The Christian Journey

By Norma Wilson

Life is about our journey but needs to be divided into 3 parts. Past, present and future as it consists of many aspects of our lives. The PAST, hurt and pain needs to be ACKNOWLEDGED, not held onto. Fear, anger, resentments, bitterness, unforgiveness, guilt, shame etc., cannot be carried into the present because they will cause me to be sick. In mind and heart. I need to be changed from within by a new way of thinking. Whatever I sow, so shall I reap. Anger brings more anger; love brings more love. I must choose. Am I still carrying emotional pain? The PRESENT. I need to FORGIVE and ACCEPT my life and grow in it Learn to let go and let God be my advocate, my healer, my strength. My character and attitude needs changing as. I grow through pain and difficulties. I need to change how I think about situations and people. I need to change what I believe about people, sometimes even God and myself if it is negative in order to change my feelings, I need to change how I speak and act or re-act. I will stay in this pain until I choose to fix it. Am I ready to let go? The FUTURE brings HEALING and I ADVANCE to a life of victory and freedom. I learn to walk and grow into Christ-like character using the fruit of the Holy Spirit (Gal.5:16-23) as my guide. Faith unshakeable, Love never quits. Patience is love on trial producing Peace. Joy pays off most when under pressure. Gentleness is strength. Goodness & Kindness are God's hands in service and to walk in Self-Control, I need obedience. With God all things are possible. Dragging the past with you, you will never have a healthy present or future. Your mind and heart are divided, and you are not free. A man is a slave to whatever controls him. This book challenges you to work through your life and assists you with many exercises and tools to walk into every blessing and victory the Lord Jesus has purposed for you. This is your journey and it is worth it. (John 10:10.)

• Language: English
• Publisher: Christian Faith Publishing, Inc.
• Release date: Apr 2, 2019
• ISBN: 9781643495873

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The Christian Journey

Norma D. Wilson

Copyright © 2018 by Norma D. Wilson

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods without the prior written permission of the publisher. For permission requests, solicit the publisher via the address below.

Christian Faith Publishing, Inc.

832 Park Avenue

Meadville, PA 16335

www.christianfaithpublishing.com

Unless otherwise indicated, scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Century Version. Copyright 1987, 1988, 1991 by Word Publishing. Dallas, Texas 75039. Used by permission.

The Christian Journey: Equipping Believers to Fight the Good Fight of Faith by Norma Wilson

Printed in the United States of America

Table of Contents

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Acknowledgments

I would like to thank the many people who have helped me on this journey.

To my special friends and first editor, Rose O’Grady, for her love and devotion to the purpose of this book and for encouraging and pushing me forward.

To Denise, whose troublesome journey instigated the seven-step chart and exercise that has helped many, many people discover why they are the way they are, how to overcome, forgive, and be set free. To make new choices and believe new truths.

To Tamarah for support, caring, compassion, and kindness beyond measure.

I give special mention to the TV teachings of Joyce Myers, Joel Osteen, John Hagee and the daily messages of Charles Stanley and Rick Warren.

I have indicated certain quotes using their names with permission.

To Father Tom Marcoux, Sr. Helen Carroll, and Sr. Louise Dunn for the journey through the disease of alcoholism, teaching me how to let go and let God.

Recommend books of reference:

The Five Love Languages by Gary Chapman

The Battlefield of the Mind by Joyce Myers

Love and Respect by Emerson and Sarah Eggerichs

I would also like to dedicate this book to my family, loved ones, and to my late husband. It is here that I have learned my most powerful lessons.

To my special friends who have always encouraged and supported me.

Also to the many people who have taken this journey and found freedom.

The hardest part of the journey is change.

And above all, Jesus, who changed my life and transformed me into the person I am today. I am forever grateful.

This book and journey is a tribute to how God can work in a mixed-up, angry, bitter, unforgiving person and bring them through to healing, victory, and a life full of peace and blessings.

No problem or situation is bigger than my God, to Him be the all the glory and praise.

My Testimony

My life changed on November 1987 when I made a retreat weekend to experience God’s love. I received more than I ever imagined, and it changed my life forever. I met God in a personal, intimate relationship. I sensed God speaking to me, telling me how much He loved me, and that word went straight to my heart. His love touched me so deeply that my love for others changed. I even started loving myself with all my weaknesses.

His love in me showed me areas of my life that were not pleasing to Him. He slowly changed me from the inside out, and changing was never a burden but a blessing. The only time I struggled was when I would not surrender to His guidance and plan for my life. The first scriptures God gave me were: Matthew 11:28: Come to me all of you who are tired and have heavy loads, and I will give you rest. Accept my teachings and learn from me, because I am gentle and humble in spirit and you will find rest for your lives. The teaching that I ask you to accept is easy; the load I give you to carry is light. 2 Peter 2:19: A man is a slave to whatever controls him.

God told me to be an overcomer. That seemed simple enough, but my flesh had not changed. Part of me was stubborn, wanting the last word in a my-way attitude, and my don’t try to control me or else attitude was a challenge. I could be fierce inside. Control was an issue. I knew about control. I had been controlled all my life.

