The struggle is real God is too

Lately I’ve been working hard on overcoming fears. I’ve been experiencing some stress. I’ve learned that when you have those feelings it can lead to being fearful. Depression can lead to anxiety too. I’ll give you an example, back in October 2021, my mother had been infected with COVID-19. For those ten days, I did not leave her side. The reason I stayed by her side so much is because I knew that Covid could do really strange things, plus she’s elderly, and with diabetes I knew Covid was nothing to joke about.

On one occasion, she went to take a shower – after some time I called out to her, and I realized she was unresponsive. I went over to the shower, and she just sat there on her shower chair but could not answer me. It seemed as though she had fainted or became unconscious. She could not get out of the bathtub. I had to call EMS, and they had to come and carry her out. She was dizzy and had a really huge headache. Ever since then I’ve had some fear while taking a simple shower. However, I’ve worked on relieving that anxiety and have overcome it. Some of the ways I’ve overcome is through prayer and through focusing on breathing techniques. When you relax your mind, your body relaxes too.

Another fear I’ve experienced before is a fear of flying. I have flown several times, but it’s something that stops me from travel at times. Just today I was looking to book a flight to somewhere though. I thought that maybe I can put together a meeting at a hotel for my Writing group members at some point. Maybe we could all meet in person for once and not only virtually like we’ve been for almost six months. My point in writing this is to remind you that the struggle is real in life, but God is still in control.

God is the one that will be there when we fear, when we feel alone, sad, or experience loss. He will be there for us. He will comfort through a friend, a kind gesture, or through a phone call. We will be assured that everything will be alright. It may be through a doctor, a teacher, or maybe through some form of encouragement we had not gotten before. God helps us through each other.

We will experience hardship in life, most definitely, but we are meant to lead each other through. Often times we help in ways we have not even realized. That’s the beauty of life. We are all connected. In physics, there’s this theory called entanglement. “When two particles such as a pair of photons or electrons becoming entangled, they remain connected even when separated by vast distances.”

Two particles can be on opposite ends of the earth, one can be in Los Angeles and one in New York, for example, but they will imitate each other and even behave the same. Did you know that the entire universe is made up of this entanglement? It’s true. In my opinion, we are entangled with God. The Bible tells us that we are made ‘in his likeness and image.’ We are all connected.

No matter how much hardship you have had, no matter what you go through, or any pain that has caused you sadness – it can be overcome. You can heal, feel better, and there will be a new day, a new experience, and new doors will open. We are moving through this universe from moment to moment.

God foresaw that we would all need him. God knew we would have some hard times. God is omnipresent and can be everywhere. He is all loving and kind. We are all under a cosmic order created by a master artist whose design cannot be duplicated, and we are loved beyond measure.

About Zina

Zina Hermez has authored the best-selling book(s), Not Without God: A Story of Survival and Not Without God: Hope In the Storm. She’s been featured in numerous articles, guest posts, podcasts, websites, newsletters, and magazines. She’s also been featured on The Neil Haley (media giant’s) Show, The Intuitive Edge podcast, and on ESPN’s ‘Solutions from the Huddle’broadcast as well as Grace and Truth Radio World!

Zina’s written several hundred articles and has taught thousands of students from all over the world from many different backgrounds and parts of the world. She’s appeared in Christianity Today, the Suite T blog, and the Southern Writers magazine among many other places. Last August she created the “Writing Because I Can’t Not Write Group” meetings and workshops where aspiring and seasoned authors network and learn together. 

Zina writes on faith, science, and overcoming adversity. She likes to write about health and diet also and loves to help others. Her latest book, Not Without God: Hope In the Storm was published last year.

