If you haven't already figured out, the devotional book "Jesus Today", by Sarah Young, speaks and ministers to me so deeply and clearly. Sometimes I feel like should just share devotionals every day, because she has such a beautiful way with words.
A particular devotion and verse caught my attention the other day. It was about hope, joy, and peace.
Romans 15:13
"May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit."
Two things stand out to me about this verse. First, when God says He will fill you with all joy and peace, I picture being filled up to the top of our hearts. Being so full of His joy and His peace that there is no other room for worry or negativity. And second, as a result of being filled up with His joy and peace, we overflow with hope.
This phrase of overflowing with hope really stood out to me because God calls us to not just have some hope here and there, when we feel up to keeping our chins up. He wants us to have abundant hope, so much hope from Him that it overflows out of us.
This is such an encouragement and a beautiful picture when many days of feeling the same anxiety or depression wear me down, and I tend to start thinking that things might not look different than they are now.
Just the opposite! God gives us His peace and joy so that we may overflow with hope. So much hope it spills out of our hearts and lives. What an amazing picture!
Sunday, July 31, 2016
Friday, July 1, 2016
Waiting
I came across another moving devotional from "Jesus Today", by Sarah Young that I just had to share. It was so interesting to read this just a couple days after our Pastor had given us the wisdom to look at this trial in a different light. He reminded us that the Lord is using this trial for a purpose, there is something within my relationship with Him that He wants to teach me, and He is using this trial of depression and anxiety to form and mold me.
"Keep your eyes on Me! I am with you, taking care of you in the best possible way. When you are suffering, My care may seem imperfect and inadequate. You seek relief, and I make you wait. Just remember: There are many different way to wait, and some are much better than others. Beneficial waiting involoves looking at Me continually-trusting and loving Me.
Thank Me for this time of neediness, when you must depend on Me more than usual. Do not waste this opportunity by wishing it away. Trust that I know what I'm doing-that I can bring good out of everything you encounter, everything you endure. Don't let your past or present suffering contaminate your view fo the future. I am the Lord of your future, and I have good things in store for you. I alone know the things I am planning for you - to give you a future and a hope."
I feel like the last 2 months have been a lot of waiting. Waiting to get better. Waiting for doctor appointments. Waiting for my medications to do what they're supposed to do. I keep looking forward to the "after". After I get over this, after I get better, think of all the things I'll be able to do.
Our Pastor reminded us to look at what is the Lord teaching us right now. What is the lesson He wants me to learn DURING this trial, not just AFTER the trial is over.
Here a few things I have learned so far about the Lord through this:
He is Almighty. He reigns supreme over every facet of my day and life. This brings me great comfort and peace that He knows and cares about my struggles, my ins and outs of the day.
He is present whenever I call out to Him. I have begged Him to take this darkness away. And although it didn't seem like the darkness was lifting, He carried me through each step of each day, giving me strength to do what was needed. As I look back at April, it is amazing how He has provided for all our needs. He has never left me or forsaken me, even on my most difficult days.
He has revealed in me my sinful nature's habit of finding joy in earthly things.
He has planted an intense longing for heaven and being in His presence.
What else might He be teaching me through this? I'll have to wait and see...
"But those that wait on the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint." Isaiah 40:31
Sunday, June 19, 2016
How Good it is To Sing Praises to Our God!
Psalm 147: 1-3
"Praise the Lord. How good it is to sing praises to our God, how pleasant and fitting to praise him! the Lord builds up Jerusalem; he gathers the exiles of Israel. He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds."
These words speak such comfort to me when I am in the midst of the darkness of depression. It paints a picture of our Heavenly Father reaching down and taking us in when we are hurt and crying. I imagine one curled up in ball, with wounds, and crying softly. Then our Lord comes along and scoops us up into His arms, and calms us with His peace, and bandages our wounds. It is such a beautiful, fatherly image. Whatever your wound is, whatever has caused you to feel brokenhearted, He will scoop you up into His arms, and He will heal your wounds. He will protect you. He is bigger and stronger than whatever has caused your wounds and sadness.
