I lie down and sleep; I wake again, because the LORD sustains me. I will not fear the tens of thousands drawn up against me on every side. Psalm 3:5-6
How many times have you gone to sleep with your mind racing, wondering if things were going to be ok the next day? Wondering if you were going to be able to sleep? Wondering if you were even going to be able to function?
David was in a crisis time in his life. He wrote these words while running away from his son Absalom. Not only was he dealing with the heartbreak of his son rebelling against him, but even worse, his own son was trying to kill him. He had become a fugitive in his own land.
How would you sleep if you knew someone was tirelessly searching for you in order to kill you? I don't think I'd sleep very much and certainly not well.
Yet, in the middle of this horrendous time, he could not only sleep, but even say he wasn't afraid of a vast army coming after him. How did he do that? How did he keep from crumbling under the weight of the pressure and the fear?
Because he trusted that the LORD would sustain him. And he was right.
The same Lord will sustain you too.
How does this scripture help you?
Saturday, July 31, 2010
Friday, July 30, 2010
Discouragement 2
Lord, You lead me beside still waters. You restore my soul. Psalm 23:2-3
Bad behavior is all over the headlines in these times. Celebrities, actors and athletes who make their living off of the love people have for their talent, unfortunately also live under the glare of the continuous spotlight. And because of that, their every action is followed. And their every misstep chronicled. In detail.
After an incident of bad behavior, many of them have people who begin to work on restoring their image to the public. They may try to highlight good works they've done or they may get them involved in good works so that people can see they are still worthy of the adulation of the public. And so they can still sell tickets.
But those of us who don't the papparazzi following our every step also fall into bad behaviors. Or are victims of someon'e else's. Our hearts sometimes are filled with desperate thoughts or negative feelings.
When these things linger for very long, they can bring us into a state of discouragement. And when we're there, what we really need is restoration; God's hand clearly visible to us and in us.
He promises that very thing when we turn to Him. Not that all the circumstances that brought us to that place will suddenly disappear, but that He will restore us. And if we know our Father is at work in our lives, we can live in hope and not discouragement.
How does this scripture strike you?
Bad behavior is all over the headlines in these times. Celebrities, actors and athletes who make their living off of the love people have for their talent, unfortunately also live under the glare of the continuous spotlight. And because of that, their every action is followed. And their every misstep chronicled. In detail.
After an incident of bad behavior, many of them have people who begin to work on restoring their image to the public. They may try to highlight good works they've done or they may get them involved in good works so that people can see they are still worthy of the adulation of the public. And so they can still sell tickets.
But those of us who don't the papparazzi following our every step also fall into bad behaviors. Or are victims of someon'e else's. Our hearts sometimes are filled with desperate thoughts or negative feelings.
When these things linger for very long, they can bring us into a state of discouragement. And when we're there, what we really need is restoration; God's hand clearly visible to us and in us.
He promises that very thing when we turn to Him. Not that all the circumstances that brought us to that place will suddenly disappear, but that He will restore us. And if we know our Father is at work in our lives, we can live in hope and not discouragement.
How does this scripture strike you?
Thursday, July 29, 2010
Relying on God when dealing with discouragement
Not one sparrow will fall to the ground without Me, your Father. But the very hairs of your head are all numbered; therefore, do not fear. You are of more value than many sparrows. Matthew 10:29-30
Value. What do we value?
Financial security. A job. Good health. Friends. Family. Our possessions. Our hobbies.
Know what God values? You. Above all the things mentioned above. Combined.
Every time you see a fallen bird, let it be a reminder of God's immeasurable love for you.
You are of great value to Him.
What does this scripture say to you?
Value. What do we value?
Financial security. A job. Good health. Friends. Family. Our possessions. Our hobbies.
Know what God values? You. Above all the things mentioned above. Combined.
Every time you see a fallen bird, let it be a reminder of God's immeasurable love for you.
You are of great value to Him.
What does this scripture say to you?
Wednesday, July 28, 2010
Depression 7
When I cried out to You, the LORD God of my fathers, You heard my voice and looked on my affliction, and my labor, and my oppression. Deuteronomy 26:7
Have you ever been in a conversation, explaining what you consider to be something important, and the people to whom you're speaking just start talking amongst themselves?
Of course. That's happened to us all.
But it still makes us feel foolish, doesn't it? Like what we're saying doesn't matter or the people to whom we're speaking don't care.
In the middle of depression, a person feels alone. They deeply desire to be heard, to think that what they say or think has value or meaning to the people they care about.
