A Cry from the Heart

Father in Heaven,


      I need to trust you more than ever . . .


                                                      . . .  to believe that you work all things out for my good.

And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. 

Romans 8:28

                                                   
                                                        . . . to fight this battle I'm facing.

The LORD shall fight for you, and ye shall hold your peace. 

Exodus 14:14

                                                     . . . to be my God who provides beyond my limitations. 

But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus. 

Philippians 4:19

                                                           . . . to be the light to my darkness.

For thou wilt light my candle: the LORD my God will enlighten my darkness. 

Psalm 18:28

Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path. 

Psalm 119:105

Thy sun shall no more go down; neither shall thy moon withdraw itself: for the LORD shall be thine everlasting light, and the days of thy mourning shall be ended. 

Isaiah 60:20

  . . . when I sit in darkness, the LORD shall be a light unto me. 

Micah 7:8

Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life. 

John 8:12

And there shall be no night there; and they need no candle, neither light of the sun; for the Lord God giveth them light: and they shall reign for ever and ever. 

Revelation 22:5

                                           . . . to use these trials, these struggles, the hurt, the tears, the painful circumstances, to strengthen and purify me and to glorify You.

I have heard thy prayer, I have seen thy tears: behold, I will heal thee . . . 

II Kings 20:5

 They that sow in tears shall reap in joy. 

Psalm 126:5

But though he cause grief, yet will he have compassion according to the multitude of his mercies. For he doth not afflict willingly nor grieve the children of men.

Lamentations 3:23-33

Verily, verily, I say unto you, That ye shall weep and lament, but the world shall rejoice: and ye shall be sorrowful, but your sorrow shall be turned into joy. 

John 16:20

 For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory; 

II Corinthians 4:17

And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes . . .

Revelation 7:17; 21:4

Help me take my eyes off my circumstances and the cares of life and keep them fixed on the Cross of Christ for as long as You choose to keep me on this earth. Only then will I be able to have a right view of myself, my circumstances, and Your will.

But God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world. 

Galatians 6:14

 Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. 

Hebrews 12:2

My father's way may twist and turn, my heart may throb and ache,

But in my soul I'm glad to know He maketh no mistake.

My cherished plans may go astray, my hopes now fade away,

But still I'll trust my Lord to lead, for He doth know the way.

Though night be dark and it may seem that day will never break;

I'll pin my faith, my all in Him, He maketh no mistake.

There's so much now I cannot see, my eyesight's far too dim;

But come what may, I'll simply trust and leave it all to Him.

For by and by the mist will lift, and plain it all He'll make - 

Through all the way, though dark to me, He made not one mistake

                                                                                                    Amy Carmichael

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Swept Away

I recently started a chronological Bible reading program, where you read the Bible in the historical order of events. I've never tried this kind of approach before, so I thought I'd give it a go.

This week's reading plan has focused on the book of Job. It inspired me to write the following . . . poem? . . . song? . . . I'm not entirely sure how to categorize it. Whatever it is, I hope it will encourage you to look to the One Who has all the answers.

Swept Away

 Feels like I’m swimming upstream, I can’t catch my breath

Everything I was holding onto has been swept away

Why have You ignored my cries for help?

Why have I become a burden to You?

Why don’t You take my pain away?

Why do You answer my tears with silence? 

Where did I go wrong?

Don’t You see what’s happening to me?

Remember that my life is a breath

I’m swept away in the blink of an eye

For when a few years have come and gone

I’ll go to where I can’t return

Who will praise You then?

How long will You let them torment me

And tear me to pieces with heartless words?

Can’t You see what they’re doing to me?

Seems like I’m all alone in this battle

Why aren’t You here to protect me?

I can’t keep keeping on like this

It’s too much for me to take

My song has been silenced in the darkness of despair

I will question you, and you will answer Me

Where were you when I made the earth?

Have you commanded the morning since your birth?

Do you know the secret springs of the sea?

Have you walked in the deep places of the earth?

Have you seen the gates of Hell, or touched the windows of Heaven?

Tell me, if you know all this

Where is the way to the dwelling of light?

And where is the house of darkness?

Have you seen where the snow and hail are stored?

Can you send forth rain to nourish the earth?

Answer me, if you can

Do you give the horses their strength?

Is the wild ox your servant?

Do you provide the raven its prey to feed its young ones?

Have you caught Leviathan with a hook, or tamed Behemoth with a leash?

Will you contend with Yahweh, fault-finder?

Will you give an answer, you who argue with God?

I lay my hand on my mouth – how can I answer You? 

I know that You can do all things, and no will of Yours can be thwarted

I’ve spoken about what I don’t understand, things too wonderful for me to comprehend

Now I see You, and I repent in dust and ashes

I’m awe-struck, captivated, swept away by You

Blessed be Your Name!

"Blessed be the name of the LORD."

