The Great Encourager

"Cast your burden upon the LORD and He will sustain you; 
He will never allow the righteous to be shaken."
Psalm 55:22

This has been one of those weeks when I questioned if I was really hearing God correctly. Ever have such times in your life? You've set your feet on a path that you believe is the one God has chosen for you, but then somewhere down the road the scenery looks unfamiliar and you wonder if you misread God's road map. The burden of doubt presses down on your shoulders. Maybe this isn't where God wants me to be after all. Maybe I'm supposed to be somewhere else. I hate to admit that I'm not alway good about taking this particular burden to the Lord. My tendency is to fret and stew and hope that very soon God gives me a sign that shows me I'm in the right place. How foolish! My Heavenly Father is compassionate and loving and kind. He wants me to come to Him when I'm discouraged and ask for the encouragement I need. I'm so glad this time I remembered that. Yesterday I prayed, "Lord, would you please encourage me in this?" And you know what? He did. Today He showered me with encouragement. Through an email I received, a phone call from an out-of-state friend and the words of a friend nearby the Lord spoke right to my discouraged heart and assured me that I am right where He wants me, doing just what He wants me to do. The enemy wants to keep us from taking our burdens -- whatever they are -- to the Lord. But let's not let him do that. Let's remember verses like Psalm 55:22 and cast our burdens upon the Lord. He's the Great Encourager.

When We Struggle with Doubt

"I would have despaired unless I had believed 

that I would see the goodness of the LORD

In the land of the living.

Wait for the LORD;

Be strong and let your heart take courage;

Yes, wait for the LORD."

Psalm 27:13-14

When trials enter our lives, doubt often comes with them. The enemy loves it when we struggle with our faith and question God's goodness. The Bible is filled with verses that can help us during such times. As we turn to them and meditate on the words, the Holy Spirit encourages us to keep trusting. He reminds us not to despair, believe in the goodness of the Lord and wait for Him. Remain strong by the power of His Spirit and free your heart to be courageous. All this and so much more. Are you struggling today? What verses has God given you in the past that can help you now?

Walk of Faith

And He said, "Come!" And Peter got out of the boat, and walked on the water and came toward Jesus. But seeing the wind, he became frightened, and beginning to sink, he cried out, "Lord, save me!" Immediately Jesus stretched out His hand and took hold of him, and said to him, "You of little faith, why did you doubt?" 

Matthew 14:29-31

Peter is filled with faith as he steps out of the boat to walk toward Jesus. As long as his eyes are focused on the Lord, he does the impossible -- he walks on the water. But when he takes his eyes off the Savior and looks at the wind around him, he gives in to fear and doubt, and then he sinks. What a lesson this is for us. In the midst of life's storms our Savior is beckoning us to come to Him. As we keep our eyes on Him, we rise above our circumstances. But when our circumstances become the focus instead of Christ, our faith waivers. It is then that we begin to sink into despair. Keep your eyes fixed on the Lord, and see the impossible happen.