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The Healer of Our Souls: The Character of God

15. May 2013 · 3 comments · Categories: Anxiety, Depression, fear, God's still working on me, grief, Spiritual Growth · Tags: The Healer of Our Souls

This is another post in the series titled, The Healer of Our Souls. The posts in this series focus on how the truth of God’s Word brings healing to all wounded parts of our soul.To read more in this series, click here.

My heart is often fickle. I sing praise to God about His wonders and grace when life is going well. I testify to everyone about what He has done and how He has answered my prayers. But then once life makes a turn and I face an obstacle or a trial, I complain, question God, and doubt the very grace I once praised.

What is wrong with me?

When the circumstances in my life change from rosy to fair or even worse, does that mean God has changed? Is He only good if He is giving me good things and whatever I ask for? And what about when the trials linger, does that mean His power has diminished or that He’s lost His love for me?

While my head would say that the answer to all of these questions is a resounding “No” the truth is, my heart often responds with a “Yes.”

Oh, that God would give me grace to make what my head knows to be true to be what my heart lives out as truth!

The truth is, I project my own human limitations and expectations on God. This is why my heart questions His love, power, or grace when life gets hard. But God is not the one who changes, I do. I am the fickle Queen of Broken Promises, with swinging emotions and a distracted heart.

While I may be ever changing, there is one thing that is constant, dependable and sure. There is one thing I can count on when I journey through deep valleys and grope in the darkness of uncertainty. Like keeping my eyes on the level horizon when a storm rages at sea, there is one constant I can look to when the storms of life rage in my soul.

The character of God.

God never changes. He is always faithful and keeps every promise. He never tires, feels helpless, or loses his power. Hebrews 13:8 says, “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.” And he is always, always good.

Jesus prayed for the disciples, “Sanctify them by the truth, your word is truth” (John 17:17). It is the truth of God’s word which changes us, sanctifies us, transforms us–from the inside out. When it comes to the character of God, the more I study His word to learn about his attributes, the more in awe I will be. The more I dwell on the unshakable truths about God, the more I am utterly moved that he would ever love me. And my own love and trust for him grows as I splash in the joy of being known and loved by our amazing God.

Below are just a few of the attributes or character traits of God found in Scripture. Will you join me in studying and learning more about who God is? As you study these attributes of God, consider using them in your prayers. Thank God for each of his characteristics. Use them in prayers of praise. Confess how you may have failed to trust him for these attributes. Ask him to apply them to your heart so that you might have deeper faith and love for him.

Eternal: Genesis 21:33, Revelation 1:8

Infinite: Psalm 33:11, 90:1-2, 145:13, Hebrews 1:8-12)