We Are Not Alone☦️🕊✳️

Sometimes we fear the worst. Sometimes we wait for things to go wrong. Sometimes we’re afraid to expect anything good because we’re used to being disappointed. But if we look back at the times we were alone, disappointed, afraid, or stressed—we will realize we were never really alone at all. God is not just some white-bearded old guy sitting up in the sky. He dwells within. In John 14:26 we are told: ‘But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name [Jesus], he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you.’ How many times has the spirit helped you, taught you, or even saved you from something traumatic?’ We are never alone.🕊🕊🕊

About Zina

Zina Hermez has authored the best-selling book, Not Without God: A Story of Survival. She’s been featured in numerous articles, guest posts, podcasts, websites, newsletters, and magazines. Recently she was featured on ESPN’s ‘Solutions from the Huddle’ broadcast and on Grace and Truth Radio World. Zina’s written hundreds of articles and has taught thousands of students from all over the world spanning many different backgrounds and cultures. She’s appeared in Christianity Today, the Suite T blog and Southern Writers magazine among other places. She writes on faith, science, and overcoming adversity. She is also a major foodie and loves to help others. You can connect with her on Instagram, Facebook, Linked In, or Twitter.

God Will Always Bring You Through❤️

Often I find myself worrying about the unknown. What if ‘this’ or ‘that’ happens I ask myself. But when I think back to how much the Lord has saved me from and how he has guided my steps all my life, it is wrong to think he will stop doing it now. I know I have the Lord to watch over me and lead and guide. It is the one thing that helps me sleep better at night. We can all hear from him too. His voice cannot be diminished. It’s there. It’s evident. Sometimes it comes through our intuition or we may have a strong feeling about something and just know what we are supposed to do — we know God is there. He brought us through, he saved us, or showed us the way one more time. His love does not fail.❤️‍🩹

About Zina

Zina Hermez has authored the Best-selling book, Not Without God: A Story of Survival. She’s been featured in numerous articles, guest posts, podcasts, websites, newsletters, and magazines. She’s been featured on ESPN’s ‘Solutions from the Huddle’ broadcast and on Grace and Truth Radio World. Zina’s written hundreds of articles and has taught thousands of students. Additionally she’s appeared in Christianity Today, the Suite T blog, and Southern Writers magazine among other places. She writes on faith, science, and overcoming adversity. She is also a major foodie and loves to help others. You can connect with her on Instagram, Facebook, Linked In, or Twitter.

Perfect Love Casts Out Fear♥️

I need to do this more. When I ‘pray myself’ out of fear it tends to work. What does that look like? I talk to God out loud. I tell him I’m an overcomer. I remind myself (and him) that I think things through. I talk to him about how long we’ve been together (Jesus and I), sorting problems out and finding solutions. I remember all the times he’s sent me the right people and how he continues to. I remind myself that the ones who left used their time up. They were no longer of use, especially if they were in opposition to God’s plan.🙏 I remind myself of what he’s brought me through. I remind myself he’s never failed me. I talk out loud and tell myself I can. When your power rests in God, there is no such thing as failure. Sometimes you are redirected, and sometimes you fall, but you get back up. You make it. You find a way. There is success because with God all things are possible.

About Zina

Zina Hermez authored the best selling book, Not Without God: A Story of Survival. She’s been featured in numerous articles, guest posts, podcasts, websites, newsletters, and magazines. Recently she was featured on ESPN’s ‘Solutions from the Huddle’ broadcast. Zina’s written hundreds of articles and has taught students from all over the world spanning many different backgrounds and cultures. She’s appeared in Christianity Today, the Suite T blog and Southern Writers magazine among other places. She writes on faith, science, and overcoming adversity. Her goal is to help others. You can connect with her on Instagram, Facebook, Linked In, or Twitter.

Let your faith be bigger than your fears!

Often we are faced with circumstances that seem like more than we can handle. We might wonder how we will make it through. If we will be able to find the strength, the right words, the audacity to ‘walk through the fire.’ It is in the fire when God is with us the most. His power is made perfect in our weakness, and since he is the creator of EVERYTHING, he knew we would need him. Walk into that scary situation. He will be right there. Let your faith be more significant than your fear, and you’ll realize the outcome will be better than you expected. God doesn’t deny us when we are in need and call out to him. If we are genuinely in need and trying to do right, God will sustain us. He is a fair God. He still favors right over wrong. His omnipresence is magnificent, and his unconditional love, well, there are no words.❤️

