Category: Hope for the Future

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Guest Post: “So That is Why This is Happening to Me!”

This week I’d like to share a blog post from a guest, Dr. Jeff Shreve, of From His Heart Ministries.  He opens by asking

“Have you ever had something very difficult, painful, and heartbreaking come into your life—and the problem seemed to last for a very long time?

1. Perhaps it was/is some illness like cancer that requires endless rounds of chemo and radiation.

2. Perhaps it was/is an ongoing drug problem with one of your children that tears at the marriage bonds and rocks the very foundation of the family.

3. Perhaps it was/is the pain of dealing with a bitter ex-spouse or controlling in-laws.

4. Perhaps it was/is the care of a dying loved one who lingers in a debilitating state for years.

When we have ongoing problems like this, we naturally ask God, “WHY?!! Why won’t you fix this, God? Why are you so slow in answering my prayer? What is the purpose of this prolonged agony?!”

While God does not often answer the “why” questions, He does want to answer the “what is the purpose” question….”

Dr, Jeff Shreve shares God’s answer in a post titled ‘So That Is Why This Is Happening to Me!” May you be encouraged by it!

From his website:
From His Heart Ministries is the TV, Radio and Internet broadcast outreach of Dr. Jeff Schreve who believes that no matter how badly you have messed up in life, God loves you and has a wonderful plan for your life.

Lord, I have cried unto Thee, hearken unto me; attend to the voice of my supplication when I cry unto Thee…”  Psalm 143, from the Orthodox Christian Vespers Service

 

 

 

 

 

 

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When We Let Go of God

WHEN WE LET GO OF GOD…

He Keeps Holding On

Sometimes our life burdens are too heavy for us.  We try to pick them up and keep going, but they just weigh us down. We think, “Where is God when I need Him?”

When I was a child, I would place my hand trustingly in the hand of one of my parents.  But as I got older, I rebelled against doing this.  I would pull my hand away from theirs, and want to go running off to do my own will.  Sometimes that will was dangerous: running into the middle of a street, climbing a tree not safe to climb, or trying to pick up a load that was too heavy for me. 

My parents would stop me, firmly take my hand again, and not let go regardless of how hard I pulled, tagged, or balked. They did it because they loved me.

Maybe you can’t identify with that. Maybe neither your parents nor anyone else in your life, has ever lovingly but firmly taken your hand and not let go. If that’s the case, there is Someone who loves you and will take your hand and not let go.

One Old Testament writer testifies,

“For He [God] Himself has said, ‘I will never leave you nor forsake you”

(Deuteronomy 31:6,8)

King David, the Psalmist, wrote,

“When my father and my mother forsake me, then the LORD will take care of me.” 

(Psalm 27, verse 10)

Be comforted.

Tell me a story in the comments, of a time when someone – literally or figuratively – took your hand and didn’t let go.  I’d love to read it.

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Depression, Suicide, and Mental Health

Why Should I Live?

A long-time friend of mine, Anna Glass,  recently posted her story of fighting depression and of her past suicide attempt.   If you are battling depression or have attempted suicide, please click the link above to read her story and see that there is hope in Jesus Christ – and help (see below).

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Patrick Snavley: a story of mental health

Patrick’s story (also on the Joy of All Who Sorrow blog space) gives hope to anyone who has struggled with or been hospitalized for bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, or other “mental illness” issues.  There is hope for a better future.

 

If you or someone you know is contemplating suicide, please reach out for help: The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is a national network of local crisis centers that provides free and confidential emotional support to people in suicidal crisis or emotional distress 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. 1-800-273-8255 or https://suicidepreventionlifeline.org/. 

Not suicidal, but need help with anxiety or depression? Go to the Anxiety and Depression Association of America: https://adaa.org/.

 

To those feeling alone

From those who love you:

Thank you for staying one more day.