I have chosen the way of truth; I have set my heart on your laws. (Psalm 119:30)
Have you ever felt like the Psalmist… like you were laid low in the dust, begging God to preserve your life?
I know I have at different times in my life.
Maybe it was the divorce papers that were finalized that brought you to this low, dusty, and dark place.
Or maybe it was your own flesh and blood… pain from the choices of a child or parent.
Perhaps it was the slander and betrayal of a friend.
Those who walk with the Lord are not immune to the heartache of the world. In Psalm 119:23 we see that even the Psalmist himself dealt with others slandering him. At different times, we have all been “laid low in the dust” of life. If you find yourself there, sweet friend, take heart and know you are not alone.
Jesus – in His love – is right there with you. The beautiful thing? He meets us where we are, yet encourages us to shake off the dust and get back up.
You don’t have to stay there.
We all have a choice. We can stay in the dust of heartbreak, disappointment, and pain… or with God’s help, we can choose to get up and stand up.
Taking a cue from the Psalmist, when we are down in the dust of life, our action needs to be that of prayer.
We need to look up.
When the Psalmist was dusty, he didn’t seek revenge on those who were trying to hurt him. Instead he sought the Lord, crying out, “Preserve my life.” He dug deeper into God’s Word, asking for teaching and for greater understanding. I know many times when I am in a hurtful situation, my first response is, “Lord, make this stop!” I want out of the situation because in the past I bought into a fairly tale dream that all good Christians have pain-free lives. Once you ask Jesus into your heart, your life should be easy, right?
Nothing could be further from the truth.
Being a Christian does not mean that your life will be easy or free from pain, heartbreak, or depression. What is does mean is that Jesus will be with you every step of the way. Like the Psalmist, you can cry out to Him for help and He will strengthen you.
He sought the Lord for strength (vs. 28). Emotional hurt and stress can wear us out not only emotionally, but physically too. Yet, he held fast to the Lord. And what was the outcome?
“I run in the path of your commands, for you have set my heart free.” ~ Psalm 119:32
The result? A heart that is joyful and free.
Yes, in this world we will have trouble. But take heart, sweet friend. Greater is He who is in me than He who is in the world! (1 John 4:4)
If you find yourself in the dust of life like this Psalmist, do what he did…
Turn to God.
Call out to Him.
Turn the situation over to the Lord, and trust Him with it.
As we hold to His Word and trust His promises, the Lord is able to work in His ways and in His time. – Warren Wiersbe
Let’s Talk:
Share about a time in your life when you felt like the Psalmist, you were laid low…with worry, heartache or fear and how God intervened in that situation.
Encourage someone else today with the gift of your “Psalmist” testimony…you never know how God might use the story He has given you to encourage someone else today!
Love God Greatly!
Week 2 Challenge:
Like the Psalmist modeled for us, prayerfully turn whatever heartache you are currently going through over to the Lord. Reach out to God through prayer and trust Him with the outcome knowing that He works all things out for our good in His time.
Week 2 Video:
(Click here to watch the video)
Week 2 Memory Verse:
Week 2 Reading Plan:
Am 24 and when I was younger like most children I wanted to be independent and free to see and feel life for myself. I got into the university when I was 16. I wanted to live home not because i wasn’t well catered for, in fact I was too loved if there is a word like that but because i wanted to be free. So I got into the wrong company at school and I had to repeat twice. I was serious as I should. If I failed a third time I was going to be withdrawn from the university. My life was in a mess, I was far from God and my parents. I had no friends and my academics was in a mess. I was left behind by my peers. At that point I knew I needed the God of my parents so I turned to God. I am never ever going to the worth His love, mercy and grace. So when I went to God I just wanted Him to help me pass in school. I didn’t need him to love me or care for me. I felt too much down in the dust , dirty, damaged to be noticed by Him. But God!!! But God picked me up, dusted me thoroughly and gave me a new life. I mean a completely new and differ t life. I passed excellently in school, mu relationship was restored with God and my parents. Now am a writer not published though, I teach Bible studies and bible classes. I am so living and working victoriously in Him. Praise God! Hallelujah! Amen.
Ebos, What a beautiful testimony! God’s grace did so much more than you expected. Thank you for taking time to share!
Blessings, Amy A, LGG Encourager
Thanks for sharing- life can be a mess BUT with God everything is better. 🙂
Thank you for sharing ~ How awesome is our God
Indeed, “Look up!” Simple, yet often the only thing we need to do. Thank you for that message this morning.
So simple yet so many times it’s not my first choice of action….I love how God makes coming to Him and including Him in our lives so easy….:) Thanks for sharing today Lisa!
