Have you ever had a day where it seems like the walls around you are crashing in?
I think we'd all be lying if we said we haven't ever felt that way.
It's kind of hard not to be overwhelmed by the stress of every day life. Phones ringing, emails beeping...feeling pressure to be thinner, wealthier, more successful at work...sitting in traffic, worrying about bills, feeling tired, needing sleep, wishing it would be Friday already...it's enough to make ANY person want to snap!
One day last week I felt all of those pressures all in one day and I did reach my boiling point.
I came home from work that day, plopped my sad little self on the couch, and cried until my eyes felt like they couldn't cry anymore.
Here's a list of stuff that was wrong with me:
Negative self-image.
Worries about money.
Guilt about not working out (enhancing the negative self-image).
Anxiety about having lost weight and then having NONE of my clothes fit correctly (more negative self-image).
More anxiety because I can't afford new clothes or to get my current ones tailored (you guessed it, more negative self-image).
I decided it was a good idea to go pout in my bed and close the blinds and sit in the dark and feel bad for myself.
Then, some really cool things happened.
First, I talked with my mom and she really put some things into perspective for me:
1. At least you HAVE clothes to wear.
2. Be proud of having lost weight. Would you rather have anxiety about having GAINED it?
3. Your situation financially might feel bad, but it could ALWAYS be worse.
4. God promises to always take care of you.
5. You should make a list of all of your blessings.
She is so wise. I stopped crying, but stayed in my bed because I wanted to feel sorry for myself just a little while longer. But THEN, God got a hold of me.
Text Message: "Hey Sarah, I was just looking through some of your pictures, and you've changed so much! You look great!"
Talk about hearing EXACTLY what you needed to hear at the exact moment you needed to hear it.
I realized that Satan was just trying to make me feel miserable among all of the things I should have been thankful for:
1. I felt a negative self image, but I should have been grateful and realized that I am God's child and He created me and I am fearfully and wonderfully made. (Psalm 139:13-16)
2. I felt stress and worry about money, but I should be grateful that God has provided me with what I have, and trust that God meant what He said when He promised to take care of me. (Matthew 6:25-34 This even talks about not worrying about clothes!! Crazy!!)
God wants to bless His children, and Satan wants to cloud our vision so we don't recognize those blessings. (1 Peter 5:8)
I needed that time to be quiet and alone and process all of these feelings and emotions. God tells us it's good to be quiet and still. Enter one of my favorite Bible verses. (Psalm 46:10)
So if you're having one of THOSE days, ask yourself, "Is this the devil trying to cloud my vision from seeing God's blessings?" or "Do I need to be still and realize that God wants good things for me?"
I pray that you won't let the stress of everyday life get to you like it got to me. But good news, if you fall, God will always be there to pick you up again! Please let me know if there is any way I can pray for you.
Til next time,
ST
Monday, January 30, 2012
Tuesday, January 3, 2012
2011 - Year in Review
I saw a fellow blogger do a post like this on her page...and I liked the idea so much that I wanted to do one for myself.
When a new year begins it is so easy to talk about the following:
RESOLUTIONS!
What will be different this year?
How will I be better?
But how often do we stop to smell the roses and reflect on what was wonderful about the recently-completed year? The writer's challenge was to make a list. A list of everything that you are grateful for that happened in 2011. A list of things that made 2011 great. So here's mine.
In 2011.......
- In February, I made a commitment to healthy living and healthy eating...and so far, I've kept it.
- I became a Zumba instructor and it brings sooo much happiness into my life. The ability to use my interests and talents to help others is the best feeling ever. I'm becoming a better me by helping others become a better them. What could be greater than that? 1 Peter 4:10
- I started volunteering at NewSpring Church and have had the opportunity to serve people with the talents God's given me. How rewarding! God is using this to teach me how to be a better servant. Ephesians 6:7
- I became permanent at my job after a year of waiting. I realize that through this, God has taught me about patience. Psalm 27:14
- I am learning how to love myself and see myself through God's eyes...not the world's. I am His child and He wants nothing but the best for His children. It's a constant process to be reminded to love myself, because it's so easy to be critical. But God made me exactly how He wants me to be. It's my job to become the best ME I can be...with God's help. John 1:12-13
- I have made wonderful new friendships, rekindled old ones, and maintained current ones...I thank God EVERY day for my friends. I'd be lost without them. Proverbs 17:17 Proverbs 18:24
2011 was extremely challenging, busy, happy, rewarding, and worth every minute of busy craziness. James 1:17
Take a moment to be still and reflect on what was GREAT about your year, and imagine what WILL be great about this year. And while you're being still, remember that God is God, and God is good, no matter what your year has been like. Psalm 46:10
I encourage you to make a list also. Share it with me in the comment box, if you like. Or make one just for yourself. I promise you won't regret it.
