Turkey, Pumpkin Pie and Thankfulness

Bless the Lord, O my soul; and all that is [deepest] within me, bless His holy name!

Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not [one of] all His benefits—

Psalm 103: 1-2 AMPC

Beware, lest you forget the LORD who brought you out of the land of Egypt, from the house of bondage. Deuteronomy 6:12

How can I repay the LORD for all His goodness to me? Psalm 116:12 BSB

I love all the sights and smells that “Thanksgiving” evokes. The aroma of turkey roasting in the oven, the smell of sage stuffing, and of course, pumpkin pie. I love the beautiful chaos of children, grandchildren and children-in-law, all clamoring and spilling drinks and asking for dessert much too early – all as we drink in the blessings of family and good food. The American Thanksgiving Holiday (That can be celebrated everywhere, of course!). A day purposefully set aside to remember and then give thanks to God for all the blessings He’s given us.

Thanksgiving Day also brings up meaningful memories of serving dinner to our friends at an urban ministry (Columbus Dream Center), many who have none of the trappings I just described. Some with a mere canvas “roof” over their head, a “bed” of cardboard, and only a lap for a table. I (and countless others) have personally experienced challenging holidays, layered with loneliness and financial lack, and the emotional pain of grief or loss. Such challenges can make Thanksgiving Day a little more complicated.

Where do you find yourself today? Are your overwhelmed by His goodness or overwhelmed by grief? Overwhelmed by His faithfulness or overwhelmed by tragic circumstances? Maybe both?

Wherever you find yourself this Thanksgiving season, may I (gently) encourage you to purposefully ask the Lord to bring His good gifts to mind? Every. Single One. It could be that you have a “Thankful” list ready to post on FB or share with your family.  Or maybe it will take deep thought and possibly tears, to pull together a post-it note list. Though I don’t know where you land today, He does. And He is the same faithful God today, that He was last week, last decade or when King David penned the Psalm that reminds us to bless the Lord and forget not one of His benefits.

This year, I am so very thankful that He brought me out of my “land of Egypt” and my own self-created house of bondage. I am forever thankful that He has blessed me with another day of life, and beyond thankful for my amazing family (natural and spiritual) and yes,  I’m even thankful for the trials He’s trusted me with, trials that continue to refine and mold me for His purposes.

Wherever this Thanksgiving Day finds us, let’s turn our minds and hearts to the Lord God and offer thanks to Him.

Bless the Lord O my soul and all that is within me, bless His holy name!

Father God, Faithful Lord, Precious Savoir, I am so very thankful for Your hand of blessing and favor on my life. From my salvation, to a heart that continues to beat, to my favorite Thanksgiving Day foods, to the challenges You’ve walked me through. I bow in awe of Your goodness toward me. Thank You! In Jesus’ mighty name, Amen

Written by Becky White for the Lord Jesus

Click here to purchase a hard copy or download a FREE pdf of the devotional, Stony Paths learning to trust Him as we walk the Stony Paths of real life.

You may also purchase Stony Paths, learning to Trust Him as we walk the Stony Paths of real life, by visiting Lulu Publishing or Amazon.

When “Giving Thanks” isn’t so Easy

Through Him, therefore, let us at all times offer up to God a sacrifice of praise, which is the fruit of lips that thankfully acknowledge and confess and glorify His name.    Hebrews 13:15 AMP

In every situation [no matter what the circumstances] be thankful and continually give thanks to God; for this is the will of God for you in Christ Jesus. 1 Thessalonians 5:18 AMP

Recently, our pastor reminded us that the season between Thanksgiving and New Years has the highest rate of depression and suicide attempts. So that means, while many of us are prepping our turkeys, gulping glasses of eggnog, eating way too many cookies or admiring a beautifully lit tree, others among us are drowning in hopelessness and despair.  All the while, watching others around them with seemingly Instagram-perfect lives. (As if that’s reality, but I digress…) Our hearts should ache for those struggling through this season.

I confess that it’s all too easy for me to give thanks when I have the blessings of a warm bed or full belly or good relationships. It takes no sacrifice to give thanks in such scenarios. But I find it does take deliberate effort to be thankful, because my default setting is to take His gifts for granted. To forget that all I have is a gift from His hand. From the breath in my lungs, to my amazing husband and our family, to the heater under our kitchen table (and strategically placed by my feet.) All of it. Gifts from Him.

I have also learned experientially the importance of giving thanks for “gifts” that, at first blush, are more like the proverbial “ugly sweater” gift. When financial challenges engulfed me, He provided and enabled me to give thanks for the few packages of Ramen noodles and can of chicken that became a casserole for five children. Or the times when relational betrayal or the pain of regret for my own bad choices laid me bare and yet He provided forgiveness and healing through my Lord Jesus. And has brought beauty from ashes.

Teaching us the invaluable lesson of giving thanks to Him in all circumstances, not just pleasant circumstances.

Then I think of those celebrating Thanksgiving Day who are behind bars or sitting at a makeshift tent-campsite or those handling funeral arrangements as they simultaneously battle the ache of grief or those coping with an all-encompassing loneliness that this season seems to amplify. When folks in such circumstances give thanks through a whispered prayer of gratitude to the Lord Jesus, it is a priceless “sacrifice of praise” that honors our God. Folks who are purposely giving thanks, even if they must search through the debris of a trial or pain, to do so.

For one moment, let’s step back from our turkey dinners and contemplate the challenges our neighbors might be walking through and consider what a sacrifice it may be for them to utter the words, “Thank you, God.”

Have you ever been there? Are you there now? Is there a person who comes to mind as you read these words? As we celebrate this special day, set aside to give thanks to God for His great blessings, in whatever form they come, let’s remember those struggling this season. Pray. Reach out. Be a blessing. Let’s be His hands and feet to all He puts in our path. There is hope. And it is found in Jesus Christ.

“As a matter of fact, God isn’t asking you to be thankful. He’s asking you to give thanks. There’s a big difference. One response involves emotions, the other your choices, your decisions about a situation, your intent, your ‘step of faith.’”

– Joni Eareckson Tada

Happy (early) Thanksgiving!

Father, I am in awe of the gifts You’ve so freely given. Life. Salvation. Breath. Genuine hope because of Christ. Help me to remember, and not forget, Your good hand of favor on my life. In Jesus’ precious name, Amen

Written by Becky White for the Lord Jesus

Click here to purchase a hard copy or download a FREE pdf of the devotional, Stony Paths learning to trust Him as we walk the Stony Paths of real life.

You may also purchase Stony Paths, learning to Trust Him as we walk the Stony Paths of real life, by visiting Lulu Publishing or Amazon.

Tangled Messes

I will cry to God Most High, To God who accomplishes all things for me.

And in the same way the Spirit also helps our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we should, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words.

I will bring the blind by a way they know not; I will lead them in paths they have not known. I will make darkness into light before them.

Psalm 57:2, Romans 8:26 NASB 1977, Isaiah 42:16a AMPC

If you’re over 35, I bet you’ve experienced the yearly Christmas-light detangling ritual. It seemed that no matter how carefully the lights were wound, twist-tied and put back in a box, they came out the next year in one big ball of mangled, interlocked green wire and lights. The more you pulled and attempted to unravel the lights, the more knots you inevitably created. Oh, the “anguish” and frustration of it all!  Of course, now we have almost exclusively, the neat and tidy pre-lit Christmas trees. Amateurs.

This morning while thinking through a few serious life situations, and talking to the Lord about them, I admitted that I wasn’t even sure how to pray. Where to begin. What “end” to pull first that might unravel the difficult circumstances of those close to me. I held up, as it were, the ball of Christmas lights. The tangled, woven together hot-mess challenges, and had no clue where to begin. What to even ask the Lord for.

Have you ever been there?

Our tangled messes come in all shapes and colors, don’t they? Childhood challenges, regret, grief, relational issues, illness, betrayal, dashed hopes and expectations, or a million other things. Often tangled into a knot of, “I don’t even know where to begin” mess. And no pre-lit tree in sight.

As I continued talking with the Lord, it was almost as if He tapped me on the shoulder with one hand, as He held out the other hand. Reminding me of a truth that I (evidently) need to learn and relearn. Hand Him the tangled mess. That’s right. Give up trying to find just the right prayer to pray or light string to pull. Hand the whole ball of tangled mess to Him. And then trust Him with the outcome.

Let God do the untangling of your past or pain or regret.
Simply turn and hand it to Him.

Becky White

Whatever tangled mess scenario confronts you today, allow me to encourage you to hand the whole thing over to Him. He cares for you. He will not forsake you. Allow Him to do what only He can do. Wrapping it all up with the simple request that you want whatever will bring Him the most glory. Whatever that means and whatever that looks like. He is more than able to do above and beyond, all we dare ask for or imagine. Even untangling our Christmas light scenarios.

Father God, I hand this ball of tangled challenges to You. Placing it in Your strong and faithful hands. Though sometimes with trembling lips, I speak out loud that I trust You Lord. Thank You for Your great faithfulness to answer Your children’s prayers, even when we have no idea what or how to pray! I love You precious Saviour. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Written by Becky White for the Lord Jesus

Click below for FREE pdf my devotional of, Stony Paths. To purchase a hard copy or check out other items, visit the products page.

Learning to Trust Him as we walk along STONY PATHS – 09.24.2021Download

“Because of Where We’ve Been…”

He said to me, ‘Sufficient for thee is My grace, for My power in infirmity is perfected;’ most gladly, therefore, will I rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of the Christ may rest on me. 2 Corinthians 12:9 YLT

Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial that has come upon you, as though something strange were happening to you. 1 Peter 4:12 BSB

Betsie ten Boom, spoke the following words to her sister Corrie, not knowing that the next day would be her last day on earth: “Corrie, when we get out of here, we must tell people that there is no pit so deep that He’s not deeper still. And they will listen to us because we have been here.” (For those who don’t know, the “Here” she spoke of, was Ravensbrück Nazi concentration camp).

“Corrie, they will listen to us because we’ve been here.”

Though most of us have never experienced the horror of a concentration camp, we have our own version of Because we’ve been “here…”

In my own case; childhood trauma, the gut-punch pain of burying two precious little ones, relational betrayal, the paralyzing fear of domestic violence, financial reversal, the searing pain of prodigals and a few others too personal to speak of. Yet, as with Corrie, such pain has provided a platform. A platform to tell (Shout, scream and sometimes whisper through tears) of the sufficiency of Christ. My life and all I walked through; indeed, all my writing is simply an attempt to find ways to share that truth. Not that He has, or will, lift His divine hand and wave away my troubles, but that I have found His grace, faithfulness and presence sufficient. And to encourage others that He will do the same for them.

I have an aversion to the type of “Christianity” that speaks of suffering as if it were an anomaly. As if we’ve been given a free-pass card on the trials of life because of our relationship with Jesus Christ (see 1 Peter 4:12).  The truth is, we could begin in Genesis and go all through God’s Word, until we reach Revelation and see how God’s people have suffered. Greatly. Sometimes because of their own bad choices and sometimes because of the raw reality of real life. But always within His sovereign control. And as Believers, with the embedded promise that He will bring good from all we face.

Often, part of that good is the opportunity He grants us to share how He walked us through a trial rather than removing us from it. Even coming out the other side without bitterness or resentment, and with a determination to allow Him to leverage our pain for His purposes and encourage those around us that His grace is sufficient, with a, “here I am as living proof” testimony.

Read again, Betsie’s last words, “They will listen to us because we’ve been here.” What is your “Here?”

Whether a literal prison cell, a gut-punch tragedy, or a low-grade but all-encompassing disappointment, will you use your story for His glory? They will listen to you because of where you’ve been.

“If you’ll quit moaning and crying, I’ll use the things (trials) to make you into someone I can use in the lives of others to show them that no matter where they’ve been, no matter how deep the hole, no matter how painful the trial, there’s hope.” – Kay Arthur

Oh, My Father, I would never have volunteered for these painful trials, and yet I can so clearly see Your divine hand bringing good from them.  I am so thankful for the platform the pain has provided. All for Your glory. In Jesus, name, Amen.

Written by Becky White for the Lord Jesus

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All Who Are Weary…

“Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest…”

Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.

But as for me, the nearness of God is my good; I have made the Lord GOD my refuge.

Matthew 11:28   NASB 1977 Matthew 11:29 NKJV Psalm 73:28

Come. Don’t sit down in your pain. Don’t try to walk through it alone. Hear His call …. Come.

To Me. First. Before the counselor or friend. Before searching the latest blog post or listening to an online influencer. Not leaning on a “force” or thinking good thoughts, No. Hear His call …. Come to Me.

All. Not just the so-called religious or “good” folk (as if that were a thing). Not just pastors or whoever else you think “deserves” His help. All mankind is invited. Hear His call … All.

Who are weary. Has the sheer length of your trial or dashed hopes (yet again) caused you to grow weary? Has the no-miracle-in-sight reality in front of you brought weariness to your soul? Then you qualify. All who are weary…

And heavy-laden. Has bitter disappointment or pain or loss or emotional ache become a heavy burden you carry with you? Causing you to bend low with the weight of it all? Though you probably wouldn’t have raised your hand as a volunteer, once again, you qualify. Hear His call to Come, all you who are weary and heavy-laden…

And I will give you rest.  He provides the rest. In spite of our circumstances. Not by necessarily removing our difficulties, but by walking us through them. No magic wands, just His strength infused within us by His Spirit. He offers a soul-deep rest that calms our spirit with His peace …. I will give you rest.

I have found by experience that though the pain was great and the ache unrelenting, as I turned to Him, His peace sustained me. And continues to. I assure you, that I would not have volunteered for the trials that have touched my life, ( I’m sure you wouldn’t have either) but as I have walked through them, I have found Him entirely faithful.

Notice with me that this promise is not for those who think they are “all that and a bag of chips”. Nor for those who regard realizing our own brokenness and need for Jesus Christ, as a “crutch” for the weak. It takes humility to admit our need (in whatever form it takes) and then coming to the Saviour.

I don’t know what trial has smacked you between the eyes, or what circumstance has become too heavy to bear… but He does. And His promise for you stands.  “Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest…”

“The secret is Christ in me, not me in a different set of circumstances.”

Elisabeth Elliot

Father, When I am weary and burdened by the trials of this life, remind me of Your nearness and Your call to simply… come. To You. I love You Lord. In Jesus’ name, Amen

Written by Becky White for the Lord Jesus

To help you on your journey, click here for a FREE pdf of the devotional, Stony Paths, learning to trust Him as we walk along the Stony Paths of real life, or to purchase a hard copy.

When God Whispers

I listen carefully to what God the LORD is saying, for he speaks peace to his faithful people. But let them not return to their foolish ways. Psalm 85:8 NLT

It is good to wait quietly for the salvation of the LORD.  Lamentations 3:26  BSB

You will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart. Jeremiah 29:13 NASB 1977

Our youngest granddaughter often speaks in a near whisper. Her soft, sweet, voice forces me to lean in and listen intently or I’ll miss what she’s saying. It may be that she wants to impress us with her latest Crayola creation or she might be asking Grandma to make popcorn, it takes intentional, purposefully listening to know for sure. Of course, some of our grandkids are quite the opposite, their near shouts have no trouble being heard and understood!

In human communication, when we’re faced with a whisperer, we usually quiet ourselves, lean in and even cup our hands to our ears to glean every word. There are times our Heavenly Father “whispers.” Purposefully. It seems He uses what I call spiritual whispering as a means to draw our hearts to seek Him. When we can barely hear, we naturally draw closer and lean in more intently. When it’s God’s voice and Presence that appears silent or in a bear whisper, this motivates us to slow down, quiet ourselves, and seek Him as we listen for His voice found in His Word.

In addition to whispering, there are times when we hear nothing but silence. Oswald Chambers put it this way, “God’s silence is not a sign of abandonment but a sign of trust, inviting a deeper, more intimate understanding of Himself.” He suggests that when God is silent, He is not absent, but is instead preparing an individual for a greater revelation and strengthening their faith through quiet trust. Will I trust Him and His Word even when I hear nothing but crickets?

Yes, there are times when God’s voice shouts loudly through His Word, His people and circumstances – like a few of our grandkiddos that shall remain nameless – so that we have no trouble “hearing” His voice. But often, we encounter silence or a faint whisper. It’s at those times that He’s encouraging us to seek Him and lean in by getting alone, reading His Word and then trusting. Whether silence or a whisper, He has purpose in it.

“Sometimes when I open my Bible to read, a verse leaps off the page and I know God is speaking to me. Sometimes I read and nothing seems to be illuminated. Sometimes I pray and have the keen sense that He is listening to every word and will answer me. Sometimes when I pray, I have no awareness that He’s anywhere around. Sometimes when I go to church or draw aside for some quiet reflection, I have the overwhelming sense that Jesus is right beside me. At other times in the exact same settings, I have no conscious awareness of His presence at all. And I know by each experience — as I read my Bible and pray and work and worship — that He is teaching me to live by FAITH, not by my feelings.”

― Anne Graham Lotz

Father, You are worth all the time and effort it takes to slow down, seek You and listen for Your Voice. As we seek You, You have promised to be found by us. Thank you! In Jesus might name I pray. Amen.

Written by Becky White for the Lord Jesus.

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Leverage your Pain

I will proclaim Your faithfulness to all generations. Psalm 89:1b

…So that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light. 1 Peter 2:9b AMPC

As for you, what you intended against me for evil, God intended for good, in order to accomplish a day like this—to preserve the lives of many people. Genesis 50:20 Berean Standard Bible

Recently, a  *friend and I were discussing life, with all its ups and downs, when mid-sentence, she stopped talking and put both hands to her mouth. Then gingerly reaching out with one hand, she gently touched my very obvious, now 3-year-old scar, from emergency open-heart surgery. Though having academically known about the event that nearly took my life, it became incredibly real to her at this moment. She hugged me and we talked of God’s faithfulness, even through trials. We continued on discussing some of those trials in more detail. I ended by sharing something I often say to the folks we have the privilege of serving through various urban ministries; let God leverage your pain for His glory.

We all have pain, don’t we? Pain from what’s been done to us, pain from the regret of what we’ve done, or a combination of the two. We experience pain by the sheer reality of living in this fallen world. Death, despair, loneliness, loss, illness, betrayal… I could go on. And when pain comes (not if, but when), we have a choice to make. Will we let it go to waste by indulging in self-pity or bitterness or destructive thought patterns of why me? As followers of Christ, the choice is clear, we turn to God for help and then ask ourselves, how do we leverage this pain for His glory?

We leverage pain by allowing God to use it. All of it. Waste nothing. Tell others what He’s walked you through. Remind them that because of Him, they are not alone. Be real about your sleepless nights or your tears or the heartache or your questions of why or dashed expectations and hurt. Take the weapon of pain out of the enemy’s hand and let God use it for His glory.

“He uses our problems for His miracles. This was my first lesson in learning to trust Him completely…”

– Corrie Ten Boom

It’s our choice.

So, what’s your story? Where has pain had the last word? What has nearly drowned you in self-pity or depression or bitterness? Will you be willing, to be willing, to hand Him your pain and leverage it? Pray with me – Father God, I hand you my pain and heartache. All that I’ve walked through. All my pain and all my regrets. Would You use it? Leverage it? For Your glory? I am humbled that You are willing to use me and my life to impact others for Jesus. In His name I pray. Amen.

Written by Becky White for the Lord Jesus

*Thank you Mary Jane! You, sister, are a great blessing!

My Story for His glory

Mr. (or Miss) Atlas?

The Spirit also helps in our weaknesses. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. Now He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He makes intercession for the saints according to the will of God. Romans 8:26-27 NKJV

Cast your burden upon the LORD and He will sustain you.  Psalm 55:22a

Recently, while driving to work and mentally preparing for the day ahead, I began talking to the Lord about specific challenges confronting those I love. Ranging from minor irritations to gut wrenching trials, I poured my heart out to Him.

Throughout the conversation, I admitted that I was at a loss about how/what to pray for many of the issues, but I knew that He was faithful to do what was the very best and to do what must be done. Reminding Him (and myself) of His Word that says we don’t know how to pray as we should, but the Holy Spirit will intercede for us. Though nothing outwardly had changed, I felt His peace as I laid my life’s load into His strong, omnipotent hands. (Not to worry, tomorrow will have brand new challenges to pray about!)

During the process of unburdening my heart, as I drove through the thick morning traffic, a memory of decades past washed over me. A memory of what felt like the weight of the world and the lie I had believed concerning prayer.  Promise not to laugh and I’ll share it with you.

There was a time when I felt that the whole outcome of whatever and whoever I was praying for, depended on me. On my prayers. On me knowing the exact words to say.  As if everything would fall apart if I dropped the prayer ball for a moment of time. Not only is that a lie, it’s exhausting. And I hate to admit, it’s prideful. And it’s anything but trusting in God.

Have you ever believed that lie?

Like Mr. Atlas, pictured bent over with the weight of the world in his hands. We can feel as if all the weight of prayers’ answers are in our hands. How we pray. What we pray. How long we pray. How often we pray. Our faith or lack of… As I said, exhausting.

The truth is, everything depends on Him, not me. Not you. Whew! Yes, we are to pray and keep on praying. Believe and keep on believing. Yes, we are to call to Him and He will answer. We are to ask specifically and with thankfulness. And then walk away, as we trust His will and His ways. Always with a willingness to defer to His will and whatever outcome will bring Him the most glory.

Prayer is weakness, leaning on omnipotence.

– W.S. Boyd

As promised, a new day has brought new challenges, but His faithfulness remains.  He who formed the ear, does He not hear, and He who formed the eye, does He not see? Yes. On all counts. Let’s choose to rest in His ability to hold the world and all our problems in His hands.  Whew, we can stand now! 😉

My Father and my God, I laugh at the absurdity of thinking I can carry the weight of my problems, let alone the world’s! Please grant me wisdom for how and what to pray and the peace of knowing You take my feeble attempts and turn them to answers that are beyond my imagination. In Jesus’ mighty name I pray, Amen.

Written by Becky White for the Lord Jesus

A “Recipe” for Bitterness?

An Audio only devo.

Watch out that no poisonous root of bitterness grows up to trouble you, corrupting many. Hebrews 12:15 NLT

Though it’s totally unscripted and not at all polished, I pray you hear real life thoughts on God’s Word and how to authentically apply it to our lives.

In His service,  Becky White

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“Recipe” for Peace?

Be still and rest in the Lord; wait for Him and patiently lean yourself upon Him; fret not yourself because of him who prospers in his way, because of the man who brings wicked schemes to pass. 

Do not fret or have any anxiety about anything, but in every circumstance and in everything, by prayer and petition (definite requests), with thanksgiving, continue to make your wants known to God.

And God’s peace [shall be yours]…[His peace] which transcends all understanding shall garrison and mount guard over your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.

Psalm 37:7  Philippians 4:6-7  AMPC 

I’m not very good at following a recipe. It probably stems from years of creating my famous “what’s in the frig?”  casserole, working to stretch a dollar and the contents of the frig. Tossing in whatever we had, to create the hoped-for taste. Eyeballing and improvising my way through the cooking until a “casserole surprise,” of culinary delight appeared on the table.

 Note given to me over 20 years ago by my mentor and spiritual mom, Jeanne Liston, it was her recipe for encouragement.

While this approach worked great for hamburger surprise, it doesn’t work well when dealing with the real-world challenges of depression, sadness, stress, heaviness and anxiety. These heavy weights that seem to be spiraling in our world today, require a step-by-step, grab-my-glasses, follow the recipe approach. We dare not ignore the ingredient list the Lord has offered us or the steps He has provided. If we follow His instructions, the end result will be His peace that is beyond our understanding. Not a shallow circumstance-based peace … But peace no matter the circumstance….

Though I’m not a *doctor nor do I play one on TV, I have walked through seasons of great difficulty and depression inducing trials, and have found by experience, the great faithfulness of our Father God to provide authentic peace that was beyond my understanding.

So here’s my tried and true “recipe” for handling the inevitable emotional roller coaster of our world.

At the first sign of painful emotions bubbling up, I talk to the Lord about it. I know that sounds too simple, but it’s surprising how often we don’t follow this most important step.

Secondly, I open His Word (the Bible) to **Psalms anywhere. I jokingly say “anywhere” but truly, the book of Psalms is medicine to the hurting heart and mind. Read it out loud and offer the Psalmist’s words back to the Lord as your own prayer. Allow these words to speak your heart when you have no words to articulate your pain or sense of heaviness. Believer and Quadriplegic, Joni Eareckson Tada, puts it this way, “The Psalms wrap nouns and verbs around our pain better than any other book.” Yes it does.

Next, I turn in the New Testament to Philippians 4, reading aloud His words as they wash over my spirit…reminding me not to fret or have anxiety about anything but to pray about everything. Knowing He promises to literally protect my mind from the enemy, as I turn my anxieties over to Him with a heart of thankfulness. Reading further in chapter 4 , I am reminded to be careful what I allow my mind to dwell on.

Be careful what you allow your mind to dwell on.

I wish I could promise that following this “recipe” would remove the thing causing  emotional pain or depression, it won’t. But it will enable us to walk through the unavoidable valleys of life…with an unexplainable soul-deep peace unmoved by the waves of difficulty.

My Lord, so many times You have used Your Word to wash over my troubled spirit – providing Your peace in the midst of difficulties. Please enable those walking through emotional pain today to lean onto You and entrust their soul to Your care. In Jesus’ mighty name, Amen.

*Of course, there are some situations where a doctor’s counsel is needed – but never to the neglect of God’s Word.

Click here to purchase a hard copy or download a FREE pdf of the devotional, Stony Paths learning to trust Him as we walk the Stony Paths of real life.

Written by Becky White for the Lord Jesus