Because I was so frequent in my blogging (pause for sarcasm) it's really not that hard to believe it's been a year since I blogged about the nasty stuff that happened last August. It still doesn't seem that far removed from me, not because I recall the instances that happened but because I recall all the emotion that went with it. It started with my nephew having a seizure and the snowball rolled down hill from there.
This year I am blessed and fortunate enough to say that August does not suck.. for me anyway. What I am discovering however, is that this month does suck for a lot of other people and that...makes my heart ache. I don't know what it is about this particular month, maybe it's coincidence or maybe it's not, but August has challenged those I love in so many ways. I will not name names, but in the past week here's what those I love are enduring: death of a father, a house flooding, losing a business, a 14 year old girl in a drug induced coma because when she is awake her body can't stop seizing, dealing with the loss of a friend who took their own life and watching the spouse try to pick up the pieces and asking why, a baby who was shaken so much that they are now considered brain dead and a the decision to take this 4 month old off of life support, cars breaking down, a very young spouse being told he has to have open heart surgery, cancer returning in young and old cancer survivors, a foster family who have fostered many many kids is accused of abusing a child, loved ones dealing with depression, and I will stop there. Maybe you are one of them, maybe you are suffering and you think your suffering is greater than those above or maybe you think it's fairly insignificant compared to others. Whatever the case may be, know that there is a God out there who is fully aware of what is going on and He wants YOU to share it with him.
Psalm 42:11 says "Why are you down in the dumps, dear soul? Why are you crying the blues? Fix my eyes on God- soon I'll be praising again (Did you get that? SOON, SOON you will be joyful! This which you are going through will not last!) He puts a smile on my face, He's my God!
This is from my Power to Change Devotional:
All of us have moments when we feel discouraged by life’s circumstances. Sometimes our loved ones’ efforts to lighten our load or lift our spirits fall short, and we wonder if we will ever emerge from today’s trying situation with our joy intact.
It’s good to know that our Father invites us to confide in Him, to share our feelings honestly in prayer. He cares for us and understands our needs and weaknesses. His comforting words, “Be of good cheer,” can mean more to a hurting heart than anything else in the world.
These verses remind us that we can also encouraging ourselves to hope in God, and continue to praise Him, no matter how bleak our outlook may be. We can do this by singing psalms or hymns, or reflecting on His goodness and speaking well of Him. Of course, there are times when even this seems too difficult, but just whispering a praise can usher in a sense of liberty and peace.
There have been times when I thought, “I’ll never be cheered up.” Yet as soon as I began to remind myself of His mercy and goodness, the clouds would begin to disperse. Of course, this doesn’t mean that all of our problems will receive a quick fix or that it will be smooth sailing from here on out, but it does mean that our faces will brighten, the weight of the burden will lessen. We will be free to experience the joy of the Lord in the midst of life’s storms and challenges.
Father, at times it seems as if nothing can cheer me up. Yet I am reminded to hope in You and continue to give You praise, because You are my God. I look to You today for Your holy joy, for Your peace that passes all human understanding, and because You are the health and the help of my sad expression. Encourage me through Your Holy Spirit, Amen.
MORE ENCOURAGEMENT
Matthew 11:28 "Come to me all who are weary and heavy burdened and I will give you rest"
Jeremiah 31:2 "I will refresh the weary and satisfy the faint"
Isaiah 40:31 But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles: they shall run and not be weary; and they shall walk and will not faint"
This year I am blessed and fortunate enough to say that August does not suck.. for me anyway. What I am discovering however, is that this month does suck for a lot of other people and that...makes my heart ache. I don't know what it is about this particular month, maybe it's coincidence or maybe it's not, but August has challenged those I love in so many ways. I will not name names, but in the past week here's what those I love are enduring: death of a father, a house flooding, losing a business, a 14 year old girl in a drug induced coma because when she is awake her body can't stop seizing, dealing with the loss of a friend who took their own life and watching the spouse try to pick up the pieces and asking why, a baby who was shaken so much that they are now considered brain dead and a the decision to take this 4 month old off of life support, cars breaking down, a very young spouse being told he has to have open heart surgery, cancer returning in young and old cancer survivors, a foster family who have fostered many many kids is accused of abusing a child, loved ones dealing with depression, and I will stop there. Maybe you are one of them, maybe you are suffering and you think your suffering is greater than those above or maybe you think it's fairly insignificant compared to others. Whatever the case may be, know that there is a God out there who is fully aware of what is going on and He wants YOU to share it with him.
Psalm 42:11 says "Why are you down in the dumps, dear soul? Why are you crying the blues? Fix my eyes on God- soon I'll be praising again (Did you get that? SOON, SOON you will be joyful! This which you are going through will not last!) He puts a smile on my face, He's my God!
This is from my Power to Change Devotional:
All of us have moments when we feel discouraged by life’s circumstances. Sometimes our loved ones’ efforts to lighten our load or lift our spirits fall short, and we wonder if we will ever emerge from today’s trying situation with our joy intact.
It’s good to know that our Father invites us to confide in Him, to share our feelings honestly in prayer. He cares for us and understands our needs and weaknesses. His comforting words, “Be of good cheer,” can mean more to a hurting heart than anything else in the world.
These verses remind us that we can also encouraging ourselves to hope in God, and continue to praise Him, no matter how bleak our outlook may be. We can do this by singing psalms or hymns, or reflecting on His goodness and speaking well of Him. Of course, there are times when even this seems too difficult, but just whispering a praise can usher in a sense of liberty and peace.
There have been times when I thought, “I’ll never be cheered up.” Yet as soon as I began to remind myself of His mercy and goodness, the clouds would begin to disperse. Of course, this doesn’t mean that all of our problems will receive a quick fix or that it will be smooth sailing from here on out, but it does mean that our faces will brighten, the weight of the burden will lessen. We will be free to experience the joy of the Lord in the midst of life’s storms and challenges.
Father, at times it seems as if nothing can cheer me up. Yet I am reminded to hope in You and continue to give You praise, because You are my God. I look to You today for Your holy joy, for Your peace that passes all human understanding, and because You are the health and the help of my sad expression. Encourage me through Your Holy Spirit, Amen.
MORE ENCOURAGEMENT
Matthew 11:28 "Come to me all who are weary and heavy burdened and I will give you rest"
Jeremiah 31:2 "I will refresh the weary and satisfy the faint"
Isaiah 40:31 But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles: they shall run and not be weary; and they shall walk and will not faint"
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