Women of Standard Nov 2013 | Page 4

Publisher’s Voice Now is the Time to Press IN I t still amazes me how quickly this year has flown by! I have experienced a lot of highs as well as a lot of lows however, I am still standing. One thing I have learned and am determined to stand on is the fact that the race is not given to the swift but to the one who endureth unto the end. I am one of those people! I am determined not to give up or give in before I see all of the promises of God become manifested in my life. That’s what I want to encourage you to do as well. Do not faint, do not grow weary, and whatever you do reject fear and doubt and not only embrace faith but activate it! Sure it may get tough. Sure you may be tempted to give up and try something else but in this season I believe God is giving us as believers what I like to call “sticktoitness”! It is time to stop chasing ideas, money and dreams and begin to chase God and allow his level of creativity to flow through you and be determined to finish what you start! Anyone can start a great task but it takes a champion to finish! Many begin at full speed however, somewhere along the race they lose their passion, power, become distracted or even worse give up. That won’t be you! You are too close! Below are three reasons why you can’t afford to give up in this season: Carla Cannon Publisher/Founder Connect with Carla Today! [email protected] t f 1. You are too close- What God said will come to pass but you must trust Him and take Him at His word 2. Too many people are relying on you- Have you ever took a moment to think of the people whose lives you may positively impact and by them simply watching you motivates them to want to become better? 3. You really want this- The fact that you really want it and believe it is God ordained for your life is enough reason for you to keep fighting and press your way through! It’s www.facebook.com/WomenofStandard not supposed to be easy for things that are worth it and possess great value normally www.carlacannon.com don’t come to us without a fight. @CarlaRCannon So my friend now is the time to press in for you are so close and God is literally about to blow your mind! But if you give up and allow your adversary to defeat you how will you ever know what you really could have become? That’s something to think about! YOUR OPINION MATTERS TO US so we want to hear from you. Write us and let us know how you are enjoying the Women of Standard magazine. Let us know what we are doing right and what you want to see even more of. We are here to be a resource for women and men alike so we want to make sure that what we are providing month in and month out is meeting the needs of those who support us. Please send all correspondence to info@ womenofstandard.org. Your question or comment may be featured in an upcoming issue of WOS magazine. 4 WOMENOFSTANDARD.ORG | ­ NOVEMBER 2013 BY: LITA P. WARD LITA P. WARD, Editor-in-Chief` Editor in Chief LETTER From THE EDITOR September 9, 2013… What an awesome day, which my husband Victor and I looked forward to; another wedding anniversary the Lord had blessed us to share together. We just could not believe eighteen years had passed by so quickly. We planned to have a simple dinner and finish packing for our weekend resort getaway at Myrtle Beach. You would have thought we were newlyweds in the way we had been acting. Little did we know that our lives were about to change. “Unfortunately, Mrs. Ward, you have stage 3 breast cancer,” the doctor said. What?! But this is my eighteenth wedding anniversary and I exercise and eat right. I have my entire life ahead of me with grandchildren to enjoy. What do you mean I have cancer?! The doctor’s words numbed all of my senses; all I could feel was my husband’s hand caressing my back, trying to reassure me that everything would be okay. I just could not believe this was happening to me nor was I ready for the changes. I tend to be a very independent person and always on the go; wife, mother, grandmother, director, teacher, managing editor and evangelist. But now, I was getting ready to go through something where I had to totally depend upon God and my faith. After all of the teachings from my Bishop and hearing other’s testimonies, it was now my turn to exercise my faith and stand on the Word of God for my own healing. Having to release duties or responsibilities and people are not easy tasks, but sometimes it is necessary. It doesn’t always feel good either, but it’s necessary for growth and progression. When Jesus died at Calvary, His process wasn’t easy as well; but for humankind’s salvation, it was necessary. The hardest thing you may or will endure in your life will absolutely be necessary to take you to a higher level in God. And even though it does not feel or look good right now, it will be alright. God has promised that all things will work together for our good. Just don’t faint or give up in the process because the process is necessary. And besides, it is just your turn and mine to prove God. Even in this, I have learned that everything is a test. In the natural realm as a student, the teacher prepares you for the test, so that when it comes you will be ready and pass it. But one thing about the test, the teacher may not tell you what kind of test you will be taking. Tests are necessary and once passed, you move on to the next level or grade. You actually receive a promotion for passing the test! This test I am going through now is necessary and it’s just my turn to prove God. My prayer is that you and I remain in the perfect will of God, which is always the best place to find ourselves. This too shall pass, but it is necessary and it’s just my turn. From the heart, Lita Ward Editor In Chief Visit and Follow Us Today! @WOS_MAGAZINE