God bless you.
Til next time,
ST
When a new year begins it is so easy to talk about the following:
RESOLUTIONS!
What will be different this year?
How will I be better?
But how often do we stop to smell the roses and reflect on what was wonderful about the recently-completed year? The writer's challenge was to make a list. A list of everything that you are grateful for that happened in 2011. A list of things that made 2011 great. So here's mine.
In 2011.......
- In February, I made a commitment to healthy living and healthy eating...and so far, I've kept it.
- I became a Zumba instructor and it brings sooo much happiness into my life. The ability to use my interests and talents to help others is the best feeling ever. I'm becoming a better me by helping others become a better them. What could be greater than that? 1 Peter 4:10
- I started volunteering at NewSpring Church and have had the opportunity to serve people with the talents God's given me. How rewarding! God is using this to teach me how to be a better servant. Ephesians 6:7
- I became permanent at my job after a year of waiting. I realize that through this, God has taught me about patience. Psalm 27:14
- I am learning how to love myself and see myself through God's eyes...not the world's. I am His child and He wants nothing but the best for His children. It's a constant process to be reminded to love myself, because it's so easy to be critical. But God made me exactly how He wants me to be. It's my job to become the best ME I can be...with God's help. John 1:12-13
- I have made wonderful new friendships, rekindled old ones, and maintained current ones...I thank God EVERY day for my friends. I'd be lost without them. Proverbs 17:17 Proverbs 18:24
2011 was extremely challenging, busy, happy, rewarding, and worth every minute of busy craziness. James 1:17
Take a moment to be still and reflect on what was GREAT about your year, and imagine what WILL be great about this year. And while you're being still, remember that God is God, and God is good, no matter what your year has been like. Psalm 46:10
I encourage you to make a list also. Share it with me in the comment box, if you like. Or make one just for yourself. I promise you won't regret it.
God bless you.
Til next time,
ST
Thursday, June 16, 2011
Healing
I've been trying to get in the habit of working out regularly. And I gotta admit, I like it. I spend my time almost every day trying to get in better shape. Lately, nothing has been able to stop me.......until now. I have this pain in my knee that keeps coming back. It'll go away for a while, and then just re-appear out of nowhere. And let me tell you it's FRUSTRATING!
Have you ever had an injury that keeps you from doing what you want? I had a broken ankle one time...had a BIG ugly cast up to my hip for 7 weeks and then a walking cast for 4 weeks...yeah talk about a stand still from normalcy.
But while I'm sitting here thinking about my physical injury, I started to think about how in my life I've had spiritual injuries as well.
When I came to college, I ran from God. I'd consider that time in my life to be a time where I was spiritually injured. Deep down I wanted a relationship with God, but the things I was doing with my life were keeping me from doing what I wanted to do, much like my knee injury keeps me from working out like I want.
I like honesty so I'll be honest here, I haven't been reading my Bible daily like I want to. I'd say lately I've had a spiritual injury. But this morning as I was thinking on what to write about, the Lord put on my heart the word "healing."
I love that the God I serve can not only heal my physical body, but my God can also heal my heart; my spirit. I've been really convicted about not spending time in the word like I should, so starting today I'm going to get back on track.
Here's some verses I found on healing that were really encouraging for me this morning.
Psalm 107:19-21
19 Then they cried to the LORD in their trouble,
and he saved them from their distress.
20 He sent out his word and healed them;
he rescued them from the grave.
21 Let them give thanks to the LORD for his unfailing love
and his wonderful deeds for mankind.
Psalm 147:3
3 He heals the brokenhearted
and binds up their wounds.
