When I was a child, we would take family trips to see my grandparents and other family members. I wouldn’t say they were harrowing journeys, more like challenging. We were a family of five, and our dog crammed into a station wagon for the six- or seven-hour trip. Over time the excursions changed from seeing my grandparents with my family to going to college and then traveling with my children to see my parents. The one thing all these trips have in common is what would happen right before we got in the car to leave. We would gather around in a circle every time, pray for safe travel, and thank God for all his blessings.

I have realized that every day is a journey to some degree. I may be going through a battle or rejoicing in triumphant of God’s goodness to me. My journey may not be a trip; I also walk-through discouragement or interpersonal struggles. Journeys don’t have to be a negative experience or a dangerous situation. Positive life experiences also require dependence on God and his constant, watchful attention. Whatever I face each day, I need God’s help. He abides with me in my struggles but is also with me in my victories.

I was flipping through my Bible, looking for a scripture passage, and landed on Psalm 121. I have a few verses in the Psalm underlined, so I stopped to reread it. The Psalm took on a new light for me. Psalm 121 is about a pilgrim on his way to Jerusalem for one of the three festivals. Different commentators have different views on what each verse may mean. They all agree that this is a Psalm of ascent, and that the traveler was concerned for his journey. Also, God was his constant companion and with him, providing for and protecting him on his journey.

The author begins by looking to the hills from where his help comes. His beginning made me think of all the prayers before my various trips. As a child, I did not understand all the dangers of travel. As an adult, I am grateful whenever I safely pull into my driveway.

The Psalm takes a turn in verse three. It is no longer the traveler but God himself speaking. God speaks of his protection and provision along this journey. I thought it was strange to say that “he who watches over you will not slumber; indeed, he who watches over Israel will neither slumber nor sleep” (Psalm 121:3-4). By our God never sleeping, he does watch over us continually. Circumstances or threats may catch us unaware but never God. God is always available to watch out over and for us.

In verse five, God proclaims that he “watches over you – the Lord is your shade at your right hand; the sun will not harm you by day nor the moon by night.” One commentator thought that this might reference God’s leading the Israelites in the wilderness by a cloud by day and a pillar of fire at night. I thought about this proclamation and how it can apply to my life today. I realize that during my day, as I am journeying in growing in faith and closer to God, I have put myself on Satan’s radar. He will stop at nothing to disrupt, distract, take my attention off God and attempt to defeat me. If possible, he will try to disrupt my relationship with God to the point that I openly rebel against God. See Solomon (1 Kings 11) as an example of what can happen when we don’t listen to God’s commands and obey. “Then the Lord raised up against Solomon an adversary, Hadad the Edomite, from the royal line of Edom.” (1 Kings 11:14). Solomon fell so far in his rebellion that God split the Kingdom after Solomon’s reign. (1 Kings 11:34-35) If the wisest man, at that time, could be lulled away from the Almighty God, I better press in every day in faith. I pray and ask God to shield me from temptation, prideful thoughts, sinful behaviors, or anything that can dull my thoughts to the point that I rebel against God. I need to dwell in the shade God provides, so I don’t get burned by the heat of temptation and sinful living.

The verse that stopped me in my tracks was verse eight. I had a wonderful, Godly mother. She was an excellent example of how to live for God every day, no matter what you were experiencing. After I graduated from college, I lived in an apartment that may not have been the safest. There was a hidden corner leading into my apartment. My mother worried about my safety, so she went to the Lord for freedom from this anxiety. It was under this situation that she gave me my life verse. Psalm 121:8 “the Lord will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore.” I appreciated it while I lived in that apartment, but as I moved on, I forgot about it. God is faithful, despite my unfaithfulness, and brought this verse back to me. My mother did not know then how many moves and changes were in my future. But God did. I have physically moved several times. I have also battled health issues, where I experienced God’s hand of protection and healing. God knew that I would need his protection, maybe even more, on my spiritual journey. God watches over me as I struggle with slips in my faith. I battle disappointment and the unrelenting assaults from an enemy who “prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour.” (I Peter 5:8)

The author of Psalm 121 was afraid and anxious over his journey. He knew there would be instability along the journey. Some dangers he may have anticipated, and others would be unknown to him. He would experience areas where his foot may slip. He would encounter inhabitants in the land he passed through with different beliefs, and the people may try to tempt him into falling in line with their views. The people may try to harm him or rob him. He may experience delays as he journeys through these areas to Jerusalem.

Knowing all the potential obstacles, he still left and went on this, what could be, a dangerous trip. Worshipping God in Jerusalem was worth the risks. I wonder if I look at my journey with the same commitment and determination. I don’t need to look to the hills for my help. I have the Holy Spirit alive and active in my heart. He reassures me that God does not slumber; he watches over me all day and keeps me from harm. I don’t need to be anxious or afraid about my journey. Like the Psalmist, I am not traveling alone.  

The Bible is the living word of God, applicable to all of us and every generation. Our journey does not look the same as the Psalmist. We are not traveling physically to Jerusalem to celebrate the festivals. We are, however, on a journey toward our Heavenly Jerusalem. We also encounter threats and obstacles along the way. However, after studying Psalm 121, I can rest assured that I am not traveling alone. I am also under the watchful eye of the Almighty God, who reigns forever. I can rest in calm confidence that I am not alone as I move closer to my Heavenly Jerusalem. We never get to the point that we don’t need protection. Praise God that he never sleeps or slumbers and watches over us as we come and go.

There are times in my life when I felt insignificant. This emotion may be caused by social rejection, or perhaps phone calls or text messages are not returned. Another reason may be people may act like we don’t exist. I remember a few times I went to social functions with my husband. This one woman would look around for someone “more important” to talk with, and when she saw them, she would quickly end our conversation and move on. Finally, I realized this was more an issue of her rude behavior than my significance. Social media not only affects young people’s feelings and perspectives; it can make adults feel insignificant and marginalized as well. We may compare our life, career, and success to others. We don’t always acknowledge what we see is just a glimpse of “perfection.”

Recently I was making my way through a busy airport. There were people and lines everywhere. I felt insignificant while waiting in the TSA, restaurant, and newsstand lines. So many people pass through the airport that no one notices anyone. Everyone passes one another on the way to the next destination.

