Be Encouraged: This Is Not Your “Forever”
Years ago, when I was in and out of mental hospitals, Millie, a kind nurse, cared for me. When I was discharged after a nine-month stay, she and her husband, Paul, reached out and encouraged me to begin memorizing God’s Word.
During this very difficult season of my life, I began writing verses on index cards – and fell in love with God on a deeper and deeper level.
I also grew to love God’s Word!
Scripture calmed me. It gave me peace and hope. Eventually, it gave me stability. The more I recognized how holy, righteous and wise God was, the more I trusted His sovereignty (His ultimate control over my life).
Are you in the middle of a spiritual battle or a difficult trial?
Be encouraged: This is not your “forever,” even though it feels like it is.
When I spent those years in and out of mental hospitals (I was even told by professionals that I’d never get better), I felt as if my life would never change. Like I was stuck in a “forever” situation.
When we, or someone we’re praying for, are in that “forever” spot, something happens when we pray as if we truly believe God’s Word. That He is powerful. Good. Wise. Holy. Sovereign. And that this powerful, good, wise, holy, sovereign God … loves … us. And loves the people on our prayer list.
Proverbs 9:10 (ESV) says,
The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is insight.
Pause for a moment and imagine life for those who don’t know Christ…those who don’t fear God. They have no anchor for truth, wisdom or hope.
How does this perspective deepen your gratitude for God’s Word? His sovereignty?
Consider how a reverent fear of God protects us. The fear of God is the beginning of—the starting point—of knowing right from wrong. Growing in the knowledge of God provides the insight we need in our “forever” situation.
After I came to revere and know God on a deeper level, I was better able to submit my life, my will and even my emotions to a loving, holy, wise and sovereign God … and was set free from major depression.
Let’s pray:
Every time we read Your Word, Lord, whenever we enter into worship, every time we pray … may we picture ourselves at Your throne of grace, kneeling, fully aware of Your goodness, Your majesty, Your sovereignty … present and intervening in our “forever” situation. Amen.
What about you?
I’d love to hear your thoughts about this post. (Your comment might also benefit others.)
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Such a needed message for today, Sheryl. His word is life, life abundant. He gives it freely for us to take in as spiritual nourishment. It sustains us and makes us thrive with His ever abundant life.
Hello, Janice! I’ve missed seeing you on Today Can Be Different.
Aw, thank you for sharing that! I love how you put it — His Word really is the best kind of nourishment, filling us up and giving us what we need to keep going and growing. So grateful we get to celebrate God’s amazing truth together!
Thank you so much for stopping by, Janice.
Whenever we enter into worship, every time we pray … may we picture ourselves at His throne of grace, kneeling, fully aware of HIs goodness, His majesty, His sovereignty … present and intervening in our “forever” situation.
Isn’t it wonderful how the Lord worked in your life.
It’s incredible that I had a very similar experience of being in an out of psych wards and my husband was told that I’d never get better and live my life in and out of the hospital.
It’s kind of strange how I got well. He packed up our things with our three little girls and we moved to Greece.
Long story short, I did get well and the Lord led me to Heart”wings. What a difference it made in my life.
Isn’t it wonderful being ser free and experiencing the love of Jesus. I could never have done it alone.
Thanks for sharing because there might be others in the same predicament.
Praise God!! Praise God for ALL He has done–and continues to do–for both of us, Sandra!
I pray both of our stories will encourage others.
Do you feel as if your situation will never change? I’ve been there.
And look at you now! I’m so glad your nurse and her husband pointed you to the only One who is your forever! “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom; all who follow His precepts gain rich understanding. His praise endures forever!” Psalm 111:10. “Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”” Matthew 119:6. Your forever is with God and all things are possible with Him! Thanks for sharing your life with us, Sheryl and how big our God truly is!✝️
Wow! Thank you, Kim, for your kind words. Most of all, THANK you for sharing excellent Bible verses. I especially love your last sentence! Amen!!
“Something happens when we pray as if we truly believe God’s Word.”
That’s my favorite line here. Too often those of us who call ourselves Christians don’t pray as if we truly believe His Word.
You have to ask – do we?
Do we believe God’s Word?
If we’re not praying in faith, and we truly don’t believe what God has said, our prayers are vain and powerless.
I love you! ❤️
Exactly!! Amen!
Thank you, Helen.
I love you too! I hope to visit your excellent blog, Helen’s Points to Ponder (https://helenspointstoponder.blogspot.com/), soon–and I encourage others to do so also.
I remember those precious index cards! An encouragement for me too!
Right?! Even as I wrote this devotion, God used it to encourage me.
I know I’ve said this before, Marsha, but I will never stop thanking God for all the people He brought into my life during that dark season——including you, my friend. I love you!
Perfect word for today!
Praise the Lord! (Thank you for stopping by, Delores.)