Good: Psalm 25:8, 34:8, Titus 3:4

Incomprehensible: Job 5:9, Isaiah 40:28, 55:8, Romans 11:33

Omnipotent: Genesis 18:14, Jeremiah 27:5, Matthew 19:26

Truth: Numbers 23:19, Isaiah 45:19, John 3:33

Faithful: Psalm 33:4, 1 Corinthians 1:9, 1 Thessalonians 5:24

Omniscient: 1 Kings 8:39, Proverbs 3:19-20, 1 Corinthians 2:10

Majestic: Exodus 15:7, Job 37:22, Jude 25

Supreme: Colossians 1:15, Exodus 15:1, Revelation 19:11-16

Gracious: Nehemiah 9:1, Exodus 34:6-7, Isaiah 26:10

Holy: Isaiah 6:3, Psalm 77:13, 1 Peter 1:15-16

Faithful: Genesis 28:15, Titus 1:2, Hebrews 10:23

Creator: Genesis 1:3, Jeremiah 27:5, 2 Corinthians 5:5

Accessible: Deuteronomy 4:7, Matthew 6:6, Ephesians 3:12

Immutable: 1 Samuel 15:29, Psalm 33:11, James 1:17

Just: Deuteronomy 32:4, Job 37:23, Hebrews 12:29, 1 John 1:9

Provider: Psalm 23:1, Matthew 6:33, 1 Corinthians 2:9

Wisdom: Isaiah 28:29, 1 Corinthians 1:30, Colossians 2:2-3

Savior: Psalm 27:1, 68:19, John 3:16-17, 2 Timothy 1:9

Sovereign: Isaiah 46:10, Daniel 4:35, Ephesians 1:11

Love: Psalm 33:5,18, Romans 8:38-39, Ephesians 3:17-19

Kind: 2 Samuel 22:51, Isaiah 54:8, Romans 11:22

Merciful: 2 Samuel 24:14, Jeremiah 29:11, 2 Corinthians 12:9

Perfect: Deuteronomy 32:4, 2 Samuel 22:31, Matthew 5:48

One and Only: Deuteronomy 6:4, 1 Corinthians 8:6, 1 Timothy 2:5

Have you heard this song by Kutless?

Healer of Our Souls: Our Sovereign God

20. March 2013 · 10 comments · Categories: Anxiety, fear, God's still working on me, Spiritual Growth · Tags: The Healer of Our Souls

This is another post in the series The Healer of Our Souls. This series is intended to show how God’s word is the source of healing for all wounds in our soul. To read the other posts in this series, click here.

I sit in the doctor’s office, feeling a sense of deja vu. It was four years ago that my oldest son had sinus surgery. Now I’m here again with my youngest, hearing the news all over again.

As the surgeon rattles off a list of four procedures my youngest son needs, my stomach tightens. Tears burn my eyes. I feel a panic rise up. Not again. Not my baby.

But because I’ve been down this road before, I know where it leads: fear, anxiety, worry, despair. Not this time.

No, this time, I cling to this truth: God is sovereign.

When life’s circumstances threaten to undo me, I have to rest in the sovereignty of God. This is where the rubber meets the road–do I really believe God is in control of all things? If I do, then He is most certainly in control of my son’s health. This did not hit him by surprise. He is not panicked. He’s not wondering what’s wrong and scratching His head about what to do.

In fact, God has allowed this situation for a reason and it’s in His perfect plan that I place my trust. I know that He loves me and my son. Because He promises that all things work together for our ultimate good, I know that good is what will come of it. He knows how much I love my son. He even knows what it’s like to see His own Son suffer.

He is in this and He’s got this.

God’s word is the source of healing for the wounds in my soul. It reminds me that the same God who formed the sun, moon, and stars cares about me. It reminds me that the same God who uses the earth as a footstool loved me before the earth existed. It’s this God who promises to never leave me or forsake me.

And it’s there, in His word, that I find the comfort I need today:

“Who has gone up to heaven and come down? Whose hands have gathered up the wind? Who has wrapped up the waters in a cloak? Who has established all the ends of the earth? What is his name, and what is the name of his son? Surely you know!” Proverbs 30:4

“Whom did the LORD consult to enlighten him, and who taught him the right way? Who was it that taught him knowledge, or showed him the path of understanding?” Isaiah 40:14

“He who forms the mountains, who creates the wind, and who reveals his thoughts to mankind, who turns dawn to darkness, and treads on the heights of the earth– the LORD God Almighty is his name.” Amos 4:13

“I know that you can do all things; no purpose of yours can be thwarted.” Job 42:2

“The LORD does whatever pleases him, in the heavens and on the earth, in the seas and all their depths.” Psalm 135:6

“Indeed, the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.” Luke 12:7

“Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.” 1 Peter 5:7

“And I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns.” Philippians 1:6

“He will also keep you firm to the end, so that you will be blameless on the day of our Lord Jesus Christ.” 1 Corinthians 1:8

“For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 8:38-39

Are you resting in His sovereign love today?

A Prayer for the Worried Heart

05. March 2013 · 4 comments · Categories: Anxiety, fear · Tags: gospel prayer

I am a worrier. Are you? Sometimes my heart is so full of worry I can think of nothing else. It is in those times that I need to be reminded of the gospel. I need to remember the truth about who I am in Christ and that He never leaves me alone. I need to lay my worries at the cross and rest in the freedom that Christ has born all my burdens.

