Tag: trauma

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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Where you find OR place your identity matters for eternity.

Paul opens up Ephesians by clearly stating his identity:

“This letter is from Paul, chosen by the will of God to be an apostle of Christ Jesus. I am writing to God’s holy people in Ephesus, who are faithful followers of Christ Jesus.”
‭‭Ephesians‬ ‭1‬:‭1‬

Then – In Ephesians 1:4-10, Paul immediately begins by reminding us of our identity. Our identity in Christ is that we are holy and dearly loved children of God. We get this identity when we receive God’s gift of salvation through the sacrificial death of Jesus Christ. This identity is not based on us, but rather, it is placed on us because we have been adopted into God’s family. Just like when a baby is placed into a family either through birth or adoption, they become a son or a daughter and take that family’s name as their identity. It is the same with our identity in Christ.

This isn’t because of our work, our successes or how good we try to be. We become children of God by grace through faith in Christ.

Paul wants our spiritual identity to frame our minds and thoughts. He desires to help us think rightly so that we may speak and act rightly.

An important truth is that our adoption to the Father is an action of pure love by a God who is not impersonal, but deeply connected and concerned with the objects of His love, you and I! 🥰🥰🥰

I was reminded of this powerful truth this morning – the longer I walk with the Lord sometimes I forget just how broken I was before I surrendered everything to him, and before I understood that my identity comes from him. I grew up in a deeply broken home. My father’s hands were representations of pain, hurt, abuse. My mother was so concerned with her own survival that she represented competition, coldness, self centeredness. This all led me to believe I was unworthy of love, safety, I felt as though I had no value.

Just hearing the simple gospel message had the power to begin to change me, it made me spiritually new, but it did not do the deep work inside of me to change where I found my own identity – only through diligent study of God’s word and submitting everything to him first before the world – have I been able to come to know and believe that I am my father’s daughter.

Friends, let’s not forget that our adoption as children of God comes with an expectation.
When we remember and think of the great and glorious truth of being adopted by the King of heaven and earth, and that we share in the inheritance of the King, it should result in a desire to reflect and live up to the standard of the King and His Kingdom. This means instead of just going along with what the world deems acceptable in our thoughts and our words, that we set a higher standard for ourselves to “be holy and blameless before him” (Ephesians 1:4). To be holy and blameless includes allowing the truth of our adoption to lace the words that come from our mouth and inform every action of our hands and feet. It doesn’t mean we will always do this perfectly, but it does mean that we are daily checking and intentionally redirecting our thoughts and our words to stay in line with God’s instructions. It’s not because we are guilted into it but because we desire to stay free of the entrapments of the enemy that come from thoughts polluted with lies and words tainted with bitterness, slander and harshness.

Adoption means we now have God as our Father. It means that we receive the inheritance that could only legally be given to a son.

This is profound.

#IdentityInChrist #IdentityExploration #themeekmomma #biblejournaling #autismfamily #solagratia #GraceAlone #adoption #testimony

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God is patient

“When the tribe of Ephraim spoke, the people shook with fear, for that tribe was important in Israel. But the people of Ephraim sinned by worshiping Baal and thus sealed their destruction.

Now they continue to sin by making silver idols, images shaped skillfully with human hands. “Sacrifice to these,” they cry, “and kiss the calf idols!”

Therefore, they will disappear like the morning mist, like dew in the morning sun, like chaff blown by the wind, like smoke from a chimney. “I have been the Lord your God ever since I brought you out of Egypt. You must acknowledge no God but me, for there is no other savior.

I took care of you in the wilderness, in that dry and thirsty land. But when you had eaten and were satisfied, you became proud and forgot me. So now I will attack you like a lion, like a leopard that lurks along the road.

Like a bear whose cubs have been taken away, I will tear out your heart. I will devour you like a hungry lioness and mangle you like a wild animal.”
‭‭Hosea‬ ‭13‬:‭1‬-‭8‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Maybe the idea of carved images and pagan alters built on hillsides can feel far away from the practices of our current day. Maybe we’re tempted to read the prophecy of Hosea as though from a safe distance, believing the problems of God’s people and Hosea’s time are unrelated to today- self-centeredness however, is a problem for all people, including you and me.

 In Hosea’s day the people of God became enamored with and distracted by what Jesus would call “the cares of the world and the deceitfulness of riches and the desires for other things” (Mark 4:19). And the more they forgot God, the more irrational and immoral, their lives became. In Hosea 13:2, we even see that the people were willing to “offer human sacrifice” yet “kiss calves” made of metal- they valued false gods made by humans more than they valued humans made by God.