My father was an alcoholic. I was emotionally and physically abused. My father did not love or care for me. My caring mother, protected me from abuse. My mind was controlled by my past rejections, pent-up anger and resentments, blame, revenge, and unforgiveness for forty years. Sexual abuse from an uncle and crushing words destroyed my self-worth, and then to top it off, marriage issues were part of my journey. I was married at the age of twenty-one, and we had lots of tests. My husband was also an alcoholic but found sobriety in AA in 1979. He was a workaholic in our family business, so he had little or no time for me and the children. I also inherited a dominating, controlling mother-in-law for eighteen years. We experienced a financial collapse and lost so much in the process. There is not much I have not experienced in my seventy-five years, but I came through it with Jesus.

I was stuck when Jesus found me. I tried to be happy, but inside I was hurting and in pain. How did I cope? I worked hard, became a perfectionist, and ate. I turned to lots of sugar, french fries, bread, and chocolate: they became my pacifier and dulled the pain for a short time, and this cycle took control over me. The consequences of my choices—my body became physically sick. I had to learn how to eat properly and change habits. It was a difficult process.

I had to take an inward journey and face my past head-on. I had to accept what I could not change and change what I could—me—my way of thinking and believing. I believed I was inadequate, never good enough, not worthy. And this false belief system almost destroyed me and my calling. Throughout my journey of many tests, trials, and troubles as I pressed into God, His love and assurance that everything would be okay, if I would just trust him, filled my whole being.

The enemy was always trying to steal love, joy, faith, and peace from me, so I pressed harder. The closer I got to Jesus, the stronger I became, and I was able to go through the rest in record time and not get stuck in it. God’s word was my constant companion.

I took all my problems to the Lord, not people. He became my lifeline, my strength, and my confidant. I had to listen to His still small voice and obey. Obedience has been harder for me because of my past. I did not want to be told what to do anymore, and this has been my biggest struggle. I know in my head it is the right thing to do, but sometimes my habits are so ingrained that I constantly fight with my flesh. I still want to do what I want to do, when I want to do it, but Jesus is asking me to totally surrender my life to Him.

My husband was my deepest earthly love for sixty years even with all the heartache and pain. I lost him five years ago, and God’s love and words sustained me. My strong faith never wavered. Family and friends supported me, and my inner core of friends pushed me forward. I have been richly blessed. God always seems to prepare me for what lies ahead, and I have learned to trust Him deeply. He has told me time and time again that He will care for me.

Today I acknowledge my past. I am who I am today because of it. I accepted my journey with all its hurts and pains. I have learned through mistakes and failures, and I have grown, matured, and found the deepest love of all. A joy and peace that passes all understanding. All of this came from me, finally forgiving those who had hurt me. My future is in God’s hands. I know that my life has meaning and purpose, and sharing my journey can help someone else to overcome. I cannot advance to the future if I cannot let go of the past and accept myself for who I am right now. I would like to teach you how to overcome using this book. My deepest prayer is that you find the love and freedom that I have today. With God, all things are possible.

God cannot work through a heart that is clogged by negative emotions.

Is rejection and strife stealing your Joy?

Is fear interfering with your Faith?

Is unforgiveness separating your love and relationship with God, others, and self?

Is anxiety and stress destroying your Peace?

Are tests, trials, and troubles affecting your Patience?

Is anger hardening your heart to Gentleness?

Are revenge and selfishness a blockage to your Goodness and Kindness?

Are worldly temptations of the flesh causing you to walk out of Self-Control and Victory?

We need to overcome using the fruits of the Holy Spirit, the character of Jesus.

How do you love?

Do you demand or accept? Do you rebel or surrender?

Are you angry and bitter or kind and caring?

Who or what controls your heart will run your life.

Put God in the driver’s seat, and He will take you to places you never imagined.

His plan is perfect. Follow Him.

I have been in this teaching and healing ministry for twenty-five years. I come in contact every day with Christian people who are hurting and in deep pain. Feel free to contact me if you have trouble working through issues. In order for change to happen, you must be willing and want to change to become the best person you can be. May God bless you on this journey.

Life Is a Journey

I have found that there are many parts to our journey

I would like to share the seven most powerful ones

that I have found on my journey.

Take courage. We all have tests, trials, sufferings,

conflicts, hurts, pain, disappointments, and frustrations,

and they create problems and issues in our lives.

In my experience, I have found the key where

the only way out is through

People say You don’t know what I am going through. We are all going through something. Are you being rejected, criticized, controlled, and persecuted by people. Do you have health problems, financial problems, marriage or family problems, work problems or feel oppressed by the devil. The good news is people cannot hurt you unless you allow them. The devil cannot attack you unless you let him because the devil is under your feet, not over your head. He tries to tell you lies in your mind, but you have to listen to them and believe them to be true. He is not beside you or around you because Jesus is. The devil cannot oppress you because Greater is He who is in you, than he who is in the world (1 John 4:4). I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me (Phil. 4:13), Start repeating, I have the mind of Christ.

