Devotionals for the Heart: Fire

Fight Fire with Fire
A devotional by Temeka Borden

“Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.” – Ephesians 6:16 (KJV)

Everything happens for a reason. I know that sounds a bit cliché, but I have found it to be so true. I recently experienced the lowest point in my life. Now, I thought I knew what hitting rock bottom was before, but I found out I did not. The good news is that experience forced me to grow spiritually. My ministry has been strengthened, and I feel the Lord is taking me to another level.

I consider myself to be a strong, intelligent, confident woman who, with Jesus Christ, is unstoppable! However, recently, the enemy tried to test my confidence and my faith in the Lord. The Lord allowed me to be in an environment, which many would describe as toxic, based on my most recent experiences. I have experienced various forms of harassment and bullying on a consistent daily basis for an extended period of time, and it negatively impacted me emotionally. Most days during this time period, I could not function.

What’s more is that many people know my ministry is “Positivity Inspires”, and one of my social media pages has over one million followers. Unfortunately, some wrong information had gotten out there about me, and it had reached the point that I could not do something as simple as running errands without being reminded that false information had been spread about me throughout the community. This was tough, as it feels I was doing everything right but was being punished for it!

Unfortunately, some people are more inclined to believe lies rather than the truth. So the Lord guided me as to how to clean things up. However, although I’m in the healing stages, I still have my moments or my days. Yet, I know my Lord is a healer and that eventually, I will be completely healed, and I know this entire experience is continually making me.

I remember having a phone conversation with my mother one day, and telling her that I don’t think I will ever be the same. I originally meant this in a negative sense, but today, I can joyfully say that because of what I experienced, I will never be the same (in a positive way). I am becoming stronger. I am becoming tougher. I am becoming better. I am getting even closer to Jesus, and I know He is going to work through me like never before. I am thankful for my family, my church families, my close friends, my social media family, my healthcare provider, and most importantly, Jesus! They are my support system, and I would not have been able to make it through this trying time without them.

Lastly, I wish to end this writing blog with the following piece I wrote on one of my social media pages:

“When you reach a certain level of maturity, the enemy will come at you like never before. The devil will work in ways you never imagined with the goal of negatively impacting your witness for Christ. I know because I have experienced this firsthand.

As someone who knows all to well how if feels to have the wrong information get out there about you (multiple times), I can say it is not easy. Things may be innocently or maliciously miscommunicated. What you write or say may be misinterpreted. However, you must believe that the Lord will allow the truth to come forward. You must have faith that in the end, you will be vindicated. You must believe that the Lord will take the enemy’s wicked devices and convert them into something that will enable His Word to reach a multitude of people.

So when the devil comes at you, continue to hold your head up high. Remember, you are God’s child and He will fight for you. The fiery darts of the wicked are no match for the fire of the Holy Spirit.”

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Author Bio:

Temeka Borden, better known by her pen name, Positivity Inspires, is an author, speaker, minister, and servant of the Lord. She was introduced to Christ at a very early age and was raised in the church. Her ministry focuses on encouraging Christians to love God first, to love all people, to continually strengthen their bond with Christ, and to study His Word, and live His Word daily. 

After recently experiencing what she describes as the "lowest point in her life", Positivity Inspires wrote the following about herself to serve as an encouragement and reminder of who she is in Christ:

"I am a child of God. He loves me unconditionally. Although I have my shortcomings, He has blessed me with a desire to do what is right. I have been blessed with many natural and spiritual gifts. I am an author. I am a speaker. I am a teacher. I am a runner. I am a drummer. I am a singer (when I’m in the mood), and I have a strong 'fashion sense'. I am loved. My family and friends are my heart, and I know they will support me no matter what. I am educated. I currently have two degrees (one of them a doctorate), and with God’s help, I will complete a third degree soon. I am a multi-state licensed medical professional who completed a specialty residency, which prepared me for the workforce (and made me a FORCE to be reckoned with). I am a leader. I have served in administrative roles and was successful in those positions because I made a difference (with God’s help). I am ambitious, and I know that with God, all things are possible. I know He is going to do great things through me."

Positivity Inspires loves God and she loves people. She strongly encourages others to show kindness, respect, and love to everyone. Positivity Inspires loves and welcomes diversity and flourishes in culturally diverse environments. She also is passionate about giving back to the community, and her favorite mantras are: "Speak Up!" and "Watch God Work!"

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Connect with Temeka:
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/positivity_inspires/
Facebook - www.Facebook.com/positivityinspirespage
Twitter - https://twitter.com/PInspires/