Healing While Waiting

Waiting can bring a deep sense of weariness. This weariness often grows from underlying conditions that affect our ability to function—mentally, emotionally, physically, and spiritually.

 When we are in a season of waiting, our minds and bodies may expend enormous energy carrying strain, imbalance, and fatigue. Over time, this can impact not only daily life but also our sense of closeness and connection with God. 

Weariness can linger for weeks when it is not met with true rest. But what is rest? Rest is not simply the absence of activity; it is recovery. True rest is found in a place of peace, purpose, and renewed connection with God—through prayer, worship, and time spent in His presence. It is resting with Him without demands, expectations, or striving.

Scripture repeatedly shows us that Jesus was moved with compassion when He encountered the weary. He saw those who were faint, scattered, sick, tormented, and exhausted—and He healed them. Their condition did not disqualify them from His care; it drew His heart toward them. In the same way, God sees you in your waiting. Your weariness does not go unnoticed.

• Matthew 14:14 (KJV): “And Jesus went forth, and saw a great multitude, and was moved with compassion toward them, and he healed their sick.”
• Matthew 9:36 (KJV): “But when he saw the multitudes, he was moved with compassion on them, because they fainted, and were scattered abroad, as sheep having no shepherd.”
• Matthew 4:24 (KJV): “And his fame went throughout all Syria: and they brought unto him all sick people that were taken with divers diseases and torments… and he healed them.”
• Exodus 15:26 (KJV): “I am the LORD that healeth thee.”

God’s promises are never uncertain. Exodus 15:26 reminds us that the Lord declares Himself as our Healer. Each of us waits for something different—sometimes external healing, sometimes internal healing; sometimes physical, sometimes mental or emotional. Often, God allows us to remain in a waiting season so that our trust in His Word is strengthened, even when we cannot yet see what He is doing.

God does not lie, and His Word does not fail. If He has spoken healing—whether to your body, mind, or heart—He will bring it to pass. Waiting builds a deeper foundation of trust in who God is. Even when the process feels unclear, His promises remain sure.

-Leslie Marks, MSN, FNP-BC

January Reflections Thoughts

Secure the Foundation 

As the new year begins to unfold, the feeling of expectation can be felt and heard almost every where. People making new commitments for better health, more wealth, happiness etc. Unfortunately, the changing of the calendar will not remove the challenges of life. 2026 will be filled with a lot of new changes both at the natural and spiritual level. 

Therefore, with this in mind let us as the new year unfolds, take a close look at the Foundation upon which we are building our lives. In a storm can a house can loose it's roof, windows, doors and beautiful furnishings. However, if it has a solid foundation it can be rebuilt. Lives can likened to houses. 

A relational, financial or health storm can diametrically bring you to the ground. As we ponder this thought, there's no reason to lose heart nor hope for if you have built your life on the solid Foundation of CHRIST GOD'S LIVING WORD, it will empower you with the resiliency to thrive in the toughest storms.

In case you're wondering how to build a WORD stabilized life. It's quite practical.

Set aside some time daily to read GOD'S WORD and talk to HIM through prayer. Reading not for information but for transformation so that you become what you've read in the holy scriptures. 

May your 2026 be filled with all that JESUS purchased for you on that crucifix.

"BUT SEEK YE FIRST THE KINGDOM OF GOD AND HIS RIGHTEOUSNESS AND ALL THESE THINGS SHALL BE ADDED UNTO YOU.....

  _{Matthew 6:33 King James Version}

Keep the Main thing the Main thing! 

- Shendoria Middlebrooks , BSEd

Healing, whether physical or emotional, is a journey that unfolds at its own pace. It’s shaped by personal experiences, the support received, and the willingness to nurture oneself along the way. 

Be gentle with yourself and honor the small steps forward. Just as bones need time and care to mend, emotional wounds also require space, patience, and compassion to heal. 

Healing is rarely a straight path—it comes with ups and downs, progress and setbacks. That doesn’t mean you’re failing; it means you’re human. 

Practices like therapy, meditation, journaling, or spending time in nature can provide comfort and strength. Reaching out for help is not a sign of weakness but an act of courage. 

Above all, remember: patience and self-compassion are essential. Every step, no matter how small, is a step toward wholeness. 

Take it one day at a time. Healing is happening, even when it feels slow.

-Regina Marks, CCC, CMLC,CILCP

Jeremiah 33:6

“Behold, I will bring it health and cure, and I will cure them, and will reveal unto them the abundance of peace and truth.”

King James Version (KJV)

"God’s love is the gentle hand that mends the unseen wounds of the heart, bringing peace where pain once lived and wholeness where brokenness remained.

