Tag: inspiration

The Voice of Truth

The past several weeks have been eventfully uneventful.

I struggle each day with trying to get out of bed. I go to my psychiatrist and fertility appointments. I take my meds. But I’m looking for a break-through, not the same-old, same-old.

I want to get better. I want to live a “normal” life. I want to wake up one morning and realize that I have been cured from depression and anxiety. That I actually WANT to get out of bed because I believe I have a life that’s worth living.

I’m so tired.

zohre-nemati-795730-unsplash
Photo by Zohre Nemati on Unsplash

Obviously, this is the voice of my depression.

But what does the voice of God say?

Don’t be afraid, for I am with you. Don’t be discouraged, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you. I will hold you up with my victorious right hand.

Isaiah 41:10

I MUST listen to and believe the voice of God over the voices of my depression and anxiety.

Even though it feels like I can’t make it through another day. Even though it seems like I have no purpose to wake up tomorrow. Even though I perceive that I am alone in this struggle…

I know the Bible says that God gives me new mercies each day (Lamentations 3:22-23). That He has a purpose and a plan prepared for me (Micah 6:8; Proverbs 3:5-6). And that He is always with me (Hebrews 13:5-6).

I MUST listen to the voice of truth.

. . .

there is a time and there is a place
where all my troubles will fade away
where my heart will be happy
where my hopes will come true
and all of it will happen because of You

. . .

I will be getting bloodwork done on Wednesday to see if I’m pregnant this cycle. I am hopeful, but also scared. I know that we haven’t been trying for a very long time…but the wait is still utterly grueling.

Please pray that I will listen to and believe God’s voice – the voice of truth – in the waiting. ❤

 

Photo by Ben White on Unsplash

God’s Purposes for Us

“The LORD will fulfill His purpose for me; Your steadfast love, O LORD, endures forever. Do not forsake the work of Your hands.”

– Psalm 138:8

I came across this passage the other day as I was reading through the book of Psalms. It used to be a favorite verse of mine, but I hadn’t read it in some time and had forgotten about it.

What I like about the verse is how it focuses on the truth that God has a purpose for me – and for each one of us – but it’s not our job to fulfill that purpose. It’s the LORD’s job.

This thought is so comforting to me.

Why? Because I’ve spent a good amount of time throughout my life fretting about discovering and fulfilling God’s purpose for me. Now, I definitely think we need to seek our Heavenly Father for guidance regarding this process, as well as use the wisdom He gives us to step out in faith. But I also think that sometimes we place more importance on our own contribution to this undertaking.

The above verse begins with, “The LORD will fulfill His purpose for me.” Whose purpose is it? God’s. And who is responsible for carrying out this purpose? Also God. So many times I’ve worried that I’m not accomplishing all that the Lord has planned for me. But what I should be concerned about is surrendering to God’s ways and responding to Him in obedience. 

The next part of the verse reads, “Your steadfast love, O LORD, endures forever.” God works in our lives according to His purpose because of how much He loves us! He cares about us enough to be involved in our day-to-day existence and to guide us along the path that He knows is best for us…and that will bring Him the most glory.

The verse ends with, “Do not forsake the work of Your hands.” God created us and sustains us. He formed us from the dust, and we are who we are and can do what we do only because of Him.

Shouldn’t it follow that we look to Him to fulfill His purpose for us?

As we walk with the Lord closely each day, I believe that He will show us the way to take…and give us the ability to fulfill his specific plans for us. ❤

P.S. How has God guided you in the past regarding His purpose(s) for you?

 

Photo by Kyle Broad on Unsplash

Your Future Awaits

The future.
Those two words
Can stir within us
Feelings of fear, of foreboding.
They can also incite
Feelings of excitement
And anticipation.
The future holds anxiety,
Because it is unknown.
It also holds hope,
Because there is a chance
That good things will transpire.
So how do we encourage
The good feelings over the bad?
How do we focus
On the positive
Rather than the negative?
I think that first we must take
A baby step forward.
Without that step,
We will never behold
What is on the other side
Of the closed door.
But just one baby step –
And then another –
And another still…
Will open that closed door
And unveil a world
Of opportunity.
So don’t be afraid
To take that first baby step…
Your future awaits.

© Copyright by Crystal Knauss

Photo by Stephen Leonardi on Unsplash