Sometimes, I am so overwhelmed by worries and concerns that I just can’t concentrate to pray. I want to pray. I know I need to pray. But I can’t seem to focus my mind.

C.S. Lewis wrote to his friend Malcomb that we should start off prayer with whatever is on our minds, because the very things that distract us will keep us from praying. I’ve learned that when I am worried, I need to pray about each and every thought and feeling on my heart.

I also like to pray through the gospel, to remind myself of what is true. As I pray through what Christ has done for me, it frees me of my burdens. Looking back at God’s grace for me in the past gives me hope for His grace in the future.

Today I wanted to share a prayer I wrote for those of us who carry heavy burdens, who feel weighed down with worries and cares. I pray that this prayer encourages your own heart and leads you to a time of sweet communion through prayer with your Father in Heaven.

My Papa in Heaven,

I come to you with a heart heavy and full of so many worries and cares. I want to just curl up on your lap and find some peace from the chaos in my life. My worries fill my mind night and day. My stomach is in knots and I can hardly breathe. I feel like I am drained dry; the joy has been sucked right out of me.

You said to come to you with all my burdens. You said that you will carry them. Scripture describes you as a rock, shield, and fortress. I need a rock right now. I need a fortress to run into right now. I need you.

There are so many decisions to make. What if I make the wrong one? So many bad things loom on the horizon, what if I’m not prepared? Help me to focus my heart on you and not on the giants around me. I know that all these worries are keeping me from trusting you. Instead of looking in your face, I am looking around at the waves crashing over me.

Forgive me for doubting and not living a life of trust. I believe, but please help my unbelief. I know when I worry, I am believing a lie that says that I can control what happens in my life. Forgive me for trying to control something I never really had control of. Help me to trust in your word and not the lies I have believed.

You sent your Son to carry my greatest burden at the cross. I know that you can handle all that troubles me today. There is nothing too great for you, the earth is your footstool and the wind and rain come and go at your command. Free me of this worry today. Help me to trust the same grace that saved me at the cross to save me from all that weighs me down today.

I know that you have a perfect plan for my life. Help me to walk by faith and not by sight. I want to trust in your plan and your love for me. I want to face the unknown future confident that you have it under control. Give me the grace I need to do so.

I thank you for Jesus and that because of Him I can come to you in confidence. You accept me as I am, worries and all. I give them all to you now, in Jesus’ name, Amen.

To read a related prayer, A Prayer for the Sad at Heart, click here.

When Worries Capsize Your Heart

25. February 2013 · Write a comment · Categories: Anxiety, fear, Spiritual Growth

Hearing this news from our pediatric ENT was not at all what I wanted to hear. “He’s going to need surgery and I can’t do it. I’m going to send you to a specialist in Miami who does this surgery with children this young.”

My oldest was four and after two years of chronic infections, tests, and an adenoidectomy, the doctor finally determined that he needed sinus surgery. After two years of various treatments including a surgery without results, the thought of him having sinus surgery was too much…to read the rest of this story, visit Domestic Kingdom, my writing home today.

For When a Loved One is Sick

22. February 2013 · 7 comments · Categories: Anxiety, friendship · Tags: gospel prayer

Today some of my dear friends in the blogging world stop to honor and encourage a beautiful and brave woman of God. Our sweet sister-in-Christ, Desiré from the blog When You Rise, will soon give birth to her third son, Caleb. This little boy is a precious gift from our Heavenly Father who has a long road ahead of him. He was diagnosed with a severe congenital heart defect and will almost immediately need to undergo the first of many surgeries to help his little heart work properly. As we anticipate his arrival, we want to take a moment to celebrate this new life as well as encourage our sister Desiré as she prepares for the days ahead. Would you join us in praying for Caleb? You can stay updated on his journey by “liking” his Facebook page Pray for Caleb.

