Posts Tagged ‘discouraged’

Jesus Prays for Me and You!

Monday, November 7th, 2011

Hebrews 7:25 encourages me, especially on days when I’m frustrated, discouraged, or doubt-filled. It says, “Therefore he (Jesus) is able once and forever, to save those who come to God through him. He lives forever to intercede with God on their behalf.”

Why does this verse encourage me? Because it assures me that Jesus is praying for moi! How sweet is that? How powerful is that?

My hunch is that Jesus prays a lot more than, “God, please bless Grace today.” If I could hear Him pray on my behalf, I might hear requests such as…

  • “Please grant her a hunger and thirst for righteousness.”
  • “Please cause her to seek for wisdom as for hidden treasures.”
  • “Please cause her to love You with all her heart, soul, mind and strength.”
  • “Please enable her to love mercy, do justly, and walk humbly with You, her God.”
  • “When she feels anxious, remind her that You are her Shepherd and will provide everything she needs.”

In all honesty, until now I’ve never really thought about what Jesus prays for me day in and day out. I’ve found this an enlightening exercise. Exciting, too. Think about it—with Jesus interceding on my behalf, I have no reason to fear or fail or flounder. He’s pullin’ for me. What more do I need to face life with hope?

If you’ve come to God through Jesus, then He’s praying for you, too. What do you think He’s asking on your behalf? Complete this sentence: I think Jesus is asking that I will ______________________.

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How to Respond Well to Life’s Challenges

Wednesday, September 14th, 2011

Have you ever had to will yourself to do something? I have.

  • A month ago, I sunburned my knees badly. When I applied aloe vera gel, I suffered an allergic reaction (the label said it was pure and alcohol-free, but the label lied). The pain was so intense that I had to will myself to stand up when necessary.
  • I have several prickly people in my life. I have to will myself to love them and overlook their hurtful behaviors.
  • Sometimes I wonder if I’m ADD. Seriously. My mind races with creative ideas but there’s no way I can pursue them all. Still, I yearn to try. I have to will myself to stop and listen for God’s voice and direction.

I will scale this wall! I will, I will!

This morning, while reading the Psalms, I discovered that David willed himself to do something, too. Psalm 57 regards the time when he fled Saul and hid in a cave. Imagine him huddled in that dark, damp setting…fearing for his life yet knowing that God had anointed him as the future king. How might he have felt at that moment? What’s with this, God? Where are You when it really matters? Have you abandoned me?

No one would have blamed David if he’d entertained questions and negative thoughts. But that’s not how he chose to respond. Instead, he said things like…

  • “I will hide beneath the shadow of your wings until the danger passes by” (v. 1).
  • “I will wake the dawn with my song” (v. 8).
  • “I will thank you, Lord, among all the people. I will sing your praises among the nations” (v. 9).

Even though he might have felt extremely discouraged at that time, David willed himself to respond in a God-honoring way. What enabled him to do so? His confidence in God (v. 7). He chose to believe that God would fulfill His purpose for his life no matter what (v. 2). He believed that God would send help from heaven to rescue him. And he believed that God would send His unfailing love and faithfulness (v. 3).

I’m going to follow David’s example when I feel discouraged, or when I grow tired of waiting on God, or when I wonder if even He knows what He’s up to. Rather than allow my emotions to dictate my response, I’ll say, “I will hide beneath the shadow of Your wings, God. I will wake the dawn with a song of joy because You love me unconditionally. I will thank You and sing Your praises because Your faithfulness knows no end.”

Now it’s your turn. What difference will this insight make in your life?

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Further Thoughts on Fishing

Thursday, March 26th, 2009

An IM missionary working in Poland – Janna Forseth – emailed this morning to comment on Sunday’s devotional thoughts. Her insights are worth mentioning:

(more…)

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Feeling versus Knowing

Tuesday, January 20th, 2009

Amen to the comment about yesterday’s post! When Joseph was betrayed by his family and then thrown into prison for being lied about, I wonder how he felt. Did he feel like God was with him? Or did he have to choose to believe it?

Therein lies the challenge for real life, eh? Heaven help us from living life based on our feelings. Sheesh, we can get ourselves into a lot of trouble that way. And we can find ourselves in a pit of despair, too. The enemy just loves to mess with our minds, feeding us lies to discourage us when we’re going through tough stuff. We have to fight back by filling our minds with God’s truth and choosing to believe it.

When we live according to God’s truth, we can overcome all the negatives that the enemy throws our way. And we can flourish in the midst of the challenges. Joseph’s life proves that this is possible.

This morning I read more about Joseph’s story. Genesis 41:52 says this: “Joseph named his second son Ephraim, for he said, ‘God has made me fruitful in this land of my suffering.’” This really challenged me to think about my response to difficulties.

Could I say that God makes me fruitful in my suffering? Do good things result from my response to hard times? Or do I tend to curl up in a fetal position and wish the world would go away? Do I harbor bitterness? Do I whine about my circumstances and compare my lot to others who never seem to have problems?

I sure hope it’s not the latter. I want to learn to embrace difficulties as opportunities to bear fruit, more fruit, and even MORE fruit!

How about you? If you have a story about how God produced fruit through suffering in your life, I’d love for you to tell us about it here.

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A Joyful Heart

Friday, January 12th, 2007

On my desk sits a perpetual calendar filled with wonderful quotes. Today’s quote is from composer Joseph Haydn. He said, “When I think upon my God, my heart is so full of joy that the notes dance and leap from my pen; and since God has given me a cheerful heart, it will be pardoned me that I serve Him with a cheerful spirit.”

Sometimes we allow real-life problems to weigh us down and steal our joy. But Joseph’s words remind us that thinking upon God gives us a cheerful heart. I’ve found that to be true. When I focus on circumstances that are less than desirable, my joy fizzles. My spirit is left feeling like a withered balloon. And what does my countenance reflect? Let’s just say it ain’t a pretty sight. A woman with a positive influence? Forget it.

But when I think upon my God and His control over my circumstances, my heart is once again filled with joy. It’s never a bubbly, giddy feeling. Rather, it’s a deep-settled sense that everything’s under His control and I can rest. I can know that He’s at work in my situation, and I’m at peace. My countenance reflects my heart condition, and a smile is a natural overflow.

The next time we feel empty or discouraged, let’s think upon our God. Guaranteed, those thoughts will fill our hearts with cheer and enable us to serve Him with a cheerful heart. Therein lies the secret to being women of influence.

(Maybe this God-talk sounds foreign to you. Perhaps the only reference to God you’ve known is negative. Let me assure you, that’s not the case. If you want to know more about who God is, drop me a note!)

Know you are loved,
Grace

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