Freelance writer and Speaker
I was challenged recently, ‘Do I love God for who He is or what He’s done for me.’ I realised that I did love Him for what He has done, gifts and blessings in this life and then the promise of eternal life. I further realised that Jesus is the Saviour of the World, so He is what He gives, we cannot separate the two.
Be strong and take heart, all you who hope in the Lord.’ Psalm 31:24
Praise to God is a way out of depression. He and He alone has the power to lift our spirits. We are not able to do it on our own, we need a higher authority and that authority is God. Turn to Him.
‘Why, my soul, are you downcast? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God , for I will yet praise Him, my Saviour and my God.
What trouble are you facing today? There will be as many different types of trouble as there are readers of this blog. Whatever the problem you have at the moment, our God is there to help and uplift and guide.
‘God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.’ Psalm 46:1
Where can we go? to whom can we turn? We are not promised an easy life; there will be trouble. We need somewhere completely safe to turn. God is a rock, fortress, tower and many other words used in the Bible. With Him we are safe.
‘The name of the Lord is a strong fortress, the godly run to Him and are safe.’ Proverbs 18:10
‘Pursue righteousness, love and peace, along with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart.’ 2 timothy 2:22
We can only do this in the strength of the Lord.
God’s word is so powerful; we do not even begin to understand the strength of it. So it’s probably a good idea to read and study it more. Every time we delve into it, we seem to discover something new.
‘So shall my word be that goes out from My mouth; it shall not return to Me empty but it shall accomplish that which I purpose.’ Isaiah 55:11
What proof do we need that God loves us? It is His gifts to us but it is also His discipline. This is proof that He loves us. We correct our children for their own good, likewise our heavenly Father.
‘Endure hardship as discipline. God is treating us as His children. For what children as not disciplined by their father?’ Hebrews 12:7
Like everyone I don’t like to be corrected and having my faults pointed out to me. But we need to remember that when the Lord disciples us He does it through love. Because as the saying goes ‘God loves us as we are but loves us enough to make us as we can be.’
‘My son, do not make light of the Lord’s discipline and do not lose heart when He rebukes you, because the Lord disciplines the one He loves and He chastens everyone He accepts as His son.’ Hebrews 12:5-6
In these days of heightened awareness we know of many people who are struggling emotionally. One unkind act or thoughtless word, could push them down further. May every encounter we have with people, every text or email we send, every phone call we make, leave the recipient feeling better.
‘Let us consider how we may spur one another on towards love and good deeds.’ Hebrews 10:24
‘Suffering produces endurance and endurance produces character and character produces hope and hope does not disappoint us.’ Romans 5:3-5