More thoughts on encouragement ...

Yes ... I have been under a lot of strain and stress. But who hasn't! Life isn't always fair, but at least I know that God is there. God is lifting me up and carrying me through all this stress and heartache. I also have a strong, Christian family praying for me and lifting me up every day. My heart still hurts, but I know that all will work out. God has blessed me in so many other ways ... I just need to sit back and count those blessings everyday!
I have been reading a Bible study about finding rest in God. I have also been reading about encouragement for the hurt soul (I guess that would be me, but it may be you as well). I just wanted to share some of what I read. Maybe it will uplift you if you are going through a painful time.
We have a God that is with us in ALL things; during ALL times. In happiness and sadness. He will lift you up when you are hurting and carry you through the pain. Here is something I read recently ...

"The fog of the broken heart. It’s a dark fog that slyly imprisons the soul and refuses easy escape. It’s a silent mist that eclipses the sun and beckons the darkness. It’s a heavy cloud that honors no hour and respects no person. Depression, discouragement, disappointment, doubt.. . all are companions of this dreaded presence. The fog of the broken heart disorients our life. It makes it hard to see the road. Dim your lights. Wipe off the windshield. Slow down. Do what you wish, nothing helps. When this fog encircles us, our vision is blocked and tomorrow is a forever away. When this billowy blackness envelops us, the most earnest words of help and hope are
but vacant phrases."

Whew ... I just realized that that passage is really sad. However it is exactly how I felt a couple of weeks ago. I was down, depressed, and feeling pretty helpless. Like a dark fog was surrounding my very soul. However, if you read on ...

"Come meet the God of encouragement. He loves you. He never gives up on you, especially when life is hard,because he has been there. The hand that reaches out to comfort you is a pierced one."

Jesus went through many dark times. When He was troubled, in pain, overwhelmed ... He fell to His face and prayed with every fiber of His very body. God is an encourager. He loves us and He understands exactly what we are going through. He just wants us to turn to Him and let go. Let go of our hurt ... and cry on His shoulders. Know and understand that God will never leave you. That God will help and carry you through everything. He has a plan for you and that plan will come out in the end.

Here are some scriptures that I found encouraging. I hope you like them too!

“Jesus stood up and said in a loud voice, ‘Let anyone who is thirsty come to Me and drink. If anyone believes in Me, rivers of living water will flow out from that person’s heart, as the Scripture says.’ ” John 7:37

“The Lord is good to those who hope in Him, to those who seek Him.”
LAMENTATIONS 3:25

more to come ...

:)

Encouragement ...

I found this book today. It was about encouragement and how everyone needs it. How each day we each need a little encouragement. It really spoke to my heart. However, I put the book down and now I can't find it online. :( I guess I am just going to have to go back to the store and look for it again. As I was looking through the million books published by Max Lucado on encouragement, I found this about another one of his books and I thought I would share.

"The psalmist tells us that God is great. God is good. He is kind and merciful and powerful. This means that even in your weakness and difficulties, you're on heir to His greatness, goodness, kindness, mercy, and power. In fact, all of God's resources-- all of His attributes-- are available to you. In the pages of Encouragement for Your Heart, you will witness God's offering Himself to you as the unlimited resource who is available any time, under circumstances. He is your "very present" and stalwart help in times of trouble. And that's encouragement for the heart."

Right now I am going through a hard time. No matter how much I pray or talk it through with Matt, it still hurts. I am not fully up to sharing information right now. I might be able to go into more details later, but know that right now I am working through it. I know that God will shine HIS light on us ... that HIS peace will come through. I just have to wade through my feelings right now.

You know how there are times when you just want your mom? Today I had one of those moments. I had to break down (which I never do), cry my eyes out, and just let go. Thankfully God never allows us to go through things alone (even if you feel like you are). Matt has been my God sent. I love him with all my heart and soul. I am so glad that God blessed me with Matt! I could never make it through this heartache and pain without him!

More later ...