You ever have one of those days where you wake up and you feel all down and out? Yesterday you were doing fine, you were happy, life was good, the future looked promising and then today for some reason you're in despair? Today was one of those days for me. Yesterday everything was fine, I was basking in God's goodness, the sun was shining in my soul, and I was ready to face life. Today, I look at myself and I see all of my flaws. I look at my agenda for the day and feel discouraged. I look out at the future and it looks bleak. I look at my past and I see wasted years that I will never get back again. Everywhere I turn, I'm confronted with my failures, my weaknesses, and things I have no control over. Perhaps I feel this way because I woke up feeling physically not well. Perhaps I feel this way because the sun isn't shining and it's kinda gloomy out. Or maybe I feel this way because I'm reminded of circumstances I can't change. Maybe it is a combination of all three.
Let's face it, girls do:
* get discouraged,
* have down times,
*deal with strong emotions,
*face the unknown,
*long to be loved, and
*need affirmation.
They:
*cry when their hearts are broken,
*ache when their dreams look hopeless,
*give way to doubt when all looks lost, and
* succumb to despair when they see their own failures
These things are natural and we will face them from time to time. And though we go through times of despair, sadness, rejection, hopelessness, or whatever else it is we are facing, we need not stay there. It is in those very times we need to trust.
*Trust the One Who knows the beginning to the end. (Rev.1:8)
*Trust the One Who has a plan and purpose for our lives. (Jer.29:11)
*Trust the One Who with Whom our way is not hid and there is no searching of His
understanding. (Isa 40:28)
*Trust the One Whose ways are higher than our ways and thoughts than our thoughts. (Isa 55:8)
*Trust the One Who has begun a good work in us and will perform it to the end. (Phil.1:6)
*Trust the One Who worketh all things together for good to us who love Him. (Rom.8:28)
*Trust the One Who will hold no good thing from them that walk uprightly. (Ps. 84:11)
*Trust the One Who has loved us and hath given Himself for us. (Rom.8:32)
As we begin to put our trust in the Lord, we will be able to say with the Psalmist "Why art thou cast down O my soul? and why art thou disquieted within me? hope thou in God; for I shall yet praise Him, Who is the health of my countenance, and my God. (Ps.42:11)
I feel better already! How about you?!
Great Post. Thank you!
ReplyDeleteAmen, Jenna! I loved this post...it was timely and encouraging for me and my "downcast" soul as well!
ReplyDeleteGod is good...and even when my emotions are kicking and screaming in the other direction, He is worthy of our gratitude and praise. I have learned that real, genuine and mature worship and adoration happens when in the midst of all our struggles and intense happenings, we raise our heads and hands to God and STILL thank Him, genuinely from our hearts for the eternal gift of salvation. We have so much to be thankful for!
I loved your post...and again, it was just what I needed for my daily vitamin! :) Thanks for blessing this "older" sister in the Lord.
Many Blessings to you, dear one!
Billie
I just wanted you to know that your post was a blessing to me today!
ReplyDeleteA side note here--Jenna,you are a very good writer! Hope you are having a wonderful New Year!
What encouraging words for us as gals! Thank you for sharing, and God bless you and your ministry.
ReplyDeleteJust came across your blog, and was greatly encouraged by this post. Blessings to you and your family.
ReplyDeleteThank you to everyone for your sweet and encouraging comments! It's always a joy hearing from you!
ReplyDelete