Devotional Fuel to Reboot Your Mind

Psalm 23:4, “Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and staff, they comfort me.”

We all walk through several valleys throughout our lifetime. If you could attach a name to the valley you are in right now, what would you name it? Would it be the Hope Deferred Valley? Proverbs 13:12 says, “Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but a desire fulfilled is a tree of life.” Keep on keeping on giving your needs and desires to God. You are in His presence. He hears and loves you. Faith, endurance, and perseverance are on this path.

Or are you in the Valley of Weeping? Some say Psalm 84 is called the Valley of Baca, a Hebrew word meaning weep, wail, grieve, and mourn with tears. “When we walk through the Valley of Weeping, it will become a place of refreshing springs. the autumn rains will clothe it with blessings.” Psalm 84:6 NLT. As we travel through the Valley of Weeping (Baca) there are hard and treacherous times that bring tears to our eyes from our emotions out of the pain and suffering. Yet those are the times when we long deeply for God, our Great Shepherd, to give us strength, comfort, mercy, grace, and extend blessings to us. Psalm 84:11 declares, “For the LORD God is a sun and shield; the LORD bestows favor and honor. No good thing does he withhold from those who walk uprightly.” Helplessness and greater empathy are found on this path, along with humility. Here is when we have an opportunity to experience even more deeply God’s faithfulness.

David found himself in the “valley of the shadow of death.” This is the central verse of Psalm 23. David is speaking to God -to the shepherd, not about the shepherd, in verse four. Before, he wrote about green pastures and still waters. Yet we, as David did, may walk through this valley, which is not on a mountaintop but being hedged in this fearful, dark, uneasy, not clearly lit valley he called the shadow of death. Yet this was not David’s final destination, and it is not ours. We have the reassurance that, “He will not let you stumble; the one who watches over you will not slumber.” Psalm 121:3.

Dear friend, even though you may be going through the valley of hope deferred, or the valley of weeping, or the valley of the shadow of death, there is hope because our good shepherd, our God, walks through this valley with us. We have the promise of Psalm 91:1-2, “He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will abide in the shadow of the almighty. I will say to the LORD: He alone is my refuge, my place of safety; he is my God, and I trust him.” This path is the path of God strengthening you, protecting you, loving you, and molding you into His purpose and glory of God. We need to abide in Him and not in our problematic valley. So, we can sing loudly, even though this is hard right now, “Even when I walk through the darkest valley, I will not be afraid, for you are close beside me. Your rod and your staff protect and comfort me.” NLT.

Listen to Rebecca St. James – “Dawn” featuring Luke Smallbone [Official Studio Session].

Psalm 23:3, “He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.” ESV

“My soul he refresheth, He Leadeth me in paths of righteousness, For His name’s sake.” YLT

“He refreshes my soul. He guides me along the right paths for his name’s sake.” NIV

We all are either going through a trial, coming out of a trial, or about to enter into a new trial in life. There is discouraging news all around us and there are those times when the problem keeps going longer than anticipated, and you become exhausted and weary. When you feel lost and unsure what direction to take in a trying circumstance, think about how God, as our good Shepherd in Psalm 23, “restores,” therefore giving the idea of rescuing a lost one. He guides us through His Word, leading us to purity, developing greater righteousness, and following His holiness. As we seek Him, He directs us in the plain and straight paths of His love and protection in the green pastures instead of the crooked paths we tend to bend towards due to various temptations to sin in wrong responses found in our hearts during those trying circumstances. I know what that is like. How about you?

As the LORD is our Shepherd, He will renew and sustain one’s life, as Psalm 19:7 declares, “The law of the LORD is perfect, reviving the soul; the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple.” Then Psalm 17:5 states, “My steps have held fast to your paths; my feet have not slipped.” As we further need instruction, Proverbs 4:11 teaches us that God instructs us as it says, “I instruct you in the way of wisdom and lead you along straight paths.” NIV

When exhausted and weary in life, ask the LORD for His wisdom as He is our Sovereign LORD, and for Him to restore your soul as you trust in Him to lead you through His straight paths during the stormy waters, into gentle waters of calmness and peace, for His glory and grace. Matthew 11:28 is an invitation given by Jesus to find relief and comfort from life’s burdens: “Come to me all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.”

