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God Will Guide Us

He will guide us. It’s true, especially if we ask him to. Recently someone approached me and said how hard it must be for those who don’t live with God. But here’s the thing, we can’t live ‘without’ God even if we try. Even when we turn our back. God is there. Even when we don’t realize it he is in the room. I don’t necessarily think people have a harder life when they don’t acknowledge God. As the Bible states, rain will fall on all of us. God’s love does not discriminate. He’s there and working in your favor. He also has a plan for when you mess up or fail. His love is unconditional. Just take a look at the beauty of nature and all he gave us. He came down to save us in the person of Jesus Christ. Grace is a gift that’s freely given. What makes a walk with God special is that you feel his loving hand guiding you.🏞️💖

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 250 of her own blog articles. As an educator for more than twenty years, she’s had the privilege of working with 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. You can connect with her on Facebook, Instagram, Linked In, or Twitter.

Run the Race to Win It!🏃🏆🥇

Lately I’ve been thinking of HOW MUCH I am doing and how full my schedule is, but you know what, I wouldn’t have it any other way. The idea of sitting down and doing nothing for gaps of periods in time frightens me. Here is why:

I am in a race. I am aware of that, and there are others running with me. And if I want to be the first to pass the finish line (OR, even get to it!), I have to get up and do something!! Once you slow down, you watch others pass you by. Now how are you going to feel when others are making huge strides?

Life is about more than you realize, we are not only here for ourselves, but we are here for EACH OTHER, also—to give instruction, to be a model, to HELP! Once you give up, the people behind you (that you may not even know pay attention), give up, also! Just like I tell my students: here are the instructions, I am going to give them to you, but I can’t “spoon-feed them.”

You’re going to have to read THE INSTRUCTIONS, you’re going to have to do the research, you’re going to have to work. Run! Each of us has our own race and destiny. NO one can determine the outcome but YOU! What are you going to do, today? Are you going to participate?

I have worked through pain. I have gotten up and showed up. Every. Single. Day. You have one job to do. You either get it, or miss it! Don’t be in the ‘miss it’ category, because you will regret it!

We live in a society where the focus is too much on ourselves; instead of being focused on our OWN needs and what WE want, let’s keep in mind Christ who sacrificed SO MUCH for others (you and I!).

Let’s give this season with Advent right around the corner and remember, this is not the season of burn-out, this is not the season of weariness, this is the season to RUN the RACE and FINISH! And believe, me, you will be restored if your heart is in the right place!

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What will YOU overcome?

I had to read a lot in college. I majored in english and minored in history. The books I read sometimes overlapped. Something I was learning about in a Literature class would show up on a History syllabus. One of my favorite passages is by the great abolitionist, Frederick Douglass. I was required to read his book, “Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, an American Slave.” This popular quote out of his book still resonates with me, and many others:

“From my earliest recollection, I date the entertainment of a deep conviction that slavery would not always be able to hold me within its foul embrace; and in the darkest hours of my career in slavery, this living word of faith and spirit of hope departed not from me, but remained like ministering angels to cheer me through the gloom. This good spirit was from God, and to him I offer thanksgiving and praise.”

How does this relate to me? Well, it doesn’t – directly. But as a survivor, I can choose to take the “victim” mentality and not try to accomplish all I know I can! But like Douglas, who stood up for his rights, he even taught himself how to read and write, I have rights too. No one can put limits on my abilities because no one knows what God will do.

What Frederick Douglass wrote speaks to my soul, and it can speak to yours no matter what you’re going through. His confidence that he’d be freed from slavery, and his knowledge of God is parallel to my knowledge that God will set me free of any bondage in my body, thoughts, or predicament! Your challenge may be different from mine. How can you apply this passage by Frederick Douglass to your life? What are you confident about, and know you will overcome?

About Zina

Zina Hermez authored the book Not Without God: A Story of Survival and created the Spinal Injury Solutions! website. Zina works as an English as a Second Language Instructor and has been an educator for more than fifteen years. Her thousands of students have been from many parts of the world, and she writes articles on faith and overcoming challenges. Her stories have been featured in Christianity Today, guest posts, newsletters, medical journals and other publications. To learn more about Zina visit http://zinahermez.com

My Life

About Zina

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.

My Writing Life

This is how I feel about my writing. There is so much I want to say. Many thoughts I have remain, and they keep piling up. Little by little, I get them out. Each time I express myself, I feel relieved. Still it’s not enough. It’s never enough. I hold back at times. I don’t want to say too much. So I write again and again. Writers can get good at holding back. I have so much to say. So much I want to share. Not enough time. Sometimes not enough guts.

About Zina

Zina Hermez authored the book Not Without God: A Story of Survival and created the Spinal Cord Injury Solutions! online 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.