When those moments of life become overwhelming and your answers are few and at times not there, there is a place of peace and calm for you. Be advised — this place you will have to seek for yourself. It comes at the right place and time, for some “this place” is easy to reach, as they know that it is without a doubt obtainable. While others struggle to reach this peace and calm because of the inner struggles, because of strong hurts and unbelievable rejections. I can faithfully tell you that you can make it. I am not an orator with fancy words. I am a living testimony; I never could have made it, had I not reached this place.

The place I speak of is the presence of King Jesus. Yes, that’s it. When the world is on fire and I know there is a soothing balm, as I go before His presence. I can hear the song “Take Me to the King” by gospel recording artist Tamela Mann resonating inside of me:

I don’t have much to bring

My heart is torn in pieces

It’s my offering

Take Me to the King

Truth is I’m tired

Options are few

I’m trying to pray

But where are you?

I’m all churched out

Hurt and abused

I can’t fake

What’s left to do?

Truth is I’m weak

No strength to fight

No tears to cry

Even if I tried

But still my soul

Refuses to die

One touch-will change-my life

Take Me to the King

I don’t have much to bring

My heart’s torn into pieces

It’s my offering.

That song serves as a strong source of encouragement, reminding that you are a survivor. You don’t truly know who you are until you survived a bad experience. When you are in survival mode, the leading emotion is to live, defying both your fears and inhibitions. See, when you are in survivor’s mode, you have to raise above all the norms, baby. Ha! That’s a praise right there. I said that’s praise. You have got to get by the restrictions you placed on yourself. A drowning man can’t afford to panic if he wants to live. Look at y’all looking at me. Don’t you panic when the waves of depression try to take you over.

Take Me to the King

I don’t have much to bring

My heart is torn in pieces

It’s my offering

Take Me to the King

Do not panic, when the money is looking funny. Do not panic, when the bills are due. These words for some may be easier said than done. Keep the faith, as the days pass, you will gain strength and birth forth strong testimonies of victories. But only if you continue to hold on to your faith. A praise and worshiper knows when they need to execute a defensive and offensive stance. When the storm comes, they know what to do! What are you going to do? Go ahead and praise God in advance. Why? I said it before and I am saying it again — In the strong words of Pastor Rosa Meredith “testimonies are coming your way!” Don’t give up.

(Editor’s note: Vanessa Richardson can be reached at vanessajackso90@hotmail.com)