“When anxiety was great within me, your consolation brought me joy” (Psalm 94:19).

def. Consolation. the comfort received by a person after a loss or a disappointment.

I remember being a little girl, full of worry, hoping the best for my parents, the best for our family. Though I felt small and powerless to create change, I often assume a feeling of blame for the problems that existed. (Why? Because the enemy is a liar and tries to deceive us.)

But, greater than that, and far more powerful was the presence of of God — the presence of His Holy Spirit that comforted me from a very young age. I knew He was always with me. I would talk to Him, and I knew He was ministering to me, speaking to my heart. He was – and remains to this day – my best friend.

When alone and scared, I have often felt as though a big, safe dad was holding me. The Lord is intentional in His friendship, in His presence, and in comforting us.

All throughout His Word, He reminds us of His intentionality in comforting and consoling us in our pain and disappointment:

“The lowly He sets on high, and those who mourn are lifted to safety” (Job 5:11).

“I remain confident of this: I will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord” (Psalm 27:13-14).

“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 have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world” (John 16:33).

“¹May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit” (Romans 15:13).

“Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort,  who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God” (2 Corinthians 1:3-4).

As hard as we try to shield our children from discouragement and pain in life, we may not always be successful. Yet, the best thing we can do for our children is introduce them to Jesus and nurture them in their personal relationship with Him.

Of all the gifts and opportunities my parents gave me, I’m most thankful for their gift of feeding and nurturing my faith — for every Sunday school service, church service, prayer service, and youth group meeting they took me to.

After all, parents, try as we might, we are not strong enough, wise enough, or present enough to be all that they need. Circumstances come and go; and, one day, we will go too; but the presence of the Lord never leaves us…. never leaves them. He always comforts and keeps watch on our children all of their lives. He is like a strong tower that they can run to and be safe.

I pray that the Holy Spirit comforts you, comforts us, and comforts our children, through this difficult time. And I pray that they learn so much more about the Lord’s presence, and a friendship with Jesus, through this. May our heritage be faith in and friendship with the Lord for generations to come, in Jesus’ Name.

“And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of His glory in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:19).

A friend likes to remind me that God is not sitting in heaven wondering, or fretting over, how He will supply for us. I don’t imagine He is carrying the two, sharpening His pencil or furrowing His brow. Everything we need, He has. And He doesn’t have to ask permission or wait for a signature. He is our full supply of everything.

My husband, Justin, and I have been together for nearly 18 years. We have had our ups, with excess, and we have had our downs – even to the point of limiting our flushing to conserve water. (Yes. It’s true!)

Over time, we have had moments of wondering how we would pay our mortgage, keep the lights on, pay the water bill or medical bill, put food on the table, or pay our team. Moments like these are part of the ups and downs of life, for nearly everyone at different points along their journey. But, God has truly always supplied. Always!

God sees all of our needs. He knows what we need, even before we do. He sees the concerns that creep up, that even live at the surface for seasons at times, and He tells us to shift the weight of those burdens over to Him. The Bible reminds us, “Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you” (1 Peter 5:7).

King David, who had seen it all, said, “Once I was young, and now I am old. Yet I have never seen the Godly abandoned or their children begging for bread” (Psalm 37:25).

The Lord speaks to our hearts. He shows up through action. He even appeals to our logic, to remind us that He is our provider! He is reminding us that He sees us, He sees our need, He supplies for us, and that He wants to supply for us; because, He loves us.

[Here comes a tough assertion.] Unfortunately, our culture has turned this into, “If you don’t make me rich, you don’t love me.” I really wonder what this does to the heart of God, what kind of intimacy this removes, and what we are missing out on when we do that.

Let me ask, would you rather have a dad who sent a large check to you every month to satisfy His responsibility, or a dad who wants to do life with you all throughout the journey every, single day? God, our heavenly dad, wants to supply for our needs. If you take a look back, I thing we would all agree that He has more than proven Himself good on His word. Yet, He wants to supply so much more than that.

