Reminders I Need Lately

Some days I live each moment based on how I’m feeling about my circumstances.
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Other days I remember my feelings simply reveal what my heart loves.

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Every day I’m to renew my mind with God’s truth and my feelings will appropriately follow.

Geoffrey is off work this week so we are enjoying an early summer vacation with lots of family time. It has been wonderful having time to slow down, reflect, talk, and laugh together.

Earlier today I told Geoffrey I don’t want to return back to normal life next week. As he graciously took the time to draw me out, I realized how self-focused my reasons were. I have been focusing on my feelings and desires instead of having my thoughts informed by God’s Word.

So, this post is primarily an exercise for myself to renew my mind with God’s truths. My hope is that at least one of these twelve truths encourages you. Thanks for reading!

REMINDERS I NEED WHEN I AM...

WEARY
Am I bringing my struggles to my all-powerful God? Or am I trying to do everything in my own strength?

“Why do you say, O Jacob, and speak, O Israel, ‘My way is hidden from the LORD, and my right is disregarded by my God’? Have you not known? Have you not heard? The LORD is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He does not faint or grow weary; his understanding is unsearchable. He gives power to the faint, and to him who has no might he increases strength. Even youths shall faint and be weary, and young men shall fall exhausted; but they who wait for the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.” Isaiah 40:28-31, emphasis added

DOING GREAT
Am I still seeking to grow in knowing God and being dependent upon him? Or am I living as if God doesn’t exist because life is currently easy?

“I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.” John 15:5

LONELY
Am I reminding myself of God’s faithfulness or wallowing in self-pity?

“The LORD is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit.” Psalm 34:18

Hoping in God (During Trials and Tears)

Some days I get angry at all the suffering in the world and harden myself against the hurt and pain.

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Other days I experience peace from the Lord as I pour out my heart to him. 

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Every day God is my refuge whose steadfast love never ceases. 

The last few weeks have been difficult, as my dear uncle passed away at the beginning of April. God graciously regenerated his heart less than two weeks before he went to be with the Lord. I experienced overwhelming joy and conviction when I read the text that he had repented. How often do I ask God to do something and assume I already know his answer?

That same weekend, another precious girl went to be with the Lord. She fought valiantly against cancer three times. Her memorial service was heart-wrenching, beautiful, and Christ-exalting. Through her life, thousands of people have heard the gospel.

A friend has a miscarriage. Another friend struggles to get pregnant. A third friend's baby has health complications. Sometimes life can be really, really hard.

Yesterday I was reading Stuart Little to my older girls and a situation came up that made my oldest nervous. She immediately wanted to know what was going to happen. I assured her that I already knew the outcome and it would all be fine.

The Lord kindly reminded me in that the moment that He also knows the final outcome. While we don't see the full picture of what he is doing, he does.

I need to be reminded of God's truth. I need to remember He is near and at work in the midst of my tears. My prayer is that this list of things I do (very imperfectly) during trials helps lifts your eyes to the Lord.


1. Pour out my heart to the Lord.

"For God alone, O my soul, wait in silence,
for my hope is from him.
He only is my rock and my salvation,
my fortress; I shall not be shaken.
On God rests my salvation and my glory;
my mighty rock, my refuge is God.
Trust in him at all times, O people;
pour out your heart before him;
God is a refuge for us. Selah"
Psalm 62:5-8

This is one of my favorite passages in Scripture. There are so many comforting descriptors of who God. He is my hope, rock, salvation, fortress, glory, mighty rock, and refuge! This tells me he is powerful, strong, unchanging, and all-sufficient. He is also tender and compassionate as he tells me to lay my soul bare before him.