Just wanted to share briefly where I was about two years ago…after my daughter, my second child was born. I experienced anxiety and post partum depression that was so difficult to get through…I thought I can not be the mom I need to be for my two young children….praise God He IS faithful…He brought me through that time and restored Hope and joy in my life…if you are going through this right now, know you are not alone. He will carry you on those days when it seems impossible to even get out of bed. I now have 3 young ones, and the days are not easy…sometimes I fall SO SHORT of the mom I know God wants me to be. But I know He gives grace I don’t deserve….if you are struggling being a mom of little ones, today, please know someone else is right there with you.
Ohhh Amy, thank you so much for sharing your story with us this morning! I know many of us with small children have been in the same spot and it’s just nice to hear that God is faithful and will bring us through it. The days are long but the years are short! Trust and lean on God and He will give you the strength you need! Thank you so much for your encouragement today! 🙂
I am not a mom but I also have experienced anxiety and depression during my young 24 years of life. I had just landed my first job out of college when it hit me. I had to quit my job because I couldn’t make it through the mornings without breaking down. The thing that helped me the most was journaling and reading God’s promises to me. He cares so much for us and doesn’t want us to fail. I knew He would bring me out, and He did. Even though it was a terrible season of life for me (and some times I still have to fight it) I am thankful to have experienced it because I have been able to help a teenage boy from my church who has recently been struggling with the same thing. It’s important to cry out to God and tell him “I’m broken and I need YOU to pull me out of the dust, restore my soul”. He can and He will. He loves us so much.
Thanks so much for sharing. I went through PPD too about 4 1/2 years ago after having my baby girl. It was the worst-uncontrollable feeling. I felt as if time was in slow motion. It was really hard to stay positive as I saw the “world” having fun. That was the moment I grew closer to the Lord.
This woman knows all about the “lows” of life. Pregnant at 17, ungodly and unhealthily relationships, until I searched for The Lord and I found him. When I got into another relationship that wasn’t his plan he called to me and told me to get out and I did! I knew He loved me and only wanted the best for me!
Ohh Angela,
What a powerful testimony of how God can work in your life and change you from the inside out! I just LOVE how you love our Lord, how you encourage other women to dig into God’s Word and the great mom that you are! So very, very proud and thankful for you, Angela!!!
Right now. My sister is in the last stage of fighting ovarian cancer for 5 years. As I sit beside her, watching her suffer, feeling like I don’ t have the strength to go on, God gently reminds me that his strength is all I need to carry on. I am so privileged to care and serve her these last days before she enters the presence of Jesus.
Karen Anderson, I’ve been where you are … waiting … waiting for Lord to take your loved one into HIs Complete Peace. It’s tiring, heartbreaking, and grievous. Hang in there, my Sister. The Lord will see you through this difficult time. And as a caregiver, you are blessed beyond knowledge. I will put you down for prayer. I love you, Sister, but know that Lord Jesus loves you infinitely more, and is constantly at your side during this time.
Lifting you and your sister up in prayer!
I am so moved by your situation, Karen. What you are doing is a tremendous thing that you will be so thankful for when she has finally gone to be with Jesus. I have been there, twice, and I know that the sadness of this situation is laced through with an indescribable beauty that is hard to understand or convey to others. May God bless you for your faithfulness in sharing His love with your human hands, heart and feet while she is here. May her life and yours be a testimony to others of God’s grace and mercy for those who have been blesses to know you both. I lift this special time in both of your lives in prayers to the Almighty. Thank you for sharing this with us.
Oh Karen, praying for your sweet sister and you this morning! (LGG Prayer Team)
Good Morning!! This time last year, my husband and I were separated and on the verge of divorce. I had just found out I was pregnant too. He had moved out – backslid from his walk with God, was smoking weed, going to strip clubs, with different women every week, etc. I didnt want a divorce – every day I just kept hearing the Lord say “wait.” I was so worried and focused on our problems that it was affecting me physically. I finally just gave it all over to the Lord and stayed on my face and cried out to the Lord. This went on for 7 months. Literally the week before we were scheduled to go file papers, my husband had an encounter with Him and God brought a ministry into our lives that did a complete 180 change!! God is good!!!! NYE was our first date after being separated. Today, we are doing amazing! Both of our ministries are flourishing, we are starting a marriage ministry, and we are hosting a worship conference this weekend!!! Even tho it took 7 months, god knew what He was doing the whole time!! Got to trust Him. 🙂 Love and Blessings to all!!
I am married to an alcoholic. We will have been married for 13 years in August. I was very naive and did not have God in my heart when I met and married him. I have a daughter that just turned 10 and a son that is almost 9. I have a hard time turning things over to God. My personal relationship with him is not where I would like it to be. I pray for my husband everyday but I try to make sure that I pray for myself too. I know that what is going on with him is considered a disease but for me it is hard to look at it that way. Unfortunately when I do pray for myself, I give up and try to do things on my own. I am not in love with him like I used to be. Our intimacy is not good. I have issues with myself. I want to be a better example for my kids but it is so hard. I do not know what to do. I try to give it over to God but I always take it back and I do it myself and of course you know where that leads. No where. Any advice?
