Encouraging Words Blog
Less ... or More?
No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. Romans 8:37
When you live with chronic challenges, it is so easy to feel “less than.” It is as if we lose important parts of our identities. Yet, God tells us that we are “more than.” I have to admit that I don’t always feel like I am more than ... well - more than anything much at all. I think that is why it is so important not to be driven by our emotions. …
Forced to Bloom
I remain confident of this: I will see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living. Psalm 27:13
I sometimes wish there was an “easier, softer way” to maneuver through this life. Yet, I know in my heart that “easy” and “soft” doesn’t challenge me to change and grow.
It seems to be the crises in my life that bring forth growth. While this is not the life I would have chosen, or the life I had planned, it seems to be the one that is forcing me to grow and change.
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When There is Nothing
Some mornings are what I call "dry well" mornings. What do I write about? I look back over older blog posts and see if one is waving its hand asking to be reposted. Nope. Nothing. No ideas come to mind. I've prayed about it .... and still nothing.
It's a cold, gray day. I'm tired. I'm not feeling well. Today writing seems like a chore. Several things I counted on have fallen through. How do I encourage when I feel discouraged myself? …
Devotional: Merry-go-round Rides
For as many as are the promises of God, in Him they are yes; therefore also through Him is our Amen to the glory of God through us. 2 Corinthians 1:20
Life with chronic illness seems to be an emotional merry-go-round at times. Once you step aboard the merry-go-round, it seems nigh unto impossible to step off.
I remember before my celiac disease was diagnosed. I had lost over 85 pounds of body weight - weight that I could not afford to lose. …
When God Gives a Wake Up Call
For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. (Jeremiah 29:11 NIV)
Sometimes we have to shut doors in our lives. We need to shut them – turn around – and walk away. It’s not only folks with chronic illness who need to do this. It happens to everyone. Yet, for some reason, it does seem to happen more often to those of us who do deal with daily challenges.
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Hide and Seek
You are my hiding place; you will protect me from trouble and surround me with songs of deliverance. Psalm 32:7
Do you ever want to just run away from it all and hide?
I know I have felt that way – and sometimes, still do. Some situations bring out the little kid in me who just wants to run away from home, from the problems, from the consequences, or even just from life.
The other night, after realizing our family was again facing challenges, my husband turned to me and said, “Do you want to run away to Tahiti with me?” …
You Say vs God Says
This is a continuation of the "How Are You Feeling?" post. I certainly need it today. I hope it can help you if the negatives are nipping at your heels.
For Each Negative Thing We Say to Ourselves, God Has A Positive Response.
You say: "It's impossible"
God says: "All things are possible." (Luke 18:27)
Jesus replied, "What is impossible with men is possible with God."
You say: "I'm too tired!"
God says: "I will give you rest." …
Flash Prayers
Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective. James 5:16
Lately, I’ve been learning more about prayer. The more I learn, the more I realize how little I actually know. Well, maybe I should clarify that to knowing about “effective prayer.”
Today, we had what looked like a family crisis looming ahead of it. …
How Are You Feeling Today?
I wish I could take credit the following - but I can’t. I found it online (the link is below) and felt it was so good I wanted to share it. It is copyrighted by its original site, so please give credit to the site if you pass it on.
Lord, I feel.....
Beaten...yet
You have made me more than a conqueror (Rom 8:37).
No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us
Bound....yet
You are my deliverer (Rom 11:26).
The God Box
And when he had taken it, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb. Each one had a harp and they were holding golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of God’s people. Revelation 5:8
I have this little velvet box on my dresser. It's supposed to be a jewelry box. I turned it into my "God box." I got into the habit of writing down prayer requests on a slip of paper, saying a prayer - and putting it in the box.
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When "I Can't Do It" Comes to Call
Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen. Ephesians 3:20-21 (NIV)
I have bumped into “I Can’t Do It” all my life. I’ve always been awkward, clumsy, just not nearly as coordinated as others. Play jump rope as a kid? “I can’t do it,” I’d say sadly and walk away. …
Touching the Fringe of His Cloak
And a woman who had been suffering from a hemorrhage for twelve years came up behind Him and touched the fringe of His cloak, for she was saying to herself “If I only touch His garment will get well.” But Jesus, turning and seeing her said, “Daughter take courage, your faith has made you well.” At once the woman was made well. Matthew 9:20, NIV
When I read this story in Scripture, I try to put myself in that woman’s place. …
For Such a Time as This
Israel said to Joseph, “I never expected to see your face again, and now God has allowed me to see your children too.” Genesis 48:11
I find a lot of hope reading about the lives of those who lived so much earlier than I. So many seem to have gone through similar things. There are so many good examples in Scripture.
I like reading about Job. His trials make mine seem weightless. A few days ago, I mentioned Abraham going off into the unknown, simply following God's word.
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Anticipation
Praise ye the LORD. Praise the LORD, O my soul. While I live will I praise the LORD: I will sing praises unto my God while I have any being. Psalm 146: 1-2
There are times when God downright amazes me. I mean to the point where I am almost left breathless by what He can do. And in those times, all I can do is praise Him.
I recently learned that one of my dear readers is nearing the end of her earthly existence. …
Old Self - New Self
You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness. Ephesians 4:22-24 (NIV)
Sometimes when I read a Bible verse, I see something hidden in it that I didn't see before. This verse is a good example for me. …
Feeling Insignificant?