It would be remiss of me not to mention abortion here. Abortion is the baal worship of our current day. The self-centerdness of the “my body my choice” movement is nothing less than pride and the forgetfulness of God. Two pre-born human beings are murdered every minute of every day in the United States of America.

Just like in the times of Hosea, we too deserve God’s wrath but He remains patient.

God is showing you mercy right now, begging you to turn away from your sin and be reconciled to him. I love you and believe that the Lord is not slow about his promise but is patient toward you not wishing for any to perish, but for all to come to repentance. (2 Peter 3:8-9).

I was once an enemy of God too, but it was his grace that saved me and set me free to follow him. It would be hateful to withhold this truth from you when you have the chance to be washed clean and reconciled to your Creator. Today is the day of salvation. God‘s judgment will not delay forever.

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God knows us and is with us

This weekend while I was away Jackson was so brave and really did his best to utilize his tools and coping skills that we have built into our home. My family also did their very best to support him and let me have a weekend away, seeking the Lord with other women.

It always takes a full day or two for me to not have half my mind at home, a quarter dealing with guilt and a spirit of fear, and a quarter actually present in where I am at. But praise the Lord that He did not give us a spirit of fear, but of love, power, and a sound mind. (2 Timothy 1:2).

Saturday night when I was really beginning to feel undivided – Zac calls me to say Jackson had locked the both of them out of his truck while it was running on some logging road, he needed my help and he was using a strangers phone. If I am being honest, it did take me a moment to pivot back to the thing I had been trying so hard to not worry about! But in that the Lord was so good to bring “stranger Steve” to my family, so they could use a phone and he gave them a ride home to get Jackson out of the woods in the dark. I got a roadside assistance driver dispatched and what should have taken him 3 hours actually only took about 40 minutes! He showed up and stranger Steve stayed at the end of the road to be sure he saw where Zac was.

I was praising the Lord and the enemy wasted no time trying to come after my family and my peace in my praising. But the enemy is weak compared to our God. 🙌🏻

I continued to praise and went back into the retreat.
My family struggled in the hard in the middle of the night into the morning and day. Jackson’s meltdown came after as I am sure he was trying to process what all just happened- Zac was scheduled to teach in kids class but couldn’t do that while getting little sleep and with our son’s needs so high. A brother and sister graciously covered for him and us. ❤️🙏 It took a huge amount of humility for Zac to ask for help, this is kind of a weak spot of ours.

Meanwhile, I had no choice but to lay it all at my Savior’s feet and surrender it to Him – while I worshipped and covered my home, my husband, my son, in prayer.

God somehow strengthened ALL of our dependence on Him this weekend in a way least expected but also so true to Who He is – He is with us in all times and especially in the hards.

When the enemy whispers the lie that you are not known, seen, or understood –

Shout with praise the truth that God has an all-inclusive knowledge of us, our kids, our family members and friends. He knows us more than anyone else, even more than we know ourselves.

“O Lord, you have examined my heart and know everything about me. You know when I sit down or stand up. You know my thoughts even when I’m far away. You see me when I travel and when I rest at home. You know everything I do. You know what I am going to say even before I say it, Lord. You go before me and follow me. You place your hand of blessing on my head.”
‭‭Psalms‬ ‭139‬:‭1‬-‭5‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Thank you Lord for placing us in circumstances and situations to remind us of your sovereignty and our need of dependence on YOU alone Lord.

Guys – the enemy is a liar. 🤥
Our God is with us and He is fighting for us. 💕⚔️⛓️‍💥
Cover your home and your people in prayer. 🙏

The retreat was just a short walk from the beach
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Submit to the Lord

“Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded. Be wretched and mourn and weep. Let your laughter be turned to mourning and your joy to gloom. Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will exalt you.”
‭‭James‬ ‭4‬:‭7‬-‭10‬ ‭ESV‬‬

These verses in James gives us an action plan for turning from our sin and living out our faith in God:

  1. First we submit to God (4:7a). This means we acknowledge God’s wisdom is wiser than the ways of the world. We also recognize His rightful authority to direct our lives according to His wisdom.