About Zina

Zina Hermez authored the best-selling book “Not Without God: A Story of Survival.” Her stories have been featured in various guest articles, medical journals, magazines, newsletters, and over 300 of her own blog articles. As an educator for more than twenty years, she’s had the privilege of working with tens of thousands of students from different backgrounds and parts of the world. Her upcoming book, “Not Without God: Hope In the Storm” will be out later this year. Her writing endeavors earned her an invitation to speak at the Harvard Faculty Club’s “Business Expert Forum.” Zina’s goal is to help others overcome adversity, and she strives to do what she longs to–help other people. She’s appeared in Christianity Today, the Southern Writers magazine, and Suite T blog, among other places. Socializing with friends, taking business trips, listening to music, and meeting new people are among her hobbies. She was recently featured on Color Speak (a Grace and Truth Radio World! podcast). You can connect with her on Facebook, Instagram, Linked In, or Twitter.

Some Things I’ve Learned

These last few months have been particularly stressful, and I feel like my life has been flipped upside down. But I won’t get into all of that right now. What has happened will come up later. So stay tuned for more.

Nonetheless, I have not given up. In my book, there is no such thing as giving up! It is never too late to heal. But we cannot heal the things we don’t acknowledge. That’s right. We are able to heal ourselves.

We have a marvelous God who never gives up on us! I’ve always held onto what I know–God will get me through. After my accident at the age of sixteen years old, I didn’t know what the next day would bring.

I could not predict anything. But I knew that with God by my side, overcoming would become second nature. It did! Writing helps me process my thoughts. There are some things I’ve learned that I want to share.

There has been a lot of pain coming up in my mind. Solid truths that are undeniable and issues I avoid. But when you keep an open heart, you keep an open life! When you extend yourself it means a lot. People see your works and are inspired. They, too, may rise up and face challenges of their own.

Finally, let go of everything you think you are holding onto. Ultimately, you are not the one in control. So whenever fear tries to hold you back, remember to take risks. Fear tells us we have to hold tightly to our lives. But fear is a liar. Because God will see you through!

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About Zina

Zina Hermez authored the best-selling book, “Not Without God: A Story of Survival.” Her stories have been featured in various guest articles, medical journals, magazines, newsletters, and over 200 of her very own blog posts. She works as an English teacher in the Detroit area. She’s had the privilege of working with thousands of students from different backgrounds and parts of the world. She’s taught at automotive corporations like General Motors, Nissan, Toyota, Ford, and Mercedes-Benz. Zina began her own teaching services incorporating math and other subjects. She currently homeschools at churches and teaches creative and structured writing as well as other Language arts courses. Zina’s goal is to help others overcome adversity. She strives to do what she longs to. You can connect with her on Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter.

 

How to Become a Writer (if you’re interested)

Did you know that 80 percent of people want to write a book? It’s true, but most of them will never do it. People get intimidated by the work. They don’t know how to find a publisher or even self-publish. They never try, or give up because it seems “too hard.” Anyone can self-publish with tools on-line, and there are ways to get your books printed by paying for it. Whether you self-publish or publish with a traditional publisher (where they pay you an advance), you are still responsible for marketing. Don’t be fooled. Authors are not only writers, they are marketers, “experts,” salespeople, speakers, and we wear many hats!

I would not suggest for you to write a book simply because you want to. You have to practice writing. Millions of people write books, but the majority of them are not any good. You don’t have to be born with the talent, but you do have to practice! You can start by writing for fifteen minutes a day. Keep a diary, journal, or notebook. Write somewhere where you can focus and edit. If you don’t want to write every day, write for one to two hours a week. Three hours of writing per week or more would be an ideal schedule.

You also have to determine your topic. What do you want to write about? Who will be in your audience? Will you write in a blog? You can start a free blog at WordPress.com or Blogger.com. You could also start a blog at WordPress.org but you would have to buy hosting. I purchased a domain at GoDaddy.com for my website. I’m not an affiliate. I’m just giving you ideas for how to get started.

Your writing is not for “everyone.” People who think their blog or book is for everyone are mistaken. I’m sure the topic you choose to write about has been written before. Someone, somewhere may have wanted to encourage others through their personal struggle, or someone may have had a similar idea for a novel.