Psalm 30:2
2 LORD my God, I called to you for help,
and you healed me.
Isn't it comforting to know that no matter where we are in life, if we just cry out to God and just admit, "God, I messed up, I'm broken, heal me"...He WILL!
What's your injury? What's something that's keeping you from having the relationship with God that you always wanted? You may be afraid; scared that your problems are too bad or too messed up, but remember, Jesus also said this:
Mark 2:17
17 On hearing this, Jesus said to them, “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.”
Jesus didn't die on the cross for perfect people, He died on the cross to save sinners like you and me. It's His desire for you to draw close to Him so He can heal you. Jesus came to heal the sick.
Take comfort in Christ's healing today. I know it's surely comforting for me.
Til next time,
ST
Have you ever had an injury that keeps you from doing what you want? I had a broken ankle one time...had a BIG ugly cast up to my hip for 7 weeks and then a walking cast for 4 weeks...yeah talk about a stand still from normalcy.
But while I'm sitting here thinking about my physical injury, I started to think about how in my life I've had spiritual injuries as well.
When I came to college, I ran from God. I'd consider that time in my life to be a time where I was spiritually injured. Deep down I wanted a relationship with God, but the things I was doing with my life were keeping me from doing what I wanted to do, much like my knee injury keeps me from working out like I want.
I like honesty so I'll be honest here, I haven't been reading my Bible daily like I want to. I'd say lately I've had a spiritual injury. But this morning as I was thinking on what to write about, the Lord put on my heart the word "healing."
I love that the God I serve can not only heal my physical body, but my God can also heal my heart; my spirit. I've been really convicted about not spending time in the word like I should, so starting today I'm going to get back on track.
Here's some verses I found on healing that were really encouraging for me this morning.
Psalm 107:19-21
19 Then they cried to the LORD in their trouble,
and he saved them from their distress.
20 He sent out his word and healed them;
he rescued them from the grave.
21 Let them give thanks to the LORD for his unfailing love
and his wonderful deeds for mankind.
Psalm 147:3
3 He heals the brokenhearted
and binds up their wounds.
Psalm 30:2
2 LORD my God, I called to you for help,
and you healed me.
Isn't it comforting to know that no matter where we are in life, if we just cry out to God and just admit, "God, I messed up, I'm broken, heal me"...He WILL!
What's your injury? What's something that's keeping you from having the relationship with God that you always wanted? You may be afraid; scared that your problems are too bad or too messed up, but remember, Jesus also said this:
Mark 2:17
17 On hearing this, Jesus said to them, “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.”
Jesus didn't die on the cross for perfect people, He died on the cross to save sinners like you and me. It's His desire for you to draw close to Him so He can heal you. Jesus came to heal the sick.
Take comfort in Christ's healing today. I know it's surely comforting for me.
Til next time,
ST
Thursday, April 21, 2011
Impossible
If you're more than like 5 minutes old you know one thing is certain: stuff in life will let you down or be taken from you. As babies, we were let down when our parents took away our pacifiers. As teenagers, we were let down when that certain boy or girl didn't like us back, or when mom and dad took away the car keys. As adults, we're still getting let down about that certain boy or girl not liking us back. We get let down when the economy looks like it's tanking and our life savings could be taken from us.
It seems like so many times in life, bad stuff happens and gets in the way of us getting where we want to be. For instance, you didn't get that job you KNEW was perfect for you and you deserved it the best. Or someone you love gets sick and you don't understand why your time with them may be cut short. Or someone breaks into your house and steals away everything that is of sentimental importance to you.
Those things happen. It's the harsh reality of life.
But you wanna know something that CAN'T be taken away from us? Something that is ours no matter what bad stuff gets in our way? (Yes, I promise, even though it sounds too good to be true, there is something that answers both of these questions).
No one can ever take away God's gift of Salvation from those of us who have made the decision to believe in Him and accept Him into our hearts. No one can ever take away God's love for us. No one can ever made God love us more, or less.
Don't believe me? Here's some Bible to back it up.
John 10:28-30
28 I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish;
no one will snatch them out of my hand.
29 My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all;
no one can snatch them out of my Father’s hand.