Job 1:21b

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Satan's Lies vs. God's Truth

When you are in the valley of depression and/or discouragement, your mind is weak and particularly prone to believe Satan's lies, and he knows this. Satan uses our times in the valley (when we're discourage or depressed) to ensnare us in the bondage of self-absorption. Self-absorption takes your focus off of God and His truth and onto yourself. That's why it is extremely important that you replace Satan's lies with God's truth as soon as they come to your mind. You need to remind yourself of the truths you have neglected in order to reaffirm them in your mind and heart to avoid this trap and experience victory. 

What better way to combat Satan's lies and remind yourself of God's truths than with Truth itself, the Word of God?

Below is a list of some of the most common lies Satan uses to try to ensnare us. I have paired each lie with at least one verse to help remind you of what God has to say about that particular lie. 


Satan's Lie: "No one cares, including God."
God's Truth: Yea, I have loved thee with an everlasting love: therefore with lovingkindness have I drawn thee. {Jeremiah 31:3}

Satan's Lie: "I'm no good."
God's Truth: Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. {2 Corinthians 5:17}

Satan's Lie: "I'm all alone." 

God's Truth: I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee. {Hebrews 15:3b}

Satan's Lie: "I don't need God."

God's Truth: I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing. {John 15:5}

Satan's Lie: "This problem is beyond help."

God's Truth: Is any thing too hard for the LORD? {Genesis 18:14}

Satan's Lie: "Nothing will ever change."

God's Truth: ...to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the LORD, that he might be glorified. {Isaiah 61:3}

Weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning. {Psalm 30:5b}

Satan's Lie: "I should be afraid of the unknown."

God's Truth: For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end. {Jeremiah 29:11}

Satan's Lie: "These feelings of hopelessness will never change."

God's Truth: Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted in me? hope thou in God: {Psalm 42:5, 11}

The LORD is my portion, saith my soul; therefore will I hope in him. {Lamentations 3:24}

Satan's Lie: "I hate people."

God's Truth: If a man say, I love God, and hateth his brother, he is a liar: for he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, how can he love God whom he hath not seen? And this commandment have we from him, That he who loveth God love his brother also. {I John 4:20-21}

Satan's Lie: "God is angry with me."

God's Truth: The LORD is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and plenteous in mercy ... For he knoweth our frame; he remembereth that we are dust. {Psalm 103:8, 14}

Satan's Lie: "No one understands me."

God's Truth: Great is our Lord, and of great power: his understanding is infinite. {Psalm 147:5}

Satan's Lie: "I hate life."

God's Truth: Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. {John 14:6}

Do you have any additional lies and/or truths to add to this list? Feel free to leave a comment below.

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Does Failure Make You Unacceptable?

Feelings of failure often plague those who have grown up or are growing up in a dysfunctional, hurtful home. No matter how much you achieve or succeed, there is a constant desire to do or be more. When there is actual failure in some area, there is a disproportionate amount of self-condemnation. When there is actual success, the requirements change, and instead of rejoicing in your success, you burden yourself new requirements. The constant striving and feelings of failure continue.

You demand perfection of yourself to prove your worth to yourself, to someone else, or to God. I have news for you, my friend: God accepts you as you are, knowing you are already perfect in Christ. Your failures are hid in Christ. You have nothing to prove to God. When you fail in your human frailty, God still sees you as perfect and therefore loves you perfectly. 

For by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified.                 {Hebrews 10:14}

Being made holy, or "sanctified," is a process of Christian growth which is achieved through applying God's Word to all areas of your life. As you accept the discipline and guidance Christ provides and as you give Him control of your desires, goals, and will, you become more like Christ. The sanctification process is born out of your love for Christ, not because you must prove yourself perfect to be accepted. If you have accepted Christ as your Savior, you are perfect in God's eyes, despite the failure of your flesh.

The Apostle Peter failed in his flesh, but God saw him as perfect in Christ. He used Peter to evangelize the Gentiles and two write two books of the Bible.

David failed in his flesh, but God saw his repentance and used him to lead the nation of Israel. God called David "a man after my own heart." David was loved and accepted, not in spite of his sin, but without any regard to it.

God's grace doesn't look at your sins and failures, nor does it look at your good deeds, your "perfection." It looks only on the merit of Jesus Christ.

Grace means we become worthy before we are worthy.

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Praise: A Sacrifice Well-Pleasing

A missionary in China was living a defeated life. Everything about him seemed to be touched with sadness. Although he prayed many months for victory over depression and discouragement, no answer came. He determined to leave his post and go to an interior station where he could be quiet and spend long hours in prayer. Upon reaching the place, he was brought into the home of a fellow missionary. On the wall of his bedroom hung this motto: "Try Praising." He took that motto to heart and began praising. His discouragement and depression vanished almost immediately.

David was forced to hide from his enemies in the barren wilderness of Judah. He cried out to God to help him with his loneliness and discouragement.