Submitting is what we do – but practically HOW do we do it? James goes on…

  1. We resist the devil (4:7b). The implication of the Greek word translated “resist” is “to stand against” or “withstand”. This infers a promise that whatever power Satan may have, we are ABLE to overcome him by God’s GRACE.
  2. We draw near to God (4:8a). James appears to have Hosea 12:6 in mind: “so you by the help of your God, return, hold fast to love and justice, and wait continually for your God.” James commands and promises were written to believers in Jesus. But rather than love and justice, these believers had demonstrated selfish ambition and partiality. James was not necessarily talking about drawing near to God for salvation here but he was referring to what repentance from sin looks like for Christ followers.
  3. We wash our hands and purify our hearts (4:8b). This alludes to how Israelite priests prepared to minister before the Lord in the OT, reminding us that we are called to a high standard of behavior as Christ’s people. He washes us clean through the Gospel of His sacrificial death and resurrection, which we receive through the Word and which is how we draw near to Him. (Eph. 5:25b-27).
  4. Finally, we grieve and mourn and wail over our sin (4:9). When we draw near to God, we become saddened over our inability to fully follow the Lord’s commands … but our weeping turns to exhalation as we experience God’s forgiveness of our sins through Christ (James 4:10).

All of these intentional choices result in our recognition of our deep spiritual need for our Savior.

Thanks be to God that Jesus has rescued us and promises to present us, the Church, before God’s throne as His beautiful bride.

“Now to him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you blameless before the presence of his glory with great joy,”
‭‭Jude‬ ‭1‬:‭24‬ ‭ESV‬‬

Rather than trying to work our way into positions of power, recognition, or status, we can humbly sit in the presence of God. He positions us for purpose and purifies our hearts. As we acknowledge our desperation for His deliverance, He will forgive and exalt us.

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Suffer Well

I started a study on the book of Hebrews at the beginning of January. I am currently a few months in and rounding out the last two chapters. Hebrews is such a theologically rich book that it has caused me to overlook or under-consider (is under-consider a word?) the books presentation of:

Jesus is enough and Jesus is always the answer

The last two months I have had some things come up that have given me a fresh comfort of this truth. This book has been a major balm to my soul and has increased my ability to abide in my relationship with Christ. When condemnation has came knocking on the doors of my memories and anxiety of the unknown has tried to shake me… these truths overcome!

“For because he himself has suffered when tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted.”
‭‭Hebrews‬ ‭2‬:‭18‬ ‭ESV‬

“For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin.”
‭‭Hebrews‬ ‭4‬:‭15‬ ‭ESV‬‬

Earlier this month I had a scare with some unexpected blood loss… I go to the doctor and get a referral to surgery, which I am waiting to be scheduled currently. At that same appointment, unexpectedly, the doctor found a large lump on each of my breasts. This month made exactly one year since my last breast cancer scare in which my faithful church family anointed and prayed for me. 

“Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer of faith will save the one who is sick, and the Lord will raise him up. And if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven.”
‭‭James‬ ‭5‬:‭14‬-‭15‬ ‭ESV‬‬

So now I wait on another mammogram and diagnostic imaging but I wait knowing God has been faithful in the past and I can trust He will be faithful again. Because I can trust Him, and know He is never changing, I can have peace in this messy place and I know if I suffer well – I will be rewarded in this trial.

Suffering for the Christian always presents the opportunity for discipline and growth.

“And have you forgotten the exhortation that addresses you as sons? “My son, do not regard lightly the discipline of the Lord, nor be weary when reproved by him. For the Lord disciplines the one he loves, and chastises every son whom he receives.””
‭‭Hebrews‬ ‭12‬:‭5‬-‭6‬ ‭ESV‬‬

This month I also had someone reach out to me relaying that my earthly dad would like my address so he can write to me. This is a person who I have had zero contact with for over 14 years. This person was abusive in every way possible and in the past has denied any contact with me, even contact for me to relay I had forgiven him and would always continue to pray for him. In an act of grace and mercy, I said yes and sent my address. I cannot know if this persons heart has changed or what their intention is… but I can have faith in trusting the Lord to see me through whatever may be on the other side of this.

And I can know that I continue to pray with faith that my dad would confess his sins to the Lord, be forgiven, become a changed man, and one day join the Saints in Heaven.

Jesus endured the suffering of this world because He knew the outcome was worth it. You were worth it, friend and I was worth it. Jesus willingly obeyed God by coming to this world and in turn, it resulted in the restoration and reunion of God’s children. Jesus knew there was eternal salvation waiting beyond the suffering of this life! The same is true for us.

Eternity with Jesus awaits us. So what about this suffering in the meantime? If we allow it, this too can have eternal purpose. Our suffering can become a means of God’s discipline… let’s define the word “discipline”.