Our church service this morning was such a blessing to be surrounded with fellow believers. A particular moving and encouraging time for me is singing. When we raise our voices together in worship, we get to witness a small taste of what it will be like to worship together in heaven, and sometimes I get goosebumps. We sang "Holy, Holy, Holy" this morning, and my heart swelled up with joy and peace. The following is verse 1 and verse 3 of "Holy, Holy, Holy".
"Holy, holy, holy! Lord God Almighty! Early in the morning our song shall rise to Thee; Holy, holy, holy! Merciful and mighty! God in Three Persons, blessed Trinity!
"Holy, holy, holy! Though the darkness hide Thee; though the eye of sinful man Thy glory may not see, only Thou art holy; there is none beside Thee, Perfect in power, in love, and purity.
Our church family has been such an instrumental part of lightness coming to my darkness. The sparks of light have been planted as cards, texts, emails, hugs, meals, drives, and more. What a blessing it is to be a part of our church family!
On our way home from church, I counted my thankfulness at the joys of worshiping together with fellow believers and the peace and comfort that come from meeting with our Lord together!
May Psalm 147 speak to your heart today. Curl up into our Father's arms and let Him heal your wounds and heal your broken heart.
"Praise the Lord. How good it is to sing praises to our God, how pleasant and fitting to praise him! the Lord builds up Jerusalem; he gathers the exiles of Israel. He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds."
These words speak such comfort to me when I am in the midst of the darkness of depression. It paints a picture of our Heavenly Father reaching down and taking us in when we are hurt and crying. I imagine one curled up in ball, with wounds, and crying softly. Then our Lord comes along and scoops us up into His arms, and calms us with His peace, and bandages our wounds. It is such a beautiful, fatherly image. Whatever your wound is, whatever has caused you to feel brokenhearted, He will scoop you up into His arms, and He will heal your wounds. He will protect you. He is bigger and stronger than whatever has caused your wounds and sadness.
Our church service this morning was such a blessing to be surrounded with fellow believers. A particular moving and encouraging time for me is singing. When we raise our voices together in worship, we get to witness a small taste of what it will be like to worship together in heaven, and sometimes I get goosebumps. We sang "Holy, Holy, Holy" this morning, and my heart swelled up with joy and peace. The following is verse 1 and verse 3 of "Holy, Holy, Holy".
"Holy, holy, holy! Lord God Almighty! Early in the morning our song shall rise to Thee; Holy, holy, holy! Merciful and mighty! God in Three Persons, blessed Trinity!
"Holy, holy, holy! Though the darkness hide Thee; though the eye of sinful man Thy glory may not see, only Thou art holy; there is none beside Thee, Perfect in power, in love, and purity.
Our church family has been such an instrumental part of lightness coming to my darkness. The sparks of light have been planted as cards, texts, emails, hugs, meals, drives, and more. What a blessing it is to be a part of our church family!
On our way home from church, I counted my thankfulness at the joys of worshiping together with fellow believers and the peace and comfort that come from meeting with our Lord together!
May Psalm 147 speak to your heart today. Curl up into our Father's arms and let Him heal your wounds and heal your broken heart.
Sunday, June 5, 2016
He will bring lightness to your darkness.
This theme has been bringing me hope through the last month of depression. The Lord has been planting little seeds of light into my darkness in all sorts of amazing ways.
The purpose of my blog is to help share with others what I have and am going through in my struggles with depression and anxiety, and to also tell the world the wonders of God and the miracles He is working in me through this. My hope is that if you are also struggling with depression and/or anxiety, you will not feel alone. That what I share about myself will bring some comfort, but more importantly, will point you to Christ and His amazing love for us, and the peace that only He can give, that passes all understanding.
It's been a little over a month since my current depression cycle began. At the end of April, every stress and worry and anxiety I was having came crashing down on me as I sat on my office floor crying.
The Lord's providence has been evident and amazing at every step of the way through this last month. I am blessed to having an amazing sister in law who is willing to drop everything and come over in a moment's notice. When I called her crying, her first response was, " I am coming over, stay right where you are."