Leah, I have been where you are. My husband was a pastor and he relapsed after years of sobriety. I didn’t have a clue what I was dealing with because I had never been around alcohol. When it finally got through my head what was happening, as a pastor’s wife, I did not know who to turn to for ‘earthly’ help. Every emotion you can think of was drowning me and I felt no matter what I did, I was betraying someone if I tried to get help…even God…my husband if I told….and God if I didn’t as my husband walked to the pulpit to preach His Word. This post could ramble on for a VERY long time with ‘our story’ but I won’t do that. I want to answer your question as God leads this typing….. “What do I do?” Fortunately for you…you have figured out you can’t ‘fix’ him…or this. You are WAY ahead because it took me years to figure that out! But I can tell you this with absolutely certainty….when I was ‘SO deep in the dust’ of someone’s addiction and I truly ‘let go and let God’, HE saved my life. When I had no more words to even pray but could only lay on the floor in a puddle, I COULD say His Name and I did… only “Jesus” was all I could muster up. But He took that plea to our Father and He taught me to stop trying to ‘fix’ and ‘figure it out’. (And, yes…He did use some ‘earthly’ resources.) But here’s what I want you to hear: In my mind, the ONLY solution was to “get my husband fixed” and then all would be well. I just KNEW that had to be God’s Will and I could not see beyond that. SO I (as in ‘me’….I) kept trying to figure it out and took him to places/doctors/recovery/etc/etc/etc. Didn’t work. None of it. So I FINALLY gave my husband the dignity to make his own decisions (no more pleading, crying, screaming, begging, dying inside…no more of that.) I wish I could give you the “and they lived happily ever after” end of our story. I can not. BUT I can tell you that My Mighty Healing God NEVER forsook me (or him), He never overlooked my pain (or his), He bottled my billions of tears and in spite of what happened to “us”, He took what I think of as the worse of the worse in a marriage and truly turned ‘ashes into beauty’; He filled my EVERY need; He saved my life literally as well as my sanity. And what He did for me…He will do for you. Try to stop seeing only one way for this to be ‘fixed’….and let God. When your anxiety/anger/helplessness begins to rise (and it will….maybe a hundred times a day!), speak His Name EVERY time. He already knows what is in your heart and He.Is.Faithful to bring you and your children through it all. And prayerfully your husband will ‘come around’, BUT if he chooses not to change his life, you can change yours. God desires your life to be “abundant…to the full” (as well as your husband’s, but that is between them) and He will give you the courage, wisdom and all you need for that to happen; He will put a song in your heart and peace in your life in spite of your circumstances. He WILL change your circumstances….in His time….and cover you in His mercy and grace until that time. He wants to do that for you as soon as you take your hands off. Will it be the solution you are thinking or dreaming of? I don’t know, but He does. And it will be beautiful. He loves you! I am Living Proof He delivers!! AND in the process turns our darkest hurts into something beautiful for His Glory and our good. Blessings on you, Sweet Sister. You are in my heart and I will be praying for you.
Leah,
I’m lifting you, your husband, your children and your marriage up in prayer. I was married for 11 years to an alcoholic and abuser. I remember the days and nights of prayer seeking guidance for our marriage, for his addiction, our child and for me. I had all sorts of advice; leave him, stay with him etc. and although my former marriage ended in divorce 20+ years ago – it was the right decision for us. Personally for me, I had to seek God for inner peace and His strength to pull me through the hard days. Praying guidance, protection, discernment, peace and strength for you.
Blessings,
Martha, LGG Prayer Team
Praise God for such a wonderful testimony. I am so sorry that you had to endure so a hard time in your life, but praising God for restoration and a renewed, refreshed marriage. Jennifer L, LGG Prayer Team
Brandy your story is much like my own! The song He Will Restore has become my anthem song. Having done all to stand…..stand and that’s what I did. I watched God move in every moment and He did RESTORE! Gods restoration is better than anything we could imagine. He turned us around and made us better than before! Thanks for sharing!
Asking for prayers today. After reading the study for today, I have no doubt God was speaking to me as well. I have been praying for my children very fervently, asking God to draw them, convict them and speak conviction and healing in their lives. My second child is living her life through her hurt and resentment which is hurting her children. The oldest is 11 and has been diagnosed with an ulcer. He is a sweet, quiet, loving compassion child but has had difficulty dealing with his very premature little brother who is dealing with reactive attachment disorder and has had very angry hateful out bursts or rage and aggression. I watch my older grandson’s face as he has expressed fear of his younger brother and not knowing how to deal with this. Yet his mommy gets defensive and angry when I express my concern and suggestions of wanting to get outside help with this situation. This has been going on for 7 years. I cry out to God for help and healing but I despair watching my daughter and grandson continue to live in pain and separation from God. I will not give up or give in but live hoping for God’s resurrecting power in their lives.