 I patiently waited for my boarding time. As we were waiting for the door to the jetway to open, the gate agent announced a flight delay. At first, it was just a few minutes, but as the morning wore on, the delays kept coming. The line for the gate agents grew as people wanted to know what was going on and if they would be able to change their flights. If you have ever been in this predicament, trying to get help is an awful and frustrating experience. It seems you just become another person with a problem to be solved. Feelings of insignificance can start to surface.

My husband flies several times a year. He has an airline club membership, and I can use his membership when I fly. On this day, I was so grateful for this enrollment. The pleasant airline representatives in the club are there to help you with any travel needs. They acted as though they cared about me having the best experience I could under the circumstances. I went from being just another passenger to receiving an abundance of assistance. I immediately went from feeling insignificant to feeling as if I mattered.

Sitting on the flight at 30,000 feet, I looked out the window. I could make out the shapes of houses and roads. However, because of the distance, I could not see any details of the world progressing below me. At this moment, I thought about how God is in Heaven, which I always presumed was far from me, but He sees everything about me, not just me, but all of creation. Distance, clouds, or treetops do not cloud his view. The knowledge that God sees me in all circumstances became very real.

What brings a person a sense of significance? Some people find their worth in their career, a house, what car they drive, how much money they have in the bank or invested, or what they wear. Sometimes we are driven by gaining “stuff” to make us feel relevant. The problem is when the feeling of contentment with what we have wears off; our human intuition is to go after more. How much money is enough? How large of a house do you need to own? How expensive of a car do you need to drive? At some point, you must look at your life and see that your significance is not in your possessions. Whatever material object you find great importance in can be gone in a flash.

If I can’t find significance in my things, etc., where do I find it? I can only see my value in God and who he says I am. David praises God, knowing how intimately God knows His creation. God forms every person in our mothers’ wombs, and we are all fearfully and wonderfully made (Psalm 139:13-14). God does not stop by just creating us; we are created in his image and for a purpose. God loves us so much that he sent his only son into the world to be born, die, and rise again to forgive us of our sins. (John 3:16). He chose us even before he made the world. God loved us and chose us in Christ to be holy and without fault in his eyes (Ephesians 1:4).

Every day we are in a battle with an enemy we can’t see, but he is very real. Satan is the father of lies and whispers the lie that we don’t matter in our ears as often as he can. The Bible points to the truth that we are significant to the Almighty God. We read in 1 Thessalonians that God loves us and has chosen us. That fact alone should be enough to let us see how important we are.

Suppose we base our significance on others’ opinions of us or our abilities. In that case, we will constantly be battling highs and lows in our emotions. We must find our constancy on who God says we are. The Bible says we are justified and redeemed (Romans 3:24). Also, there is no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus (Romans 8:1). Romans 8:17 says we are heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ. Imagine the Prince of Heaven sharing his inheritance with us. Not just allowing it but making the way possible (John 14:6). John 15:15 shows us that Jesus calls us his friends. How can I feel insignificant if the Savior of the world calls me a friend?

The only thing stopping everyone from getting the help I could get that day at the airport was admittance into the club. There is a price to be paid for admission. The only thing stopping all creation from joining God in Heaven for eternal life is bowing hearts, confessing Jesus as Savior and accepting the gift God offers. Although entrance into Heaven is free for us, Christ had to pay with His life, dying for our sins, so that we could gain entry into eternal life with God. We are undeserving and yet God made a way for us to spend eternity with him. How can I feel insignificant with this truth revealed to me?

Along with eternal life, we gain blessings on earth. We gain direct access to God and all the benefits He offers His children. I need never feel insignificant again. My significance is not in myself but God. He is the sovereign God; he has a plan and will fulfill it. God is faithful to complete the good work in us and will perfect it until the day of Jesus Christ (Philippians 1:6).

On that trip, I went from feeling insignificant to amazed that I matter to God. I thought of the amazement of the all-knowing, omnipresent God, knowing the number of hairs on my head. I asked God how He knew everything about me. The return answer was because He is sovereign, omniscient and not far away but so close that through the Holy Spirit, he dwells with me. God’s all-knowing knowledge is not just reserved for believers in Jesus. God knows everything about everyone and loves all of creation. But for those of us who are children of God through salvation, how comforting to know the Almighty God dwells with us personally.

To the world, I am not all that significant. But I don’t care because I am chosen of God, holy and beloved (Col 3:12).

Show someone today how significant they are to you. It may make all the difference in their day.

When I was a child, I would play wrestle with my older brother. He was more muscular and quicker than me and would always win. I would have to eventually cry “uncle” so he would let me go. I didn’t particularly appreciate surrendering. It made me feel like a loser, but I would always go back for more for some odd reason. I thought I had gotten stronger and could finally get the upper hand. I never did!

The dictionary defines surrender as “to relinquish possession or control of (something) to another because of demand or compulsion”. According to the dictionary, there are several different ways to use the word surrender. Still, all the definitions have some form of “to give up.” Why is it so hard to surrender? I believe it is because human nature wants to control our lives and what happens to us.

I have thought about this concept for a while. I associate surrendering with some failure or someone who will have control over me. I was praying about this and realized that by yielding to God, I am not giving up as much as giving in willingly. I know that I still need to make decisions about everyday life issues. However, I must surrender control over what direction my life will take. Matthew 16:24 says, “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me.” Jesus states that I cannot truly surrender to God without denying and walking away from having my way. I must willingly follow him as he directs my steps.

When I think of bowing to God, the words from the hymn All to Jesus I surrender come to mind. “All to Jesus I surrender, all to Thee I freely give; I will ever love and trust Him, in His presence daily live. I surrender all. I surrender all. All to Thee, my blessed Savior, I surrender all.” This hymn speaks to the truth that I can trust the Almighty God and completely surrender to Him. By giving control to God, I live in freedom, not bondage. He is entirely faithful and trustworthy. He has my good and His glory in mind in all He does for or with me. I go to God in prayer and say I surrender everything to Him. But do I relinquish every part of my heart and life, or do I keep something back? I may be afraid to offer something or think I don’t have to. I may feel an issue is unimportant or want to control how a concern plays out in my life. Why do I find it so hard to fully surrender my heart, desires, dreams, and wishes? Lately, I have realized that I lack faith in letting God control me and my future.

