Image
THE SURROGATE JOURNEY: BIRTHING PURPOSE THROUGH OTHERS.  PART 3: THE WEIGHT OF THE WOMB — WHEN CARRYING GETS COMPLICATED Genesis 16:5–6 Then Sarai said to Abram, ‘You are responsible for the wrong I am suffering. I put my servant in your arms, and now that she knows she is pregnant, she despises me.’ Then Sarai mistreated Hagar; so she fled from her.” (NIV) 🔁 Quick Recap: In Part 2 , we met Hagar, the Egyptian servant chosen by Sarai to carry her child. Though not her dream, not her plan, and not her baby—she became the carrier of a promise she didn’t initiate. We learned how sometimes we are called to be the “other woman” in someone else’s destiny story—carrying, serving, interceding, and pushing someone else’s dream forward. 🤰 The Blessing that Brought Bitterness Hagar became pregnant. She was carrying the long-awaited seed. She should have been celebrated. But instead… she was mistreated. The one who chose her now chased her. The one who needed her now neglected her. The woman...
2 comments

TAKING THE CIVILIAN OUT OF YOU: A JOURNEY OF TRANSFORMATION PART 11: HUNGER GAMES – SURVIVING WHEN YOU’RE EMPTY

 


TAKING THE CIVILIAN OUT OF YOU: A JOURNEY OF TRANSFORMATION
PART 11: HUNGER GAMES – SURVIVING WHEN YOU’RE EMPTY


2 Timothy 2:3

''Endure hardship as a good soldier of Christ 

Jesus”


Welcome to Part 11 of our series, Taking the Civilian Out of You: The Journey to Discipline and Transformation.

In Part 10, we explored the breaking point where even sleep was denied. We saw how discipline isn't always born in comfort but often forged in suffering. Now, we dig deeper—into the painful world of hunger and thirst, where survival becomes a mindset and discipline must carry you through when strength fails.


When the Body Is Empty but the Purpose Isn’t

Conrad, in his honest recount, shared that they were denied food and water. Not as punishment, but as part of the process. The idea? What you think you need to survive isn’t always what you truly need.


You had to draw energy not from your belly, but your belief—not from quick fixes, but purpose. It wasn’t starvation—it was conditioning. And guess what? No one was allowed to complain. There was no 'I’m hungry.' There was only 'I’m still standing.'"


 Endurance Is Fed by Purpose

One morning, after a routine of exhaustion, they were assembled at the square. Conrad shared how his eyes spun, his legs shook, and everything within him screamed, “Fall down. Let them feel sorry for you.”


But he heard another voice:

“If you fall down, you’ll be slapped. You weren’t told to fall. Survive.”


He bent down slightly and hung on. That’s when the dismissal came. That act of endurance, while empty, became his breakthrough.


In our spiritual, physical, financial, and academic lives, we face seasons of emptiness. But what we do in those empty moments defines us.


Reflection: What Emptiness Teaches You


Five real-life reflections:

Spiritually: There will be moments in prayer when you feel nothing—no spark, no emotion. But don’t stop. Keep showing up. In the kingdom, consistency matters more than feelings. Discipline is greater than emotion.


Physically: Your body will scream “Rest!” but the mission says “Move!” Keep going.


Financially: You’ll lack resources, but God wants to teach you creativity in lack.


Academically: You’ll study tired, hungry, or drained—but the exam won’t wait. Push.


Mentally: You’ll want to check out, but staying present builds maturity.


Pain is not always a punishment. Sometimes it’s preparation.




Endure your “hunger” season. Let it teach you what satisfaction cannot.


Stop waiting for ideal conditions—be excellent even when you’re empty.


Encourage someone today who may be facing their own emptiness.



PRAYER

Lord, help me thrive even in my empty seasons. Teach me to trust you when strength fails. Let my hunger never silence my obedience. May I draw power from purpose and not from comfort. I choose to survive this phase with grace. Amen.



Next Chapter: Part 12 – Companions in the Heat

In Part 12, we explore the power of companionship during adversity. How two soldiers encouraged each other with JAMA chants and determination to cross the finish line. We don’t run alone—we finish stronger together.