Dear Arlene, I am going to the Lord with your situation right now. May God bring changed hearts, resolution, and comfort to your family during this time. I pray for wisdom and submission for your daughter as you both struggle with this. I pray for protection and comfort for your grandson. I ask for a peace that passes understanding for you and for comfort for your fears. In Jesus’ name!
Arlene,
Lifting you, your daughter and grandson up in prayer. Praying salvation over them, praying peace, direction and protection. Praying discernment, strength and trust, trust in the Lord, lay it at His feet.
Martha, LGG Prayer Team
When my daughter was 16 she got pregnant and my world seemed to fall apart around me. I won’t go into all the details but we ended up adopting her son and raised him until he started 9th grade. That is when we let him go live with her and his siblings. She still had circumstances that I wasn’t happy with but felt I had no real choice in the matter. It was the hardest thing I have ever done in my life. He had become my son and to have to let him go after 14 years tore my heart open. I had no support, nobody understood what I was going through and I cried many tears , went through much depression and if I hadn’t cried out to God to help me through this and to trust God with my grandson/son’s life and situation I would have never made it. God is faithful and my daughter is now married to a preacher ( former law enforcement officer) and all four of her children are wonderful young adults. My grandson/son is going to be 29 next month and he is such a wonderful young man. I couldn’t be prouder of them all. God has brought them all back to the nest so to speak. They don’t live close but we are all close and God is in charge. Thank you for your faithfulness Father God.
Wow! That’s just amazing! I’m always in awe of His GRACE when I read stories like this. What a blessing to see things turn around like that! Praising Him with you!
Blessings, Marlene, LGG Encourager
Ladies please pray for me as I am in the dust. All of the above mentioned in Angela’s video relate to me today. Slander, feelings of being stuck, disappointment from loved ones, depression, anger and physical exhaustion. Please pray that God will give me the strength I need to overcome the desire to wrap myself up in blankets and sleep the day away in denial.
Lord Jesus, I need you.
Praying for you, Rachel, that God will meet you in your circumstances. Hide yourself under His wings, or as I teach the kids, keep climbing back onto Jesus` lap.
Rachel
Father God I lift Rachel up to you now. Father I ask that you wrap your loving arms around her, and give her your peace, the peace that passes all understanding. Father we ask that she has a fresh new encounter with you and she feels your love. We ask all these things in the name of Jesus, Amen!
I have had many lows in my life – some self-inflicted from stupid choices but the most major was one that I am still recovering from but hardly a week goes by that I don’t get to share what God has done.
You see, almost 8 years ago, I gave birth to our baby girl. Unbeknownst to anyone, she has an extra chromosome and a heart defect. She was in the NICU but everyone thought she would be fine and we would go home within a week. That was not to be. It took almost 8 weeks before the life-threatening birth defect was diagnosed. And another 4+ weeks for her to recover from the surgery to repair it. None of what went “wrong” was anyone’s fault. She was medically unstable and the defect is rare and extremely tricky to diagnosis.
Nothing prepares a mom to sit by her baby’s side and watch her struggle to breathe, to live and to have that struggle go on for almost 12 weeks before they are out of the first set of woods in their life. It was truly the loneliest valley I have ever walked through.We were (and still are) surrounded by a fabulous support system but ultimately, it’s a journey you go through alone.
Almost eight years later, she is a robust child with her birth defects fixed. Her extra chromosome will be around until her life is over but that’s o.k. with us.
Yes – 1,000 times yes, it was awful and the hardest thing that I have lived through so far. BUT, GOD…God in His mercy gave me a peace that passed understanding. He surrounded us with precious people to help carry the load. He provided a deep freezer (much needed for the vast amount of pumped milk and donated food) from a church family that barely knew us. BUT, GOD…met me there and that time of my life is truly precious and painful at the same time. BUT, GOD…has allowed us to love on other families because of our path then and now. The blessings overflow and cover the pain.
To this day, I look at the NICU at our children’s hospital as holy ground. I do not use that term lightly. It was truly an indescribable 12+ weeks where I saw God like I had never seen Him before. I am still learning lessons from that time. I am still being able to use that time as ministry to other moms.
That was truly the “dust of life” that is a result of our sinful, imperfect world – birth defects happen BUT, GOD…works all of those things for His glory and our good. I would not trade that time or our precious daughter for all the worldly goods that Satan would offer me.
Amy-
As a mama of a child with health issues myself, your story touched my heart! Watching a child struggle is SO hard. It’s truly a blessing for you and your daughter (and the rest of the world!) that you’ve been able to turn something so difficult into a means of drawing closer to the Lord and proclaiming His faithfulness! I will be praying for you as you continue to use your story to minister to other mamas!