Why is it so crucial for me to surrender my life and heart to God? Simply because if the perfect Son of God yielded to the Father, then so should I.  What makes me think that I, as a human, don’t need God’s help and authority when Jesus, God’s perfect son, surrendered to God? Jesus resigned his position in heaven and came to earth to be our Savior. He willingly died for us. The night the Roman soldiers came to arrest him, Jesus asked God to take the cup if God was willing. (Luke 22:42). He surrendered his will to God. Not for himself but for sinful people so we can have a relationship with the Almighty God.

By surrendering to God, the Father, I am not giving up who I am; the characteristics that make me unique and identify me. I am giving up control, but I am gaining freedom from my bondage to sin that enslaves me daily. I can break the power of sin and death over me by surrendering myself and my will to God. (Romans 6:6). I am not living in defeat but victory. By accepting Christ as my Savior, I can live in Christ’s victory at the cross when He died and rose again. When I surrender to God, I can hope for a better life that He promises all of us who die to ourselves so that we may gain the life He promises. His option is so much better than anything I could imagine.

Many examples throughout the Bible show the harmful effects of not surrendering your heart and forging your path. The concept of surrender goes back to Genesis. Adam and Eve did not surrender to God’s commands and allowed Satan to deceive them. The Israelites got impatient, waiting for God to speak with Moses and built an altar. Because of their pride and selfishness, none of that generation got to see the promised land. They had to wander in the desert for 40 years. Abraham and Sarah had family drama because they did not surrender to God’s timing on a son being born. Jacob and Esau were at odds because Jacob wanted his father’s blessing as firstborn. The Israelites often did not listen to the prophets, turn back to God and change their ways. Then they were marched into captivity. Suppose I do not surrender to God and worship him. In that case, I will inevitably surrender to something or someone else and find myself in captivity. This captivity may not be physical but mental, spiritual, or emotional. Complete surrender to God is the best way and should be my only option.

I now realize that without surrendering to God, I will not be able to handle all the issues and stressors that come into my day-to-day life. More than likely, I will fall flat on my face while trying to manage on my own. I may think a problem is too small to take to God, or He won’t care about it. However, my thinking would be wrong. He says to bring everything to him, big or small.  Psalm 34:4 says that when we seek the Lord, he answers and delivers us from all our fears. It doesn’t just say the “big” issues, but all. Later in Psalm 34 in verse 17 we see that the Lord hears all the cries of the righteous and delivers us from all our trouble.

I will be closer to finding the peace I am searching for when I completely surrender to God. He is not in heaven allowing hard times, good times, and everything in between in my life so that I will finally cry “uncle” and surrender to Him. Yielding to God is an act of faith, a humble position of my heart that embraces God’s work in my life. He may not be working as I think He should or do what I think He should do, but these occasions are opportunities to press in and let go. He knows the peace, joy, and hope available to me if I just lay down all my cares, concerns, and burdens and relinquish my life to Him.

I pray for a humble heart that bows to the father in complete surrender. 

All to thee I surrender.

One of my favorite things is to go to brunch after church on Sunday. A few weeks ago, we had an unusual summer day. It was warm but not hot and sunny with a slight breeze. My husband and I took the opportunity to sit outside the restaurant to enjoy brunch. It was a lovely time with good conversation and delicious food. As we ate, a slight breeze blew through the patio tables. One umbrella was at a perfect angle to catch the gentle wind, and the table toppled over. Apparently, it had been a busy morning at the restaurant, and no one had cleaned off the table before this incident. 

The crash made a loud noise and a terrible mess. The table crashed to the ground, and the dishes scattered and broke on the patio. Someone came out to clean up the broken dishes and everything else on the table. 

I have thought about that mess over the weeks. I realized this is how life is sometimes. The table represents my life which can topple by the breezes that come through as I live. I cannot get so busy with life or things I want to do that I do not clean up as I go. Ignoring disorder and clutter will only lead to noise and destruction.

What am I leaving on the table in my day-to-day life? Am I living with emotions and characteristics such as unkindness in my heart, anger, doubt, fear, anxiety, pride, wallowing in procrastination, or pettiness? If I do not deal with these emotions and clean up my heart, I will inevitably topple over when the breeze of adversity blows through my life. If the restaurant staff had been proactive and promptly cleaned up the dishes on the table, there would not have been such a mess to clean up when the table fell over. What could have been a couple-minute job became more involved and took longer to accomplish. The manager came out to the patio to help the staff member, and he kept apologizing to the diners. I realized this situation could have been avoided if someone had taken care of the dishes earlier.

In the same way, if I take a few minutes to “clean up” my heart, I can avoid a lot of heartache and destruction. When or if I topple over, the hope is that I will not cause a significant mess causing the need for me to apologize to the people around me. One way of cleaning up my heart and life would be to pray Psalm 139: 23-24 “Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me and lead me in the way everlasting”.

Interestingly, the waitress told us the same thing happened earlier, except that the table had been empty. In that instance, it was just a matter of picking the table up and putting it back in place. The staff did not learn the precarious nature of the table with the umbrella up and make any changes. Consequently, the table fell again, but with a much different result. Do I experience warning signs that I also ignore and keep going about my life? Suppose I open my eyes and heart to the Holy Spirit’s warning and attempt to get me on the right path. In that case, I may be able to save myself from heartache and destruction. Mercifully all will not be lost if I do suffer a tumble and return to God for help. The Bible promises that God will restore what the locusts have devoured. He will not only restore life, but it will be a significant restoration (Joel 2:25-26).

As I was thinking about this post, I read the following in an Our Daily Bread entry by Katara Patton. “James’ realization was smart. It’s a reflection of what the writer of Hebrews is saying too. As we continue our journey in life, we need to “throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles (Hebrews 12:1). We need to travel light and press on. Without Jesus’ help, we can’t travel light and run this race well. May we look to the “pioneer and perfector of faith” so that we won’t “grow weary and lose heart” (Hebrews 12:2-3)

Jesus knows what will happen to us if we are not faithful to come to him and throw off everything that hinders the life initially planned for us. He also knows we can become weary and weighed down by this life and our experiences while living in this sin-scared world. Matthew 11:28-30 speaks to this truth: “Come to me, all who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”

It is of great comfort to me that I don’t need to “clean up” myself before I go to God. He sees me in all my sins, loves me, and wants a relationship with me. I need to clean up my heart not to have a relationship with God but to have a deeper communion with Him and live the life He planned for me. I must repent and ask for forgiveness. 1 John states, “if we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. ” The “cleanup” is not for God but for me so that I may participate in the joy and abundant life God wants me to experience. Also, so that my life may be a living testimony of the love and power of God. He loves me unconditionally and can change me, so I don’t have to live under the weight of my sin. I can live as Isaiah 40:31 states, “but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary; they will walk and not faint”.