I wrote this prayer for her and for all of us who have loved ones who weight heavy on our hearts.

Dear Father in Heaven,

I come before you today to lift up my friend to you. She is your child and you are her Abba. What a priviledge we have as your children to come right up to your lap, to ask for help, and to know that you hear us.

Going through the valley of darkness is frightening. I can only imagine the emotions and thoughts that swirl around in her mind each day. I ask today that you be her peace and comfort. Help her to sense your presence in the darkness. Guide her forward as a shepherd leads his sheep.

For you are our Great Shepherd, Jesus. You came to earth to suffer in our place, as a lamb before the slaughter house. Because of that, You know what it is like to grieve, to suffer, to have sorrow. You understand our thoughts, feelings, temptations, and wounds. Please comfort Desiré with Your love and peace today. Be strength for her and carry her today.

I pray especially for healing for baby Caleb. Please be at work in the secret place where his body is growing even now. Touch him with your miraculous hand. Make him to grow strong and healthy. Give the doctor’s wisdom at each and every appointment. I pray for a safe and healthy delivery.

May You be glorified in this situation. May each person involved be amazed and marvel at who You are. I pray that many people will come to saving faith through the testimony of Desiré and her family.

And I pray for her two sweet boys. Give them extra grace to be patient and obedient now and in the days and weeks following Caleb’s birth. I pray that through this experience that they would grow to love and trust You more.

The effects of the Fall are all around us, Lord. We feel it everyday. And it makes us long for the day when everything will be made right. We anxiously await the day where there is no more sickness and no more pain. Come quickly, Lord Jesus.

And as we await that day, help us to remain faithful. Help us to love you. When worries overtake our heart because of our loved ones, refresh us with your Gospel. When we feel helpless and uncertain, give us grace to trust in Your love. When the valley of darkness seems to never end, guide us by Your light and truth.

It’s because of Jesus that we can pray these things, Amen.

To visit the other blogs honoring Desiré today:

Celebrate Every Day With Me

Hive Resources

Desiring Virtue

Redeemed Reader

Preparing for the Storms of Life

18. February 2013 · 1 comment · Categories: Anxiety, fear, Spiritual Growth

In my little corner of the world, we take storms seriously–hurricanes especially. I was raised outside our nation’s capital, so ‘hurricane’ was not a word in my vocabulary. Once I got married and moved to Florida, it quickly became a word we used often especially during the six months of hurricane season. And if there is one thing I’ve learned about storms, it is the importance of being prepared before they come.

Each year we prepare for storms by storing extra water, canned food, gasoline, flashlights and batteries. We know whose house is safest for us to evacuate to if needed. Not only that, but we have a generator for when the power is out for days on end.

But one year, there was one thing I hadn’t considered in my storm preparations…

To read the rest of this post, visit Domestic Kingdom, my writing home today.

Seeking Him Through Pain

17. February 2013 · 7 comments · Categories: Anxiety, Depression, Gratitude Community, One Word

It came upon me quickly. Like someone sneaking up from behind, I was startled in surprise. My heart was heavy, my stomach was in knots and tears burned my eyes. Worrisome and hopeless thoughts swirled around in my mind.

Despair.

Depression has long been my tormentor. It is a dark cloud that most often there in the distance, reminding me that it could storm at any time. And then sometimes it grows into a vicious tempest, bringing with it dark thoughts and swirling emotions. Ironically, I had just been to my doctor and remarked on how long it had been since my last episode.

I told myself to stop–to stop thinking about what was bothering me. I tried to focus on getting my kids rounded up for bedtime. But the heaviness of despair followed me around the house. It whispered words untrue and bore down hard on my soul.

And then deep inside arose a desire, a strong thirst to be with God. I felt a desperate longing to just be in His presence and pour my burdens at His feet. I wanted to go into my room, shut the door and pray, but I couldn’t just then. So I prayed quick prayers, “God please help me” and got my boys into bed.