He wants to be here in the daily with us, to provide a sturdy foundation, to extend friendship and comfort, to protect us, to give us wisdom to help us make tough decisions. He wants to be a real dad to us in the daily. That is so much more than financial supply.

God wants to teach us through the journey. He wants to build spiritual muscle in us so we get stronger and calmer through the difficulties of life. He wants to help us grow to be solid, to begin to think beyond ourselves, to be able to mature and to partner with Him in the work He is doing.

I remember hitting milestones of maturity as a child, a teen and a young adult. As I did, my parents opened up more opportunities to me, because I was maturing, getting emotionally stronger, and proving to be trustworthy in those areas.

God is, and He wants to be, our supplier. Yet, there is even so much more beyond that baseline of financial provision. He is teaching us who He is, and who we are, through this. And, He is preparing us for greater Kingdom accomplishment through it all… Like the real dad that He is.

“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God” (Matthew 5:9).

Everyone handles catastrophe differently. Some fight. Some run. Some retreat inwardly. Others erupt outwardly.

No one wants a catastrophe. Most people want to just act like themselves. But our emotions, our adrenaline, our hormones and chemicals are altered in times of disaster. You almost surely will experience odd interactions — maybe a few shorter texts than usual, a blunt email or two, all caps or exclamation points.

I used to take these personally, thinking they were happening to me. But, after experiencing numerous good people under stress or in crisis, I learned I just happened to be the one there, hearing or reading what was coming out, what had finally erupted in the moment, or even the pain of radio-silence as they withdrew.

In these times of crisis, in calamity, we work to have patience with each other, to treat each other with love and friendship. But, we – the ones on the receiving side of strange interactions with good people – we too have the option to extend grace and compassion. We can refuse to take it personally, seeing they are struggling, recognizing we just happen to be there when their “moment” happened, or that we are safe enough to be trusted with their pain.

We have the opportunity to be peacemakers.

Over time, I have had to learn where others end and I begin, to not own their feeling or accept the blame – resulting in defense, or take it to heart. I have learned that I must relinquish some of my own insecurity and sensitivity to be a peacemaker, but it is so worth it!

I have also learned that, when I fail to relinquish my own insecurity, I can respond in such a way that extends the drama past the moment of crisis into real life, and that is so sad and not worth it.

I am not suggesting we get close to, or tolerate bad behavior, from “iffy” people. The Bible tells us, “do not make friends with a hot-tempered person, do not associate with one easily angered” (Proverbs 22: 24). Instead, remembering, “a soft answer turns away wrath, but a hard word stirs up anger” (Proverbs 15:1).

Everyone is super stressed. Let’s be the soft answer, the peacemaker. Jesus calls us blessed when we do, and I would rather be blessed than be “right.”

The disciples were waiting to see what would come next. All they knew was that Jesus was leaving them, that He was crucified, and that they would need courage. They didn’t know where they were going or what would happen next in their lives. All they knew, in this moment, was loss.

What could possibly be next? What could compare to what they had seen, what they had done, what they had been a part of with Jesus at work – bringing the Kingdom of God to earth, and including them? Now, all they knew was that He had died; and, here they were. Would what He said come to pass?

What would they do with this time. How much time would they now have, and how would they spend it? Fishing again? Really? How could that compare to the work of Jesus to the people? And, reality – in the natural, that is – had set in that Jesus was now buried.

They waited, but they didn’t know they were waiting. They were mourning. They were in shock. They didn’t know what to do or where to go next… and, all of this pain and devastation by their “friend” who betrayed them. How could this happen with such devastating severity?

Then, suddenly, the Marys came. They were leaping with boundless energy and joy – the very same Marys whose battle – they thought – had been lost, whose hearts utterly shattered! What was this news? Go to Galilee? …Okay. Where else would they go? What else would they do?

So they went, and JESUS CAME. JESUS CAME. He came! He had RISEN from the dead! He would ascend to be with the Father, but He came here to them, with orders first. He came with vision, direction, a calling, a commission, a purpose for them – for us:

“Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted. Then Jesus came to them and said, ’All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age’” (Matthew 28: 16-20).

And, now they knew where they would go, and they knew what they would do! They wouldn’t be left behind but included in this Kingdom journey! We had not lost. They were not left behind. It was a new season, one that would change the entire world for eternity, and they would be included!

*If you are waiting on Jesus, it can be difficult to wait. At times you even wonder if you are waiting or if it is just all “over.” But when you meditate on Him – shocked, heart broken, confused and in pain – remember that JESUS CAME.*

In the waiting, know He is real, and that He has words to give you, to show you where you go next. Your direction is coming. Keep waiting for the news, for the direction. Seek Him.

He comes with vision, direction, a calling, a commission, and purpose, to those with courage and to those who are lacking. And, He stamps His authority on it, and places His Spirit on us to see it through.

Don’t give up.

There is so much pain in the world. It is hard to reconcile. It is hard to know – to digest, to live with, to stop thinking about, once you’ve begun.

We numb the pain with fake happy, shove it down, turn a blind eye. Or, maybe we do care and throw some money at it. What can we do? We don’t know what else we can do. I don’t have the answers.
I just feel the pain.

I want to hug sweet babies in pain… let them know they are loved, found, and healed in Him.

I want to hug sweet mommies, who have lost their child… at least for now until heaven.

I want to encourage husbands whose wife is sick, dying… or in a coma.

I want to comfort the laborer who has lost a limb… or the sweet, elderly man whose mobility, already so constricted, has fallen down stairs. It’s so much.

God, what would you have us do? What would you have us do? The times and the situations… they are so heavy and so hard. Our hearts break, and we yearn to help beyond what we are able or what feels appropriate in these times. We don’t know what to do to process, to help, to speak, to be… This is where the Holy Spirit comes in.

Lord God, We thank you for the Holy Spirit. Please show us, with each little step, every single word, with our gifts, our time, our resources, our emotions and our heart. Please show us how we can positively contribute to others, sharing your love and bringing aid to the hurting. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

I was lamenting something lost today. But God immediately brought to my mind that I have free will. Because of His love, He has given me – given us – free will. I can come and I can go as I will, and we have freedom in that.

However, quickly, my awareness was drawn to what becomes of my will when I allow it to truly run free. I am capable of so many fruitless efforts and catastrophic crusades. And so, I thank the Lord for the free will He has granted us – granted me – that I don’t have to feel like a victim, nor do I ever need to feel like Rapunzel… But, having run wild and free before, I see the possibilities — and not all are great. So, while I know I am free, I know where that can lead.

And so, I ask God to align my will with His so that I might joyfully live out my life with creativity and effectiveness — the kind that benefits others and the kingdom, and not vain, fruitless pursuits. 

How is it that struggle and wisdom can go hand-in-hand, and that something that may seem like a punishment can actually be a reward? 

Much like coal can become a diamond and sand a pearl, God has his ways of turning ashes into beauty. His ways are above my understanding. I realize that the fallenness in impatience is an attempt to control timing, which is one of God’s most powerful tools in cultivating beauty.

Lord, Forgive me for the times I twisted your arm. Thank you for being patient with me, for forgiving me, and for graciously taking the reins to fix the messes that I have made on my own. I love you.

Shame. It is a terrible feeling. For those of us who have sinned grievously – and, haven’t we all? – we know the extenuating pain of shame: Not only must you live with your deep remorse; but, worse yet is the constant reminder from those around you.

Just when you dare to feel human again, someone unexpectedly sneers at you, shaming and humiliating you, reminding you of the wrong you’ve committed… Stares. Whispers. Some real, some perceived. Most of us wouldn’t risk leaving our homes.

Imagine being a public figure, recognized and mocked by all – actually hated and rejected by the very people you sacrificed everything for. Not only are you innocent, but the very people
hurling insults at you are the actual perpetrators.

Though you have been wrongfully convicted, you take on their punishment for them – the worst beating and punishment ever inflicted. Why? Why would someone even contemplate doing this, let alone actually do it? Because of love. Because you love these people, you take their punishment, without a word.

Jesus. “He was despised and rejected—a man of sorrows, acquainted with deepest grief. We turned our backs on him and looked the other way.He was despised, and we did not care. Yet it was our weaknesses he carried; it was our sorrows that weighed him down… He was oppressed and treated harshly, yet he never said a word” (Isaiah 53:3-7).

I’ll admit, I have experienced a heavy dose of self-pity, while blamed for something I didn’t do, with an inability to clear my name. Yet, who am I to have self-pity when I have sinned plenty along the way… every single, day, having been cleared and saved exponentially more than I deserve. In fact, I am one of the people who put Jesus on the cross.

But here, from the book of Isaiah in the Bible, from true history, we see Jesus who truly did nothing but love, give and heal, having never sinned at all, and He was murdered like a murderer. It’s almost more than I can bare. He did this because of love. While He lost His life, I have only lost money and popularity. I wish I did more because of love and less because of fear, obligation or appearances.

If you are despised or rejected, you are not alone. Jesus knows. He came to earth to feel our pain, to know our pain and to take our pain. Lean into Him. Rest in the shadow of the Lord’s wing. He understands rejection. He bottles your tears. He loves you.
He vindicates you. He removes shame. He replaces beauty for ashes.

Though He was despised and rejected, the pain and punishment He took was for you – for us – to no longer live in loathing, self-pity or pain. He did it so you could rise up, out of the shadow, out of the shame, to experience freedom and victory.

Though you have experienced rejection, you are accepted by and loved by God.

If you are poor, without, sick or hurting… this is not a sign that God loves you less.
If you are poor, without, sick or hurting… this is not a sign that you have sinned.
If you are poor, without, sick or hurting… this is not a sign that your faith is too weak.

When asked whose fault it was that a man was blind – the man or his parents, Jesus replied, “‘Neither this man nor his parents sinned,’ said Jesus, ‘but this happened so that the works of God might be displayed in Him.'”

If you are poor, without, sick or hurting, don’t look to you – neither for the blame or to heal the situation.

If your friend is poor, without, sick or hurting, don’t make assumptions. Don’t look at them – not to blame or for all the answers.

Look to Jesus. The miracle comes only from Him, not from you. As He said, “This happened so that the works of God might be displayed.”

And, He will get all the praise and glory when you are no longer poor, without, sick or hurting.

“God’s Word is alive and working and is sharper than a double-edged sword. It cuts all the way into us, where the soul and the spirit are joined, to the center of our joints and bones. And it judges the thoughts and feelings in our hearts” (Hebrews 4:12).

Emotions were given to us by God. Yet, the enemy attempts to use our feelings and emotions against us as a weapon. The enemy is the author of confusion. If he can confuse us by twisting our emotions, he can take our peace, hurt our relationships, isolate us and distract us.

If you have a general feeling like something is wrong, and you can’t remember what it was until you find something to worry about or feel offended or victimized by, that is not the Lord! That is the enemy working to create confusion and rob your/our peace.

Jesus came to set us free from being captive to the enemy. He didn’t just talk about it. He gave His life up for payment. Jesus wants us free!

If you’re feeling confused, tormented, or ruled by your feelings and emotions, instead of led by the love and peace of the Holy Spirit, you aren’t the only one. But we cannot stay in our feelings and be free.

God gave us the Word – the Bible – which is the tangible representation of Jesus. It’s there to hold and devour. When we read it, it clarifies. It moves us out of confusion. It “cuts all the way into us, where the soul and the spirit are joined, to the center of our joints and bones, and it judges the thoughts and feelings in our hearts”.

We can’t allow ourselves to be enchanted by or addicted to melancholy thinking for the sake of “beautiful work.” I’m not okay with the enemy using my feelings against me. You have to make that determination for yourself.

God doesn’t need us to be melancholy and sad to do beautiful work. He wants us to be quiet and still before Him. How? When we are in His Word, it will do the work. The Lord will do the work through the Word.

If you want freedom and truth – seeing things clearly, let’s pick up the Word to reveal truth and help us climb out from the jungle of entrapping feelings.