When experiencing sorrow, does the sunlight actually turn blue from its normal glorious yellow, orange and red? Receiving sad news, even though sometimes expected, can drain the warmth from our lives. It leaves us in world of unfamiliarity where we don’t want to be. I know, I’m there now.
It’s really hard to want to do anything else but to allow that rush of emotion to take over our lives. That is when we need to acknowledge where our strength lies. It certainly is not in me. I need to go to where I know there is comfort and healing. Going to God’s Word has proven true for me.
One way is to pray using encouraging verses of the Bible. The Scriptures are full of examples that fall simply from our lips to God’s heart. No working labouriously to find the right words. These words contain life.
Isaiah 55:11 "so is my Word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it." NIV
Blessed
Who, me??? I don’t feel blessed. That’s when we don’t depend on how we feel but take God at His Word.
Matthew 5:4
There it is. Yes, when we belong to Christ Jesus, He is there to comfort us and encourage us. How can it be any better than that?
Distress
Psalm 31:9 “Be merciful to me, Lord, for I am in distress: my eyes grow weak with sorrow my soul and body with grief.” NIV
This verse hits home for me. As those of us who have experienced grief and sorrow know, distress encompasses our soul and body. It can become so overpowering that it blots out our life. Not that the cause of sorrow is not important, we need to heal. Without healing, life is not what it could be.
It is also encouraging to know that the God of the Universe cares about our well being. He wants to take our burdens and lighten them.
Matthew 11:28-30
Anxiety
Philippians 4:6-7 "Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." NIV
Here in this passage we see God’s promise that if we come to Him in prayer we can give our petitions. We need to make sure that at the same time we are thanking Him for what He has done before.
Beside the privilege we have of God Almighty listening to us, we are rewarded with a peace that is unlike anything on earth. It actually works. A extra bonus is it gives protection for our hearts and minds.
Fear
Psalm 56:3 "When I am aftaid, I put my trust in You." NIV
Going through stuggles can create many emotions. God wants us to rely on His strength because He knows our frame. We were not created to depend on our own resources. It is so much easier when we trust in Him for encouragement.
Fear is one of those emotions. It can surprise us sometime. Losing a loved one, a job or home provokes fear. How will we live without that person? How will we get money for repairs? What if I don’t find another job? There is not any situation that God is not aware of. He wants you to give it to Him.
Suffering
Psalm 119:49-50 " Remember Your Word to Your servant, for You have given me hope. My comfort in my suffering is this: Your promise preserves my life." NIV
I look at this passage and think of how often I forget to remember God’s promises. I get involved in my own feelings and neglect to see what God has for me. We could avoid a lot of pain if we would just listen to Him,
The Psalmist isn’t giving praise to someone who has not followed through. He has taken God at His Word and has received comfort and hope which encourages him. How important is it? It has preserved his life. God will do that for us.
Not Fainting
Isaiah 40:31 "but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint." NIV When I think of struggling, it present an image of a long, excruciating, upward journey. At times, the destination is cloudy and we wonder if it will end.
God wants to help in that journey. He promises to refresh us so we can face each day with His grace and not just exist but soar in His love.
Hope
Romans 15:13 "May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit." NIV
The answer to our grief is hope and peace. Of course, that’s not what our heart tells us. We want things to be different, back to before our heart was broken. This not a realistic answer. Looking back slows our progression of healing.
Our God not only gives us hope, He is hope. This verse says “overflows” with hope. Contained here is the promise not only of hope but peace and joy. Yes, we can have joy in times of pain. We don’t understand this, but we don’t have to. We only need to accept it.
Praise
Psalm 135:3 "Praise the Lord, for the Lord is good, sing praise to His name, for that is pleasant." NIV
Why do we praise the Lord? I try to be careful about showering complements without really meaning it. It lowers the standard. So is God still deserving of our praise even when we are not happy with the circumstances?
We praise Him because He is good, always. He doesn’t change like we do with the wind. That’s why He is God.
This is about turning our troubles over to God who loves us and knows what is best. He wants a relationship with us. These verses can encourage our hearts and we can breath them in our prayers to help sooth the pain.
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