Tag: psychology

God humbles the proud and Restores the humble.

Daniel 4:28-37 offers a strong reminder about how we should not put off until tomorrow what can be done today. This is particularly true when it comes to our sin and repenting.

In Daniel 4:30, the King is seen looking and bragging at his own majesty and all the he had done. He thought of himself as a great man. This scene comes one YEAR after Daniel counseled the King to humble himself and repent before God upon interpreting the King’s dream to him.

What does Jesus say about being great, “But Jesus called them to him and said, “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles Lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them. It shall not be so among you. But whoever would be great among you must be your servant, even as the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.””
‭‭Matthew‬ ‭20‬:‭25‬-‭26‬, ‭28‬ ‭ESV‬‬

We lower ourselves to exalt God 🙌🏻

The king was living opposite of this. And just as God promised, the king’s pride led to his humbling. The king went from thinking he was the greatest human (Dan. 4:30) to behaving and acting subhuman (Dan. 4:32-33).

But – this blow to the king seemingly changes his life. When Nebuchadnezzar recognized the TRUTH of who was truly powerful and in control – he lifted his eyes to heaven and his reason RETURNED to him (v. 34).

The first thing the king then does is bless God and exalt Him!

“At the end of the days I, Nebuchadnezzar, lifted my eyes to heaven, and my reason returned to me, and I blessed the Most High, and praised and honored him who lives forever, for his dominion is an everlasting dominion, and his kingdom endures from generation to generation;”
‭‭Daniel‬ ‭4‬:‭34‬ ‭ESV‬‬

I know it’s not always easy but this example in Daniel reminded me this morning that while it’s not easy – we can have faith that what is happening now, in our lives and all around us, is working for the good of a much bigger picture. God is everlasting – this is His big, eternal picture that He is in control of.

Not only was Nebuchadnezzar’s reason returned to him but also his “majesty and splendor”, his “greatness” and his kingdom (v.36). I want to put an emphasis on the word “returned” here.

If something can be returned (by God), that means it can be taken away (by God) – because it ALL belongs to God…

And this is true of anything we possess on this earth: money, possessions, talent, family, friends. God is sovereign over all of these things. This means that even if we loose it all or it leaves us, we still have the HOPE of eternity. 🙌🏻

A perfect eternity with God that will not – cannot be taken away if we put our trust in Jesus. ❤️

Hold out your hands hands 🤚 ✋ in font of you – with palms lifted up. ⬆️
This is what we have to offer God… empty hands.
Everything in this world 🌍 is temporary.

Scholars don’t seem to agree on the matter of if Nebuchadnezzar became a true follower of God. Only God knows the heart of a person. But whether we meet this king in heaven one day or not – we can learn from his last words recorded in the book of Daniel.

“Now I, Nebuchadnezzar, praise and extol and honor the King of heaven, for all his works are right and his ways are just; and those who walk in pride he is able to humble.”
‭‭Daniel‬ ‭4‬:‭37‬ ‭ESV‬‬

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Keep praying

Lamentations 3:40-44, ““Let us test and examine our ways, and return to the Lord! Let us lift up our hearts and hands to God in heaven: “We have transgressed and rebelled, and you have not forgiven. “You have wrapped yourself with anger and pursued us, killing without pity; you have wrapped yourself with a cloud so that no prayer can pass through.”
‭‭Lamentations‬ ‭3‬:‭40‬-‭44‬ ‭ESV‬‬

What a gift that God purposefully allowed these words to become part of His Holy, inspired word. These verses are proof that God wants us to bring everything to Him, honestly.

For 5 years, I have recorded every meal, medication, poop, poop details, drinks, all details that make up the big picture of Jackson’s gut health. This has helped me to make shifts and those have been helpful – but even more so this has became a living history of my raw emotions going up to the Lord. My tears, frustrations, unknowns, so much effort, sometimes no gains, only setbacks….

The speaker of Lamentations in 3:44 said, “You God have wrapped yourself with a cloud so that no prayer can pass through.”

It is ironic he said this as a line in prayer to God.
Even if you feel like your prayers are not being heard, keep praying! Despite the speaker’s doubt, clearly God did hear this prayer since it is recorded in His Scriptures!

The text began with a call to “test and examine OUR ways” and return to the Lord.

The people had not even asked for God’s forgiveness, let alone repented or turned, but here we see the speaker beginning to make this shift. Healing takes time.

Psalm 147:3 says the Lord, “heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds”.
Whether our heartbreak is an underserved outcome of others sinning against us or even if it’s caused by our own sin, God forgives those who seek His forgiveness.


He comforts. He mends.

For the first time this year, I am throwing away huge stacks of these “remembrance” pages. My Savior knows Jackson and He sees me. I am trusting Him and I will keep praying these special prayers for my special boy, knowing God will heal, forgive, and mend. ❤️

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Biblically expressing emotion

Part 1

New book study! This month I am embarking on a verse by verse journey through Lamentations in the Old Testament.

One of the reasons I specifically wanted to slowly delve into this book is to uncover its profound insights on Biblically expressing our emotions.

I want to comfort people in a Biblical way, embracing the Bible’s holistic approach to our well-being.

Emotions can be messy and confusing. Bob Kellemen, a renowned former professor of biblical counseling at Faith Bible Seminary, sheds light on ways to express our feelings in a God-honoring manner. These same principles are beautifully woven throughout Lamentations as well.

First, there are two unbiblical ways to express emotion:

1. Out of control expression

  1. Over controlled suppression

Out of control expression means indulging all of our feelings without any filter. It is what the Apostle Paul warned against in Ephesians 4:19 when he said people had sinfully “given themselves up to sensuality.” They did whatever they felt. Feelings became their god instead of their feelings directing them towards God.

Over controlled suppression means stuffing our feelings down or pretending they don’t exist. Paul also called this out in Ephesians when he said, “Be angry and do not sin” (Ephesians 4:26). Though it is not ok to sin, it is OK to acknowledge anger. Denial or self-deception towards our feelings does not work.

Where we see this in Lamentations:
Lamentations is not a rant or an unmeasured outburst of feelings. It is a carefully constructed expression directed to God (e.g., “O LORD, behold my affliction” Lamentations 1:9). Yet the poet also did not suppress the very real hurt and pain he and others felt (e.g. “For these things I weep; my eyes flow with tears… “ Lamentations 1:16).

Lord, enable and teach me to measure my emotions in a Holy way today. 🙌🏻❤️🙏

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