May I, may you, be able to say, “The LORD is my shepherd; I have all that I need. He lets me rest in green meadows; he leads me beside peaceful streams. He renews my strength. He guides me along right paths, bringing honor to his name.” NLT. When you are exhausted and weary in life, trust God in your adverse circumstances. Keep on keeping on and trust and pray Psalm 84:11, “For the LORD God is a sun and shield; the LORD bestows favor and honor. No good thing does he withhold from those who walk uprightly.” He is with you always (Matt. 28). Say as David did, “For you are my rock and fortress; and for your name’s sake you lead me and guide me.” Psalm 31:3. That is our great and good Shepherd restoring your soul when you are exhausted and weary.

Listen to Phi Wickham – Psalm 23 (Official Music Video) ft. Tiffany Hudson.

Psalm 23:1-2 ESV, “The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters. He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.”

Psalm 23:1 NIV, “The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not be in want.”

Psalm 23:1 NASB, “The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not want.”

Psalm 23:1 YLT98, “JEHOVAH [is] my shepherd, I do not lack.”

I grew up in Northwest Iowa, known for its rich farmland. My dad taught vocational agriculture in our high school, and most of my relatives were farmers, so I knew that a pasture has green grass and farm animals, such as sheep, that graze there throughout the daytime, eating the grass that is healthy, fertile, and nutritious and the animals help control weeds as they graze in a pasture setting. It is a common sight while driving through the country roads.

David wrote Psalm 23. His first job was that of a shepherd of sheep, so he wrote out of his own experience in describing the LORD as a shepherd. It has been known that sheep lie down in green pastures because it is a place of safety, rest, and abundant food. They prefer drinking out of still waters. If they see the stream of water moving, they become afraid because their wool coat would soak up the water like a sponge, and they could drown. Sheep easily get lost. Therefore, they rely on their shepherd to guide, protect, and provide for their needs. Our great shepherd does that for us in ways we don’t always see, understand, or realize. John 10:11 calls Jesus the good Shepherd. Hebrews 13:20 calls Him the great Shepherd, and 1 Peter 5:4, as the Chief Shepherd.

“While people of all ages love and quote this psalm, its message is for mature Christians who have fought battles and carried burdens.” Warren Wiersbe, “Be Worshipful. Glorifying God For Who He Is. OT Commentary. Page 94. It is a journey in life to learn that God wants us to rely solei on Him alone. Frustration, disillusionment, loneliness, despair, fears, and doubts are tools of Satan to distract us from following our great and good Shepherd. Our job, education, our house or home, will not give us long lasting contentment. Only the LORD will who is our good, great, and Chief Shepherd, beccause He knows you, John 10:14.

“Paul experienced a thorn in the flesh. Moses saw his efforts to do something for God utterly frustrated and turned into disaster. Each of these men of God experienced an adversity that caused him to realize his own weakness and his dependence on God. Each adversity was different, but each had a common goal of bringing these men to a place of greater dependence on God. If God is going to use you and me, He will bring adversity into our lives so that we, too, may learn experientially our dependence on Him.” Jerry Bridges, “Trusting God,” page 185.

David wrote Psalm 23 late in his life. Some think it was during the rebellion of his son Absalom, who tried to kill him. Yet David worships the LORD, in this psalm. We have a God-given promise that He will meet our need no matter what circumstances we are encountering.

• Jehovah Jireh – The LORD will provide – “I shall not want. I have all that I need.” Genesis 22:14.
• Jehovah-Shalom – The LORD our peace. Judges 6:24.
• Jehovah-Raphe – “Restoreth my soul” – The LORD who heals. Exodus 15:26.

Since Psalm 84:11 states “No good thing will He withhold from them that love Him” could it be that the very thing I feel I am lacking in, would not be good for me at this point, otherwise my great Good Shepherd would give it to me? Remember throughout the day that the LORD is your dependable protector and guide, and say to yourself, “The LORD is my shepherd; I have all that I need.” Psalm 23:1.

Listen to Charity Gayle – I Believe (Live) Official Lyric Video

Lamentations 3:19-23, NIV “I remember my afflictions and my wandering, the bitterness and the gall. I will remember them, and my soul is downcast within me. Yet this I call to mind and therefore I have hope: Because of the LORD’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.”