- Back Road 2 Peace

During this past Christmas, I was given a word search, which was probably my favorite gift to receive! Amongst all the bigger gifts of shoes and gift cards, I was more excited about the word search! As a child, I would have three different word searches on my nightstand to keep me busy. I would search about themes of travelling or learning about different names of animals. I wasn’t great at crossword puzzles, but when I was searching for words, it seemed like they jumped out of the page to reveal their location. It was like a game to me and after all these years, I still find joy in it today.

As I got older, it was fascinating that one could take just one word and change it to give it a different meaning. One root word could change its structure to describe something in the past, or present time, or the future. This same word could be a descriptor (adjective), or perhaps a location (noun) or it could become an action word (verb). I was fascinated by this, not all words can do that, but some words can be anything you need them to be! Words are beautiful and powerful and depending on which ones we consume in our hearts, we have the power to change the trajectory of our lives. All praise be to God, our Father.

Abide is a verb, an action word, which can be transitive or intransitive. The definition of abide can describe many things, such as:

o To bear patiently: or tolerate

o To endure without yielding: or withstand

o To wait for, await

o To accept without objection

As an Intransitive verb, abide can mean:

o To remain stable or fixed in a state

o To continue in a place, sojourn

When Christ calls us to draw near to Him, to trust Him, to believe that His ways are above our ways, we are abiding in Him. When we say it is well with our soul, we can only say that whole-heartedly, when we are abiding in Him. When He commands us to be still and know that He is God, we are remaining steadfast, stable, in a fixed state in Him – abiding in Him. When He tells us to pick up our cross and walk, we are sojourners with Him, abiding in His grace, as He carries us through the dark valleys and high hills. When we proclaim that no weapon formed against us shall prosper, we are enduring without yielding, walking confidently when the darts of doubt and ingratitude pursue us. When Christ tells us to wait patiently for Him and His redemption, we are abiding, actively working and waiting, abiding in His ways.

How beautiful, that one word, can be so powerful to satisfy every need we have here on this earth. Abiding in Christ, gives our soul rest in times of stress and doubt, strength in times of weakness and frailty, and victory in times of defeat.

May 2026 be a year of steadfast, immovable faith, as we abide in Christ in every season we walk through this year. Just as David hid in the secret place with Christ, when Saul sought to kill him, may we abide in Christ so the pleasures of this life will not distort our thoughts or distract us from seeking Christ, as we walk to victory until our last breath. (1 Samuel).

A beautiful song, written by We are Messengers, Abide says:

I just wanna abide, abide in You
Wanna get lost inside, the way You move
Completely consumed by the weight of Your love
Where too much is never enough
I wanna abide, abide in You
I just wanna abide, abide in You
I just wanna abide in You

Your friend in Christ,

_Patricia 

_{Patricia Velasquez, PTA, BS, CWCA, CLT} 

Scripture:
“Pray without ceasing.” — 1 Thessalonians 5:17 (KJV)

Prayer is the heartbeat of a believer’s relationship with God. It is not merely a ritual or a moment of quiet before meals; it is a continual conversation with the Creator. Through prayer, hearts are aligned with His will, burdens are lifted, and faith is strengthened.

Growing in daily prayer begins with understanding that prayer is both a privilege and a necessity. It is the believer’s lifeline to heaven, the means by which strength, wisdom, and peace are received. When prayer becomes a daily habit rather than an occasional act, spiritual growth deepens, and intimacy with God flourishes.

Growing in daily prayer begins with understanding that prayer is both a privilege and a necessity. It is the believer’s lifeline to heaven, the means by which strength, wisdom, and peace are received. When prayer becomes a daily habit rather than an occasional act, spiritual growth deepens, and intimacy with God flourishes.

As prayer becomes a daily rhythm, it transforms perspective. Worries turn into worship, and fear gives way to faith. The more time spent in God’s presence, the more His peace governs the heart and mind.

Reflection

• Is prayer a consistent part of each day, or only a response to crisis?
• What distractions often keep time with God from being a priority?
• How can prayer become a natural part of every moment—while working, driving, or resting?

 Prayer 

^{Heavenly Father, thank You for the gift of prayer and the privilege of coming before Your throne. Teach the heart to seek You daily, not only in times of need but in every moment of life. Strengthen faith to trust that You hear and answer according to Your perfect will. Help to grow in consistency, sincerity, and intimacy with You through prayer. May each day begin and end in Your presence, and may Your Spirit guide every word and thought. In Jesus’ name, Amen.}

 -Regina Marks  Christian Counselor ,Certified Master Life Coach