Don’t let that discourage you. You have to write about something fulfilling. In my Writer’s Guild, I heard a man say he feels “parched” while he writes. I was listening to a live webinar. He was asking our writing coach how to solve this problem. He shouldn’t feel parched, he should feel inspired. You cannot inspire someone else until you inspire you first. My writing is therapeutic for me. I realize things because I write about my own personal life.

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You have to meet with other writers. Book events, conferences, and Writers’ groups are all good places to go to. If you cannot find one nearby, you can have a friend or family member help you. Ask for honest feedback, but also ask they that are not too harsh. Complements with constructive criticism are healthy for you. You have to be willing to learn from others, but you don’t have to get hurt. I’ve had that experience before!

Sometimes we don’t follow our dreams out of fear. You may have a fear of failure, or a fear of not “fitting in” anymore. You may have a fear of going too far! I believe there are endless possibilities for all of us to distribute good in the world, be prominent in business, or successful in some endeavor.

It’s hard work, I’ve stayed up many nights trying to type the right words and the right messages. The high expectations I put on myself are not from the Lord, though. What I mean is, He may have put the idea to write in my heart. But He does not expect perfectionism. In all my articles, I strive to do what I long to–help someone else!

About Zina
Zina Hermez authored the book, Not Without God: A Story of Survival. She works as an English Instructor and has been an educator for more than fifteen years. Her stories have been featured in Christianity Today, guest posts, newsletters, and medical journals. To learn more about Zina visit: http://zinahermez.com

When Faced with Rejection

“Nothing happens by mistake when you walk by faith.” ~ Zina Hermez

Some focus on the “no” when others realize there was a blessing in the rejection. Thank you God for saving me when I don’t know how. Some stare at the closed door for too long when others stare at the perfect result. I’m thankful for the closed doors. Some see hardship when others see promotion. Let’s be thankful for the endurance to carry it out!

How do you envision your life? Look at things from this perspective. We have two outcomes: good, and bad. If every outcome produces something good, would it make the bad worth it? Interesting question. Does it depend on how bad the bad is, and how good the good is? Many difficulties equal many blessings. Do you feel better about the no’s, now?

When faced with refusal, remember you must be doing something right! Your challenges, struggles, setbacks, and “closed doors” are all ways of pushing you forward in life. Whether you realize it or not. C.S. Lewis said, “Failures are fingerposts on the road to achievement.”

Do not be afraid to fail. Be afraid to never try. Fear of failure is the most tragic.

When you fall, your first reaction is to get back up. Then you feel more confident because your feet are on solid ground. Remember, it’s not about how many times you fall—it’s about how many times you rise. Life can be a learning experience. I am forever a student. We each have a different set of skills. Let’s help each other since we are all bound, by this thing, called love.

Let’s live together, happily. Moving one another forward. Helping each other develop.

Fear or Faith?

“Life sometimes happens whether we are prepared or not. I had one hope: my faith.” ~Zina Hermez

When you read this quote, what does it mean to you? Could you paraphrase this expression, or interpret it if I asked you to? It’s pretty self-explanatory. Faith means so much. Faith is what brought me through after my accident in October of 1994. This month will mark 20 years, and I don’t think I would be writing to you today if I did not have faith!

Have you ever had to search within your soul and pull out that faith? Did faith come easy for you? Was your survival dependent upon having faith? If you had a choice between “fight and flight,” which would you choose? I chose to fight, and I’m so glad I did because if I didn’t I would not be where I am today.

You may need a big miracle in your life, and it may be completely different from my own. But it’s something that requires a lot of faith. God wants to stretch your faith! Faith makes all things possible. Miracles don’t usually happen overnight. Not that they can’t. But sometimes your faith needs to grow.

 

About Zina

Zina Hermez has authored the book Not Without God: A Story of Survival and has created the Spinal Cord Injury Solutions! on line website. Zina works as an English Language Instructor, and has been an educator for nearly fifteen years her thousands of students have been from many parts of the world and she’s worked with all ages.

Zina writes articles on faith and overcoming disability and her stories have been featured in Christianity Today, Spinal Cord Injury Zone, SCI Access, newsletters, and medical journals among many other various publications. To learn more about Zina visit http://zinahermez.com.

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