Sunday, December 2, 2012

Stoking the fire

Have you ever lost the feeling that helps you to ignite your joy? Your drive? Your hope?

In the last couple of months, I've lost just that. I couldn't figure out how it happened or why I couldn't get it back on my own. I lost every desire to do things I really loved, and looked at my days with dread instead of thanksgiving (which ironically, was the season we were in). Focusing on my own hurt thoughts and feelings only made things worse. It was a cycle of doom.

The laundry piled up.
I stopped cooking like I used to.
The dishes piled up.
My house became dingy.
Disorganized.
I struggled to attend social events.
I didn't care about my garden harvest.
I struggled to get ready in the morning or wake up on time.

Overall, I had symptoms of depression. It happens to us all from time to time, but this lingered longer than I felt comfortable with.

After a great deal of struggle and prayer, I found the cause.

I was looking at my life from a worldly perspective, like I used to before I became a believer. I didn't consciously do this - it just seeped into my existence. I couldn't find the motivation on my own to change my days - but God reached into my heart and re-ignited the fire that was not even embers by the time he reached it. By simply acknowledging that He was the source of my contentment, of my security and my peace again, deeply, not intellectually, it changed my outlook and my joy. I also pulled out one of my favorite devotionals, Jesus Calling, and that helped me to re-direct my heart toward HIS truth, not mine.

Here are some encouraging promises rooted in verses that I also found very helpful:


  1. He has promised to supply every need we have. The Bible says: "But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus". That's Phillipians 4:19. Now notice, God has obligated Himself only to the extent of our needs. That would include food, clothing, shelter, companionship, love, and salvation thru Jesus Christ. It would not include the multiplicity of luxuries that we have come to think of as needs.
  2. God has promised that His grace is sufficient for us. (II Corinthians 12:9). in fact, He has made provision for our salvation by His grace through faith. Read Ephesians 2:8. It is through an obedient faith that we have access into the grace of God according to Romans 5:2.
  3. God has promised that His children will not be overtaken with temptation. Instead, He assures us that a way of escape will be provided. This promise is recorded in I Corinthians 10:13. Jude wrote: "Now unto Him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present your faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy" (Jude v 24). Darius, King of the Medes, said to Daniel, "Thy God whom thou servest continually, he will deliver thee" (Daniel 6:16). He did deliver Daniel from the den of lions.
  4. God has promised us victory over death. He first resurrected Jesus by way of assuring our resurrection. Peter said: "This Jesus hath God raised up, whereof we are all witnesses" (Acts 2:32). Paul wrote to the Corinthians: "For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures, and that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures" (I Corinthians 15:3,4). Later on he adds: "but thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ" (I Corinthians 15:57).
  5. God has promised that all things work together for good to those who love and serve Him faithfully (Romans 8:28). It may be difficult for us to see and understand how this is accomplished at times, but God has promised it, and He will deliver.
  6. God has promised that those who believe in Jesus and are baptized for the forgiveness of sins will be saved. (Read Mark 16:16 and Acts 2:38).
  7. God has promised His people eternal life (John 10:27,28). In closing, let me appeal to you to live so that the promises of God will be yours.
If you've been hurting lately, I pray that you will seek comfort in God's presence, and in His promises. I have to continually remind myself of these things so that I don't fall back into the trap of believing that my value, worth and happiness are wrapped up in worldly success.

4 comments:

  1. This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.

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  2. Wow that was unusual. I just wrote an incredibly long comment but after I clicked submit my comment didn't show up. Grrrr... well I'm not writing
    all that over again. Anyhow, just wanted to say superb blog!
    Feel free to surf my web site ... erinmore

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  3. Hi Erin,

    NOT Michael Bolton here :)
    Sorry to read about the feelings of depression etc.
    3 things i'd like to mention, you can fill in the gaps.
    1)Classic over-achiever
    2)perfectionist
    3)Hard work is done consistently but results come in spurts.

    You are absolutely right about the worldly thing. There are a lot of people living in big houses with flashy cars...including ferraris ;) who wish they had half of what you have.

    Keep fighting!!! I admire your spirit and your wisdom.

    Take Care

    Andre

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  4. Haha! Thank you, Andre! Your encouragement continues to be a light to me. You are very appreciated! I still think you should write a book...!

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