Greer, LGG Prayer Team
I loved this morning’s blog. Oh how I have been here. In the dust. I went through a separation and near divorce but only by God’s hand was our relationship restored and reconciled. Today our testimony of a broken marriage with adultery and addictions delivered into a beautiful work for God has been shared with many others that God brings along our path. I truly believe that is why we go through trials. It is to share with others when they go through the same trials and to be a light of testimony that God can and will see them through. God is so good. And since we have been restored we are both walking with Christ and sharing His goodness with whoever we can. He has done so much in our lives and continues to mold us. All Glory to God!!!
God is no respecter of persons. I declare, in the name of Jesus, as He has done for you, He will do for me too. Thanks for sharing.
Amen to that!! Thank You Jesus!
The year of 2014 and the earlier part of 2015 have been some of the hardest I’ve had to endure, yet through it all I’ve become closer to God and experienced a sense of freedom and happiness beyond what I thought to be possible. My husband (fiancé at the time) was involved in a terrible matter for something that could quite possibly change his life completely and mine as well. We were in a dark place afraid of what the future held. I began praying for my husband and those involved knowing the truth in the matter at hand and that my husband was innocent on all accounts. I clinged to Gods word and more specifically I prayed Jeremiah 29:11 over my husband and all of those involved in the matter and myself. I knew regardless of the outcome God would see us through. We refused to let the circumstances define us! As a result of this incredibly long and difficult event my husband became so much closer to God and began attending church with me and praying and even re-answered an alter call at church. I made a goal for myself to read the bible in its entirety in 2014 to keep myself in Gods words and promises as a encouragement through the hard times we had ahead. My husband had previously drawn away from walking with God and became angry with God because he lost his dad unexpectedly several years prior. Through all of this we fell in love with our savior who brought us through it. God answered our prayers! This matter was settled and its all in thanks and love to our Lord and his amazing grace! Now we live a life of truth and this radiates in all areas including our marriage. God is so good and He is the one constant. I encourage others going through trials and tribulations to cling onto His promises, stay in the word, pray and speak those thruths out loud into your life that are found in the bible. God is for us and that is so much bigger than any circumstance we can go through!
Jountia, what a powerful testimony — a reminder to all of us that we must persevere in prayer for our families. God is our Defender. We can rest in His care today.
Blessings,
Lyli, LGG Encourager
Five and one-half years ago, my oldest child, my first-born son, took his own life. Absolutely no one saw it coming. His friends kept a vigil outside his house for the first 2 days after. I sank into a depression deeper than I knew was possible. I blamed God, because I knew He could have prevented it. I would not let God talk to me. I would not talk to Him, except to scream at Him in accusation and frustration. Most of my friends disappeared after the funeral because they also did not know how to deal with such grief. One day, as I stood in the window with sun shining on my arms, God said, “This warmth is for you, Mary. It’s been cloudy and rainy in your life for so many weeks, but I’ve been with you the whole time. I’ve never left you. I love you more than you know.” It still took many, many months of dark days and nights, but I am better. Only in the last 9 months have I been able to stand on my own. The Lord carried me for those many years. He was my only Rock.
Oh, Mary! You are making me cry right here at my desk in the middle of my work day! On the darkest of days, we hear His voice whispering peace to us. He sees you. He knows our pain. Thank you for reminding all of us that we are never alone. May God continue to comfort you, my sister.
Blessings,
Lyli, LGG Encourager
I have often said that the book of Psalms could have been written by females for the writers seem to go from highs to lows and back to highs in an instant! 🙂 There have been a few low times in my life – pregnant at 18, married a few weeks later, struggles of marriage, losing my dad, my husband having cancer, son joining the Marine Corp and being deployed, and just the every day challenges of life. Here is one thing I have learned to be true – when it is the darkest, God is still there. There is a song that says “God sees the storm from the other side”. It is so wonderful to have His promises to cling to!
Leah, isn’t it wonderful to know that God’s light reaches into our darkest places? We are never alone. He is always guiding us, protecting us, pursuing us. What a blessing! Thank you for the sacrifices that you and your family are making for our country. May His promises surround you with peace and courage today.