I am blessed to have an amazing husband who also will drop what he is working on and come home. I am blessed to be married to a farmer who can be flexible in his schedule, and the farthest away from home is 10 minutes. He doesn't work an hour away at a job that he can't come home from.
I am blessed to have amazing parents who take me and the kids in at any time when we need the extra support while I get used to a new medication.
I am blessed with wonderful in-laws who are willing to watch the kids and bring me to appointments.
I am overwhelming blessed with a loving church family who pours out their love for me and my family. I receive so many texts and emails, I can hardly keep up with getting back sometimes :)
I pulled out the devotional book titled, "Jesus Today" by Sarah Young, and one of the devotionals spoke straight to my heart when I needed it most. The following is from her book.
" Trust Me moment by moment. This is all I require of you, and it is sufficient to keep you standing firm in the midst of fierce spiritual battles. Just getting through each day is a victory as long as you stay in communication with Me. Search for Me in your moments. Keeping your focus on My Presence is the best protection against self-pity and depression.
I am calling you to trust Me in deep darkness. Take one step at a time, clinging to My hand for help and guidance. I am always near you, and I know exactly how much you are struggling.
Though the battle is fierce and you are weak your resources are unlimited. My Spirit is ever ready to help you; you have only to ask. Remember that this Holy Helper is infinitely powerful and infinitely loving. I also am eager to help you. Call upon My Name with confident trust, for My Unfailing Love surrounds you."
"Trust in Him at all times, O people; pour out your hearts to Him, for God is our refuge." Psalm 62:8
May our weakness and struggles point us to Christ's love. To Him be all the glory!
This theme has been bringing me hope through the last month of depression. The Lord has been planting little seeds of light into my darkness in all sorts of amazing ways.
The purpose of my blog is to help share with others what I have and am going through in my struggles with depression and anxiety, and to also tell the world the wonders of God and the miracles He is working in me through this. My hope is that if you are also struggling with depression and/or anxiety, you will not feel alone. That what I share about myself will bring some comfort, but more importantly, will point you to Christ and His amazing love for us, and the peace that only He can give, that passes all understanding.
It's been a little over a month since my current depression cycle began. At the end of April, every stress and worry and anxiety I was having came crashing down on me as I sat on my office floor crying.
The Lord's providence has been evident and amazing at every step of the way through this last month. I am blessed to having an amazing sister in law who is willing to drop everything and come over in a moment's notice. When I called her crying, her first response was, " I am coming over, stay right where you are."
I am blessed to have an amazing husband who also will drop what he is working on and come home. I am blessed to be married to a farmer who can be flexible in his schedule, and the farthest away from home is 10 minutes. He doesn't work an hour away at a job that he can't come home from.
I am blessed to have amazing parents who take me and the kids in at any time when we need the extra support while I get used to a new medication.
I am blessed with wonderful in-laws who are willing to watch the kids and bring me to appointments.
I am overwhelming blessed with a loving church family who pours out their love for me and my family. I receive so many texts and emails, I can hardly keep up with getting back sometimes :)
I pulled out the devotional book titled, "Jesus Today" by Sarah Young, and one of the devotionals spoke straight to my heart when I needed it most. The following is from her book.
" Trust Me moment by moment. This is all I require of you, and it is sufficient to keep you standing firm in the midst of fierce spiritual battles. Just getting through each day is a victory as long as you stay in communication with Me. Search for Me in your moments. Keeping your focus on My Presence is the best protection against self-pity and depression.
I am calling you to trust Me in deep darkness. Take one step at a time, clinging to My hand for help and guidance. I am always near you, and I know exactly how much you are struggling.
Though the battle is fierce and you are weak your resources are unlimited. My Spirit is ever ready to help you; you have only to ask. Remember that this Holy Helper is infinitely powerful and infinitely loving. I also am eager to help you. Call upon My Name with confident trust, for My Unfailing Love surrounds you."
"Trust in Him at all times, O people; pour out your hearts to Him, for God is our refuge." Psalm 62:8
May our weakness and struggles point us to Christ's love. To Him be all the glory!
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