30 I and the Father are one.”
Romans 8:38-39
38 For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons,
neither the present nor the future, nor any powers,
39 neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation,
will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Right there in black and white. NOTHING can separate us from the love of God. NO ONE can snatch us from His hand. It's impossible! Wow!
So for those of you who feel let down by something right now, or are in a confused place where you don't understand the circumstances, remember this: God loves you, and that can never be taken away from you. If you have believed in the name of the Lord and accepted Him into your heart, you will live forever with Him in heaven. No if's and's or but's about it. It's yours.
Be encouraged, friends.
Til next time,
ST
It seems like so many times in life, bad stuff happens and gets in the way of us getting where we want to be. For instance, you didn't get that job you KNEW was perfect for you and you deserved it the best. Or someone you love gets sick and you don't understand why your time with them may be cut short. Or someone breaks into your house and steals away everything that is of sentimental importance to you.
Those things happen. It's the harsh reality of life.
But you wanna know something that CAN'T be taken away from us? Something that is ours no matter what bad stuff gets in our way? (Yes, I promise, even though it sounds too good to be true, there is something that answers both of these questions).
No one can ever take away God's gift of Salvation from those of us who have made the decision to believe in Him and accept Him into our hearts. No one can ever take away God's love for us. No one can ever made God love us more, or less.
Don't believe me? Here's some Bible to back it up.
John 10:28-30
28 I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish;
no one will snatch them out of my hand.
29 My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all;
no one can snatch them out of my Father’s hand.
30 I and the Father are one.”
Romans 8:38-39
38 For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons,
neither the present nor the future, nor any powers,
39 neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation,
will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Right there in black and white. NOTHING can separate us from the love of God. NO ONE can snatch us from His hand. It's impossible! Wow!
So for those of you who feel let down by something right now, or are in a confused place where you don't understand the circumstances, remember this: God loves you, and that can never be taken away from you. If you have believed in the name of the Lord and accepted Him into your heart, you will live forever with Him in heaven. No if's and's or but's about it. It's yours.
Be encouraged, friends.
Til next time,
ST
Tuesday, April 5, 2011
Refuge
We had a terrible storm hit the south east last night. In Columbia, South Carolina, the strongest winds were measured at 75mph, and I've heard that in Tennessee winds topped around 100mph.
It's crazy to me how all of a sudden everything seems to be going fine and then BAM. A storm comes in and just tears up everything. Your pretty yard is now a mess. Your house that you thought would keep you safe was torn in half by a tree. Everything is in disarray. Your power is out. Your car is flipped over. Everything you thought would protect you and provide you refuge is now turned inside-out.
Many people in our area are experiencing this today as they wake up. The storm is over, but the effects are long-lasting. They don't know what to do.
Ever feel like this in life? You're going along just fine and dandy and then WHAM. A storm hits you and makes your life crazy and unbelievably challenging. Things who you thought would protect you or keep you safe let you down. People you trust leave you hanging out to dry. The list goes on and on. And if you let it, the pressure of it all can be too much to bear.
Good thing we have a God who promises to be our constant refuge. Just in the book of Psalms alone, the word "refuge" is mentioned 43 times. When a word is repeated over and over in the Bible like that, it is repeated for a reason! God wants us to know that He will ALWAYS be there for us and provide us refuge from all of the storms life throws at us!
Psalm 59:16
16 But I will sing of your strength,
in the morning I will sing of your love;
for you are my fortress,
my refuge in times of trouble.
Psalm 71:3
3 Be my rock of refuge,
to which I can always go;
give the command to save me,
for you are my rock and my fortress.
Psalm 91:2
I will say of the LORD, “He is my refuge and my fortress,
my God, in whom I trust.”
God promises to be our refuge in times of trouble. He promises to hold us and take care of us. If we don't believe that, then we're calling God a liar. And God OBVIOUSLY isn't a liar. So believe what His word says. Believe it, take a deep breath, and trust that whatever storm has left damage in your life, God will take care of you.
