What words of encouragement would you offer to someone who experienced a difficult 2011?
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loananna on January 4, 2012 at 9:37 am
As i see people loosing their homes, their jobs, all that they have worked for. I pray over them. I let them know they aren’t alone, that God has bigger plans for them. As a Realtor I have to be “politically correct” but all my clients know my beliefs and respect it when i ask if we could pray. I do admit it becomes hard at times when banks appear unwilling to assist these people, but alot of times I can see Gods hand in the leading of these people to another place.
“The Lord hears his people when they call to him for help. He rescues them from all their troubles”
Psalm 34:17
Happy New year everyone!
cathybostic on January 4, 2012 at 1:40 pm
Today I asked God. Who am I? He quickly replied; you are my child.
Father why does love hurt sometimes? He answered; my child, love causes no pain. It is the flesh that disables you to experience the pure nature of love. It is what you see and selfish desire that opens the door for the distortion of love. If you dwell in the Spirit you will fully enjoy the promise that is given to you because of love. I am God. I am love and I cause no pain.
“Forgive me Father in my time of weakness. Grant me strength and wisdom.”
Let the world rejoice.
Amen.
daisymarygoldr on January 4, 2012 at 2:06 pm
Don’t lose heart. When you go through rivers of difficulty, God’s promise is you will not drown (Isaiah 43:2). This is easier said than done especially when dealing with terminal illness. Only God’s Spirit can provide people with the comfort they need. Don’t give up or give in. Persevere in faith and seek the healing prayers of the righteous. You are not alone. Every one of us has a physical body that is perishing outwardly. But inwardly we are being spiritually renewed everyday.
Broken and bankrupt, there is nothing joyful about painful circumstances. Yet, we rejoice in God’s grace that is sufficient to sustain us and see us through the fiercest storm. Life in this world is not easy; but nothing can separate us from God’s love. The death of loved ones is devastating. We find consolation in the fact that they belonged to God before they became ours. He gives and takes away, blessed be the name of the Lord was Job’s attitude to such irreplaceable loss.
For those who have incurred loss of job, marriage or dealing with prodigals or have wasted everything doing the wrong things, or feeling remorse over lost opportunities—it helps to remember that God will restore them back to us if—we return back to Him. God will bring new people to replace the bitterness of old ruptured relationships. Cherish the sweet memories of friendships that blossomed but could not be fulfilled and brought to fruition. Although brief, thank God for bringing them into your life
Suffering from incurable deep wounds? Take it to the Lord in prayer. Tangled in terrible sin? Don’t hide or run away from God. Own up to it. Hurt by Christians? Don’t quit church. If you did, then this year it is time to come back and be reunited with your real family. Feeling stressed out? Slow down to take a break and rest in the Lord. Cast your burden upon Him, because He cares for you.
Depressed and spiritually out of shape? Allow God’s resurrection power to revive the weary hearts that have wilted with worry, guilt, embarrassment and shame; to lift up the hands which hang down, and strengthen the feeble knees. Take time to refuel and rejuvenate. God heals, forgives, and crowns the year with goodness. So, no matter how tired or old we are, we can still continue with youthful vigor by renewing our mind in God’s Word.
Most importantly—don’t look back. It is pointless to wring our hands in regretful what-ifs over failures in the past year. Failures are stop-sticks that prevent us from going down the wrong road so we can get back on track. We can certainly learn from the past and not repeat the same mistakes in future. But we must not remain discouraged and dwell on the past. The Christian life is an onward journey. Despite the disappointments, let us not pull back but press forward.
Finally, let it be known to every disillusioned person sitting in darkness and despair—saved and unsaved, Jesus Christ is the only living hope, both now in 2012 and for all eternity. God’s Word encourages us to forget the former things because it is nothing compared to the brand new thing He is going to do—He will make a way in the wilderness and cause rivers to flow in the dry wasteland (Isaiah 43:18-19). What God promised, He is able to perform.