Sashenka P.

Today, Sashenka speaks to us about the power in the name of Jesus when we are face-to-face with evil, how she is journaling through prayer and scripture, and how she has experienced God’s strength in her suffering.

Sashenka P.

Inspiring biblical passage of the moment: “You will go out in joy and be led forth in peace; the mountains and hills will burst into song before you, and all the trees of the field will clap their hands.” Isaiah   55:12

Spiritual growth focus at the moment: I’m working on being content and enjoying the season of life I am in, right now. I’ve been keeping a prayer journal for the last couple months. I’m also working on my prayer life, to remind me of how blessed I am and how faithful Jesus is to me.

Profession: I graduated from Sheridan College in Oakville, Ontario (Canada) this year with a diploma in Journalism. Now, I do freelance marketing (social media, blogging, etc.) for small businesses, nanny for a family, and I’m trying to write a memoir on the side (I’m in the research stage).

A one sentence bio of yourself: I am a 19-year-old child of God who loves to write, design, sing, read, travel, hang out with kids and dream of being in love.

When did you first encounter God and how did you encounter Him? I was just four years old when God made Himself so real to me for the first time. That year, 2002, I’d started having what I can only describe to you as night terrors. I would see horrible images of demonic figures creeping around my bedroom.

For what seemed like hours, I would clutch the covers and cry. The occasional scream would escape my lips and my Momma would come running to check on me. When I finally explained to her what I was seeing, she was surprised, as I was very sheltered at that age from anything even remotely bad.

Then, she did something that changed my life forever. My Momma told me that whenever I felt scared, I could say “In Jesus’ name be gone with you, Satan!” She taught me that Jesus’ name is powerful, more powerful than any fear Satan, or anyone else, could try and make me feel.

So, when my Momma left my room and the images came back, I mustered up all my childlike faith and yelled with conviction, “In Jesus’ name be gone with you, Satan!” Instantly, the room was empty of evil and my heart was empty of fear.

I’ve been afraid of many things since, but nothing has been more powerful than the name of my Saviour.

“I’ve been afraid of many things since, but nothing has been more powerful than the name of my Saviour.”

What has helped you grow spiritually in this season? Like I said before, I have started prayer journaling, but I am also reading through the Bible from cover to cover. I’ve done this once before, and it was amazing!

This time, I’ve made a list of godly characteristics (eg. loving, patient, forgiving, etc.) that we can have when the Holy Spirit is within us. Every time I recognize a characteristic in a Biblical figure’s character, I write it down with the verse/passage for reference. It’s a great way to find examples of how to practically live out my faith.

Just read/currently reading (and what has it taught you?): I’m currently reading a book called One Thousand Gifts, by Ann Voskamp. She outlines the major events that she’s experienced throughout her life, and explains how a good God can allow bad things to happen.

Top three essentials: Like anything? I would have to say a pretty pen, my journal and a Bible. But if I could have a fourth, I’d add a camera to the list, and blush pink nail polish. I’m not very good at this.

How did God speak to you recently? God spoke to me clearly through an incident that happened less than a week ago. I mentioned I’ve been working on contentment and enjoying each season of life. Well, for the past two weeks He’s been intensely testing me in my resolve to do just that by putting me through a pretty painful experience.

For as long as I can remember, my skin has been super sensitive. In particular, my skin breaks out in an allergic reaction to a plant called Stinging Nettle that grows during the late summer months. Usually, the blistering rash appears on a small section of an arm or leg, but this time it attacked my face, my lips to be exact. The stinging, itchy blisters didn’t run their course for the typical week-long period like they had in the past.

Over the last two weeks my lips were so sore that I wasn’t sleeping for more than a few hours every night and had to drink all my food out of a straw. Despite this, God has miraculously shown me how to be content and actually embrace relying on His strength through this little season of suffering.

“Despite this, God has miraculously shown me how to be content and actually embrace relying on His strength through this little season of suffering.”

Hobby: My favourite hobby by far is writing (novels, blog posts, etc.), but I also love to sing (as long as I don’t have an audience).

Top three practical tips for staying spiritually strong: Read the Word, write down what you learn from the Word and pray that what you read from the Word will transform you through the power of the Holy Spirit.

Favorite person in scripture? I’d have to say Esther is my favourite person in scripture, because she was so bold and didn’t allow a fear of powerful people stop her from doing God’s will for her life.

What do you want people to learn about God when they look at you? I want people to look at me and know that true joy and love is found in Jesus.

Favorite season? Summer.

Favorite holiday? Christmas.

A dream you have? To write and publish at least 5 books.

A special tradition you and your family engage in or keep: We always open Christmas presence as a family of four in our pjs on Christmas morning.

Question you will ask when you get to heaven? What is it like to know everything and be everywhere at once?

Thing you want to raise awareness about: I want to raise more awareness about the pro-life movement. There is no doubt in my mind that killing a child in the womb, for any reason, is against everything Jesus teaches. We do not have authority over death because we did not create life.

What do you usually do before 9 a.m.? As soon as I wake up, I try to thank God for the day before getting out of bed. Then I wash my face, brush my teeth and get a drink of water. After that, I get back into bed and position my pillows so that I can sit comfortably while reading God’s Word and journaling about it.

What is on your nightstand? A lamp, a framed quote about writing, a book about wardrobe style, a devotional, a picture of my kitty who passed away a year ago and an alarm clock.

Define Christianity in a sentence: God created all things perfectly but people chose to sin, so God sent His Son to save all people and those who believe in Him are saved, living the rest of their lives for God until the day when all sin is gone and people live forever in perfection with the One who saved them.

For more Sashenka:

Insta: @sashpaatz

Until next time, keep witnessing!

XOXO