Til next time,
ST
It's crazy to me how all of a sudden everything seems to be going fine and then BAM. A storm comes in and just tears up everything. Your pretty yard is now a mess. Your house that you thought would keep you safe was torn in half by a tree. Everything is in disarray. Your power is out. Your car is flipped over. Everything you thought would protect you and provide you refuge is now turned inside-out.
Many people in our area are experiencing this today as they wake up. The storm is over, but the effects are long-lasting. They don't know what to do.
Ever feel like this in life? You're going along just fine and dandy and then WHAM. A storm hits you and makes your life crazy and unbelievably challenging. Things who you thought would protect you or keep you safe let you down. People you trust leave you hanging out to dry. The list goes on and on. And if you let it, the pressure of it all can be too much to bear.
Good thing we have a God who promises to be our constant refuge. Just in the book of Psalms alone, the word "refuge" is mentioned 43 times. When a word is repeated over and over in the Bible like that, it is repeated for a reason! God wants us to know that He will ALWAYS be there for us and provide us refuge from all of the storms life throws at us!
Psalm 59:16
16 But I will sing of your strength,
in the morning I will sing of your love;
for you are my fortress,
my refuge in times of trouble.
Psalm 71:3
3 Be my rock of refuge,
to which I can always go;
give the command to save me,
for you are my rock and my fortress.
Psalm 91:2
I will say of the LORD, “He is my refuge and my fortress,
my God, in whom I trust.”
God promises to be our refuge in times of trouble. He promises to hold us and take care of us. If we don't believe that, then we're calling God a liar. And God OBVIOUSLY isn't a liar. So believe what His word says. Believe it, take a deep breath, and trust that whatever storm has left damage in your life, God will take care of you.
Til next time,
ST
Monday, March 28, 2011
Disaster
Have you ever had something in your life that you would call a complete disaster?
No matter who we are, I think each of us has experienced some sort of disaster in our lives. The degrees of disaster are different...but when we're experiencing it, to us, it's the worst thing ever. It could be a failed test in college, a break-up with a significant other, the loss of a parent, a failed business deal, and the list goes on and on. Fill in the blank for your own personal disaster.
"The time ______ happened."
During those times, you feel lost, alone, afraid, sad, maybe even angry. Angry at the situation, lost because you don't know what comes next, alone because you feel as though you're the only one suffering...etc.
Another disaster that we have been seeing all over the news lately is the earthquake and tsunami disaster in Japan. I'm not there, but I have a feeling that those people feel all those same emotions. Sad that they can't find their loved ones, angry because their home is gone, lost because they don't know how they'll bounce back from this, alone because they feel as though God has forgotten them. Just thinking about their situation over there is enough to make anyone stop in their tracks and be still for a moment.
I think too many times in our lives we only want to praise God when something has gone our way, when it is something we wanted to happen, when it benefits us. But God is all-powerful and all-knowing, shouldn't we praise Him even when things are going horribly wrong? When it feels like our world is caving in around us?
Look at the book of Job in the Bible. Job had everything he owned taken away from him, and yet, he still knew who God was and praised Him despite all of his suffering.
Job 1:20
"...The LORD gave and the LORD has taken away;
may the name of the LORD be praised.”
Job 2:9-10
9 "His wife said to him, 'Are you still maintaining
your integrity? Curse God and die!'
10 He replied, 'You are talking like a foolish woman.
Shall we accept good from God, and not trouble?'"
Even when Job was covered in sores and his sons and daughters had been killed, he still praised God.
The other day while I was driving in my car, I had my iPod on shuffle mode, and I knew a specific genre that I wanted to hear. Well, my iPod decided it wanted me to hear a different category of tunes, songs from my worship playlist. One in particular stood out to me. The song was the David Crowder Band song called, "Never Let Go."
This song talks about how when times are the worst in our lives, God never lets go of us. Here are some verses that back this song up.
Deuteronomy 31:6
6 Be strong and courageous.
Do not be afraid or terrified because of them,
for the LORD your God goes with you; he will
never leave you nor forsake you.”
Isaiah 41:10
10 So do not fear, for I am with you;
do not be dismayed, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you and help you;
I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.
