Between a Rock and a Hard Place: Experiencing God's Presence in Difficult Times

By Yakisha T. Simmons

And it shall come to pass, while my glory passeth by, that I will put thee in a cleft of a rock, and will cover thee with my hand while I pass by.
Exodus 33:22

The bible declares that there will be seasons of darkness in our lives. There will be times when we will feel that trouble is all around us and that there is no hope of escape. However, this inspired publication will provide an alternative outlook to the hard places we may experience in life. The alternative is a supernatural encounter with the presence of God right where you are.

Wherever you are in your Christian walk and no matter what you may be facing in life, there is opportunity for you to behold the beauty of Gods presence. As you read this book, you will be moved to seek a deeper relationship with the Lord just as Moses did who sought the Lord and found Him between a rock and a hard place.

Yakisha T. Simmons is a Praise & Worship leader at New Bethel Sounds of Praise in Summerville, SC. She is a wife and mother of two children and is committed to living a life of victory and dedicated to sharing joyous living principles. She obtained an undergraduate degree at the University of South Carolina and a Masters in Business Administration at Webster University and is now employed as a Technical Writer for the Navy. She and her husband, Jonathan, are the founders of Life Changers Enterprise which offers a range of services from music studio production to graphic design/publications.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Xlibris US
• Release date: Nov 9, 2007
• ISBN: 9781469111384

Yakisha T. Simmons

Yakisha T. Simmons is a Praise & Worship leader at New Bethel SOP in Summerville, SC. She is a wife and mother of two children and is committed to living victoriously and dedicated to sharing joyous living principles. She completed undergraduate studies at the University of South Carolina, an MBA at Webster University and is employed as a Technical Writer for the Navy. She and her husband, Jonathan, founded Life Changers Enterprise which offers services ranging from music studio production to graphic design/publications.

Book preview

Between A Rock

And A Hard Place

Experiencing God’s Presence

in Difficult Times

Yakisha T. Simmons

Foreword by

Bishop Allen H. Simmons, DD

Copyright © 2007 by Yakisha T. Simmons.

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the copyright owner.

This book was printed in the United States of America.

To order additional copies of this book, contact:

Xlibris Corporation

1-888-795-4274

www.Xlibris.com

[e-mail]

43416

Contents

Acknowledgements 

Foreword 

Introduction 

Chapter 1 

In the Cleft of the Rock

Chapter 2 

Get Connected

Chapter 3 

Ask For a Visitation

Chapter 4 

Wait for an Answer

Chapter 5 

Accept His Response

Chapter 6 

Follow Instructions

Chapter 7 

Bask in the Glory

Chapter 8 

FIX Your Mind

Chapter 9 

Be Confident in Your Covering

Chapter 10 

Move Towards It

Chapter 11 

Don’t Be Afraid of the Challenge

Chapter 12 

Stay on that Rock!

Chapter 13 

Stand on His Promises

Chapter 14 

Be Joyful in Your Times of Tribulation

Chapter 15 

See the Glory

From the Author 

This book is dedicated to my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Thank you for every event that allowed me to get to know you in your Glory. And I appreciate the opportunity you have given me to share the experience of your Glory to the world.

Acknowledgements 

To my mom, whose experiences in the cleft of the rock and her abiding faith during those difficult times, then and now, encourage me to increase my fellowship with the Lord Jesus. I love you. You are so beautiful to me.

To my sisters, my best friends. I cherish our closeness and I appreciate your prayers and support in everything that I do.

To my dad, thank you for raising me and teaching me to know the Lord. I love you much.

To my pastors, Bishop Allen H. Simmons and First Lady Jan Simmons, who always promoted me in my endeavors and never doubted the gifts God placed on the inside of me. Thank you for loving me and pouring into me. Thank you, Bishop Simmons, for contributing and supporting this work by writing the foreword.

To Drs. Shine and Dee Dee Freeman, my spiritual parents. I am sure I would have eventually found this path if I had not met you. However, having you in my life got me on the right path sooner than later. Your teachings and constant fellowship strengthened me during a very crucial time in my life. Words can not express how much you mean to me.

