help God and mess up his plans. Wait for your miracle and don't give up. For in that He Himself has suffered, being tempted, He is able to aid those who are tempted.( Hebrews 2:18 NKJV). It is better to be right with God than to settle for the materialistic things of this world. What good is it for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul? (Mark 8:36). Therefore, let us all submit to God and resist the devils lies. Next time you are face with temptation remember the "psalmist said": Why are you cast down, O my soul? And why are you disquieted within me? Hope in God; For I shall yet praise Him, The help of my countenance and my God. (Psalms 43:5 NKJV). For do I now persuade men, or God? Or do I seek to please men? For if I still pleased men, I would not be a bondservant of Christ. (Galatians 1:10 NKJV)

~Next time you are facing a two way road and in doubt, choose Jesus over satan lies. Sin always has sin. Ask yourself if the temporary gratification of a wrong choice is worth suffering the consequences that are sure to follow. 

~Pastor Madeline Alvarez, RN🦋

My help comes from the Lord