Why are we not able to stand strong? There is a reason.

I believe it is because we are listening to the wrong voices, believing the wrong things about God, self, and others. We are making wrong choices, not trusting God, and we are not being obedient. We have a tendency to stay focused on the past and the pain we suffered, and not focusing on the God who created us and all things. God is more than able to handle your life, if only you would surrender. Let go and let God. What are you afraid of?

If you are always moving, changing, and walking through your circumstances, the enemy has to be moving back. As long as you are declaring the Word of God over your situation, the sword of the Spirit is clearing the way for you.

Speak defeat, and you will be defeated.

If you believe, you shall receive.

You have to walk by faith, not by sight.

You must trust God and not worry or doubt.

You have to be patient and wait upon God’s perfect timing.

You must forgive to allow your heart to be filling with God’s love.

Psalm 23:4: "Yes, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for You are with me; Your rod (protects me), and Your staff (guides me), they comfort me."

Isaiah 43:2–5: "When you pass through the waters, I will be with you, and through the rivers, they will not overwhelm you. Because you are precious to me, because I give you honor and love you, Don’t be afraid, because I am with you."

This book and teaching is about the journey

Where it begins and how we grow through it,

and come out victorious on the other end.

Freedom & Growth

During my life, I loved Jesus, but I never knew Him in a personal way until November 1987. I was forty-five years old. Due to my past, as I have shared with you, I carried a lot of baggage that I couldn’t seem to get rid of. I tried taking many courses, but nothing seemed to change me until I really met and knew Jesus’s love.

Step one: Stop and look at who you are. I started to look within on March 23, 1979 when my husband got sober. I never thought my character and attitude were the problem. I tried to face my fears and anger, but the pain of rejection, believing lies, and blaming others still kept the sin of anger and unforgiveness in my heart. People perished from lack of knowledge, and I began to see things differently. I had a lot to learn.

Step two: Look at the lies and deception and learn the truth in God’s word. I spent the next eight years discovering who I really was. I faced myself and looked deep within, and I did not like what I saw, but I was determined to be better. As I mentioned, I met Jesus on November 1987 on a Monday morning in a personal way. I went to my prayer corner, and I heard a still small voice say I love you. That went straight to my heart, and throughout the next thirty years, that voice has guided me, encouraged me, corrected me, disciplined me, and made me into the person I am today. God taught me the truth in His word, and I fell deeply in love with Him.

Step three: Listen. Forgiveness was my issue, and a change had to take place. It took me five more years trusting God, falling offtrack, taking courses, and trying to change. But I didn’t know how. In 1991, getting deathly ill for six months, my life was forced in a new direction. God had a plan.

Step four: Read and study God’s Word. I spent 1992–95 under God’s hand, and He introduced me to the fruits of the Spirit, the character of Jesus. I had taken many courses on fear, doubt, worry, rejection, unforgiveness, anger, blame, selfishness—all the things that come against us on a regular basis. But no matter how hard I tried, I could not change until I learned the character of Jesus: faith, love, joy, peace, patience, gentleness, goodness, kindness, and self-control. These were the tools I needed to change my fleshly character. We need to counteract every negative feeling and emotion with the fruits of the Spirit. This is the war between the flesh and the spirit, and my growth really began right here.

Step five: Pray and be led by the Spirit (1995–2017). In 1995, Jesus asked me to start teaching what I had learned. The more I taught, the stronger I became. I have mastered and practiced all the fruits of the Spirit except self-control. I have been disobedient to certain things that Jesus has asked me to do. Probably out of some fear. It is wise to be obedient, or we will go around the same mountain until we learn from it. Every day I strive to reach the goal for which I have been called.

Step six: Walk in obedience to God’s calling. Wait, trust, and depend on God as your source of strength. Total surrender of the flesh. Meet with Him every day.

Step seven: Talk, share Jesus effectively. Be a testimony for God to use. Be an overcomer. Here lies all the victory and blessings you will ever need: Holy Spirit power and God working miracles. Be obedient to God in all the small things, and He will give you big things.

Seven Parts to Going Through and Not Getting Stuck: Stop, Look, Listen, Read, Pray, Walk, Talk

Stop what the devil is trying to do to you.

Don’t focus on the problem or situation, but focus on Jesus, asking Him what He is doing in you and wants to do with you. There is a reason for this trial. Discover it.

Stop allowing negative thoughts to control your life and heart. God wants your heart. Stop

all complaining, bickering, and arguing;

all retaliation, resentment, guilt, and shame;

all unforgiveness for any reason;

see what is really happening and who your real enemy is. It is not people;

blaming others and take responsibility for your thoughts, words, and actions; and

focus on the problem and what it is doing to you. You make it an idol before God. God is bigger than your problem; seek Him, and He will guide you and tell you what to do.

Look, keep your eyes on Jesus.

Press on to Jesus, making Him more important than the problem.

Look to Jesus and what He is trying to change in you, in your mind, and the way you think. Look

to