I listened to the song and started crying in my car. It just struck such a cord in my heart that I hope I can share with you all. It was just such a crazy reminder for me that we need to praise God no matter what is going on in our lives. And take comfort in the fact that when bad things happen, God hasn't forgotten us. Because He's a loving Father! What kind of Father would leave their children alone when they are struggling? Take comfort, my friends. God hasn't left you. You're not alone. He never lets go.
Click here to listen to "Never Let Go" by David Crowder Band
Hope you enjoyed the song and it touched your heart as much as it touched mine. Your disaster is never too big for God to handle.
Til next time,
ST
No matter who we are, I think each of us has experienced some sort of disaster in our lives. The degrees of disaster are different...but when we're experiencing it, to us, it's the worst thing ever. It could be a failed test in college, a break-up with a significant other, the loss of a parent, a failed business deal, and the list goes on and on. Fill in the blank for your own personal disaster.
"The time ______ happened."
During those times, you feel lost, alone, afraid, sad, maybe even angry. Angry at the situation, lost because you don't know what comes next, alone because you feel as though you're the only one suffering...etc.
Another disaster that we have been seeing all over the news lately is the earthquake and tsunami disaster in Japan. I'm not there, but I have a feeling that those people feel all those same emotions. Sad that they can't find their loved ones, angry because their home is gone, lost because they don't know how they'll bounce back from this, alone because they feel as though God has forgotten them. Just thinking about their situation over there is enough to make anyone stop in their tracks and be still for a moment.
I think too many times in our lives we only want to praise God when something has gone our way, when it is something we wanted to happen, when it benefits us. But God is all-powerful and all-knowing, shouldn't we praise Him even when things are going horribly wrong? When it feels like our world is caving in around us?
Look at the book of Job in the Bible. Job had everything he owned taken away from him, and yet, he still knew who God was and praised Him despite all of his suffering.
Job 1:20
"...The LORD gave and the LORD has taken away;
may the name of the LORD be praised.”
Job 2:9-10
9 "His wife said to him, 'Are you still maintaining
your integrity? Curse God and die!'
10 He replied, 'You are talking like a foolish woman.
Shall we accept good from God, and not trouble?'"
Even when Job was covered in sores and his sons and daughters had been killed, he still praised God.
The other day while I was driving in my car, I had my iPod on shuffle mode, and I knew a specific genre that I wanted to hear. Well, my iPod decided it wanted me to hear a different category of tunes, songs from my worship playlist. One in particular stood out to me. The song was the David Crowder Band song called, "Never Let Go."
This song talks about how when times are the worst in our lives, God never lets go of us. Here are some verses that back this song up.
Deuteronomy 31:6
6 Be strong and courageous.
Do not be afraid or terrified because of them,
for the LORD your God goes with you; he will
never leave you nor forsake you.”
Isaiah 41:10
10 So do not fear, for I am with you;
do not be dismayed, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you and help you;
I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.
I listened to the song and started crying in my car. It just struck such a cord in my heart that I hope I can share with you all. It was just such a crazy reminder for me that we need to praise God no matter what is going on in our lives. And take comfort in the fact that when bad things happen, God hasn't forgotten us. Because He's a loving Father! What kind of Father would leave their children alone when they are struggling? Take comfort, my friends. God hasn't left you. You're not alone. He never lets go.
Click here to listen to "Never Let Go" by David Crowder Band
Hope you enjoyed the song and it touched your heart as much as it touched mine. Your disaster is never too big for God to handle.
Til next time,
ST
Thursday, March 24, 2011
That's Not What I Needed To Hear...
Have you ever just had a moment...the kind of moment where you freak out for 30 minutes and then it's over. But you feel like you just have to freak out because that's how stressed you are? Believe me, I feel like that all the time.
The other day, I had a slight freak-out session about some debt that I have. It's not even THAT much, but the idea of ever getting it paid off just really seems impossible. So during my freak-out process...I decided to send lots of emails to people asking them for advice and help with stuff like this.
In response, one of my friends I emailed wrote to me and reminded me that God has always provided for me in the past, and I need to remember that God will always provide for me, and that I need to take comfort in that.
Great advice! What a reality check. I really needed that reminder.
But then the next day, that friend and I had an interesting conversation about his response to my frantic email. He said, "I'm sorry about my response. I know sometimes when people freak out like that, the last thing they want to hear is some quick easy answer like that."
