Today surely didn’t happen like I had planned. As a matter of fact, I’ve had a string of days where one thing after another seemed to go awry. As a mother, it is hard to juggle all the responsibilities of home. And some of us have to add to that caring for an aging parent or dealing with our own medical situation. It is easy to lose heart and become weary in well doing, isn’t it? Take heart, my dear friend, God has provided you with an amazing gift today…courage!
I am reminded of something found in the Dual Credit at Home program. I encourage the students to get into the Bible BEFORE getting into the academics! Why? John 15:5 states, “…without me (God), you can do nothing.” It is important for us to find our strength, vision, and courage from the Lord BEFORE facing the day.
To encourage literally means to “put in” courage…the quality of mind or spirit that enables a person to face difficulty, danger, pain etc. If we don’t take the time to put in courage from the Lord, we easily become discouraged.
I want to share with you seven scriptures of encouragement that have been so valuable in my journey.
Proverbs 18:10
The name of the Lord is a strong fortress; the godly run to him and are safe.
Did you run to the Father this morning?
Isaiah 40:31
But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.
What have you entrusted to the Father? Are you waiting on His answers or using your own mental strength to come up with solutions?
Romans 8:31
If God is for us, who can ever be against us?
Though mankind may seem more in number, God is more in power!
Matthew 11:28
Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
He understands your load. Have you unloaded at His feet?
Psalm 91:1-4
He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will abide in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say to the LORD, "My refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust." For he will deliver you from the snare of the fowler and from the deadly pestilence. He will cover you with his pinions, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness is a shield and buckler.
I sometimes feel like life is like a zip line through enemy territory. With the constant attacks and trials, I must remember I’m under God’s protection.
Jeremiah 29:11
For I know the plans I have for you," says the Lord. "They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.
I must rest in the fact that my plans unchecked could certainly lead to a dead end. God’s plans always end in hope.
Isaiah 41:10
Do not fear, for I am with you; Do not anxiously look about you, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, surely I will help you, Surely I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.
As a parent, we experience days that looking around about us, we see nothing but chaos. Looking up, we find strength to face it!
Now that you have read these verses, I’d like to challenge you to do an exercise found in the Dual Credit at Home program. When the students complete an assignment, they check it off on their Study Plan and the parent follows through by confirming the work is done. Put these seven verses on YOUR calendar…one per day. For the next seven days, meditate on and memorize the verse for the day. Then have your spouse or older child confirm your work when you recite it to them at the end of each day.