Living with the weight of sins and wounds will eventually crush me and cause a mess and destruction. I want to remember to quickly go to Jesus with all my cares, concerns, and brokenness. Remembering that He cares for me, and if I try to live in the darkness of my “dirt,” it may just take on a life of its own. If not dealt with by prayer and confession to the God who loves me, this will keep me from sweet communion and fellowship with the God of the universe, who calls me his daughter.

I pray that I am aware of and clean up any mess before someone must come in and help me; before it becomes a much bigger mess and takes much longer to remedy.

What does it mean to have complete faith and trust in God? For some people, faith and confidence seem to come effortlessly. I am not one of those people. I realize I should be, and I am a work in progress toward this goal. God has shown himself trustworthy to me many times throughout my life. He has always provided for me and many times abundantly. I ask myself, why do I doubt God? One day I was reading the story of the Israelites crossing the Red Sea, and I realized I was in a great company of doubters. The Israelites let fear, anxiety, and despair overwhelm them when they came to the shores of the Red Sea. Even after partaking in their miraculous exodus and receiving provisions along their journey, they still gave into their doubt. I probably would have done the same thing. Here they were, for all intents and purposes, trapped. Egyptians were pursuing them and a sea is in front of them. I am sure they were perplexed about why God brought them to this point. I have learned a few lessons in my life, and it always comes to me realizing that God is the God of the unexpected and the God of the impossible. If God brings me to the shores of a Red Sea in my life, he has a way for me to get to the other side.

Complete and utter trust in the Almighty God; this is what I need. He parted the Red Sea for the Israelites. Think about that. High walls of water were on either side of the people as they walked on dry ground. Not muddy – not a little dry but completely dry. Their feet were not slowed down by having to walk through the mire, weighing them down. I imagine some hurried, afraid that the water would not hold. Gripping their children and saying “hurry” “hurry. “All the while, vast walls of water were being held back for their safe passage. Trust had to reign even in their anxiety and fear.

I can look back on my life and see instances where God had provided for me when I had no idea how life situations would work out. One occurrence I remember is after I graduated from college. I had a couple of different jobs after graduation. I finally got a job that I liked and had the opportunity to learn about financial planning. One day on my way to work, I felt God telling me to apply to the seminary in the city where I was living. I did not want to do this. I knew the seminary could not pay much, and I was on my own to provide for my welfare. I obediently applied and got a job. I left the position that had the potential to compensate me well for a job that was going to be living paycheck to paycheck, or so I thought. God richly provided for me during my five years at the seminary. He provided housing and good deals on almost everything I had to buy. Along with physical needs, God also provided wonderful friends that saw potential in me and mentored me so that I could see myself as a unique and gifted child of God. As I read the story of the Israelites, I realized God was leading me. After I started working at the seminary, He became like the pillar of cloud that went behind me to protect me and provide light for my path.

Moses saw the same sea that the crowds of people saw. However, he looked at the situation with a positive attitude. He remembered God delivered the Israelites in the past. Also, he did not give in to whining, fear, and despair in the face of danger and being “trapped .”I, like the Israelites, can be spared many difficult times if I learn to trust God instead of whining and complaining. Although I can’t see giant walls of water held back that could crush and destroy me, there are many other ways God protects me and spares me as I journey through my days and weeks. I am afraid of walking where I don’t know what may be on the other side. I am worried that my children will be crushed and destroyed by an enemy that wants their and my destruction. He hates us because we love God. What dry ground is God asking me to walk through while trusting the water will not swallow me up? Help me, God, to take steps of faith. Give me eyes to see the opportunities and plans you lay before me. God has great plans for all his children (Jeremiah 29:11).

Moses also said to the people, “Do not be afraid. Stand firm, and you will see the deliverance the Lord will bring to you today. The Lord will fight for you; you need only be still.” (Exodus 14:13-14) What a sentence of encouragement the Lord will fight for me. The Bible contains examples of verses that promise God is with us. To be encouraged, look at Joshua 1:9; Deuteronomy 31:6,8; Psalm 18:30; Matthew 28:20, Luke 1:37; and Hebrews 13:6. I need to learn to be still and wait upon the Lord. Sure, I have to do my part. Moses first had to “raise your staff and stretch out your hand over the sea to divide the water so that the Israelites can go through the sea on dry land” (Ex. 14:16). There is always a time to wait and pray for direction. But there also comes a time to take action. God may perform a miracle through flawed humans, but the glory should always rest on the Almighty God. He makes the way; I must do my part and walk on the path he reveals to me.

Miracles and times of deliverance may not just be for me but for others to see an amazing, all-powerful God in all His glory. The Egyptians pursued and followed the Israelites into the sea. God caused them to become confused and the wheels of their chariots to come off. They were smart enough to realize that The Lord was fighting for the Israelites and against Egypt (Exodus 14:25). They tried to get away, but it was too late. Moses again stretched out his hand, and the waters were released, and the Egyptians drowned. This miracle not only delivered the Israelites but also showed God’s power, authority and glory to the nation around them. This deliverance was not the last time God would demonstrate his power over Israel’s enemies. God continues to show his power over my enemy. God defeated my enemy at the cross of Christ, winning every battle, and I can fully trust my God.

The story of the parting of the Red Sea is just one of many that recount God’s faithfulness, power, protection, and deliverance of his people. As these Israelites no doubt told of this miracle, we too can tell of miracles performed on our behalf. Sharing our miracle stories may be just what someone else needs to encourage them to not give up on a God that never gives up on us. I want to be inspired by each miracle in my life.

Currently, I am experiencing a Red Sea moment.  I am not being pursued but I am at a point where I am not sure what is ahead of me or how I am going to get to the other side of my present situation. I want to have a positive attitude and expectantly wait for the faithfulness of God to be revealed to me. I must remember that God is the God of the perfect minute and the impossible.