I quickly assured him that his response was EXACTLY what I needed to hear and it brought me back to the reality that God IS my provider and my Heavenly Father will always have my best interest at heart.
But what's interesting to me is, how come when we are in a crisis, the last thing we want to hear is a "cliche" reminder of God's word or God's love for us? I mean...shouldn't that be the FIRST thing we want to hear? The love our God has for us is constant, never-failing, never-ending. Shouldn't that be the most comforting thing we could ever hear during any crisis we have?
Psalm 25:5
5 Guide me in your truth and teach me,
for you are God my Savior,
and my hope is in you all day long.
Psalm 62:5
5 Yes, my soul, find rest in God;
my hope comes from him.
Psalm 119:52
52 I remember, LORD, your ancient laws,
and I find comfort in them.
Psalm 119:76
76 May your unfailing love be my comfort,
according to your promise to your servant.
Psalm 119:114
114 You are my refuge and my shield;
I have put my hope in your word.
Psalm 147:11
11 the LORD delights in those who fear him,
who put their hope in his unfailing love.
And my friend was right! It IS an easy answer! Because it shouldn't be hard for us to remember how much our Father LOVES us and will always take care of us. As followers of Christ, comforting words from the Bible or other encouragement should be the first things out of our mouths when someone else is suffering. So as the suffer-ees...we should take extreme comfort when people send us encouraging words from the scriptures. Because those promises will never change!
Maybe we need to examine the words we truly want to hear when we are dealing with something tough. Maybe we need to desire to hear God's voice in all circumstances, not just when times are good.
Thinking about this the past few days has really been a great reality check for me. I hope for myself and for the rest of you, that anytime we have a crisis or a freak-out...the first thing we'll desire would be to hear God's word and His promises.
Til next time,
ST
The other day, I had a slight freak-out session about some debt that I have. It's not even THAT much, but the idea of ever getting it paid off just really seems impossible. So during my freak-out process...I decided to send lots of emails to people asking them for advice and help with stuff like this.
In response, one of my friends I emailed wrote to me and reminded me that God has always provided for me in the past, and I need to remember that God will always provide for me, and that I need to take comfort in that.
Great advice! What a reality check. I really needed that reminder.
But then the next day, that friend and I had an interesting conversation about his response to my frantic email. He said, "I'm sorry about my response. I know sometimes when people freak out like that, the last thing they want to hear is some quick easy answer like that."
I quickly assured him that his response was EXACTLY what I needed to hear and it brought me back to the reality that God IS my provider and my Heavenly Father will always have my best interest at heart.
But what's interesting to me is, how come when we are in a crisis, the last thing we want to hear is a "cliche" reminder of God's word or God's love for us? I mean...shouldn't that be the FIRST thing we want to hear? The love our God has for us is constant, never-failing, never-ending. Shouldn't that be the most comforting thing we could ever hear during any crisis we have?
Psalm 25:5
5 Guide me in your truth and teach me,
for you are God my Savior,
and my hope is in you all day long.
Psalm 62:5
5 Yes, my soul, find rest in God;
my hope comes from him.
Psalm 119:52
52 I remember, LORD, your ancient laws,
and I find comfort in them.
Psalm 119:76
76 May your unfailing love be my comfort,
according to your promise to your servant.
Psalm 119:114
114 You are my refuge and my shield;
I have put my hope in your word.
Psalm 147:11
11 the LORD delights in those who fear him,
who put their hope in his unfailing love.
And my friend was right! It IS an easy answer! Because it shouldn't be hard for us to remember how much our Father LOVES us and will always take care of us. As followers of Christ, comforting words from the Bible or other encouragement should be the first things out of our mouths when someone else is suffering. So as the suffer-ees...we should take extreme comfort when people send us encouraging words from the scriptures. Because those promises will never change!
Maybe we need to examine the words we truly want to hear when we are dealing with something tough. Maybe we need to desire to hear God's voice in all circumstances, not just when times are good.
Thinking about this the past few days has really been a great reality check for me. I hope for myself and for the rest of you, that anytime we have a crisis or a freak-out...the first thing we'll desire would be to hear God's word and His promises.
Til next time,
ST
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