DEPRESSED, DISCOURAGED, OR DISAPPOINTED?

When you woke up this morning, did you feel excited to be alive, feel worried over a disagreement with your husband, wife, or someone that is important to you that you did not resolve before going to sleep last night? Did you feel a cloud of despair or a sense of impending doom that something was not quite right? Did you wake up feeling a little depressed and feeling like you were not healthy in your body? Did you wake up knowing that no matter what comes, God is there with you and loves you deeply?

Every person wakes up at some time in life and feels a mixture of life from the day before. Unresolved issues create stress and a heart that is uneasy. Living with any form of abuse does the same. Living with uncertainty in changing times also has a tendency to create stress—moving to a new city and state, change of position, to being concerned about all the new adjustments to make in life with that new road you will be traveling due to unforeseen circumstances and the change of plans.

What we each must remember is that we must stay connected at the heart level with God, first and foremost, and choose to believe God and His Word!  What word you might ask? 

One word from God has the power to change your entire life. Keep moving forward loving God and loving people. Choose to see the best in others and connect with people—don’t stand at a distance. When you choose to connect with God and others at the heart level, everything changes. Don’t allow anything or anyone to keep you from experiencing the heart of God! While technology is an awesome tool, it can also be a distraction to keep people from focusing on what really matters in life—people! 

No matter what you are facing—be it a change of career, another move again, or what seems to be something that tears at your heart; always remember—the most important part of life change is a change of heart. We have all felt the sting of failure in some area, followed by frustration and guilt—that is unless the heart is hardened and the conscience is totally seared. If you are reading this, chances are good you are not at that point. Be encouraged! Don’t allow the enemy to make you feel overwhelmed and condemned. Shake off the feelings and connect with a person who connects you to the heart of God. Reach out and be the hands and feet of Jesus to someone else—step out to encourage someone else. In doing so, you will find encouragement from God Himself. 

Be reminded that the Son of God prayed for His disciples and all those who would believe in Him. Jesus said, “I am praying not only for these disciples but also for all who will ever believe in me because of their testimony. My prayer for all of them is that they will be one, just as you and I are one, Father—that just as you are in me and I am in you, so they will be in us, and the world will believe you sent me” (John 17:20-21)

The pattern of Jesus’ prayer provides an outline for us today as well. He prayed for Himself, for those close to Him, and for those beyond His immediate sphere of influence who would be affected by the ministry of His friends. Yes, He called them friends. That is absolutely amazing that the God of the Universe calls us friends. That has to touch your heart as well! 

When Jesus prayed for all who would believe through the apostles’ testimony, He was also praying for every future believer. Realizing that Jesus was praying for you brings great comfort during times of discouragement and confidence as you work with God in advancing His Kingdom. Jesus had YOU in mind when He prepared for the Cross!

Fear manifests in anxiety, tension and worry and are emotions that alert us of our need to find resolve to the problems we are facing. When you are experiencing extreme times of stress, your emotions can run wild with distressing thoughts that are actually not a reality, but in fact magnify the problems instead. At the inception of fear, choose to fix your eyes on Jesus and spend extra time reading and praying His Word. Choose to move forward and remember to do whatever God has called you to do even when afraid. Take the necessary steps to deal with whatever life challenge you are facing. Remember, God will never bring you to something that He is not able to get you through. He will never tell you to do something that He has not equipped you to do. He knows your every need as you bring them to Him. Always choose to do things God’s way, honoring His Word and commit to being a person of excellence. Whatever we sow is what we will reap so choose to honor God’s principles. Choose forgiveness and submit to His Word. In this life, Jesus warned us we would have troubles but to keep our focus on Him–for He has overcome the world. (See BETRAYAL for those of you walking through betrayal) 

When you choose to rely on your own strength and try to control every aspect of life, rather than placing your trust in God and upon His Word, you are operating in doubt and unbelief. You are actually being double-minded and wavering in your opinions. You are allowing your carnal nature (fleshly nature – mind, will, and emotions)  to persuade you that God is not capable of handling the situation you are facing. Begin to magnify the Lord.  Ask God for a scripture to stand on and pray it back to Him. Ask God for wisdom and obey His instructions. Turn to the Lord and trust Him! Whatever you magnify becomes bigger. Don’t rehearse the problems. Instead, pray the scriptures God gives you for the problems you are facing when you feel fear. When you truly realize how big God is and turn to Him, peace will begin to rule and reign in your heart and mind. Commit everything to God! Focus on how big God is rather than rehearsing the problems and find hope and security in Him. He will help you through. God has not given you a spirit of fear, but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind. (Begin to say this daily when you feel fear!) Be sure to read my second book: A LEAP OF FAITH (25 Days at the Mercy Seat). As you read the amazing story of God’s divine intervention through two open-heart surgeries, two strokes and 25 days in Mercy Hospital that my husband went through– you will have hope to believe  God for anything and will be empowered to take your own leap of faith through whatever you are facing! God bless you! 

The Bible instructs you to cast all your cares (anxieties) on Him for He cares for you
(1 Peter 5:7).

What Scripture Says

“Therefore I say to you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, about what you will put on. Is not life more than food and the body than clothing? Look at the