Where do I learn a valuable lesson? Some places may be from my pastor, my children and parents, society, my actions, and the Bible. Recently, I learned a lesson on dependence from my one-year-old puppy, Isaac Newton (Newt). He has several tennis balls, and for some reason, he likes to put them under my dresser. I have set up barriers so he can’t get the ball under the dresser, but he moves it out of his way. He likes to play this game of trying to get the ball out after he rolls it under the dresser. Sometimes he is successful in retrieving it, but more times than not, I have to get the toy for him and put the barrier back up.

One day he was sitting at the front of the dresser whining for me to get the ball out. I got tired of getting down to retrieve his playthings. On this day, when I recovered his tennis ball, I kept it in my hand and did not give it to him immediately. He started scratching at my hand and using his paws to get the ball from me. The thought struck me overwhelmingly that, oh my goodness, I do this to God. I sit and want something and whine because I want God to give me some blessing or perceived need that He is holding from me. I know God has gifts and provisions stored up for me (Psalm 31:19), but I don’t always want to wait on His time or His terms. I might scratch and cry and use my mouth to get my way or the object of my current affection by murmuring and complaining. I may talk to others about what I perceive I don’t have or what I feel God withholds from me. Or I may cry in prayer, “why don’t you give me what I want?” I realize that I am like my one-year-old puppy. I depend upon God to give me his good and perfect will, and I get upset when it doesn’t come in the time frame I think it should. Matthew 6:8 references that we are not to be like babbling pagans when praying but says, “do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask.” Hebrews 4:16 says, “let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.”

At times, God may set up barriers for me. These barriers are not because he is tired of helping me but rather for my good. I, like Newt, may sometimes try to move the obstacle to get my way. Maybe I ponder playing a game with my life and think I am powerful enough to win on my own. Sometimes life may feel heavy and unmoveable, like my dresser, so I try to go under it or around it. Occasionally, I feel like God is me in that He lets me take my concern or care and even run for a while, knowing I will return and ask for His help. He will never force me to leave everything in His loving, capable hands. However, He is always there to receive them back into His care when I wise up, realize what I have done, and once again return to the Father’s side to release my care, concern, worry, or problem into his hands.

One day I walked into my bedroom, and there was Newt patiently waiting for someone to come and retrieve one of his balls. He was in no hurry to get what he wanted. He is just sitting by the dresser, waiting for someone to come in and get the object of his present desire for him. Since then, I have noticed he does this quite often. I will see him waiting beside the couch or cabinet, just waiting to receive his toy. He seems content waiting, knowing he cannot recover his toy. I need to be willing to do this with God. I must patiently wait for Him to give me what I need. In times of doubt, I want to remember the lilies of the field and how God made them have more splendor than Solomon (Matthew 6:28-30).

I talked about this post with my daughter over lunch, and she told me a story. She wanted Newt to swim with her, but he wouldn’t go near the pool. One day she picked him up, took him in with her, and gently threw him in the water. His instinct kicked in, and he started to swim to the side. Her point was that Newt has what he needs in that situation. She went on to say that is how she views God. God does not put us in a position He has not equipped us for so we don’t sink. Also, I realize that God goes with us into the water and is right by our side in whatever situation he asks us to swim in. God faithfully provides all we need, successfully fulfilling his will in our lives. The Bible referenced God’s provision when He called his servants to act. Exodus 4:10-11, Judges 6:14-16, Jeremiah 1:6-10, and Hebrews 13:20-21 are a few examples.

Finally, after a long day of playing and barking at everything, Newt settles down on my lap and enjoys sweet, contented sleep. He does not worry about tomorrow or if his humans will meet his needs. He knows that all his needs were completed today and trusts our family to meet his future needs. Matthew 6:25-34 comes to mind. Jesus is teaching the crowd about how futile worry is and how important God’s creation is to the Father. God does not need my help to meet my needs. He wants my heart of faith to be focused on him alone. I need to trust and believe that he is already in my tomorrow and will be there to meet all my needs.

I cannot depend on myself in varying life situations but must rely on God. He has given all of us abilities and skills. Still, when I try to accomplish my will over depending on him to complete his will, I can get into trouble. He knows precisely when to give me direction, answers to prayers and blessings and when to hold onto them for a little longer. I need to learn complete dependence on God, not on my skills or intuition, and stop struggling when the answer doesn’t come in my timing. I need to remember that God’s timing is not my timing. Psalm 90:4 states, “For a thousand years in your sight are like a day that has just gone by, or like a watch in the night.” Depending on God and waiting on him can bring me peace and contentment if I let it. If I genuinely want to live my life for God’s Kingdom and purpose, I must learn and practice dependence on God. “Find rest, O my soul, in God alone; my hope comes from him.” (Psalm 62:5)

Trust God. You can always depend on Him!!

When we were children, we learned the seasons in school. Summer was my favorite. We were on summer vacation from school, the days were long, hot, and carefree, and I celebrated my birthday in the summer. I wanted summer to go on forever, but, as it does, September rolled around, and it was back to school time.

As a child, I didn’t mind winter. I grew up in Ohio, and we had plenty of snow to play in and always hoped we would get a day off school for a snow day. As an adult, I am not crazy about winter. I hate being cold and snow is only enjoyable for a brief moment. Others embrace all the season offers and thrive in winter’s various activities.

What about seasons of life? We all go through them. Unlike the physical winter season, I don’t know many people who enjoy the winter season in their life, when life is hard. Trials and tribulations seem to come one after the other. Life feels dark, depressing, and lonely. I may feel as if God is far away, and I am on my own on this journey. Winter seasons feel like they will never end. It seems the winter seasons of my life always last longer than the spring and summer seasons. I recently had lunch with a good friend, and we talked about different seasons we had been through and how they molded us. Funny enough, I am not sure we touched on the good seasons. We all have spring and summer seasons, but we grow the most in the dark, challenging, and painful times. Trials seem to mold us for good or bad in ways that no other time in our life can.

I live in the south, and it is hot for at least six months of the year. Thank goodness fall and winter show up. Too much of a good thing is too much. By October, I am tired of being hot. I realize this is how life is also. Too much of a good thing is, well, too much. If all I had was the summer heat, everything would eventually dry up. But if all I had were winter seasons, the new life growing underground would never sprout and bring me the beauty of spring. God definitely knows what He is doing in nature, and He knows what He is doing in my life.

