PART 2 OF My Stalker Taught Me Bullet Proof Strategy-Our Sufferings Bless Others
- Dr. Teresa Allissa Citro
- Jun 13, 2018
- 4 min read
“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are …” -2 Corinthians 1: 3-5
Yesterday, I shared a traumatic experience I went through with a stalker. I left a part of the story on purpose for today.
God’s thoughts and ways are not like ours. We do not always understand or know why God does things as He does. Sometimes He allows us to know, other times He doesn’t. It really doesn’t matter. All we need to do is continue walking in His ways especially during difficult times.
I learned a lot during those ten months. I saw the faithfulness of God. I saw His protection over me. Like the first few days, and I didn’t know the seriousness of this situation until I was leaving my house, and the man ran out of the bushes towards me.
I screamed so loudly I frightened him. It was night time. I saw the shadow. I never saw him. I just saw him running, low on the ground, where the trees and bushes were. I still can’t identify him. Just a man running. In all those months I never saw this man. Even when he came at me from behind my evergreen tree. I thank God for this. If I had seen him I would always remember his face. I’m grateful God never allowed me to see him. I’m most thankful for His protection over me. You see, it’s like this. Evil can come our way, but the Hand of God keeps it away. Praise God for that.
I learned to fully understand God protects His own. No harm shall overtake us. I learned God releases His angels so that we wouldn’t even trip over a stone. Imagine that! Even a little stone in our way, which causes us to stumble and fall, He will remove so that we don’t get hurt. That’s how important we are to God. Have you ever tripped over a stone? I have many times, in heels, and someone in front of me or behind me as always caught me. My pride was the only thing hurt.
Finally, the last thing I learned was my trial blessed another. In this particular case, the man I had followed to my car that day and was brought in to question to be identified by my Mom and my neighbor wasn’t the man that was stalking me. But when they finger printed him guess what? A woman living five miles from my home had been assaulted and guess who the man was? It was this man I thought was my stalker. Now I ask you, “What are the odds?” Zero! God used my horrific situation to bless the other woman who was going through real hell.
The man was brought to trial, and the woman was able to rest at night because I thought that man was my stalker. I believe God led me and gave me the courage to follow him. The boldness to get the police to bring him for questioning and the strength to not be intimidated by this man who was threatening to sue me. I know it was God.
Here’s the real truth. The above passage clearly states to bless the Lord at all times because all we go through trials for a reason and a purpose. If I didn’t suffer for over ten months the woman wouldn’t have been set free, released from the bondage of fear, and wouldn't have received justice for the wrong she had suffered. I never met the woman, but through the police she thanked me. I don’t even know the woman’s name.
Trials are painful. They are not fun. I don’t think anyone of us would jump to our feet to take on a trial. But God’s Word says to count it all joy when trials come our way because they serve a great purpose.
I sometimes think I’m very selfish because I’m not so willing to suffer. The truth of the matter is that in every single trial God as asked me to walk through, I have received miraculous blessings and so did those whom God was trying to bless through it. As I’m writing this, I received three messages from people I don’t know that what I write here has blessed them.
REFLECTIONS: "Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy," (James 1:2 NLT). When trials come our way lets lift a shout of praise to our God who will be faithful to see us through it. Speak His Word of healing, deliverance, and restoration over your situation. Don’t be angry or upset or turn the table around and believe God no matter what the situation might look like. The victory is always in the hands of God. Please allow the trials in your life to teach truths. God’s truths not our truths. Remember, God is with you in all your trials and temptations and He makes a way out of each one, His way! Walk always in His ways and He will always take care of you!
Dr. Teresa Allissa Citro
PRAYER: Heavenly Father, You are the God of All Truth, and You are my Teacher, my Instructor, and You are my Refuge. Thank You for the grace You give me through trying times, and I ask that You continue to cover me with Your grace through times like this so that I may learn from You, that I may hear Your voice clearly. Show me Your truth, I ask, and only Your truth. Let me always walk in Your ways. Fill me with strength, and cover me with Your mercy as only You can do. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Linda A. Knowles
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