Some mornings I wake up and I feel down. I feel a heavy weight upon me, and I wonder how I can feel that way. Even if there is some silly, worldly reason for my hurt feelings, shouldn’t I be able to rise above it. Shouldn’t the fact that I’m a believer in Christ afford me some sort of guarantee against bad feelings?!
Well… sorta. I opened my Bible straight away, and the first verse I saw calmed my anxious spirit. It’s like God’s word was written just for me, and I suppose in a way it was. We live in a sinful world, and because of that we are not promised that every day will be without pain and struggle. But we are promised this. God is with us.
It’s easy when you struggle to think God has forgotten you, but that couldn’t be further from the truth. In times of trouble His Holy Spirit speaks best through His Word.
1. Psalm 94:18-19
I cried out, “I am slipping!” but your unfailing love, O Lord, supported me. When doubts filled my mind, your comfort gave me renewed hope and cheer.
When we feel like we are falling there is but One that can catch us. When we are certain we are drowning, there is One who lifts us from the crashing sea. When we have lost all hope, He provides a renewal for our soul. Jesus. Precious Jesus. He is the lifter of my head.
2. Philippians 4:19
And this same God who takes care of me will supply all your needs from his glorious riches, which have been given to us in Christ Jesus.
When we have reached the end of our rope and the end of our resources, God provides. When we see no way, He makes the way. We may not always even understand His way, but as a believer you know He has your best interest as heart. He’s never late, but always on time.
3. Romans 5:8
But God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners.
Sometimes we’re not where we need to be in our relationship with the Lord, and we assume that because of our mistakes and faults that He can’t work with that. We mistaken His silence for absence, when in all reality He just wants us to hear His voice more clearly.
It’s not by works that we are saved. God doesn’t love us more for being better. He just loves us. He loves us enough to die for. Nothing can change that.
4. Matthew 28:20
Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.
You can bet He wants us to follow after Him in obedience, but you can also be certain of this. He will be with us always. Even when we fall a step behind. When the world happens, and sin happens, and even when calamity happens, still. Still He is with us.
5. Deuteronomy 31:6
Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.
It takes courage to make it through life sometimes, and more courage than we possess on our own. Thankfully we don’t have to face life by ourselves. God is with us. He will never leave us, forsake us, forget about us, or turn His back on us. We may suffer through a season where we are going through a refining fire or receiving His discipline, but He won’t abandon us.
In the moments where you feel lost, alone, and crushed under your anxiety repeat these verses to yourself, and remember that though it may seem at the moment that He has forgotten you, the truth is that He has not.
Dee C. says
I had just thought to myself that I usually have more courage…wondering if I could continue on in a directionless journey through terrain seemingly impassable. Thanks for the shot of courage. It’s just what the Doctor ordered.
brieann.rn@gmail.com says
You’re welcome, and thank you.
Kathy Jones says
You have no idea how much my heart and my head needed you to share those Bible verses. I recently became permanently diisabled due to spine surgery, and i have another surgery scheduled for sept of this year. I am still grieving the loss of my 21 year career as an RN…its part of who i am, and today has been one of the ‘really bad days.’
I know God has plans for me, and i know He’s always with me. Im just having a difficult time adjusting to my ‘new life,’ emotionally, physically and financially.
God Bless you for sharing…you touched my life today?
brieann.rn@gmail.com says
Thank you. God bless you.
carol knight says
Your awesome brie?