Solomon had some insight into this when he wrote Ecclesiastes 3, a well-known chapter of the Bible. He begins by stating that “To everything, there is a season, a time for every purpose under heaven:” then, he lists many different times for varied activities. Verse 11 states that God has made everything beautiful in its time. This concept has gotten lost with me several times throughout my life. I want an uncomplicated time without going through a painful moment. I must understand that there is a purpose for everything I go through. Also, I must remember that no season lasts forever, no matter what it feels like at the time.

Another thing to remember is that whatever season I go through, it is not a reflection of whether I am being blessed or cursed or a good or bad person. The earth must go through all the seasons just as I must go through the good and bad times in life. According to Science Made Simple in the article Autumn Leaves: How Plants Prepare For Winter, “In winter, plants rest and live off stored food until spring. During winter, plants and trees are resting. As plants grow, they shed older leaves and grow new ones. This is important because the leaves become damaged over time by insects, disease, and weather.”

I love how I can learn about myself spiritually as I look at God’s glorious creation. I will go through hard times. However, there is always a purpose for these times. Look at the story of Job. He lived a blessed life and then lost everything. God allowed Satan to torment Job. He permitted this trial to show Satan and all in the heavenly realm that Job valued God and God’s ways above all his earthly possessions, family, and health. Never once did Job lose God’s favor. He suffered tremendous loss during this winter season. While going through all the despair and losing everything, Job stood firm in his faith and was faithful to his God. God tremendously blessed Job after enduring all these trials. He led Job out of despair and into a time of blessing again.

The last thing I see through life’s seasons is that I can learn through everything I go through. Also, the hard times prepare me and strengthen me when I face tough times again. I can also use the lessons I learn to help my friends and families when they face difficulties. The vital lesson to learn and remember is that God is always with me, and He will faithfully bring me through.

As I think about the seasons of my life, I realize I may have made significant mistakes about what season I was facing. I wrongly believe I have been in winter for many years. Sometimes I wonder if a spring season will ever come. As I have spent time thinking and praying, I see that I may have moved into spring or maybe even summer. Still, I realize I may be going through either spring rains, times of pruning, and somedays I am going through a hurricane of rain and wind. But I am in a time of growth, not hibernation. I realize that maybe winter is not so bad. It may be dark and gloomy, but this is when I can get times of rest and restoration. Just like winter in nature, winter in my life is preparing me for spring. I may have to go through dry times, but I must remember that rain is coming. It may be a time for pruning (Ps 37:7), but there is purpose in the pruning. We have boxwood hedges outside my neighborhood that had grown too large. This spring, the city had a hard prune performed on the barrier. They looked awful, but today when I was walking, I saw new growth sprouting on many branches. I was so encouraged to see life reviving in what looked dead. I am waiting in expectant hope for my life to reflect the maturation God is creating in me. 

A couple of things I want to remember as I go throughout my life are, first, no season lasts forever. Second, I need both the sunshine and the rain to grow and mature. Farmers pray for rain for their crops. I also need to remember that rain comes in the summer. It doesn’t mean summer is over; just a time for different nourishment for growth. Third, just as the earth is closer to the sun in the winter, perhaps I need to move closer to Jesus, the Son, in my winter moments.

No matter my season, I can thrive and live well because I am never alone (Romans 8:35-39). The apostle Paul demonstrated the proper heart attitude when he said, “I know how to live on almost nothing or with everything. I have learned the secret of living in every situation, whether it is with a full stomach or empty, with plenty or little. For I can do everything through Christ who gives me strength.” (Philippians 4:12-13)

I want to see the beauty of all the seasons, especially winter, and remember that spring always comes.

Has life ever been difficult for you? Do you feel, at times, that life is stacked against you, overwhelming you? Have you ever looked at a bee buzzing around a beautiful flower in amazement? Have you ever just looked in awe at a beautiful sunset? These situations are just some of the many opportunities to praise God. Psalms 103 begins with David praising God. “Praise the Lord, my soul; all my inmost being, praise his holy name. Praise the Lord, my soul, and forget not all his blessings.” (Psalms 103:1-2) He lists just a few of the reasons why God deserves our praises. God forgives all sins, heals diseases, redeems life from the pit, and crowns us with love and compassion; he satisfies our desires with good things so that our youth is renewed like the eagles (Psalms 103:3-6). When I sit and contemplate who God is, it is easy for me to praise him.

Why should we praise God? Psalm 18:3 tells us, “Praise Him for He is worthy of Praise .”Simply put, God deserves praise. Again, in Psalm 145:3, “Great is the Lord and most worthy of praise; his greatness no one can fathom.” 

Recently, I was at a church event, and the speaker was talking about counting the stars in the universe. Continuously counting two stars every second would take over 6337 years to count the stars in our galaxy. For perspective, scientists believe there are 400 billion galaxies in our universe. Counting all the stars is impossible. However, God knows each star and calls them by name (Psalm 147:4). We have an amazing God worthy of all praise!

Why is it so difficult for me to praise this spectacular God? I spent a lot of time thinking about this question. I realized two things. First, I have a trust issue, and second, I don’t spend enough time in God’s presence. Both problems are mine to fix. I know God is entirely trustworthy. However, I sometimes let my emotions, fears, and anxieties take over. Praising God is not based on how I feel but on who God is. God is faithful, trustworthy, omnipotent, and sovereign. As well as many other characteristics to numerous to mention now. As for the second issue, God is always there, wanting a relationship with me. I have to make time for Him. As I think that the Almighty, Sovereign God makes time for me, I must shout praise to Him! I do not deserve His love, yet He gives it freely.

David knew hardship, heartache, unfulfilled dreams, schemes against him, despair, and loneliness. Yet he was able to praise God in all these circumstances. For reference, look at Psalms 9, 18, and 30. I thought of David’s early days as a shepherd. He spent his days in pastures watching over the sheep of his father’s house. What did he see while tending those sheep? Did he have an intimate, up-close view of God’s protection over him? Did he experience God’s daily provision in miraculous ways? He must have experienced God’s power in some way to be able to go confidently up against Goliath, knowing he was approaching this battle in the name of the Lord (1 Samuel 17:44-47). David spent time with God, and I believe he could praise God in any and all circumstances because of this investment.