Discipline here does not mean punishment. Jesus already took our punishment. (Isaiah 53:5) The Baker Encyclopedia of the Bible defines discipline as “Learning that molds character and enforces correct behavior; from a Latin word meaning instruction’ or ‘training.” Suffering can be a major means for us to learn, train and be molded into someone better. Much like using weights to discipline and condition our muscles, or using alarm clocks to discipline our use of time, if we let it, suffering can discipline our hearts toward empathy, compassion, understanding and more.

If you let Him, God can turn pain into something that will transform you and yield righteousness.

Friend, being a Christian does not mean that you will have a life free of pain and suffering BUT what it does mean is that: You have Jesus!

Jesus to cover you 🙌🏻
Jesus to walk beside you 🙌🏻
Jesus in the good times and the hard times 🙏
Turns out, He is more than enough ❤️

“fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”
‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭41‬:‭10‬ ‭ESV‬‬
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Quiet morning thoughts

Quiet mornings with Jackson before work is one of my very favorite things ❤️

Jackson having a morning snack by the tree

Last week, every morning was chaos. Dogs, child, pee and poop 💩 of all kinds everywhere. Cold and flu season. All of the things. But man, God’s tender mercy got us through.

It’s hard not to be grateful when it’s Christmas time.
A time filled with reminders of Promises kept.

🎄 Jesus, the Promised One, came to save and give grace. We cannot save ourselves, but Jesus died in our place so that we could be His forever and made new.

🎄 The Bible holds hundreds of Promises, and Jesus is the answer to each one. In Him, we have hope, joy, peace, and love.

🎄 Jesus came as the Promised One long ago.

👑 Someday, He is coming again to make all things right forever because God ALWAYS keeps His Promises.

🙌 God keeps every last one.

🙏 Cling to this truth today if you need it friend. The holidays can be hard. I remember for so long this time of the year had a sting. It was a reminder of all the things I did not have. I did not have a safe home, family, a warm place to snuggle or a soft place to land. And some years were just dark.

🍎 I can now look back and see that I was hearing the lies of the enemy over the trumpet of grace. I was hearing the lies of the enemy say I was not worthy instead of knowing My King 👑 calls me Worthy.

Because of Christ, I now walk in freedom from the bondage of sin that leads to death. ✝️

The greatest gift of Joy is knowing Christ. You CAN rest in His faithfulness to us now and in the future as we remind our heart’s of God’s faithfulness in the past.

Friend, I don’t know why you may be hurting today- It may be because it is cold and flu season and you have poop all over your house or maybe it’s something deeper that you may not even know how to say –

Let me encourage you with a gentle reminder: HEALING AND HOPE will only be found in Jesus. Not in the Pinterest worthy pictures or elaborate decorations this season.

In Christ alone is rest, joy, comfort.
Behold Him this season.

❤️

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In Christ my Cup Runneth Over

One of the things I can look forward to in times of difficulty is how the Lord is going to use that thing or season to teach me.

“We are pressed on every side by troubles, but we are not crushed. We are perplexed, but not driven to despair.”
‭‭2 Corinthians‬ ‭4‬:‭8‬ ‭NLT‬‬

These are also times that I recognize the depth of my sin and the magnitude of the cross. It’s easy to not grumble when things are going well. But when things are hard like long season hard – that’s where you get to exercise your faith. This last week at Bible study we reflected on muscle memory. For me I want my muscles to remember we find rest in Christ, I want my muscles to instinctively speak scripture and words of life in the crevices of our broken world and my difficult circumstances. I want to be strong in the Lord.

I want to recognize that time with Christ is ALWAYS better than “me time”. And here I am in the middle of circumstances that present just the opportunity to work out 🏋️‍♀️ my muscles.

Even when we are not perfect in our pursuit of God, which is always… God is gracious to provide us with times of refreshment to minister to both our physical and spiritual needs.

I skipped some of my time in the Word this week and I could feel and instant change/shift in my heart and in the focus of my mind and thoughts. Jackson got up at 2:30 this morning and there was no indication I would be successful in getting him back to sleep. I grumbled and was frustrated and began to go over the list in my head of reasons why this is just the worst thing to be added to my plate and you know all the things…

Then I stopped and I thought about the great pains Jesus took to prioritize time with the Father.

I repented. Got up and grabbed my Bible. With Jackson in tow.

Just like Jesus did with the loaves and fishes, He is faithful to multiply our efforts so that time spent with Him is never wasted AND often amplifies any efforts that follow.