📌Let’s Talk:

Can you share a time when you had to push through empty seasons—financially, academically, or spiritually? How did you survive, and what did God teach you through that season?

Let’s learn and grow together.




Prince Julius Nenebi-Darkson 

(EL-PJ God’s Penman)


Comments

  1. Esi9 May 2025 at 12:25

    What I learned from today's devotion is that, what you do in the dry seasons shapes who you become in the fruitful ones. God bless!

    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment

We’d love to hear your thoughts! Share your reflections, testimonies, or questions below. Let’s grow together in faith!

Popular posts from this blog

JUMPSTARTING YOUR LIFE—THE POWER OF DIVINE CONNECTIONS PART 8:WHEN IT’S TIME FOR AN UPGRADE—LETTING GO OF THE OLD TO EMBRACE THE NEW

Image
THE STORY: A FRIEND FACED WITH A HARD DECISION Romans 1:11-12 (NIV) "I long to see you so that I may impart to you some spiritual gift to make you strong—that is, that you and I may be mutually encouraged by each other’s faith. Welcome to Part 8 of our Series, Jumpstarting Your Life: The Power of Divine Connection.  In Part 7 , we saw how my landlady’s son, who had once been stranded, later became a helper to another driver stuck in the mud . We learned that helping others after receiving help is a key principle of life , and sometimes, we must recognize when we need assistance instead of struggling alone. But what if the real issue isn’t about getting help but knowing when to move on? PART 8: WHEN IT’S TIME FOR AN UPGRADE—LETTING GO OF THE OLD TO EMBRACE THE NEW THE STORY: A FRIEND FACED WITH A HARD DECISION I have a friend named Kwame who had been driving an old car for years . It wasn’t just any car—it had been his first car, filled with memories. One day, after heavy rain, he...
Read more

JUMPSTARTING YOUR LIFE—THE POWER OF DIVINE CONNECTIONS PART 1: WHEN LIFE REFUSES TO START

Image
THE STORY: A CAR THAT WOULDN’T START Romans 1:11-12 (NIV ) "I long to see you so that I may impart to you some spiritual gift to make you strong—that is, that you and I may be mutually encouraged by each other’s faith." One early morning, I was in my room when I noticed my landlady’s son struggling with his car. No matter how many times he turned the key, it refused to start. Minutes later, a co-tenant arrived with a car battery, connected it to his, and in seconds— boom ! The engine roared to life. It hit me: Sometimes, we need external help to restart what isn’t working in our lives. HAVE YOU EVER FELT STUCK? Just like that dead battery , life can sometimes feel like it just won’t start: Spiritually – Your passion for prayer and the Word feels drained. (“ Apart from Me, you can do nothing.” – John 15:5) Physically – You’re constantly exhausted, no matter how much you rest. (“Even youths grow weary, but those who wait on the Lord renew their strength.” – Isaiah 40:30-31...
Read more

DEALING WITH DIABETIC WOUNDS – A BALANCED DEVOTIONAL SERIES PART 1: RECOGNIZING THE WOUND – THE FIRST STEP To HEALING

Image
DEALING WITH DIABETIC WOUNDS – A BALANCED DEVOTIONAL SERIES PART 1: RECOGNIZING THE WOUND – THE FIRST STEP To HEALING Revelation 2:4-5 "You have forsaken your first love. Remember the height from which you have fallen! Repent and do the things you did at first."  Not every wound bleeds. Some deteriorate quietly beneath the surface—unseen, unfelt, and unspoken—until it's too late . Just like a diabetic wound that looks minor at first but spreads when ignored , many of life's deepest issues— spiritual, emotional, physical, and even national—start small . But delay is dangerous . Healing begins when we are humble and honest enough to recognize the wound. Key Scripture: " You have forsaken your first love. Remember the height from which you have fallen! Repent and do the things you did at first." – Revelation 2:4-5 LIFE APPLICATION: Two years ago, a friend called me, asking for blood donation for his father-in-law, who was scheduled for a leg amputation at the 3...
Read more