Tag: encouragement

Thy Will Be Done

So I’ve been struggling with mental health issues for about 20 years. It started when I was a teenager and there were a lot of family issues going on that caused a great turmoil in my heart. And it just kind of grew from there. I’ve been diagnosed with severe, chronic depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), and generalized and social anxiety disorders. I’ve seen countless doctors and I’ve tried almost every medication available for these issues over the years, and this past year I started a new venture of getting electro-convulsive therapy (ECT). The treatments have helped some, but every day is still a struggle.

I share all of this not to draw attention to myself and my difficulties, but to something the Lord has been teaching me through it. I’ve been hearing a song on the radio that really resonates with me and with what I’ve been going through. Take a moment to listen to it – you might enjoy it. Song: Hillary Scott’s “Thy Will”   But basically it talks about how it’s so hard sometimes to understand what God has allowed into our lives…and we may never understand until heaven. But the cry of our hearts should always be: “Thy will be done.” No matter what we’re going through, we can always trust that our heavenly Father will bring good out of it.

So whatever you’re going through today – whatever trials are taking your breath away with the pain that they cause – whatever situations are testing you to the limit…just know that God will, in His own timing, work it out according to His perfect plan.

A Ray of Sunshine

I had a good day today. Not necessarily because it was Valentine’s Day – although my husband did help me make a delicious dinner to celebrate. Not because I didn’t struggle with anxiety and depression – although I was able to combat it a little more thoroughly. And not because everything went perfectly – although I’m finally starting to learn that perfection is not something I need to seek.

But I could see the sunshine. Not only in the sky (which was extremely nice to see and feel), but also in my life.

I was blessed to be able to share some time with a friend today. We walked and talked and it was so nice! I have spent much of my time kind of closed up in my house…and it was great to be able to get out and get some fresh air.

It may not seem like much, but it was a big encouragement to me. I’m grateful to God for the ray of sunshine…and trusting that He will help me to see the hope that is to be found in each day that He gives us.

Photo by: Zwaddi

Coins in a Jar

Forty-four dollars and nineteen cents.

That’s how much money I received from the machine after putting in all of the coins that my Dad had saved up for me. He loves throwing his change in a jar when he comes home from work, and then giving it to me to cash out and use towards things that I need.

I went food shopping after I traded in my coins. I attempted to add up in my head the cost of the things that I was putting in my cart, but I soon lost count. Going down my grocery list, I picked up the items that I needed, and was finally ready to check out. As the cashier rang up my items, I was praying that I had enough cash to pay for it. And you’ll never guess how much the total came to:

Forty-four dollars and nineteen cents!

Isn’t our God amazing?! He knew how much money I needed, and He provided it for me – nothing more, and nothing less.

And I know that His provision wasn’t just about money. It was about my Father showing me, in a manner that I could not deny, that He sees me. He sees the things that I’m going through. He sees my heart and my desire to please Him. He sees my struggles and my shortcomings and my sins…and He loves me just the same.

I am His daughter, and He lovingly cares for my needs.

So whatever situation you are in today, just know that God sees you. He sees every detail of Your situation, and He cares deeply. If you will trust Him with your life, He will gladly take your burdens and will faithfully provide for you in His own time and way – just as He graciously did for me.

That’s the simple lesson that God taught me through coins in a jar.