Blessings,
Lyli, LGG Encourager
From reading the posts and comments, it is clear we all have our moments in the dust. Each is painful and each is personal. God is great and He is always good. He sees us through… We truly never know the struggles another is facing….. I was reminded today to be thankful, to continually seek the Lord’s face. He is pulling me out of deep waters. I am reminded daily of the goodness of God. I seek His face asking Him for wisdom, guidance, discernment, and direction, as well as what he wants me to learn from my current situation. I was blindsided 7 months ago by the horrendous choices and actions my husband of 38 years had made. Choices that completely changed his life and ours. Sometimes the pain is almost more than I can bear, and I wonder how many times a person can get knocked down before they can’t get back up. My life now is so different than it was, and I am not the person I was then. There are many days I would like to return to my fetal position on the floor, many days I would like to go back to a time when life made sense. I trust that one day God can use my story to bring hope and healing to others. For now, though, God continues to use verses, words, and songs to speak to me of His unfailing love and to remind me that He will get me through. He uses the words of godly people and a godly counselor to help me make sense of the mess, to pick up the pieces, and move on.
Brenda, I am so glad that you are surrounded by good counsel and friends who are walking with you in this season. Thank you for sharing your story today — He is our anchor in every storm. I am thankful that when my life seems totally out of control, I know that God is still on the throne, and He is working all things together for my good. He redeems ALL. I pray for God to continually strengthen you as you continue walking forward in faith. He’s got you!
Lyli, LGG Encourager
I need to please ask for prayer. My heart is heavy because I have made poor choices about how to handle our family’s finances and I feel like I am under this tremendous weight of guilt, shame, and worry. This study is certainly help to breathe new life into my being, and I thank God for that. I would ask for you to please pray for God to bring me peace, and that I would be able to accept that peace, as I struggle with this burden. I don’t really know what to ask for, or what to pray for right now other than that. Thanks for your prayers. I know He hears. I think I just happen to be very good at being my own worst enemy, and it is not easily overcome. I would not have the evil one win this battle, especially since I know the war is already won! Please pray for me. This is a pervasive issue that affects so much and so many. Thank you.<
Stacy, praying for you this morning — that God would give you wisdom on how to proceed and courage to walk as He leads. His mercies are new every morning — so today, you get a do-over. He has thoughts of peace toward you (Jer. 29:11).
Blessings,
Lyli, LGG Encourager
In times when I’ve found myself in the dust, I learned two important words: surrender and submission. I had to get to the realization that my way hadn’t worked and would never work and I had no other option but to look to God to help me. I learned that a continual position of submission to God is where I have to live to see His promises performed in my life, promises for healing, peace, comfort, and joy. Be Blessed!
Marilyn, thanks for sharing that powerful truth with us today. Obedience always leads to peace, doesn’t it?
Lyli , LGG Encourager
Five years ago I made the decision to get out of an abusive marriage. I was scared and while I know God released me and made a path for me, I made some fear based choices on how to go about it. Needless to say, I hurt some people a long the way. Four years ago, I was homeless and desperately looking for a home. I spent the summer house sitting for just about everyone I know. I was pulling my hair out and I lost 30 pounds. I was put on anxiety medicine that made me feel like I wanted to rip my skin off. Labor Day weekend, almost 4 years ago, I moved into a new home with a couple pieces of furniture and my cloths. That was on a Friday. By Monday, Labor Day, I had a fully furnished home. My refrigerator and cabinets were full. God’s love poured out all around me through the body of Christ that weekend. It was truly miraculous. I am not sure I ever felt so loved in my life. God is amazing. I am still healing and occasionally struggle with anxiety issues, but God has brought me so far! He is so good, so faithful and His grace knows no end! Now I lead a Bible Study at my church for single women who have been in similar situations. GOD IS GOOD!
Yes HE Is!!
Michele-
Your faithfulness and trust in the Lord is a beautiful testimony! How great our God’s love is for us! I will be praying for you and your struggle with anxiety. Cast your cares on Him, sister!
Greer, LGG Prayer Team
My reason for “being in the dust” so often, because I so often am, is really myself. I’ve struggled with depression from an early age and have continually made bad choices, which led to consequences that led to more depression. I married a man that I didn’t love, I barely even liked him, but he’s a good man and he was the only healthy relationship I’d ever been in, so I thought the best thing to do was to marry him. It’s been 18 years and 3 children later and I still struggle with that decision. There are ups and downs, good times and bad, and I have done so much to hurt this man, I can’t believe he’s still with me! This past week was a bad one. I go through these feelings that I don’t even want to be here, in this marriage, and last week was one of those weeks. I love my Lord and I want so desperately to be obedient to Him and to live by His commands. I don’t want to be like this. I don’t know what’s wrong with me. But I’m so thankful for passages of scripture like today’s passage. It reminds me that I can call out to God and that He will help me. I may not understand, but He does and He is so faithful to pick me back up and get my focus back on Him and He helps me to continue to be the wife and mother that He desires for me to be. I just have to keep looking up.
Misfire-
Oh, sister! Your faithfulness and love for the Lord is such a beautiful testimony! Do not be too critical of yourself – remember that you are a loved and perfect Child of God, made in His image. His love and grace is unconditional, regardless of any choices you’ve made. I will be praying for you… that you feel God’s love for you on a daily basis and that He helps you keep your eyes focused on Him and His mercy and forgiveness. Keep looking up!
