Overcoming Discouragement

In this world of unrest, eminent financial collapse, uncertainty and abuse, there is little to encourage us. Many hearts fail them for fear and they resort to suicide (Luke 21:26), which is nothing more than a permanent solution for a temporary problem.

Jesus gave us the best solution for the fear and anxiety if life. He advised us not to allow our heart to be troubled, but to put our hope and belief in Him (John 14:1).

He is not only preparing a permanent dwelling place for us (John 14:2), He also gives us His Peace (John 14:27). His peace transcends our circumstances and removes our stress over life.

God manifests His glory in our life in so many ways. They are often so subtle and unobtrusive that we take them for granted and never really recognize them.

Our answered prayers are contributed to coincidence or we do not even realize that He answered them. Little hugs, which God gives us throughout our day, go unnoticed.

The shape of a cloud, numbers on the clock, a bird's song, a cool breeze at just the right moment, a stranger's smile, a sale at the grocer, an encouraging note from a friend are all hugs from God.

God floods our life with light in the darkness all around us; yet, we continue to focus on the darkness and allow it to rob us of our joy in the Lord (John 1:5; 1 John 1:7).

Focusing on the truth of God's Word will keep us in peace as we live life one moment at a time. I ask myself, "How am I doing in this one moment of time?" "Truly blessed", is my usual assessment. No worries…just be happy in the Lord.

Prayer:

Father God, even in trials and tribulation, we can count even trials as joyous, because we are learning patience, which will eventually perfect us (James 1:2-3; John 17:22-23). If we keep our focus on our trying circumstances, fears and world issues, our hearts fail us (Proverbs 3:5-6). Yet, if we change our thoughts to focus on You, You keep us in perfect peace (Isaiah 26:3).

Help us to watch for Your little hugs throughout the day, so that we can be assured of Your love as they comfort us in whatever situation we are experiencing at the time. Remind us to spread Your love, encouragement and joy to everyone we meet during each of Your divine appointments.

Thought for the Day:

Jesus, the Light of the world, continually shines in our life.

- John 1:5-9

God's Blessings

Some preachers continually speak about God providing earthly blessings to His people. They declare that God wants us to have health, wealth and success. Other preachers declare that we will not always be blessed in this life. They both refer to blessings in this earthly realm and forget about the eternal blessings.

God does want us to enjoy the temporal blessings, which He provides for us; but they are not always guaranteed. In fact, God will also bless us with trials and tribulation (Matthew 5:11; John 16:33). Jesus was tortured and crucified. John was in prison and beheaded (Matt 11:2-6, 14:10). God gave Paul grace to deal with his thorn in the flesh (2 Corinthians 12:9).

Blessings are gifts from God, which come in all shapes and fashions. Many make us fortunate and happy; yet, sometimes, these blessings appear couched in misfortune and tribulation. Our attitude about them is what makes the difference. Our testimony may be the only source of saving grace for someone suffering along with us.

If we rejoice always (James 1:2; Philippians 4:4), then we view even the most horrendous trial as a blessing from God (Genesis 50:20). He walks through it with us, and in us, providing for our needs and using us as a light in the darkness around us (Psalm 23; Philippians 4:19). It is healthy to mourn our losses, but joy comes as we hold His hand through it all (Psalm 30:5).

God calls us to completely surrender to Him, to trust in His wisdom and to have faith in His faithfulness to His Saints (Job 11:13-15; Proverbs 3:5-6). He rarely operates as we expect or desire, but our Father always knows what is best. Relying totally on God provides the most peaceful existence for us. Living in the center of His will is the happiest place on earth.

Prayer:

Father God, You do all things beautifully in Your timing and way. You are rarely early, but always on time, and usually at the very last earthly minute! I am so glad that You brought me to the place of total surrender to You and Your will in all things. Remind me to be still, to acknowledge You as God, and to allow You to work out everything for my good (Psalm 46:10; Romans 8:28). When I remember what happened when Sara gave her maid to her husband - the Muslim world was born and they have been fighting the son of promise ever since – this prevents me from inventing my own solutions to my problems and spurs me to desire to walk in Your Spirit moment by moment throughout the day.