It can be so difficult to watch our identities fade away as our illnesses progress. Yet, God provides ample proof that we have an identity in Him. We are accepted. We are secure in Him.
God tells us we are of much value to Him. We are accepted. We are secure. We are also significant. God gives us so much encouragement. I pray that today you will be open to how important you are to God - and that this knowledge can help carry you through the darkest of days.
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How Are You Weathering Life?
But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own. Matthew 6:33-34
One of the more interesting things about some of my health challenges is that they make me a human barometer of sorts. I know when it’s going to rain, when it’s going to snow, when it’s going to turn cold – and now I’m finding out – when a bad storm is on its way.
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Are You a Seeker?
But if from there you seek the LORD your God, you will find him if you look for him with all your heart and with all your soul. Deuteronomy 4:29
Seek the LORD while he may be found; call on him while he is near. Isaiah 55:6
The LORD is good to those whose hope is in him, to the one who seeks him; Lamentations 3:25
For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened.…
How Can There Be Good in Goodbye?
"May the LORD grant that each of you will find rest in the home of another husband.” Then she kissed them goodbye and they wept aloud. Ruth 1:9
I wasn't good at saying "Goodbye" when I was a kid. I remember one summer when my dad and my brother went to Boy Scout Camp in New Mexico. In my little girl mind, I wasn't sure I'd ever see them again. At the bus station, I stood tearfully clinging to my mom as those around us smiled and chuckled a bit at my obvious dismay.
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Facing Discouragement
Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching. Hebrews 10:25
I find this an intriguing verse, particularly for those of us whose illnesses have left us homebound. How in the world do we “meet together” with other believers? Getting to church is rarely an option for me. I miss the fellowship of other believers. …
The Right Thing at the Right Time
Delight yourself in the LORD; And He will give you the desires of your heart. Psalm 37:4
I am still confident of this: I will see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living. Psalm 27:13
One of my dreams was to be an artist. Creating artwork came to me late in life. I was one of the ones who said they couldn't draw a stick figure. Drawing On the Right Side of the Brain changed that. I was able to become quite proficient at drawing and enjoyed it immensely.
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And the Choice is ....
This day I call heaven and earth as witnesses against you that I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Now choose life, so that you and your children may live. (Deuteronomy 30:19 NIV)
I’ve wondered a lot about choices. I’ve heard some people say we “choose” our illnesses – or we “choose” not to be healed because we our faith isn’t strong enough. I’m not at all sure those are always choices.
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Making Diamonds
Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart. …
The Reason We Have Hope
After the Sabbath, at dawn on the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to look at the tomb. There was a violent earthquake, for an angel of the Lord came down from heaven and, going to the tomb, rolled back the stone and sat on it. His appearance was like lightning, and his clothes were white as snow. The guards were so afraid of him that they shook and became like dead men. The angel said to the women, …
Signed, Sealed, and Delivered!
For no matter how many promises God has made, they are "Yes" in Christ. And so through him the "Amen" is spoken by us to the glory of God. Now it is God who makes both us and you stand firm in Christ. He anointed us, set his seal of ownership on us, and put his Spirit in our hearts as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come. (2 Corinthians 1: 20-23 NIV)
Sometimes I watch TV infomercials. (I know, I know ... but when you can't sleep there can be little else on television!) …
Devotional: The Alpha and The Omega
"I am the Alpha and the Omega," says the Lord God, "who is, and who was, and who is to come, the Almighty."
Revelation 1:8
It takes me by surprise when I realize I have forgotten this verse. I get so tied up in my day-to-day problems and frustrations, I forget that there is something out there far greater than I am.
I guess it is human nature to think life is all about us. I mean, after all, it IS our life. …
What if You Knew
What if you knew?
What if you knew that when you sat down to eat tonight, it would be the last meal you would ever have on earth?
What if you knew, that come nightfall, the most terrible thing that could happen to a human being was going to happen to you?
What if you knew that the circumstances that were about to unfold before you would cause all of your friends and family to desert you?
What if you knew that before 24 hours had passed, your life on earth would end?
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When You Pray "Lord, Show Me"
“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.” (Galatians 5:22-23)
Once in a while, I make it to church. What I once took for granted has become a struggle - but a struggle worth while. I enjoy the fellowship, the music, and the messages. We have a relatively new pastor (at least for me as I’ve been gone so often), and I truly value what he has to say. …
When You Feel God Isn't There for You
Sometimes I get uncomfortable.
I've had people think that because I am beginning to come to a place of peace in my life, that I have always been this way and that they can never come to know these feelings.
That saddens me.
I want to tell them so many things.
I want to tell them how scared I have been (and still am at times).
I want to tell them how devastated I have felt after dealing with so many losses.
I want to tell them how angry I have been at God.
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Lift Up Your Eyes
Lift up your eyes on high, and behold who hath created these things. Isaiah 40:26
I have often wondered about God’s definition of faith. I mean, I know the verses about faith, but I often come away from reading them feeling as if I might not have the kind of faith the Bible talks about. Not the unwavering under any circumstances, never doubting at all kind of faith that I thought God required of me.
Then, while reading a small book “In Pursuit of God” by A.W. …