Praising God also takes the focus off me and places it on God. As I sing praises to God, my heart becomes lightened, and I can see that I am not alone facing life, the good and the bad days. If I focus on myself and my feelings, I may not think to praise God at all. I may wander around thinking I know I should praise God, but not sure where to start. I become self-centered in my focus and only want what God can do for me. These are the days that I need to stop what I am doing, open the Bible, read some scriptures, and be still before the Lord. If I take the time to slow down and truly reflect on God and who He is, I will find copious reasons to give God praise. I need to take the time to read the stories of the Bible. Stories of David, Paul, and Deborah are just a few that demonstrate giving praise to our Awesome God. Should I praise God only when he delivers me or answers prayers the way I want? No. I should praise God in the hard times as well. Paul and Silas were severely flogged, thrown in prison, and heavily guarded. Even in these circumstances, they praised God. (Acts 16:16-34)

Another reason to praise God is our praises may be for those around us. The other prisoners listened to Paul and Silas as they sang and gave honor to their God. Maybe my praise can be just what someone needs to hear to encourage them in their journey or so they can offer their own praise to God. Exaltation given to God is an opportunity to show the greatness of God and His wonders. My praise may unlock a miracle as it did for Paul and Silas in prison. I know that If Paul and Silas can praise God after being beaten and imprisoned, I can praise God as I live my life in suburbia.

While writing this post, I read a blog, Busy, Blessed Women. The author, AnnMarie, said, “we can fall into the trap of equating our life’s circumstances with a ‘feeling of praise.’ So, when any of the myriads of storms we meet hit us, we default to our emotions.”  When we don’t “feel” like giving praise is the exact time when we must praise God. Times when we don’t “feel” like praising, are opportunities to bring the sacrifice of praise. Praising God will not always cost us a personal sacrifice, but our faith grows deeper when it does. Giving glory to God can lift our souls so we can see above what we are experiencing and teach us to see and trust in God’s love, strength, and purpose.

Praising God is not just reserved for church. We can offer praise anytime and anywhere. We are never apart from God’s presence, so it should be normal to shout out praise throughout our day.   You may get a few odd looks if you do this in the grocery store, parking lot, or any public place. But hey, when praise takes over your heart, you may have to let it out!

The Psalms are full of praise. Read a few Psalms for inspiration if you don’t know what to say. I have been inspired, by the psalmists, that when they were at a low point, they reached out in praise. I believe this act of worship lifted them, had the power to change their attitude, and strengthened them until their situation changed. As children of God, we always have a reason to praise God. The simple fact that He sent His Son to pay for our sin to redeem a fallen world is all we need to know to shout out continuous praise. The God of the entire universe cared enough for us that He was willing to sacrifice His only Son and that Son, Jesus, willingly went to the cross to pay for our sins. Amazing!! Praise God. As believers, we will spend eternity with God in His very presence. This reason alone should be enough for me to give glory, thanks, and praise to God.

Today, I will praise God, who deserves all my adoration, gratitude, and worship.

Praise God from whom all blessings flow!

Have you ever thought about your scars? I believe most people have at least one noticeable mark. Scars leave a spot where something has happened to our skin. These defects can result from a burn, surgery, an accident, or something else. Each of my scars tells a little of my story; I have two memorable scars from my childhood. I got one on my chin because I insisted on wearing pants my mother told me were too long, and I tripped and fell on cement steps. The other one is on the bottom of my foot. I distinctly remember how I got these two scars and most of my other imperfections. Whether it be scars from my childhood accidents or surgeries, each one has played a part in making me the person I am today.  

Other scars that have played into my development are emotional. I think these may be the harder ones to process. These are personal wounds that may have occurred either by my poor choices, someone’s actions or words, or a combination of the two. The trauma will start to clot, then move to scabbing and eventually scar. The scar shows that the injury is closed and healed. Sometimes PTSD kicks in, and one thing will bring me back to what caused the wound in the first place. The scar will tear, the laceration will reopen, and the heartache will be genuine to me again. Recently, I had an emotional wound ripped wide open. The injury was broad, bleeding profusely, and open to infection. I needed my body’s quick response system to kick in to protect my wound. The way I found to do this was to turn to God. I had to lean in and trust and hope in Him. I must admit this was not my first instinct. My first reaction was to complain, cry and journal about how I felt. During this process, I felt the reminder that I needed to give God thanks and praise instead of behaving as I was. Once I started doing this, I wrote several pages in my journal. I felt better and had a more positive attitude. I was honest about how I felt and prayed that God alone would comfort me, cover my wound and heal it.

Have you ever stopped to really think about Jesus’ scars? I read a devotional in The Daily Bread about Jesus’ scares and how we can see Jesus’ humanness and divinity in His scars. After His resurrection, he appeared to the disciples twice in a closed room. The disciples were hiding in fear of the Jewish leaders. The first time Thomas was not present. So, when the other disciples told Thomas that they had seen the Lord, he did not believe them. The second time Jesus appeared to the disciples, Thomas was there, but he needed proof of what he thought he was seeing. Jesus used the nail scars and his pierced side to prove to Thomas that He is indeed the risen Savior of the World (John 20:24-29).

Jesus did not hide His scars but used them to prove His identity to Thomas. A writer of The Daily Bread, Arthur Jackson, said it is not uncommon for us to hide our wounds, external or internal, caused by others or self-inflicted. I started thinking about my inner wounds. These wounds may haunt me days or years after their occurrence. Many times, these wounds hold me back in some way. I am afraid to let go and let them heal truly. The thought that “what if people knew…. about me” plagues me some days. Whether the damage is self-inflicted or from someone else’s hands, the pain and the memory may control me years later. In some way, these memories hold me back from really reaching out and embracing life.

I seem to find fault with my life. It isn’t living up to what I envisioned for myself – but then the thought of why should it? Look at what I have done, the decisions I have made in my past. These scars are not for healing – these are reminders, and condemnation, keeping me from experiencing joy, peace, and hope, feeding the negative side of life.

I started thinking about Jesus’ scars. Nail pierced hands and feet. A gash on His side from a sword thrust into His perfect flesh. Thorn scars on His head from a crown of thorns. Jesus had to suffer and receive lashes and beatings so that He could fulfill God’s plan of redemption. I need to reflect on His scars and see the guilt that He took so that I can have abundant life. My scars can if allowed, bring about despair and hopelessness; Jesus’ scars give me hope and life.