Then I ran straight into my Abba’s arms. I opened my prayer journal to scratch out my despair on paper. I emptied my heart of all that weighed me down and poured out all my worrisome thoughts at His feet. And as I wrote, the pages of my journal became damp with round droplets of tears.

I prayed through the gospel, reminding myself of who God is and who I am because of Christ. I reflected on all He has done for me, presenting my prayer wrapped in a gift of thanksgiving. Pausing between sentences, I waited for His response.

And He gave me what I came to seek, a peace that passes all understanding.

The power of prayer is strong. The more I seek Him, the more I want to seek Him. Being dependent and helpless before the throne is the only place I want to be. No matter how strong the despair or heavy the worries, I know that He is ready and able to take to them. It’s because He carried my greatest burden at the cross that I know He can handle all that weighs on me today. Also because of the cross, there’s nothing that can keep me from coming into His presence.

A note on writing prayers: It wasn’t until after I had children that I began to write my prayers in a journal. Having little ones always underfoot became a constant distraction to my prayers. Writing them down became a way for me to stay focused. Since then, my prayer life has only grown deeper and richer from the habit. Not only that, it has been a means of grace for me with my ongoing battle with the depressive thoughts in my mind. We’ve been talking about writing prayers in my ladies Bible study at my church. If it’s not something you have ever tried, I recommend it. This past week, the ladies and I decorated prayer journals. It was so fun!

Counting grace in community (#2108-2117):

thankful for the power of prayer

that I can seek Him no matter what is going on, He accepts me just as I am

that He took away my despair

that I can lean on Him every day

fun homeschool co-op playing with live lobsters

getting in to see the dr. to find out that my youngest has an ear and sinus infection

getting confirmation from the dr that it was a wise decision to take my son off of the medication that we believe caused him to be moody and nearly depressed

Making prayer journals with the ladies at Bible study this week–so much fun!

taking the boys to their first hockey game

Linking up today with these friends:

The Weeds of Worry

28. January 2013 · 2 comments · Categories: Anxiety, Depression, fear, God's still working on me, Spiritual Growth · Tags: Women of God Magazine

I was sixteen when the first seeds of worry were planted in my heart. My father was out of work that whole year. While the rest of my friends planned parties to celebrate their special year, I hid away in my bedroom, lost in a sea of uncertainty, worry, and fear. Those seeds of worry quickly sprouted and grew like weeds, entangling itself all around my heart. Worry continued to thrive and grow during my college years where I stressed over every test, project, and of course, the wedding plans.

Worry then continued its growth into my early marriage, graduate school years, and into my career. But it was when I became a mother that worry grew into full bloom in my heart…to read the rest of this post about the weeds of worry, visit Women of God Magazine where I am guest posting today.

Counting All Joy

07. November 2012 · Write a comment · Categories: Anxiety, Spiritual Growth · Tags: Must Love God

It started with the dryer breaking, then the car, then the pool pump, then the well, and ended with the garage door. One after another, all in the space of a few weeks. They say that bad things come in three’s. What does it mean if it’s more than three?

James says to “Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds.” (James 1:2) It was a trial when everything broke at our house, but count it as joy? How? How do we count the trials in life as joy and as Paul admonished, rejoice in all things? Even when a job is lost, there’s a scary diagnosis, and a child runs away?

To read the rest of this post, visit Must Love God, my writing home today.

The Healer of Our Souls: The Names of God

06. November 2012 · 13 comments · Categories: Anxiety, fear, Spiritual Growth · Tags: The Healer of Our Souls

This post is the second is a series of posts on finding hope and healing through the Word of God.

