Victoria Arlen spent four years of her childhood in a vegetative state after being diagnosed with two rare autoimmune disorders that caused significant swelling in her brain and spinal cord. Doctors told her family that she would never be able to talk or walk again.
This news was devastating to Victoria and her family. But Victoria was determined not to give up. Through the years Victoria got her ability to speak and move back. The only thing that hasn't come back is the feeling in her legs. But that isn't stopping her from dancing. She can't feel her legs at all but she can tell them to move in her brain.
As a contestant on Dancing With The Stars, she recounted this part of her life and decided to put that emotion into her Most Memorable Year performance. And just wait until you see her dance to the popular song “I Lived” by OneRepublic. Make sure to grab some tissues before you watch this. Victoria's strength is absolutely inspiring!
Let’s face it; life is hard and full of uncertainty. We live in a fast paced world that is changing everyday, if not every second. There are many things that can knock us off balance and shake our faith. Anything from a job loss to an illness to an unexpected life event. Sometimes it’s hard to know how to pray and even what to pray when life gets you down. In my own experience, there are 3 things to pray for in tough times: wisdom, discernment and for God’s will to be done.
“If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without fault and it will be given to you.” James 1:5
When we are in the midst of a storm and have to make heavy decisions that seem to have no answers, it can seem like wisdom is eluding us. The definition of wisdom is the quality of having experience, knowledge, and good judgment; the quality of being wise. It is always wise to first ask God for wisdom in order to make decisions. We must not to lean on our own knowledge and understanding. According to Proverbs 4:7, wisdom and good judgment are some of the most important things to acquire. It is also important have the wisdom to know the difference between the wisdom of God and the whispers of the enemy.
“Teach me good discernment and knowledge, for I believe in your commandments.” Psalm 119:66
When life gets you down, it is very easy for the enemy to get in. He will often speak lies and try to encourage you to make the wrong decision. When you are down on yourself or life in general, he will amplify the fears, insecurity and doubts. It is crucial to pray for the ability to discern God’s voice, for it to be amplified beyond a doubt.
We all discern His voice in different ways, from hearing His voice in our head to a feeling of utter peace and stillness. For some of us he speaks very loud and clear. Regardless, praying for discernment helps your spirit weed out the deceiver from a spiritually sound answer. With discernment comes trust. Sometimes it is hard when you either don’t receive an answer or you receive an answer you don’t want. We must remember that God wants (and knows) the best for us and any situation.
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“Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Jesus Christ.” 1 Thessalonians 5:18
We sometimes get caught up in how we want things to work out or how we think things should go. We also get caught up in our own timing and how fast we think things should be resolved. It’s part of being human. When you realize you’re doing this, stop and pray and ask God for his will to be done. Give Him the praise and the glory because you know you are exactly where He wants you in order to teach you something or for you to grow. Remember to always praise Him in the storm.
Has life got you down today? Are things so hard right now that you don’t even know what to pray? After reading these 3 things to pray, then let these words be your cry.
Dear Lord, times are really hard right now and life has really got me down. I don’t know what to do. I ask that You bestow Your wisdom upon me. I don’t want to lean on my own knowledge anymore, because it has let me down so many times. I need to hear Your voice. Give me the discernment to hear Your voice and Your voice alone. Speak to me in the way You know I will hear you best. I also pray for Your Will, Lord. I give You the praise and the glory in my circumstances because I know that I am exactly where You want me. I know this is to teach me something or to help me to grow. No matter what, I trust you and ask You to show what is best in this situation. In Jesus Name I pray. Amen.
Carrie Lowrance is a freelance writer and author. She has been featured on Huffington Post, She Is Fierce, Parachute, The Frugal Farmer, etc. She is also the author of two books of poetry, one children's book, and she writes her own personal finance blog at www.freelancebylowrance.com.
Credit: Crosswalk