So I take 20 mins during the work day when my desk and heart feel a mess – to spend time with the ONE who orders my steps and days. And when my sweet boy is struggling to rest I want to show him where true rest comes from.

Let us not replace His peace “that surpasses all understanding” with quick fixes and bandaids that fall off and never satisfy. (Phil. 4:7).

George Muller once said in response to the claim of being too busy to spend time with God, that four hours of work after one hour of prayer would accomplish more than five hours without prayer. George practiced what he preached and spent his entire adult life relying on prayer to communicate his needs to the Lord so clearly that he refused to raise money for his orphanage, trusting instead the promise of Phil. 4:19, “God will supply all of your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus.”

Today may my response be to and in all things the reality that says,

In Christ “my cup runneth over”.

““You fathers—if your children ask for a fish, do you give them a snake instead? Or if they ask for an egg, do you give them a scorpion? Of course not! So if you sinful people know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him.””
‭‭Luke‬ ‭11‬:‭11‬-‭13‬ ‭NLT‬‬

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By His stripes we are healed

”Then God said, “Let us make mankind in our image, in our likeness, so that they may rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky, over the livestock and all the wild animals, and over all the creatures that move along the ground.” So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them. God blessed them and said to them, “Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it. Rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky and over every living creature that moves on the ground.”“
‭‭Genesis‬ ‭1‬:‭26‬-‭28‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Our worth comes from the ONE in whose image we are made.

I can distinctly remember the moment that I realized God from the beginning created us to subdue our surroundings… and this command extends to our thoughts and experiences.

”The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.“
‭‭2 Corinthians‬ ‭10‬:‭4‬-‭5‬ ‭NIV‬‬

I am so thankful for the advocacy of the Holy Spirit, without whom I would have never been able to see that I had elevated the trauma of my life, over the fact and truth that I am an image bearer of God.

Secular therapy, psychology, and pharmacology has thrived off of the idol of trauma.

I choose the word “idol” here because therapeutic intervention says, “work through these experiences and address your trauma in order to be able to ———“. At the onset your trauma and experience is placed at the highest level of priority and thus elevates itself above God, and your relationship with God. It points you back to yourself. How can we be both be our own problem and our own solution?

The Imago Dei tells us from the beginning that we can subdue our environment, scripture further tells us:

  1. Jesus is greater than any experience we will encounter in this world. (”You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world.“
    ‭‭1 John‬ ‭4‬:‭4‬ ‭NIV‬‬)
  2. God is close to the brokenhearted and dries up all of our tears. (”The righteous cry out, and the Lord hears them; he delivers them from all their troubles. The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.“ Psalms‬ ‭34‬:‭17‬-‭18‬ ‭NIV‬‬) (”Record my misery; list my tears on your scroll— are they not in your record?“ Psalms‬ ‭56‬:‭8‬ ‭NIV‬‬)
  3. The Lord continually renews us with His spirit everyday. ”because we know that the one who raised the Lord Jesus from the dead will also raise us with Jesus and present us with you to himself. Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day.“
    ‭‭2 Corinthians‬ ‭4‬:‭14‬, ‭16‬ ‭NIV‬‬)
  4. Jesus heals us and is our place of safety. (”“He himself bore our sins” in his body on the cross, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; “by his wounds you have been healed.” For “you were like sheep going astray,” but now you have returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.“
    ‭‭1 Peter‬ ‭2‬:‭24‬-‭25‬ ‭NIV‬)

Friends, if you’re hurting bow down to the only ONE who heals, redeems and restores LIFE! It is only through Jesus that all of the dust and ashes from our past can be made into something new and beautiful.
(”He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the human heart; yet no one can fathom what God has done from beginning to end. I know that there is nothing better for people than to be happy and to do good while they live. That each of them may eat and drink, and find satisfaction in all their toil—this is the gift of God.“ Ecclesiastes‬ ‭3‬:‭11‬-‭13‬ ‭NIV‬)

We are seeing “mental health” crises at an all time high. And although I do believe there are certain situations that may need medical or professional intervention, majority of what we are seeing is people being given over to their brokenness, they are hurting and lost. They are grasping at interventions that keep them digging holes while being told they are wells.

Only one fountain can satisfy this type of thirst.

”On the last and greatest day of the festival, Jesus stood and said in a loud voice, “Let anyone who is thirsty come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me, as Scripture has said, rivers of living water will flow from within them.”“
‭‭John‬ ‭7‬:‭37‬-‭38‬ ‭NIV‬‬

And finally when we are grieving, we have these promises:

”“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.
Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth. Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.
Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy. Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God. Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.
Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. “Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me.

Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.“
‭‭Matthew‬ ‭5‬:‭3‬-‭12‬ ‭NIV‬‬

These verses contain more wisdom than all of the doctors, therapists, and DSMs combined.

When we repent and seek Jesus:
The blood of Jesus will cover your past addictions.
The blood of Jesus will cover your past assaults and abuses.
The blood of Jesus will cover the abortion you had and deeply regret and hurt over.
The blood of Jesus will cover the horrible things your have said to loved ones.
The blood of Jesus will redeem your sexual sin.
The blood of Jesus will redeem your life.
The blood of Jesus will bring reconciliation.

Jesus gets us… but more importantly He changes us.
All of these tears and turmoils pale in comparison to the future glory of those who love the Lord.

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Wait for the Lord

Yesterday, well really for several weeks, work has been even more difficult, frustrating and heartbreaking. This morning I felt led to repent of the anger that I have felt and how that has impacted those closest to me. Righteous anger is a real snare for me. As the Lord is so faithful to do, He gave me a few reminders this morning from Psalm 27.

”The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?“
‭‭Psalm‬ ‭27‬:‭1‬ ‭ESV‬‬

(27:1) Fear can be a prison. We conquer fear by trusting in the Lord. To dispel fear I need to REMEMBER that God is my light and my salvation.

”When evildoers assail me to eat up my flesh, my adversaries and foes, it is they who stumble and fall. Though an army encamp against me, my heart shall not fear; though war arise against me, yet I will be confident. One thing have I asked of the Lord, that will I seek after: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the Lord and to inquire in his temple.“
‭‭Psalm‬ ‭27‬:‭2‬-‭4‬ ‭ESV‬‬

(27: 4) This verse reminded me of Psalm 23 & Psalm 1. David’s greatest desire was to live In the presence of the Lord EACH day of his life. In the presence of the Lord is comfort, joy, protection and praise. What is it that I DESIRE the most?

”For he will hide me in his shelter in the day of trouble; he will conceal me under the cover of his tent; he will lift me high upon a rock. And now my head shall be lifted up above my enemies all around me, and I will offer in his tent sacrifices with shouts of joy; I will sing and make melody to the Lord. Hear, O Lord, when I cry aloud; be gracious to me and answer me!“
‭‭Psalm‬ ‭27‬:‭5‬-‭7‬ ‭ESV‬‬

(27:7) Since David sought the Lord’s presence EVERYDAY, when times of trouble came, David was already in the presence of the Lord. It is shortsighted to only call out to the Lord in times of trouble or need.

”You have said, “Seek my face.” My heart says to you, “Your face, Lord, do I seek.” Hide not your face from me. Turn not your servant away in anger, O you who have been my help. Cast me not off; forsake me not, O God of my salvation! For my father and my mother have forsaken me, but the Lord will take me in.“
‭‭Psalm‬ ‭27‬:‭8‬-‭10‬ ‭ESV‬‬

( 27:10) This verse was like a balm to my spirit this morning. 😭👆🏻 His love is sufficient to meet ALL our needs. While many of us and many of the children I see daily will have lasting scars from the hurts caused to us by those who should have loved us, like our Mothers and Fathers BUT God! God can take and fill any place in our life of anyone who has abandoned us. He can fill the voids and heal the hurts. He can and does lead us to those who take on the role of Mother and Father to us. He has done it for me and He is faithful to continue to do it for others.

”Teach me your way, O Lord, and lead me on a level path because of my enemies. Give me not up to the will of my adversaries; for false witnesses have risen against me, and they breathe out violence. I believe that I shall look upon the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living!“
‭‭Psalm‬ ‭27‬:‭11‬-‭13‬ ‭ESV‬‬

(27:13) Place your confidence in the Lord. He is holy and His plans are good, this is the only thing we can have true confidence in. A HOLY confidence.

”Wait for the Lord; be strong, and let your heart take courage; wait for the Lord!“
‭‭Psalm‬ ‭27‬:‭14‬ ‭ESV‬‬

(27:14) Waiting for God is not easy. Lamentations 3:24-26 calls us to HOPE and WAIT for the Lord.
Often we can “feel” like God is not answering our prayers or understanding our urgency. However, this kind of thinking implies that God is not in control or fair.
BUT God Is worth waiting for.

God often uses times of waiting to refresh, renew, and teach us. We make good use of waiting times by discovering what God may be trying to do is us while we are in them.

Father, thank you for shifting the focus off of myself this morning and onto YOU. 🙌

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