O God, thou art my God; early will I seek thee: my soul thirsteth for thee, my flesh longeth for thee in a dry and thirsty land, where no water is; to see thy power and thy glory, so as I have seen thee in the sanctuary. Because thy lovingkindness is better than life, my lips shall praise thee. Thus will I bless thee while I live: I will lift up my hands in thy name. My soul shall be satisfied as with marrow and fatness; and my mouth shall praise thee with joyful lips: when I remember thee upon my bed, and meditate on thee in the night watches. Because thou hast been my help, therefore in the shadow of thy wings will I rejoice. {Psalm 63:1-7}

Paul and Silas were humiliated, falsely accused, stripped, beaten, and placed in stocks in a filthy cell. Despite the circumstances, they prayed and sang praises to God.

And at midnight Paul and Silas prayed, and sang praises unto God: and the prisoners heard them. {Acts 16:25}

You may not be able to praise the Lord for your circumstances, but you can praise Him for who He is. 

I will praise thee, O LORD, with my whole heart; I will shew forth all thy marvellous works. {Psalm 9:1}

 I will extol thee, my God, O king; and I will bless thy name for ever and ever. Every day will I bless thee; and I will praise thy name for ever and ever. Great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised; and his greatness is unsearchable. {Psalm 145:1-3}

Praise ye the LORD. Praise the LORD, O my soul. While I live will I praise the LORD: I will sing praises unto my God while I have any being. {Psalm 146:1-2}

Praise ye the LORD. Praise God in his sanctuary: praise him in the firmament of his power. Praise him for his mighty acts: praise him according to his excellent greatness. Praise him with the sound of the trumpet: praise him with the psaltery and harp. Praise him with the timbrel and dance: praise him with stringed instruments and organs. Praise him upon the loud cymbals: praise him upon the high sounding cymbals. Let every thing that hath breath praise the LORD. Praise ye the LORD. {Psalm 150}

Your praise is a sacrifice well-pleasing to God. 

Praise ye the LORD: for it is good to sing praises unto our God; for it is pleasant; and praise is comely. {Psalm 147:1}

By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name. {Hebrews 13:15} 

Are you depressed or discouraged about difficulties you are facing? Try praising.

Praise unlocks heaven's portals;

Praise causes doubts to cease;

Praise brings precious blessings;

Praise leaves the sweetest peace.

Praise breaks all bonds asunder;

Praise sets the captives free;

Praise lightens every burden;

Praise is the master key.

Praise changes circumstances;

Praise establishes the heart;

When praise becomes perpetual,

Praise is a Holy Art.

                           Frances Metcalf

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Hoping in God

Life is hard. A loved one dies unexpectedly. A friendship turns sour. A job opportunity falls through. Finances are tighter than expected. It is easy (and normal) for difficult circumstances like these to cause us to lose hope in God, His plans, and His promises. When the future looks bleak, how are we to keep hope alive when life hurts?

A dear friend shared Psalm 42 with me during a very difficult time in my life when my hope in God was failing. In this passage, David records how he dealt with the same feeling of hopelessness. I would like to share it with you.

Psalm 42

{As the hart [deer] panteth after the water brooks, so panteth my soul after thee, o God. My soul thirsteth for God, for the living God: when shall I come and appear before God?} David uses the picture of a thirsty deer longing for water to illustrate how his soul was yearning for fellowship with God.

{My tears have been my meat day and night, while they continually say unto me, where is thy God? When I remember these things, I pour out my soul in me: for I had gone with the multitude, I went with them to the house of God, with the voice of joy and praise, with a multitude that kept holyday.} Tears are a natural response to adversity and difficult circumstances. David is baffled to the point of emotional distress at why he is experiencing the difficulties he is relating in this passage; he is also distraught at the cruel taunting of those asking him "where is your God now, David?"

{Why are thou cast down, O my soul? And why art thou disquieted within me? Hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise him for the help of his countenance.} David gives himself a bit of a spiritual pep talk in this verse. He reminds himself that God is worth putting his hope in, and he exhorts himself to praise God through the adversity and difficulty, even though he doesn't understand.

{O my God, my soul is cast down within me...Deep calleth unto deep at the noise of thy waterspouts: all thy waves and thy billows have gone over me.} David continues to express his normal feelings of distress and hopelessness.

{Yet the LORD will command his lovingkindness in the daytime, and in the night his song shall be with me, and my prayer unto the God of my life.} David reminds himself again of God's changeless, loving care for him as His child.

{I will say unto God my rock, Why hast thou forgotten me? Why go I mourning because of the oppression of the enemy? As with a sword in my bones, mine enemies reproach me; while they say daily unto me, Where is thy God} Once again, David releases a natural, human response to adverse circumstances while his enemies continue to taunt him.

{Why are thou cast down, O my soul? And why art thou disquieted within me? Hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise him, who is the health of my countenance, and my God.} David closes this psalm with the same spiritual pep talk found earlier in the passage.

Life is hard; life hurts, but God is bigger than any circumstance we will ever face. Keep your hope firmly rooted in Him. His light breaks the darkness of hopelessness.

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