Well, here's a promise that every person who has ever struggled with depression needs to hear: when you cried out to God, He heard you. He listens and He cares about your affliction and your oppression.
That means something very important that needs to be imprinted on your soul.
You are not alone.
What does this verse make you think of?
Have you ever been in a conversation, explaining what you consider to be something important, and the people to whom you're speaking just start talking amongst themselves?
Of course. That's happened to us all.
But it still makes us feel foolish, doesn't it? Like what we're saying doesn't matter or the people to whom we're speaking don't care.
In the middle of depression, a person feels alone. They deeply desire to be heard, to think that what they say or think has value or meaning to the people they care about.
Well, here's a promise that every person who has ever struggled with depression needs to hear: when you cried out to God, He heard you. He listens and He cares about your affliction and your oppression.
That means something very important that needs to be imprinted on your soul.
You are not alone.
What does this verse make you think of?
Tuesday, July 27, 2010
Depression 6
LORD, You will give me rest from my sorrow, and from my fear, and from the hard bondage in which I was made to serve. Isaiah 14:3
Of all the emotions human beings are capable of, sorrow may be the toughest. Because when a person goes into the depths of sorrow, it is very difficult for a friend's kind words or loving actions to bring them out.
And the longer a person stays in sorrow, the more it wears them out.
Emotionally, physically and spiritually.
Our Creator understands that dynamic. And the great thing about that is that He has the power to do something about it.
It may not be immediate, but it will come if we continue to trust Him. Because God never intended for us to live in the pit.
He intended for us to live in His promises.
What is your response to this scripture?
Of all the emotions human beings are capable of, sorrow may be the toughest. Because when a person goes into the depths of sorrow, it is very difficult for a friend's kind words or loving actions to bring them out.
And the longer a person stays in sorrow, the more it wears them out.
Emotionally, physically and spiritually.
Our Creator understands that dynamic. And the great thing about that is that He has the power to do something about it.
It may not be immediate, but it will come if we continue to trust Him. Because God never intended for us to live in the pit.
He intended for us to live in His promises.
What is your response to this scripture?
Monday, July 26, 2010
Depression 5
O God, You are my God; I will seek you early. My soul thirsts for You, my flesh longs for You in a dry and thirsty land, where no water is....Because You have been my help, therefore in the shadow of Your wings I will rejoice. Psalm 63:1, 7-8
There are two types of people in this world: morning people and night owls. I have never known anyone who claims they are a mid-afternoon person or an early evening person. Only night owls and morning people.
For those who are night owls, the word 'morning' is almost a curse word. It takes them a while to get rolling in the morning and conversation is not the first thing they want to have.
Yet that is when David would seek God. Early in the morning. Before he got into his day, while the world was still quiet, David sought God.
Is it worth getting up early in the morning to seek God if your body doesn't really want to?
All I know is this: it worked for David. Would it work for me? Would it work for you?
What do you think about this passage?
There are two types of people in this world: morning people and night owls. I have never known anyone who claims they are a mid-afternoon person or an early evening person. Only night owls and morning people.
For those who are night owls, the word 'morning' is almost a curse word. It takes them a while to get rolling in the morning and conversation is not the first thing they want to have.
Yet that is when David would seek God. Early in the morning. Before he got into his day, while the world was still quiet, David sought God.
Is it worth getting up early in the morning to seek God if your body doesn't really want to?
All I know is this: it worked for David. Would it work for me? Would it work for you?
What do you think about this passage?
Sunday, July 25, 2010
Depression 4
Through the heartfelt mercies of our God, God's sunrise will break in upon us, shining on those in the darkness, those sitting in the shadow of death, then showing us the way, one foot at a time, down the path of peace. Luke 1:78-79
Sunshine. When a person is in the throes of darkness, the last thing that seems possible is sunshine. And yet God makes this crazy, unreasonable, unlikely, improbable, sometimes seemingly impossible promise.
His sunrise will break upon us, shining on those in the darkness.
Does that seem unbelievable from where you're sitting right now?
Believe it. God will make this happen.
One step at a time.
What does this scripture make you think of?
Sunshine. When a person is in the throes of darkness, the last thing that seems possible is sunshine. And yet God makes this crazy, unreasonable, unlikely, improbable, sometimes seemingly impossible promise.
His sunrise will break upon us, shining on those in the darkness.
Does that seem unbelievable from where you're sitting right now?
Believe it. God will make this happen.
One step at a time.
What does this scripture make you think of?
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)