Greer, LGG Prayer Team
Touching story! I wanted to share a Scripture. It’s one that has helped me. I thought it would help you too. One to cling to…
For we know that the law is spiritual, but I am of the flesh, sold under sin. 15 For I do not understand my own actions. For I do not do what I want, but I do the very thing I hate. 16 Now if I do what I do not want, I agree with the law, that it is good. 17 So now it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells within me. 18 For I know that nothing good dwells in me, that is, in my flesh. For I have the desire to do what is right, but not the ability to carry it out. 19 For I do not do the good I want, but the evil I do not want is what I keep on doing. 20 Now if I do what I do not want, it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells within me. – Romans 7:14-20
Ok I have a question I’ve been thinking about since last week. As David (or whoever) was writing this, they didn’t have the Scriptures bound up into a nice orderly Bible as we have today. Last week, and continuing into this week, we see how much he values the word of God. His decrees, precepts, law, statutes, etc. I mean, these words repeat often throughout what we’ve only read so far! My question is, as we want to emulate the writer’s obsession for God’s laws, is he speaking of the 10 commandments? The Torah? What written laws is David so passionate about knowing & following? Since it’s not the Bible he’s speaking of, as we know it now, what is it? Any thoughts? Thanks! 🙂
I think it would the Torah, for David… but I haven’t done any extensive research on it…
For most of my life it seems I have been in a low place, due to abuse and other things I could not control, hardening my heart along the way. BUT, God has always brought me through and has been there for me. Thankfully today there are not many low places but when I am there, I feel Him there because He is there. It’s by turning to Him in His Word that has brought me this far and I don’t plan on turning back. Like “The Grinch” God has enlarged my heart (Psalm 119:32b).
Lorna-
How wonderful that you are able to see God’s handiwork and feel His presence, even through the tough times! Surely God looks favorably upon your faithfulness! Love your reference to the Grinch! One of my favorite movies! 🙂 Be blessed!
Greer, LGG Prayer Team
A little over a year ago, I was blindsided by my husband who, when I confronted him about an affair I had found evidence of told me he hadn’t loved me in years and was leaving me for a rich woman. I was devastated as we just cel rested our 20th anniversary and then my birthday. I had no clue. I felt as though I just had been thrown in the garbage can and left. I now believe that God was protecting me as my husband was doing some pretty bad things. Because of being in His word each day I already had some strength to get through but needed a a lot extra this time. I’m so glad I had been doing Bible studied with LGG for a while by this time because God’s precious word idea what got me through. And now as we go through Psalm 119 I remember that the Almighty God who was with the Psalmist through his trials is that very same Almighty God, Lord and Savior who is with us today and I cling to His promise that He will never leave us or forsake us.
Oh sweet friend, my heart breaks for you. Praying He strengthens you during this very hard season of life. I’m so thankful you’re joining us for this study! {hugs}
Blessings, Marlene, LGG Encourager
Last week, I felt overwhelmed by loneliness. Single. Limited social circle. Hadn’t been to church in about a month. Chronically Ill – and just feeling unwell due to the heat we experience during the summer.
I just began crying out to God. “Lord, I am home sick.” “Lord, hold me.” “Lord, hold me.” And, He did. In a powerful way, He did. He enveloped me in His Presence, reminding me I am not alone.
Even now as the loneliness sometimes comes back, it isn’t as it was before. I am able to meditate on the choices I have made – as a result of coming to Christ… as a result of my love-relationship with my Creator. And, there is pure joy.
Since then, I have been able to just come before Him… and more often than I have before. I am able to recognize He is my Soul Provider as well as physical provider. He will take care of my every need. He is changing me thoroughly, as we begin this study. I am excited to see where He takes me next.
What a sweet testimony! Thank you friend, for sharing that with us. Praising Him with you!
Blessings, Marlene, LGG Encourager
Like most, I’ve had and do have trials. What I’m learning, though, is to stand firm in God’s word and hold on to his promises. I’m learning to truly trust in the Lord’s faithfulness. Throughout the Bible there are countless examples of God providing for the needs of his children. And, throughout my life God has provided for my needs. I need only to stop, look, and praise him for carrying me when I did not have strength and thank him for when I did because that, too, was him. Oh, I am so thankful for Scripture and to be in study with such an amazing group of women. God bless each of you!
Love how you said “and thank Him for when I did because that, too, was Him” . He is always there for us, His children. Thanks for stopping by today, Heather!
