Dear Heavenly Father,
Sometimes, we feel overwhelmingly sad about the situations and circumstances we face. These sad feelings can come on us very quickly and make us feel as if we’ve been hit by a ton of bricks. They can turn into a dark cloud that seems to loom over us everywhere we go and with everything we do. You understand these feelings because Your Word tells us in Proverbs 18:14(NLT), “The human spirit can endure a sick body, but who can bear a crushed spirit?” Your love and care is medicine for our wounded hearts, and Your kindness is better than life.
One of the things I noticed when I wasn’t feeling my best is some people that I thought were my friends were not supportive. In fact, they seem to glean some sort of satisfaction from seeing me at a low point. This can crush us even more, but You have a remedy that will prevent us from allowing ourselves to continue to sink in our emotions. In Deuteronomy 28:13(NLT), You told your people living in Old Testament times, “If you listen to these commands of the LORD your God that I am giving you today, and if you carefully obey them, the LORD will make you the head and not the tail, and you will always be on top and never at the bottom.” This same Word applies to those of us living today!
It is very easy for us to accept a sad state of being and the feelings that go along with it. You didn’t promise that life would always be easy, so we should expect there will be times that challenge our joy and contentment. But just as easily as we accept the challenging times in life, we should also keep our expectations high for the seasons when our dreams are fulfilled, and things begin to turn around for us. You tell us this is where we ought to anchor our hope; not focusing on the negativity, sadness, or hard times.
The Apostle Paul has given us a tremendous strategy for kicking gloom to the curb. He said in Philippians 3:13 (NLT), “No, dear brothers and sisters, I have not achieved it, but I focus on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead.” We have a much easier time of it than the Apostle Paul. He had to endure great struggle, and if he had the fortitude to look to the future with hope in Christ, we must do the same.
You don’t want us to become egotistical and get the big head about our skills and abilities. You tell us that we are the head and not the tail so that we will not focus on an existence that is beneath the love, newness, and power that our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, offers. As we begin to walk in our purpose, new doors will open up, and the people that aren’t interested in our well-being will drop off. New relationships and opportunities will blossom, and this is what You’re calling our attention to.
In John 14:1, You encourage us not to let our hearts be troubled. You tell us in Psalm 55:22 to cast our burdens on You, because You will sustain us, and never permit Your righteous children to slip and fall. Thank You for being our Sweet Anchor and our Rock in the time of need. Your mercies are new every morning and we know You will never leave or forsake us, for Your Word declares it to be true.
Thank You for always taking care of us. You are our sufficiency. Thank You for showing us Your love, strength, and power as we seek to grow in You and trust You with our whole hearts. Thank You for our Blessed Savior and Lord, Jesus Christ, and thank You for the Holy Spirit. Let Your Will be done on earth as it is in heaven. In the precious and powerful name of Jesus Christ. Amen.
Scripture quotations marked (NLT) are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Wheaton, Illinois 60189. All rights reserved.
“He Will Turn Things Around!”, written by K. Lizzie, edited by Reverend Fran Mack for Sundie Morning Sistas ©2018. All rights reserved. All done to the glory of God through Jesus Christ, our Lord! SMS is dedicated to inspiring and encouraging Christian Women through the Word of God.