To my friends who are struggling....

Stay strong, continue on, fight the good fight, do not ever give up. And don’t forget, when you feel like you can’t stand, you can always fall to your knees, and Jesus will be right there to pick you up.

This week has been particularly difficult. Not really for myself, for my life personally, I’ve had a rather good week. But it seems as everyone around me, and in my life, are struggling, they all are going through something. Breakups, death in family, depression, dry seasons, or just stressful everyday life things. It seems as if my friends and family can’t catch a break.

I found myself almost taking on their burdens “for them”. I quickly became overwhelmed myself, because instead of just letting myself feel the weight of the world, and praying for the lost, the hurt, and the broken, I took the burdens on myself. Forgetting that is only God’s job, I dropped the baggage at the foot of the cross, and am interceding in prayer for the broken, for the hurt, for the lost, and for the weary and tired.

Here are some verses that always help me when it seems like the tide and waves are seemingly intentionally hitting my sand castle and knocking down my every being:

Psalm 56:3-4

“But when I am afraid, I put my trust in you. O God, I praise your word. I trust in God, so why should I be afraid? What can mere mortals do to me?”

Isaiah 41:10

“Don’t be afraid, for I am with you. Do not be dismayed, for I am your god. I will strengthen you. I will help you. I will uphold you with my victorious right hand.”

Isaiah 43:2

“When you go through deep waters and great trouble, I will be with you. When you go through rivers of difficulty, you will not drown! When you walk through the fire of oppression, you will not be burned and the flames shall not consume you.”

Joel 2:21

“Surely the Lord has done great things! Don’t be afraid my people! Be glad now and rejoice because the Lord has done great things.”

Philippians 4:13

“For YOU can do ALL things through CHRIST who gives you strength.”

So to my hurting friends, I pray the God of peace, tranquility, strength, and love will come over you like a rushing wind, and give you rest. Comfort you in your time of need. I pray that if you are overwhelmed with life, that God would instead overwhelm you with His presence. I pray that you would encounter God this week in ways that are unexplainable. That the mountains staring back at you, right in your face, that seem impossible to climb, would suddenly be moved by the God of power.