For your worst day ever

Photo provided by Little_Karen

This blog title is written on page 481 in my Bible as a sub-title over some very comforting words. I have read it many times and have underlined practically all of it. Each time I read the eleven verses, I find strength and comfort. I have to admit I read it on my non-worst days too. 

There are many hurting hearts today, hearts that are facing the loss of life, property and faith. I can't help but offer you encouragement during this difficult time, as these eleven verses have captured my heart and offered hope in some of my most lonely and desolate days. I don't know what you are going through personally but I have weathered some storms in my own life and have needed a strong anchor to keep me grounded.  These eleven verses are a strong reminder of God's presence and tender love for me.

My prayer is that this helps you on your worst day, whatever you are facing today.

Psalm 46

1. God is our refuge and strength,

an ever-present help in trouble.

2. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way

and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea,

3. though its waters roar and foam

and the mountains quake with their surging.

4.  There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God,

the holy place where the Most High dwells.

5.  God is within her, she will not fall;

God will help her at break of day.

6.  Nations are in uproar, kingdoms fall;

he lifts his voice, the earth melts.

7.  The Lord Almighty is with us;

the God of Jacob is our fortress.

8.  Come and see what the Lord has done,

the desolations he has brought on the earth.

9.  He makes wars cease

to the ends of the earth.

He breaks the bow and shatters the spear;

he burns the shields with fire.

10.  He says, “Be still, and know that I am God;

I will be exalted among the nations,

I will be exalted in the earth.”

11.  The Lord Almighty is with us;

the God of Jacob is our fortress.

When sorrow shapes my faith, I can only turn to the One who is Faithful.  When tragedy shakes my life circumstances, I can only run to the God is who is unshakable.  When I don't understand the 'whys', I can only sit at the feet of my mighty and powerful God who has a grander purpose in pain.  When you have a bad day and wonder what's coming next, look to Jesus who knows what you are going through.  He will never leave you alone on your worst day.

Music Monday - {Gold}

Beckah Shae Standing Firm Like Gold

This week's pick for Music Monday is from Beckah Shea with "Gold".  Not only does the song have some really good beats but it beats truth into my mind when I hear it.  The one line that jumps out of the speakers is this one...

"This fire is makin’ me better, refined it don’t matter whether".

It's obvious to me that Beckah is familiar with trials and tribulations that befall most Christians.  Her perspective is honorable and admirable.  She wouldn't be talking about it, like it's a gold thing, unless God has revealed Himself through it.  

In this one line, I am reminded that it's worth it.  The journey of faith, whatever my circumstances has taught me more about God than I could have ever imagined.  That's the way God works.

These trials will show that your faith is genuine. It is being tested as fire tests and purifies gold—though your faith is far more precious than mere gold. So when your faith remains strong through many trials, it will bring you much praise and glory and honor on the day when Jesus Christ is revealed to the whole world. 1 Peter 1:7 

God loves to break us through whatever painful circumstances that come our way so that He can be our hero and either deliver us from our problems or show us how to fix the problem.  He wants us to trust Him to help us through.  He loves us so much that He knows we can't do this life on our own, so when everything falls apart, that's when he wants us to look to Him for help and deliverance, not to the patterns of this world.  He wants us to trust Him to provide or take care of or deliver us.  In doing just that He shows His mercy, grace and love.   He  brings His awesome to every situation and when invited into all of the details, He reveals His faithfulness.

I know..I have been there many times too.  I have suffered through many desert storms.  And through them, I do know God better and my trust has deepened because of the sand that pelts my face.  This life we call a joy-filled journey is exactly that.  Filled with moments of joyful experiences where I have walked and sometimes crawled to the feet of Jesus, and once there, I have found that He and only He is the oasis.  The hope that we have is that as we go through tough times, that God has promised to never leave us or forsake us.  He is there with us in His refining process.  And even though it hurts sometimes, it still makes us better, more like Christ.  Like gold.