Thought for the Day:

When God is silent, He is simply enjoying our companionable silence; so be still and know that He is God and has everything under His control.

– Psalm 115:3, 46:10, 16:9; Zechariah 4:6

Recovering from Loss

Read: 2 Corinthians 1:3-5

“But God, who comforts the downcast, comforted us…” - 2 Corinthians 7:6

We are usually not given a choice when we experience a loss. Someone or something else took away what we cherish so dearly. When we experience a loss in our life, we may go through several distinct periods of grief. Originally, we may think we are finally over it, until some event triggers the tears and sorrow all over again. This grief is typical and essential for our total healing. Closure from our crisis is unique and distinctive to each one of us. But also, many of the feelings and experiences are common to everyone who suffers a loss. These emotional milestones provide wisdom and consolation to us, which we can share with others during their times of grief.

Whenever the dull ache of loss arises within us throughout our lifetime, the Lord gives us comfort and support through His Word. When we grow weary of the pain and tears, we can put the timing of our healing into God’s hands. However, there are some keys available to unlocking the grief in our heart and to releasing it little by little. Recognizing our grief allows us to process it better. We do this by disclosing to someone else what we lost and talking about it rather than keeping it bottled up inside of us. A grief support group is a great place to find people who understand your loss. Divulge these needs to the Lord also. He truly understands the needs of your heart (1 Samuel 16:7; 1 Peter 5:7).

Some people may not understand why it is taking you so long to finish grieving your loss (Hebrews 4:16). You may be stuck on one aspect of healing. You may need to ask for or to give forgiveness. Do you recognize bitterness or resentment growing in your soul? These negative emotions will poison your whole spirit, soul and body if you do not identify them and forgive the people who caused them. What are your spiritual, emotional, mental, psychological and physical needs right now? Make a list and then organize it into categories.

Once you list and verbalize your needs, allow others to help you to meet them in a tangible way. Tell your story to someone else. Be honest with yourself and find a sympathetic friend, family member, Christian counselor or a Grief recovery group where you sense support and care. People may act preachy or impatient with you at times. You may think it’s easier to bottle up your grief, over-schedule your activities and pretend to have no grief at all. It is good for you to share your troubles, however. Healing occurs much quicker when it is shared (Philippians 4:14). God will reward your willingness to actively move toward healing.

We can turn grief on its head! We can make a commitment to our self to heal rather than to turn inward with our grief. As you thank God for providing for the needs He already met in you and for you, He will guard your heart and mind and bring healing to your soul (Philippians 4:6-7). As we lighten the load that others carry, it lightens our load as well. We receive encouragement as we give encouragement. Comfort others with the comfort you received (2 Corinthians 1:3-5). Spend time alone with God. Pour out your heart, journal your feelings, list your prayer requests and put the date next to them as God answers them. Trust God to direct your steps into the future. God provides for widows and widowers abundantly as we trust in Him (2 Kings 4:1-6).  

Prayer:

Father God, You have our success already incorporated into Your plans for our life. My loss is no surprise to You, and it is part of Your change of direction for my life. You know us better than we know our self. You know exactly what we need. Open my eyes, ears and heart to hear Your Spirit’s direction. Anoint my mouth to speak Your oracles to others who are also grieving. I choose to hope in Your abundant future for me even though I have no idea what the future holds (Jeremiah 29:11). I also choose not to listen to satanic lies to the contrary. Please, shine Your light into the darkness of my days and dispel the grief as only You can. As I embrace my grief rather than resist it, I will experience Your true healing from it. I put myself into Your care, because I know that You abundantly care for me (1 Peter5:7).

Thought for the Day:

We can move forward in life through any adversity, because of God’s abundant life within us.