To my ‘other’ sister (you know who you are) who came all the way to South Carolina to encourage me. Your ministry is a great gift to me and I want you to know that I truly appreciate you.

To my boys, my beautiful blessings. When you get old enough to read this, I want you to know that Mommy loves you very much. Thank you for going to bed early so Mommy can work.

To my husband, Jonathan, who sincerely believes in me and always encourages me to follow God’s leading. I am grateful that the Lord gave me to you. Your strength and confidence gives me strength and confidence. You have such greatness in you and I am just happy to be able to go up with you. I love you.

Foreword 

When we hear the phrase stuck between a rock and a hard place, we immediately think of an impossible situation. One of which no matter what decision we make, which road we travel, or what we choose, the result is an unfavorable, unpleasant outcome. Often times we opt to not make a decision at all because of the consequences involved, but even that in itself is a choice of dreaded disdain. We toil in contemplation, which could be worse. We agonize at the very thought in knowing that no matter how we rationalize our situation, no matter how insightful our process, our result will not be good.

As people of God, peculiar people, we have the keen ability to see deeper than the surface of a matter, and look to the very heart of God for our comfort, our strength, and our answer, For we know that all things work together for the good of them who love the Lord, and are the called according to His purpose. (Romans 8:28). We are insightfully aware that no matter the outcome, it is to propel us to our destiny in Christ Jesus.

When we are stuck between a rock and a hard place, know that we should have no fear for, Thou hast made the heaven and the earth by thy great power and stretched out arm, and there is nothing too hard for thee: (Jeremiah 32:17) Many times we fight that place, but being in the between, is the perfect place to be. It is at that place that the rock is now a shelter in the storm. Smite it and it springs forth water. In trouble, the rock becomes a hiding place.

For those of us who understand the process of destiny, the next time you are between a Rock and a Hard Place, remember, The LORD is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust; my buckler, and the horn of my salvation, and my high tower. (Psalms 18:2)

For those who find themselves in an uncomfortable and unpredictable situation, may this book bring comfort and peace in knowing that through it all, God is always at work for your good.

Bishop Allen H. Simmons, D.D.

Pastor of New Bethel Sounds of Praise

Presiding Prelate of the

Sounds of Praise Pentecostal Fellowship Ministries, Inc.

Introduction 

At the beginning of my parents’ painful separation over a decade ago, I certainly did not feel like I was in the presence of God. In fact, I felt completely abandoned. And even though I had many loving family members around me, no one, no words, no act of kindness could really soothe the deep pain that was my constant companion during those first few months. My world seemed like it was upside down and in turmoil. My dad assured me that things would not change much… simply, he would be living in one location and mom would be living in another. That declaration only contributed to the dull ache in the pit of my stomach. Right then, I knew we were losing a part of my father. I often compare what we went through to that of someone who has lost a loved one because that is exactly what it was… the death of my parents’ 22-year marriage. The death of life as we knew it.

You see, I did not grow up in an unhappy home. My dad was a strict, devout Pentecostal preacher and my mother was a gentle, yet powerful First Lady. We did not hail from a large mega ministry but from a quaint small-town parsonage of maybe 100 people. And since we lived some distance from the church, we rotated Sunday dinners at the local saints’ homes.

My parents instilled in us at an early age to reverence God in our daily living… to be respectful to them and those around us… to obey leadership. We did not always get it right the first time, but my dad lovingly, yet sternly made sure we did not mess up too many times!

My dad had an infectious character and secured a modest following as a local radio personality and preacher. I remember as a child writing word-for-word (as fast as I could keep up) his sermons and reading them back to him on the way home from church in the car (including sound effects).

My dear mom was such a representative of grace and humility. She did not say much in church, but when she did, she could make the hairs stand up on the back of your neck! She was not a high-maintenance First Lady nor was she often adorned with fabulous or extravagant attire. However, she sure made us and our small church proud when she walked into the building. She kept us (including dad) and the house clean and man could she cook!

I was not a young child when my parents’ marriage dissolved. I was a sophomore in college and at