Blessings, Marlene, LGG Encourager
I feel like I am laid low right now. This past Sunday I became very sick due to my secondary adrenal insufficiency and another illness. I was just steps away from needing life-saving treatment in the ER. I am at home, still recovering, but I am still very weak and fatigued. It is difficult for me to even type right now, and mentally, I’m not 100% here, due to brain fog (one of the symptoms). I know and trust that God is healing and restoring me, and I am thankful for my doctor and his willingness to speak to my mother on a Sunday when I was unable to speak for myself. When your brain is not clear on what planet you’re on and your body is potentially slipping towards places you don’t want it to go, you have to cling to Jesus, no matter how physically weak or confused you feel. I just have to tell myself that God and I already had the conversation and He told me that He is not finished with me yet. 🙂 That means I still have work to do. I could stand to do a much better job meditating on His Word and doing Scripture memory. So as soon as I am up and running again, it’s back to work in the Kingdom! God bless you all!
Praying the Lord will work through the doctors treating you, Monica! Praying for your family as they serve you during this season of illness in your life. Praying for you sweet friend. May the Lord strengthen you through this season, and draw you nearer to Him!
Blessings, Marlene, LGG Encourager
I am also waiting on God to do a work in my husband. I have a 5 month old and a 4 year old and I want to lead them in God’s ways. My husband continues to choose to do his “own” thing and drinks among other things. He loves us dearly, but he has turned away from God. His excuse is that he can not continue to believe in something that has no definite physical presence. To him it’s a “maybe”. I pray everyday and I am doing this study for encouragement that God knows his timing and I am holding on to that truth. Thank you ladies for this study and I look forward to seeing what God has in store for us.
Mindy, thank you for opening your heart to us. We’re praying for you friend. Very thankful to have you joining us!
Blessings, Marlene, LGG Encourager
The past year would take an entire page. My hope is in the Lord. What little faith I have left is in Him.
Dear Deanne, welcome here! I have experienced how for every small step I was able to give towards Him, He leapt towards me. May you truly experience how Jesus is the perfecter of our faith Heb 12:2. Hold on to that hope, He wants to set you free from that which stands between Him and you. Bless you, Elma
http://graceraining.blogspot.com/?m=1
Just wanted to jump back in and say “Thank YOU” to everyone who joined in Monday & Tuesday to share your hearts and stories with us! We love you and are sooo thankful to have you digging into Psalm 119 with us this summer!:) Thanks for the encouragement YOU provided!!!
Thank You for sharing
Thank you for being here Cealia!
As this week winds down in Psalm 119 I am again amazed at how timely and relevant His Word can be. I have been in a low place since Steve, my sweet husband of almost 24 years, died in March 2014. He was a robust, active, brilliant man who was suddenly diagnosed with glioblastoma, a fatal type of brain tumor on 5/12/11. He was given a prognosis of 11-14 months. He lived for 34 months to the day since the diagnosis. He never went to church as an adult until he started going to my church, but he quickly learned the love of Christ. After his diagnosis, Steve shined His light wherever he went as people were always amazed at how well he was doing after brain surgery and chemo. I was so strong and so close to God during his illness. I thought I was prepared to be a widow, after all I had 34 months to prepare. Boy was I wrong. Losing him was the single worse experience of my life. The closeness I felt to God seemed to go away. I know intellectually He is with me, but He seems so silent right now. But, as I read Psalm 119 again, I am being filled with hope and peace. He promises us eternal life, simply by believing. He promises us joy by walking in His way. He promises us delight by following His commandments. Psalm 119 is such a beautiful reminder that we have all we need in Christ, the Word of God. None of us get out of here alive, unless Jesus comes before then. So trusting in Him, and in Him alone, seeking understanding of His commandments, and turning towards Him in all things, in highs and lows, is the path that will lead to comfort and peace. I don’t know where He is leading me now, but I am willing to follow Jesus every step of the way. God bless you all.
Liz,
Thank you so much for taking the time to share with us today. I cried all through your post, deeply touched. I often wonder if I’d survive if my husband should pass before me. He might be quiet right now.. but He is with you! I am glad to read you are being filled with hope and peace as you read Psalm 119 again. I am thankful that God brought you here to share to bless all of us as we go through our own struggles. Lifting you up in prayer for peace that only comes from God. Giving virtual hugs from a fellow sister in Christ. <3
Martha
LGG ladies, thank you for this study. I am experiencing a heartbreaking betrayal at the moment. I instantly forgave them “by faith” and I live in hope and am encouraged by you and this study. Even if man fails me, my God will not fail. He has proven Himself throughout history to be trustworthy and faithful.
Ann,
You’ve been on my heart since I read your comment. Praying things are looking better for you! You are so right, He has proven Himself throughout history to be trustworthy and faithful! Amen!
Blessings,
Martha, LGG Leadership Team
I am a college freshmen and had to get a full hysterectomy because of my battle with Endomitriosis. I felt so heartbroken about this but God redeemed me and let me know that all of this is for good and my children that are adopted are needing someone like me who wants to love them and teach them the ways of the Lord.