Lost, frightened, and alone, she wanders far from home. An uncertain future before her, she wonders what will happen to her. Will she die out here? Does anyone even care? Blinded by tears, she falls to the ground and sobs. And then she hears a voice:

“The angel of the Lord found Hagar near a spring in the desert; it was the spring that is beside the road to Shur. And he said, “Hagar, servant of Sarai, where have you come from, and where are you going?” “I’m running away from my mistress Sarai,” she answered. Then the angel of the Lord told her, “Go back to your mistress and submit to her.” The angel added, “I will so increase your descendants that they will be too numerous to count.” The angel of the Lord also said to her: “You are now with child and you will have a son. You shall name him Ishmael, for the Lord has heard of your misery.” Genesis 16:7-11

God saw Hagar crying in the wilderness. He saw how her mistress Sarai had hurt her. He saw deep into her wounded heart and had compassion. In response to God’s kindness, Hagar gives God a name, El Roi. “She gave this name to the Lord who spoke to her: “You are the God who sees me,” for she said, “I have now seen the One who sees me.” (vs.13)

Did you know that there are more than 200 names for God in the Bible? If you include titles and nicknames, there are hundreds more. Our God is so immense, complex, and amazing, it takes so many names to describe Him. It is these names which reveal to us aspects of His love, character, wisdom, and power.

My own heart has been filled with worry and fear many times. I’ve felt alone and uncertain about the future. Many time anxiety has taken over my heart, paralyzing me. I too have run. I too have hidden from all that frightens me. But no matter where I go, God is always there. He sees, He knows, and He cares about all the burdens on my heart. He sees the weight on my shoulders and the way worry holds me hostage.

Learning the names of God revealed to us in Scripture can help us in times of fear, worry, and uncertainty. Knowing not only the names, but their meanings reveals to us just how good, strong, beautiful, and amazing our God is. The more we know about Him, the greater we trust Him. Trust leads us out and away from fear, worry, and anxiety and into His arms of peace.

“And those who know your name put their trust in you.” Psalm 9:10

Below are just a few of God’s names and corresponding passages to read:

1. El Shaddai: God Almighty (Genesis 17)

This name tells us that God is all-powerful. Nothing is too hard for Him. He has proven this over and over in Scripture and in our lives. He has conquered sin and defeated our enemy. He has freed us from slavery and rescued us from shame. No matter how big the problem in our life, He is bigger still.

2. El Roi: The God who sees (Genesis 16)

This name tells us that God sees everything. He is not a distant God, watching things from afar. He sees our hurt and pain, our worries and fears. He not only sees, but He meets us where we are, enters into our pain and rescues us.

3. Jehovah-Jireh: The Lord will provide (Genesis 22, Matthew 6)

God not only sees everything that is happening in our lives, He knows just what we need. This name reminds us that God is our provider and sustainer. The name Jehovah-Jireh comes from the story of Abraham and Isaac where God provided a ram in the thicket. This event pointed to the day when God would provide His very own Son as a substitution, a payment for our sins. If He would provide His Son for us, won’t He also provide for us all our daily needs?

4. Strong Tower: (Proverbs 18:10)

Just as a strong tower keeps us safe from a storm, so too is God’s name a place of safety for us. Proverbs 18:10 says, “The name of the Lord is a strong tower; the righteous man runs into it and is safe.” When we trust Christ as our Savior, we are safe from evil and sin forever. Nothing can take away God’s love for us. Our eternal hope is firm and secure in Him.

5. Jehovah-Rohi: Our Shepherd:(Psalm 23)

Psalm 23 is a comforting passage to us. It reminds us that God is our shepherd who watches over us, guides us, protects us. Jesus is the Great Shepherd who became the Lamb of God, dying in our place. This name also tells us that He loves each one of us. Jesus told a parable about a shepherd leaving ninety-nine sheep to seek one lost sheep (Luke 15). God has gone to great lengths to show His endless love for us.

There are so many more names of God than these five. The more we study His names and their meanings, the more we trust Him. He has proven faithful and worthy of our trust. When we are lost, wandering in our own wilderness, uncertain and afraid, we can call out to our Strong Tower, El Shaddai, Jehovah-Jireh, Jehovah-Rohi, and El Roi and know that He hears, He sees, He provides, He cares, and He is mighty and strong to save us.

Which of God’s names have special meaning to you?

Linking with these friends: