As much as we try to hang onto it, the world can sap the Joy right out of us. It’s a good thing God’s Joy is unchanging and unaffected by the tumultuous happenings of this crazy world.
So, when you feel as though your joy is gone, lean on the Lord. He has enough for us all.
And His Joy is our strength!!
When waves are crashing all around,
When winds are whipping bold,
Lift up your eyes and you will see
A hand for you to hold.
When fear is knocking at your door,
When doubts have left you cold,
Take heart for there will always be
A hand for you to hold.
He’s always there to rescue you.
He’ll give you strength untold.
Just speak His name and you will find
A hand for you to hold.
Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus. But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, “Lord, save me!” Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him.”
Matthew 14:29b-31a
When I trust Him,
My steps become a little lighter;
My breathing becomes a bit easier;
My thinking becomes a bit clearer.
When I trust Him,
I can let go of my burdens;
I can find peace in the midst of my storms;
I can meet uncertainty with courage.
When I trust Him,
I learn to face my fears with boldness;
I learn to rely on His strength to sustain me;
I learn to believe in the impossible.
When I trust Him,
I don’t have to live in shame;
I don’t have to be bound by my failures and regrets;
I don’t have to be constrained by the expectations of others.
When I trust Him,
I begin to love myself;
I begin to see beauty in my weaknesses;
I begin to find acceptance and self-worth.
When I trust Him,
I know that I am never alone;
I know that I always have someone to depend on;
I know that I always have arms to run to for shelter, rest, comfort, encouragement.
When I trust Him,
My sins are forgiven;
My hope is restored;
My life is forever changed.
When I trust Him…
Yes, I trust Him…
Lord, give me strength to trust you…
I don’t want to be the same.
She sat alone in the back of a quiet sanctuary. It was her spot. She would sneak in the back every Sunday just after the morning service began. She’d listen as the songs were sung and the sermon was preached and then slip out during the invitation – a quick “pick me up” for the week.
The problem is it never worked.
For some time now, her heart has been hurting. She’s been walking through life as if in a fog – a fog that would never lift. She’s been searching for answers, for an escape from the shadows that smothered her hopes and dreams. She’s been longing for an end to her desolation but hasn’t been able to find it.
As far as she was concerned, there was only one way out – only one way to end her burdens and suffering. She knew the darkness, the sadness, the dreariness of her life was a result of her own choices. She had thrown away her dreams. She had caused her own misery. Only she could end the pain.
She made her way to the back pew of the church one last time. Tears were streaming down her face as the pastor invited the congregation to pray. She had not prayed in years but she wanted to pray one last time. The weight of her burdens was so heavy she almost couldn’t stand. She struggled to her feet and made her way to the altar. She didn’t know what to say but as her tears drenched the altar, her heart began to plead with the Father:
“Lord, bring your favor to this desolate sanctuary.
Lord, shine your light into this darkened tomb.
Lord, pour your spirit on this tattered and broken temple.
Lord, may your presence fill this life anew.”
She thought this would be her last prayer so she held nothing back. She poured out her soul and laid the broken pieces of her life before the Lord. She cried out in anger, in desperation, in brokenness. She expected nothing but in the midst of her tears, she found everything. The Father that she had walked away from so many years before was waiting for her with arms open wide. He picked up her broken pieces and opened her eyes to the hope that only He can give. He wiped away her tears, picked her up and filled her with the light of His Love.
One last prayer changed her life forever.
What about you? Are you living in a fog, in the shadow of your regrets? Do you feel like your life is a desolate wasteland? Are you haunted by the choices of your past? Are you pursuing things of this world, things that are leading you away from the Giver of abundant life? Are you ready to give up?
It’s time. Give it up today. Take it to our Heavenly Father and give it all to Him. You may have walked away. You may have made all the wrong choices but you do not have to remain in desolation. He is waiting for you with open arms. He wants to restore you. He wants to take the broken pieces of your life and make them into something beyond your wildest dreams. He wants to heal your soul and love on you today. Don’t wait any longer! Go ahead and Pray!
Reason to SMILE #276: YOU ARE AN OVERCOMER
I will not be overcome!
What power in this phrase.
What victory when spoken.
Though tossed about by life’s responsibilities,
I will not be overcome.
Though overwhelmed by fears of failure,
I will not be overcome.
Though attacked by changing circumstances,
I will not be overcome.
Though the enemy tries to steal my courage,
I will not be overcome.
For I am a child of God,
And my God will overcome.
No longer need I worry over threatening tasks.
No longer need I live in the shadows hiding from the unexpected.
I will cower no more under the abilities of others.
I will not live subjected to the expectations of this world.
Though I may be shaken or even set aback,
I will not be overcome.
The promise of my Lord is
He will overcome!
Reason to SMILE #166: WILL POWER
“The difference between a successful person and others is not a lack of strength, not a lack of knowledge, but rather a lack of WILL.” – Vince Lombardi
If this is true, I am the most successful person I know. Why is that?
I’m married to WILL! And as he so proudly proclaims:
“Where there’s a Will (pointing to himself), there’s a way!”
He makes me SMILE every time he says it. Okay, okay! I’m really laughing but you can’t laugh without smiling. It counts. 😉
Encouragement for the Downhearted
This IS the day the Lord has made – yes, even THIS day. And all the days He made before it have prepared you for today. All the moments of gladness, moments of struggle, moments of doubt, moments of triumph and moments of sorrow that have filled your previous days have built the foundation of strength that will see you through this day.
This IS the day the Lord has made and HE will not allow you to live this day alone. HE plans to spend it with you. HE intends to experience every moment by your side. You can walk through this day with confidence for there is nothing in this day that will take it’s Maker by surprise.
Yes, this IS the day the Lord has made. No matter what it holds, joy or sadness, healing or pain, celebration or mourning, THIS day is God’s gift to you. And in this great gift, you can REJOICE and be glad!
She sat alone in the back of a quiet sanctuary. It was her spot. She would sneak in the back every Sunday just after the morning service began. She’d listen as the songs were sung and the sermon was preached and then she would slip out during the invitation – a quick “pick me up” for the week. The problem is it never worked.
For some time now, her heart has been hurting. She has been walking through life as if in a fog that would never lift. She has been searching for answers, for an escape from the shadows that smothered her hopes and dreams. She has been longing for an end to her desolation but has not been able to find it.
As far as she was concerned, there was only one way out – only one way to end her burdens and suffering. She knew the darkness, the sadness, the dreariness of her life was a result of her own choices. She had thrown away her dreams. She had caused her own misery. Only she could end the pain.
She made her way to the back pew of the church one last time. Tears were streaming down her face as the pastor invited the congregation to pray. She had not prayed in years but she wanted to pray one last time. The weight of her burdens was so heavy she almost couldn’t stand. She struggled to her feet and made her way to the altar. She didn’t know what to say but as her tears drenched the altar, her heart began to plead with the Father.
“Lord, bring your favor to this desolate sanctuary.
Lord, shine your light into this darkened tomb.
Lord, pour your spirit on this tattered and broken temple.
Lord, may your presence fill this life anew.”
She thought this would be her last prayer so she held nothing back. She poured out her soul and laid the broken pieces of her life before the Lord. She cried out in anger, in desperation, in brokenness. She expected nothing but in the midst of her tears, she found everything. The Father that she had walked away from so many years before was waiting for her with arms open wide. He picked up her broken pieces and opened her eyes to the hope that only He can give. He wiped away her tears, picked her up and filled her with the light of His Love.
One last prayer changed her life forever.
Are you living in darkness as if you are walking in a fog? Do you feel like your life is a desolate wasteland? Are you haunted by the choices of your past? Are you pursuing things of this world, things that are leading you away from the Giver of abundant life? Are you ready to give up?
It’s time. Give it up today. Take it to our Heavenly Father and give it all to Him. You may have walked away. You may have made all the wrong choices but you do not have to remain in this desolation. He is waiting for you with open arms. He wants to restore you. He wants to take the broken pieces of your life and make them into something beyond your wildest dreams. He wants to heal your soul and love on you today. Don’t wait any longer! Pray!
A Couple of Stars and a Happy Face 