"I cry out to God; yes, I shout. Oh, that God would listen to me! When I was in deep trouble, I searched for the Lord. All night long I prayed, with hands lifted toward heaven, but my soul was not comforted."
This is how the psalmist Asaph begins Psalm 77.
But he doesn’t stop there. He remembers God’s past faithfulness and reminds himself of God’s character and power (Psalm 77:11-15).
So next time you feel confused, abandoned, frustrated, or hurt, and nothing seems to help, try this:
1. Write down ways God has specifically helped and guided you in the past.
2. Consider God’s character, reminding yourself He is faithful, loving, holy, good, just, caring, all-knowing, perfect. You could recite Psalm 145 and Psalm 103 for this purpose.
3. Remember that nothing is impossible for God!
Asaph reminded himself of the Red Sea account (Exodus 14) and realized how hopeless things looked for God's people until God revealed His “footprints”:
Yes! No matter our problems, God is faithful, worthy, and able to do the "impossible" (Jeremiah 32:17)!
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I encourage you to check out the Wisdom for Life Devotional. It contains 100 one-minute devotions to challenge, encourage, instruct, and inspire your love for God's Word: Wisdom for Life. Read the story behind Wisdom for Life HERE. And find out about the two free Bible studies with purchase HERE. You can read the first 4 devotions in the book by clicking "look inside" on Lifeway or Amazon.
I also encourage you to sign up for a free subscription to Bible Love Notes and get a free e-booklet. Find out more HERE.
Bible Love Notes
Hi Gail - Just what I needed to hear today. Thank you friend
ReplyDeleteGod bless
Tracy
Your posts are always beautiful!!
ReplyDeleteWhat perfect truth in God's perfect timing! Grateful for you and your ministry via Bible Love Notes, Gail! (And how cool that you've got the audio now...wow!)
ReplyDeleteOh, Gail, how can we be so short-sighted and forgetful? And we shake our heads at the grumbling Hebrews when their very words find their home in our mouths, too. Thanks for the reminder on this good day.
ReplyDeleteexcellent!
ReplyDeleteThis is beautiful Gail... I just love your accent too. Fab!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Wendy. It's so funny to think of having an accent. I guess I think we Americans just talk "plain." : )
DeleteI would love to hear your Scottish accent : )
I am in a very dry season of my life right now. Sometimes it really is so hard to feel any kind of comfort,to have faith that it won't be like this forever. Thank you for the sweet,simple reminder :)
ReplyDeleteAngela, it's a blessing to know that these principles from the Psalms encouraged you. I pray you will continue to feel God's encouragement as you walk out of this dry season of your life.
DeleteRevisiting this post and being blessed all over again to think that I can encourage myself like David by remembering all the ways God was faithful to me in the past. This does wonders for me today!!
ReplyDeleteVia Pinterest. THANKS!
ReplyDeleteI'm glad this was helpful.
Deletei love this chapter!!and your post is so beautiful!! :)
ReplyDeleteHi I'm New to this site i just lost my mother July of this year i am having a hard time coping with her loss it's been very hard to function since she passed please help me
ReplyDeleteDear Vickey,
DeleteI am so sorry for your loss. I lost my mother over 20 years ago and I still miss her so much.
I encourage you to read the Psalms. They comfort me when I'm struggling because the Psalmist was so honest with God about his feelings and frustrations and that's what we can be too.
God wants us to come to Him just like we'd come to a loving friend. He's always available to hear our complaints, our sorrows, and our joys.
I pray that you will feel His comfort.
It might be helpful to memorize this verse:
"All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is our merciful Father and the source of all comfort. 4 He comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others. When they are troubled, we will be able to give them the same comfort God has given us. 5 For the more we suffer for Christ, the more God will shower us with his comfort through Christ. 6 Even when we are weighed down with troubles, it is for your comfort and salvation! For when we ourselves are comforted, we will certainly comfort you. Then you can patiently endure the same things we suffer. 7 We are confident that as you share in our sufferings, you will also share in the comfort God gives us." 2 Corinthians 1:3-7
I also encourage you to find a good support group, whether just a Christian friend to pray with or a small group Bible study. It really helps when others share our sorrows with us.
God bless you, Vickey.
In Christ,
Gail
THANK you for this encouragement. 2 cor.1:3-7 it feels like my mission in life. I've been praying for it for such a long time. Now I know it is to Comfort.
ReplyDeleteLove your posts! What a helpful reminder to go back into your own testimony and remind yourself of all the great things Christ has done
ReplyDeletePlease pray for me my wife left me for another man and my son killed himself august 29
ReplyDeleteI'm so sorry, Michael. You definitely need God's comfort.
DeleteI'm praying that you will cling tightly to our Lord and Savior, Jesus, drawing near to Him in prayer and reading His Word.
"Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need." Hebrews 4:16
The Psalms are especially helpful when we are suffering.
"The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit." Psalm 34:18
"He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds." Psalm 147:3
"Cast your cares on the Lord and he will sustain you; he will never let the righteous be shaken." Psalm 55:22