The space was semi-dark; if I sat at the edge, nobody might truly see my face. I liked it that method. In a room loaded with church leaders and staff, passionately wishing God to move and change lives, I couldn’t
connect with their passion. I was most likely in a season of anxiety, or only and homesick. In any case, I remember the emptiness and the soul-ache. Something about being surrounded by such passionate leaders always made it more severe.
Possibly it’s because I knew all the “right” things to say and do. I understood all the verses others guaranteed would fill me with pleasure and “break off a spirit of depression.”
For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for well-being and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope. (Jeremiah 29:11)
I can do all things through Christ who reinforces me. (Philippians 4:13)
The joy of the Lord is your strength. (Nehemiah 8:10 b)
The Lord is my shepherd, I will not desire. (Psalm 23:1)
For that reason, if anyone remains in Christ, he is a brand-new production. The old has actually passed away; see, the new has actually come. 2 Corinthians 5:17
I am fearfully and incredibly made. Psalm 139:14
Rejoice in the Lord constantly: and once again I state, Rejoice. (Philippians 4:4
Magic Words
Years prior to, I was taught to remember them, to speak them, to utilize them to eliminate back against my feelings. The concept was that if I spent enough time in prayer and Bible study, it would fix all my problems. So I tried.I understood the Bible says,
” God’s word is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword.” I knew God said of Bible,” It will not go back to me void, “indicating it would not return without achieving everything he sent it to do.Early on, I just accepted everything at face worth, believing it would work precisely as individuals informed me. However when I spoke those words out, they fell empty from my lips, lacking the power I ‘d been taught to expect.Over time, I discovered that it never ever assisted when I went to the Bible wanting to feel much better. It appeared that saying verses like magic words was a fool’s errand. Which duplicating memorized verses that people informed me should fill me with delight … it never did. I didn’t know there was something missing.If I make my bed in hell Because dark room, I dutifully opened my Bible to Psalm 139, scolding myself for not being able to just feel better.
This passage is the home of some familiar anti-depression verses like I praise you due to the fact that
I am fearfully and incredibly made and the one about how God’s ideas about us surpass the grains of sand. Unexpectedly, the words jumped off the page, shaping an image in my mind: If I make my bed in hell, you are there.And there I was, fetal-curled in the black depths of a pit, arms sticking securely to myself, looking blankly. “If I make my bed in hell …”I knew that location well, though I ‘d never pictured it rather like that. It was more than familiar. What tightened my throat, made me catch my breath, stung my eyes, was the image of Jesus there. In my mind’s eye, he sat close behind me, in some cases laying a hand on my shoulder to remind me of his nearness, sometimes just sitting silently with me. “… you exist.”None of the verses individuals informed me to pray and recite have actually ever worked like the magic words I expected. When something comes alive, leaps off the page, and embeds itself deep into my soul? That’s powerful.And, dear friend, perhaps you’re experiencing this, too. Perhaps you have the lists of verses and statements tucked into your Bible or conserved on your phone. Maybe you’ve tried to read and hope and connect with God, but it all simply appears so empty.I’ve existed. Discover hope in scripture when you frantically require it Here’s the trick: The absolute best Bible verses for hard times are the ones that come alive to us.See, we do not need magic words or magic wands to make it all much better( though I have actually wanted that a lot of times). Instead, we need to meet a God who does not desert us in hard times. We require to hear from the mouth of God for ourselves as he breathes into some part of Bible up until it comes alive.Because yes, God ‘s Word is living and active. Yes, it is effective and achieves what he
sent it to do. I believe that in the
core of my being. If I think it’s his word, then he gets to choose what he does with it in my life. And I have actually discovered that Jesus comes alive in the pages of Bible for me, and it’s always as Immanuel. That’s how he stands out to me, how
he speaks to my heart. I’ve constantly discovered hope in verses about being him existing in the dark.So he picked the raw, dark images of a verse that states,”If I make my bed in hell, you exist”rather of brighterverses like”rejoice in the Lord constantly “or” be distressed for absolutely nothing.”Due to the fact that God understands that in some cases, anxiety, anxiety, and sorrow feel hellacious to me. And he understands that advising me he exists in that darkness is more life-giving to me than
the hope of leaving it. The Bible can be a well of hope and support for you There’s deeper peace when Scripture becomes experiential since we trust God to speak with our inmost requirements and longings. Today, release a few of the pressure.
Today, give yourself approval to not read and recitethe “ideal “verses. Offer yourself authorization to appear, sincere and raw and vulnerable.Next week, I’ll share the practical actions that have made me positive to speak with God in Bible every time I
open my Bible. You can have that, too. For now, what are your questions and struggles with finding hope and motivation in the Bible? Let me understand in the remarks below!Feel stuck, broken, or discontent? I have some want to share with you.
Can I send you a brief manifesto for imperfect lives?
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