His scars are not self-inflicted but rather from an intense love for humanity. Jesus suffered anguish at being mocked and humiliated, beaten, dying, buried, suffering, and separated from God the Father, pointing to an indescribable love that I do not deserve. Praise God, Jesus rose from the dead in victory; so that I may live. Because of Jesus’ scars, I can let mine go. I can trust in His love, mercy, and forgiveness. I don’t have to wrap myself up in my scars and keep looking at them and reminding myself of past hurts and failures. I can choose to look at them and remember that God is good and faithful. Through the strength of God, I am still standing. I may feel broken a little, tilting to one side some days, but I don’t have to live in darkness & despair even though I am scared. I can choose to live in the hope that God sustained me in the past and will continue to sustain me today faithfully and in the future.

Jesus’ scars offer proof that the perfect Passover lamb redeems me. Once Jesus was resurrected, he lived in His immortal body. I will also receive an eternal body one day, and all wounds and scars will no longer leave their mark on me. Until then, I can lean on my Savior to walk this journey with me and heal me along the way. I want to remember Jesus’ scars, not just at Easter, but on any day, I am tempted to dwell on my scars. I have often thought of Jesus’ sacrifice and how I can have eternal life through him. I have not thought about how His scars prove that He does indeed know how I feel. He knows the heartache of betrayal, grief, sorrow, and anguish. He knows how to comfort me when I am suffering to bring about healing and not more scars. I have no idea what scars are in my future. But I know that I will not face mine alone because of Jesus’ sacrifice and scars. My Lord bled, died, and rose from death in victory for humanity. Jesus bore the wounds of proof that He was who He said He was. His scars give me life, hope, and strength. My scars have made me who I am, but maybe it is time to put a healing balm on them and let them fade into the background. I can stop looking at my scars and look at Jesus’ scars that bring healing and life.

Have you ever been so discouraged or low in spirit that you felt out of control? Have you felt so down that you want to forget everything, climb back in bed, under the covers, and pretend that you have a different reality? Even if it is only for a little while.

One of the tools that I feel the enemy uses against me frequently is discouragement. The feeling of discouragement distracts me from all the good in my life. My loving family, friends, church, Bible study, the fact that I can be a homemaker and be here full time for my kids are all things that should give me joy every day. Some days the frustrations in life get the better of me, though.

I was experiencing stress and anxiety: nothing unusual, just family life stuff. However, as the little things started to stack up, I felt I had to handle all of them at once. College decisions for my daughter started coming in, which was mostly good news. We had many conversations about the pros and cons of each institution. Then, shortly after Christmas break, my son returned to college and had a car accident. The car was totaled. The search for a replacement car began, and the shock of how much a used car costs sent us for another loop. The good news was no one was hurt, and all we lost that day was a car. This accident occurred on the same day we dealt with school issues with my youngest daughter. Then, one week later, my daughter’s car was hit and, yes, totaled. Again, we are thankful that no one was hurt and just a “thing” needed replacing. Praise God He supplied cars and the funds to replace the vehicles.

While this was all going on, I was not sleeping well. One night I was awake often during the night. I started to feel like I was losing my grip. I saw this picture in my mind of me hanging over the side of a building, barely hanging on. My fingers were getting closer and closer to the edge, and I was about to fall. Then, suddenly, I was standing on these impressive shoulders that appeared out of nowhere. When I looked at the shoulders, they were muscular and broad. Upon closer inspection, I saw that they had scars on them, and they were bloody because of the cuts all down the shoulders and upper back. Then I saw a head with a crown of thorns placed on it, blood dripping down the face. I then realized that I was standing on Jesus’ shoulders, and he had me. He was keeping me from falling. He was quite literally the rock on which I was able to stand. Psalm 18:2 says, “The Lord is my rock, my fortress, and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.” I love the picture of Jesus being so solid that I can take refuge in Him. He is solid beneath me. Because He does not move, I can be sure that I am standing on firm ground if I am standing on Him.

God knows how much anxiety I had over my children. It wasn’t just the accidents. They are approaching a time in their life when they are facing big decisions. Did I do enough to equip them for this time? Have I modeled trusting Jesus with your future? Have I modeled the power of prayer in all of life’s decisions? These are just a few questions that kept running through my head that night. Instead of convicting me in my sin of worrying, he comforted me. He allowed me to picture Jesus as a shepherd. Jesus held my daughter in his arms and my son on His shoulders. He showed me that He is not only my rock but also a very caring shepherd. Of course, Psalm 23 comes to my mind when I think of Jesus as a shepherd. But the thought that Jesus is a shepherd, standing guard and watching the gate and the sheep know and follow His voice is also very comforting (John 10:27).

We live in a world that has so much to offer. Sometimes, those offerings take us away from what God has for us, and the world’s noise competes with the still small voice of God. I may struggle to see or hear God in the circumstances of my life when the world’s noise level grows. I need to stop what I am doing and turn to God through prayer and bible study when this happens.

Since that sleepless night, I have tried to focus on Jesus as the rock on which I stand while at the same time He is a loving shepherd, caring for his sheep. That night God showed me two sides of His awesome character. He is my rock;  solid, firm, and immovable. But He is also a caring shepherd that will leave 99 sheep and go after one that is lost (Matthew 18:12). Through the power of the Holy Spirit, I am training myself to focus on these images rather than my anxiety over situations I have absolutely no control over. Jesus died to pay the penalty for my sins. He rose from death to give me life. He offers this fantastic gift to anyone who calls on His name for salvation. His death gives me freedom from all the anxiety, doubts, and fears I have throughout my day. Belief in Jesus also gives me the freedom to be free of Satan and his many lies and how he tries to torment me. I have to choose to believe Jesus and trust Him. He says He is securely holding my future. “For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not harm you, plans to give you hope and a future” (Jeremiah 21:11). I must run to Him in all situations rather than try to go it alone. If I had prayed when my anxiety reared its ugly head, I would have gotten a lot more sleep on that recent night. Jesus does not need my help in planning and navigating my future. He wants an obedient and willing heart that listens for and to His voice and leading.

In my overwhelming anxiety, the Lord came to me and brought sweet comfort as only He could. I was able to go to sleep, and despite little sleep, I felt refreshed the following day. I have thought often of that night and praise God for his comfort and coming to me in my need. I agree with the psalmist in Psalm 94:19, ” When anxiety was great with me, your consolation brought joy to my soul.” God is faithful and trustworthy with all my doubts, fears, and insecurities. I encourage you to trust Jesus as your Savior, rock, and shepherd. He won’t let you down and will comfort you and give you peace in all of life’s situations.