When you have a pressing burden, you don’t forget it, but as a Christian, you commit it to God and pray for His wisdom and healing or solving the situation. For me, these past number of months, I have had this intense pain going on with the source stemming from my back. It is with me intermittently throughout the day and while I try to sleep at night. I have found that being carefree during times of suffering has not been attainable. Yes, you go about your day as best you can in fulfilling your daily tasks, but this predicament is still there behind what I say and do. It makes me wonder how many other people are in similar situations. Yet I have hope due to the LORD’s love, compassion, goodness, and faithfulness to see me through. That is why the prophet Jeremiah, still had hope amid his afflictions in Lamentations 3 and experienced God’s faithfulfulness. It is true that keeping our mind and thoughts fixed on Jesus and what He has done for us is the solution for not being consumed by our afflictions. Holding onto the promise of Romans 8:28 gives one hope.

Jeremiah was not prescribing positive thinking. He said he remembered his afflictions and didn’t pretend or ignore them. He felt hopeless and confused. Sometimes, all we can do is sit in our painful circumstances and rely on God’s Word to give us the strength to endure. It is a time of rebuilding and strengthening our relationship with the Lord. When Jeremiah humbled himself, he revived with hope in the LORD’s faithfulness, goodness, and mercy. Think of it as building upon your credentials through God, giving you brand new compassions you have not experienced before in your walk with Him. Jeremiah stated in verse 32, “Though he brings grief, he will show compassion, so great is his unfailing love. Jeremiah battled discouragement and had the blues despite being a spiritual pillar. Hopelessness always leads to depression.

There is hope despite our afflictions. The vital word in today’s scripture is “great love,” – mercies of God. “See where Jeremiah gets his comfort; he seems to say, ‘Bad as my case is, it might have been worse, for I might have been consumed, and I should have been consumed if the Lord’s compassions had failed.” (Spurgeon).

I love Jon Courson’s Application Commentary’s comment on Jeremiah, page 596: “If you never deal with discouragement it is either because you are very dumb or very dead because the more you know about life, the more vulnerable you are to becoming discouraged with life. Observing situations geopolitically or the situations in one’s own life personally can lead to depression and discouragement quite easily. Jeremiah was one who knew about this.” Yes, politics and the ongoing and upcoming election fits right in here as it did in Jeremiah’s time. But Jeremiah uncovers how he got out of depression:

1. He reflects on God’s mercy. Lamentations 3:22,23.
2. He reflects on the fulfillment and joy he finds in God. Lamentations 3:24, “The LORD is my portion, saith my soul; therefore will I hope in him.”
3. He reflects on the goodness of God. Lamentations 3:25, “The LORD is good unto them that wait for him, to the soul that seeketh him.”

God is in control of your life. He is adding value to your life’s credentials of achievement, personal quality, and qualifications through your time of affliction. Don’t be consumed with the problem, whatever it may be, for God’s compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is God’s faithfulness. You woke up this morning. I woke up this morning. That is proof of God’s love, mercy, compassion, and faithfulness He is giving these to us [me] fresh, for today, to fight the blues. “The LORD is my portion,” says my soul, “therefore I will hope in him.” Lamentations 3:24 ESV.

Listen to Katie Williams – Waiting [Official Lyric Video].

Philippians 1:12-14, “Now I want you to know brothers, that what has happened to me has really served to advance the gospel. As a result, it has become clear throughout the whole palace guard and to everyone else that I am in chains for Christ. Because of my chains, most of the brothers in the Lord have been encouraged to speak the word of God more courageously and fearlessly.”

We all will face discouragement throughout our lifetime with secret distress and agony. It could be financial burdens, family conflict, physical ailments, marriage issues, parental-children’s issues, lack of trust in someone you thought was a friend, someone breaking a promise to you, or someone you looked up to let you down. Paul was in prison for preaching the gospel. He was not in a happy place. Yet he used the time in this prison to strengthen his faith. His perspective was that God had placed him there as an appointment to be used by God to the Roman soldiers and encourage other Christians. Paul used this time to write letters that would one day end up in the New Testament. Who would have known? Paul also used this time to spread the gospel despite his dire situation. He also ended up being in prison again two or three years later. Yet Paul remained steadfast in his endurance and faith in Christ. Paul continued to serve God joyfully despite where he happened to be imprisoned. Paul viewed his time in prison as time not wasted. Would I?

So, my question is that I have been pondering, is when is it self-pity, and when is it not when reacting to bad situations in life? When one is squeezed, what spills out? I have learned it starts with asking if resentment has taken residence. That is a fair and honest question when responding to bad situations and conditions. Then, check feelings of bitterness. What about the misfortune of being misunderstood? They all lead to pride issues. God is the God of counsel.

Look at Isaiah 28:28-29 which states, “Does one crush grain for bread? No, he does not thresh it forever, when he drives his cart wheel over it with his horses, he does not crush it. This also comes from the LORD of hosts, he is wonderful in counsel and excellent in wisdom.” “A farmer uses different tools at different times and works them all together to produce crops. In the same way, God knows what instruments to use in our lives and when to use them. We don’t have to doubt or despair at what God is doing in our lives, because He is an expert farmer, working on us with all His wisdom.” 2021 The Enduring Word Bible Commentary by David Guzik.

God has perfect timing in His work in our lives. Seek His counsel when reacting to bad conditions. Yes, it takes strength, courage, and determination to offer “at his tabernacle a sacrifice of joy; I will sing and make music to the LORD.” Psalm 27:6b. Next commit what you are doing to the LORD. Trust Him because He will help you (Psalm 37:5). Then, “Be still in the presence of the LORD, and wait patiently for him to act.” Psalm 37:7a NLT. Finally, do as David did, “I will bless the LORD at all times; his praise shall continually be in my mouth.” Psalm 34:1 ESV. That is how we [I] must react to bad situations, leaving behind the companions of resentment, bitterness, self-pity, and pride seizing hold of us in our fears of the unknown, pulling us into discouragement. Sit in God’s presence and wait for Him to act. He is putting on the final touches of your inner person through your suffering and difficulty. Keep your eyes on Jesus.

Listen to for KING + COUNTRY & Michael W. Smith – Place In This World (Recorded Live in Nashville)

1 Kings 19:3-4, “Elijah was afraid, and ran for his life. When he came to Beersheba in Judah, he left his servant there, while he himself went a day’s journey into the desert. He came to a broom tree, sat down under it and prayed that he might die. “I have had enough LORD,” he said, “Take my life. I am no better than my ancestors.”

Elijah followed the true God and spoke up boldly for God’s truth. He was a man of faith and courage and extensively believed in God’s power in answering his prayer requests. Elijah had an intimate relationship with God, who commanded him when to move to different locations. He was the most famous of Israel’s prophets. The political rule at that time was wicked and carnal, and followed pagan gods. Yet God accomplished many miracles through Elijah – defeated prophets of Baal, answered prayer for rain, and predicted the beginning and end of a three-year drought. Yet Elijah experienced severe depression and fatigue right after two major spiritual victories over the defeat of the prophets of Baal and the miraculous answer of prayer of rain. He prayed that he might die. But he received a no answer from God, and he was one of the few men never to die, that are in the Bible. Yet how often haven’t I thought to myself, as Elijah said, “I have had enough LORD!”

“We sometimes forget that physical needs are important. Sometimes the most spiritual thing a person can do is get enough rest and replenishment.” David Guzik, Blue Letter Bible Commentary. Elijah needed rest and replenishment which God gave him under a broom tree. God had more in store for Elijah. “It is God alone who knows when we have done enough, and enjoyed enough; but we do not know.” Charles Spurgeon.

When you feel ineffective, exhausted, and you have had enough, may these verses that I have been rereading this week, uplift your emotions and encourage you also to keep keeping on:

• Psalm 42:5, “Why are you in despair, O my soul? And why have you become disturbed within me? Hope in God, for I shall again praise Him for the help of his presence.”
• Psalm 18:28, “You, O LORD, keep my lamp burning; my God turns my darkness into light.”
• Psalm 25:21, “May integrity and uprightness protect me, because my hope is in you.”
• Philippians 1:6, “And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you, will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.”

I am sure in the end that Elijah was thankful God did not answer his prayer in taking his life. In 1 Kings 19:11-12, we read Elijah’s personal encounter with God. God met Elijah with a gentle whisper. Then God instructs Elijah to disciple a young man named Elisha, who was considered wealthy due to the number of oxen he owned (1 Kings 19:19-21). God’s still and quiet voice calms hearts and is more powerful in changing lives than anything or anyone else. Who knows who God wants you to minister to from the wisdom He has taught you throughout your trials? Or think about how God is working in you today as you wait on Him for a certain provision of need, after you have gotten the sufficient amount of rest that your body needs. It needs both physical and spiritual replenishment.

So maybe you have a prayer that has not been answered. Take on Psalm 46:10-11, “Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted above the nations, I will be exalted in the earth. The LORD Almighty is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress.” God knows when you have done enough. Sit in His presence. Follow the Word that is hidden in your heart. God will speak and direct you through the Holy Spirit’s opening your mind to the hope you will find in God’s Word. Take one hour at a time and then take one day at a time. Elijah went through depression and discouragement and asked that he could die. Look how God used him still and the final answer to that prayer.

Listen to Ride the storm – Jane Evelyn (Judah Collective) Lyrics. 1 month ago.

1 Samuel 1:10, “In bitterness of soul Hannah wept much and prayed to the LORD.” NIV

1 Samuel 1:10, “She was deeply distressed and prayed to the LORD and wept bitterly.” ESV

What causes you to be discouraged and distressed? Is it something you wished you had and don’t have? Or it could be someone you find yourself in competition with that you had not anticipated, and things are going in a different direction then you would have chosen. I am thankful that God’s Word supplies and teaches us how people felt the same emotions we all go through. Look at Hannah. Hannah had good reason to feel discouraged and resentful and was in misery. We read of her story in 1 Samuel 1. She was unable to have children and had a rival, who was a woman, as we read in verses six and seven, “And because the LORD had closed her womb, her rival kept provoking her in order to irritate her. This went on year after year. “Whenever Hannah went up to the house of the LORD, her rival provoked her till she wept and would not eat.” Wow! I don’t know that I saw that before. “Her rival kept provoking her in order to irritate her.”1 Samuel 1:6. Do you have someone that is doing that to you or have had that done in the past? Hannah struggled with a delay in her outward circumstances. How I love how God’s Word speaks to me by His Holy Spirit, that gives me hope in reading this this week.

Hannah’s husband tried to console her, which he needed to do as a good husband should. He tried to get her to stop crying by saying, “Don’t I mean more to you than ten sons?” 1 Samuel 1:8b. Elkanah, loved her but could not solve her problem, and Hannah was so discouraged that she didn’t even want to eat. But Hannah bravely did not give up hope; she prayed earnestly, was distraught, and brought her problem to God. After doing that, we read that Hannah – “her face was no longer downcast.” 1 Samuel 1:18. That is the way to pray. Give it all to God, every detail, every desire, every frustration, and then go in peace. Don’t listen to the taunts of the lies Satan is feeding you with. Those fears and doubts do not come from the Lord.

God answered Hannah’s prayer request, and Samuel was born (1 Samuel 1:18-20). Hannah felt ineffective, but her prayer opened her heart to God and opened how God would work. Hannah’s heart’s desire and request had a postponement in God’s sovereign plan that she could not yet see. Perhaps you are going through this same situation in receiving a delay in your prayer request to the Lord. Hannah did not give up on trusting God, and God blessed her with the birth of Samuel. “So in the course of time Hannah conceived and gave birth to a son. She named him Samuel, saying, “Because I asked the LORD for him.” Yes, she earlier felt ineffective and without worth, but God honored and answered her prayer and her promise to Him to “give him to the LORD all the days of his life.” 1 Samuel 1:11.

Dear one, you have worth. God’s plan is for you to be of benefit and be effective where He has placed you despite any competitor, outward circumstances, and immediate restrictions in that affliction. “Life without God is like an unsharpened pencil – it has no point.” Billy Graham. May Hannah’s prayer in 1 Samuel 2 be yours:

• “My heart rejoices in the LORD; in the Lord my horn is lifted high. My mouth boasts over my enemies, for I delight in your deliverance.” 1 Samuel 2:1.

“Sometimes our prayers are so lofty that they hide our true emotions. To such prayers, I believe the Lord would say, “Tell Me what you’re really feeling. I can handle it. After all, I already know about it.” (Hebrews 4:13) Jon Courson’s Application Commentary, page 826. So, when you are feeling ineffective, give all of your frustrations, inadequacies, and perhaps words of taunting, over to the Lord. Then give glory to God because He has heard your prayers and will supply at just the right time, what is needed. He will bring things about as He has promised in Romans 8:28, for your good. To God be the glory!

Listen to Anne Wilson, Chris Tomlin – The Cross (Official Lyric Video).

Philippians 4:5-7, Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand. And do not be anxious for anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your mind in Christ Jesus.”

In 2023, I did a Bible Study on endurance and perseverance. Have I improved in this area? It is a lifelong process and battle that I have not mastered, yet I persist in my endeavors to endure and persevere in applying God’s truths and promises to my life. Then this past year, I did a personal Bible Study on trusting God. It taught me I have so much more to learn in this area. For instance, it is difficult to trust in God when you see nothing happening. However, we have the example of Rachel not being able to get pregnant in Genesis 30:22-24. Eventually, God answered her prayers, but she had to live with her mistake of taking matters into her own hands with Leah, which was Rachel’s personal solution. How different Rachel’s life would have been had she had the patience and courage to trust in God and wait for His timing. The lesson for us is never to think God has forgotten us during our need.

 Do you know someone that is carefree? Spurgeon said it well, when he said, “– but as a cure for disagreements, the apostle says, ‘Rejoice in the Lord always.’ People who are very happy, especially those who are very happy in the Lord, are not apt either to give offense or to take offense. Their minds are so sweetly occupied with higher things, that they are not easily distracted by the little troubles which naturally arise among such imperfect creatures as we are. Joy in the Lord is the cure for all discord.” I have had to think about that. Then the book, UNOFF-END-ABLE, which further writes about this subject, by Brant Hansen, on page 201, which I highly recommend, says, “We have to constantly be grateful for our own forgiveness. We start the day with it. We live the day with it. We end the day with it. It defines us.” This is a daily challenge and would help us all to be more carefree in not being distracted from offenses, wouldn’t it? Oh, that my mind would be more faithfully occupied with higher things. God is saying to us, “Come to me and I will give you rest.” Matthew 11:28-30.

Write out what concerns you today. Commit it to the Lord. Tell Him what weighs you down. He is the God of peace. I have a stencil on the wall above my printer in my office that says, “Be still and know that I am God.” Psalm 46:10. Then, in my bathroom, I have this verse written on a card helping me through a particular situation: “Why are you in despair, O my soul? And why have you become disturbed within me? Hope in God, for I shall again praise Him for the help of His presence.” Can you become carefree? Can I? In the sense of lifting your cares and concerns to the God of peace, yes, you (I) can if you (I) have committed it all to Him and ask the Lord to help you see Him working it out for your good as He has promised in Romans 8:28.

Paul did not have all his prayers answered. “Paul says, “Pray with me – first that I may be delivered from my enemies in Jerusalem; second, that my service may be accepted by the Christians; and finally, that I may come to you at Rome with joy.” Romans 15:30-32. But what happened? Paul was captured by his enemies in Jerusalem. His ministry was not readily accepted by the saints. Ant the only way he made it to Rome was as a prisoner. Here’s the deal gang, God can say “Yes” to my prayers, or He can say “No.” Either way, it’s an answer.” Jon Courson’s Application Commentary, page 1296.

Paul’s instruction was to turn our worries into prayers. Remember, “the Lord is at hand.” That is the path to becoming carefree because God is holding your cares in His hands. Hope in God and praise Him for His provision before you can see it. Yes, we will have adversities. But they are being controlled by God’s sovereign love and wisdom for His glory and for our good. So, is being carefree possible? When put all together in this light in committing to God everything, trusting in God with endurance and patience, yes. But give it time. It takes practice by keeping God’s Word before you as much as possible, guarding your hearts and mind in Christ Jesus.

Listen to Somebody Prayed (with Lyrics) – Crowder. 3 months ago.

Romans 15:13, “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.

When going through a trial or struggle, there are stages – the beginning, then in the middle, where it may get worse, and then eventually the ending. You may go through many emotions while working through the process, and then those thoughts of “what if” come creeping in. Yet, above all else, James 1:12 declares what we are to put on, “Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him.” There is a heavenly reward for those who endure with perseverance, staying steadfast in their hope in the Lord, “that through endurance and through the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.” Romans 15:4b. Trust in Him.

I read recently that we are the most vulnerable when we are hurting. But we have the promise of God in Psalm 91-11:13 which states, “For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways. On their hands they will bear you up, lest you strike your foot against a stone. You will tread on the lion and the adder; the young lion and the serpent you will trample underfoot.” It is comforting to know that God watches over us even in times of great fear and stress, which gives us joy and peace. We abound in God’s protection over us. Meditate on that so you can abound in hope, in Jehovah Jireh – God will provide.

When thinking about the word “abound,” think of “abundantly.” Pray Ephesians 3:20, which declares, “Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us.”  Dwell on these promises of God. “Abound” means being abundant, plentiful, or highly successful. May your hope in God’s grace and mercy and provision be given to you as needed, in great quantity, so “that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.” Romans 15:13.

Remember the song you sang as a small child, “Jesus loves me this I know. For the Bible tells me so . . .” Sing those words to yourself. Satan will do all he can to fill you with doubts, lies, and deception. Guard your heart and keep verses close at hand to dispel those weapons that try to steal, kill, and destroy your hope in God’s abundant, abounding love for you. Put on the promises of God to fill your mind over and above of God’s power, love for you, and goodness, and abound in hope that He will exceed your expectations of your heart’s desire and need, with joy and peace by the power of the Holy Spirit, through the Scriptures, applying it to your heart and then giving you hope.

Romans 15:13 J.B. Phillips NT, “May the God of hope fill you with joy and peace in your faith, that by the power of the Holy Spirit, your whole life and outlook may be radiant with hope.”

Listen to “Great I Am Can,” by Brandon Lake & Chris Brown (with lyrics).

Psalm 73:26, “My flesh and my heart may fail, But God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.”

When going through a struggle, isn’t it easy to envy carefree people around you? They may appear to be healthy and strong and seem to be free of burdens. Don’t kid yourself. Everyone has their own struggles to deal with. No one is exempt. Their poker face may be hiding what is brewing underneath.

So then, when going through a trial, how do you worship God continually throughout your day despite your pain you are feeling? We all get so caught up in our daily responsibilities, tasks, and deadlines as people are counting on us. I must ask myself, how have I portrayed Christ living in me due to my worshipping Christ instead of giving in to these frustrations and irritations? Sometimes it takes more effort than other times, doesn’t it? What would or should I say differently? Don’t we all make excuses such as, “That’s my personality.” Or “I haven’t had my cup of coffee yet this morning.” Better yet, “I just had to get that off my chest.” Yet anger, let’s call it what it is, is an issue of the heart caused by external influences and internal influences and experiencing physical pain, an internal influence, can erupt and spew out, when not using self-control. I have been guilty.

Yes, my physical body may be weak right now, and my courage may fail, but God’s strength needs to be put on. The psalmist confessed to God in Psalm 73:21-22, “When my heart was grieved and my spirit embittered, I was senseless and ignorant; I was a brute beast before you.” Then he acknowledged God’s continual presence and counsel.

I made a list of all the things that are struggles currently causing me anxiety. I had five things on my list in my prayer journal. What would you write down on your list? But at the bottom, I wrote, “Give me a clearer perspective through Your eyes, dear God.” The following verses have been helpful to me, and I pray they will be to you as well:

• Psalm 23:6, “Surely goodness and mercy will follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the LORD forever.”
• 2 Corinthians 12:9, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.” 
• Psalm 73:23-24a, “Nevertheless, I am continually with you; you hold my right hand. You guide me with your counsel.”
• Psalm 73:28, “But as for me, it is good to be near God. I have made the Sovereign LORD my refuge; I will tell of all your deeds.”

I am learning how pain affects what people say and do at times. Worry, fear, doubt, and unclear thinking get in the way and affect what we do and say while undergoing pain. However, there is a safe place found in our hope in God’s grace, mercy, presence, and promises found in His Word. Be careful not to be guided by one’s feelings, circumstances, or experiences, but seek to be guided by God’s counsel.

Pray through Psalm 150, which is a hymn of praise. Verse 2 declares, “Praise him for his acts of power, praise him for his surpassing greatness.” Twenty-four-seven, cling to His promises. That is where our hope is secure. Look to your eternal perspective. Put that future in your thinking today.

Listen to Leanna Crawford – Still Waters (Psalm 23) (LYRICS) You Tube 3 months ago.