Lysa TerKeurst
“Hear my cry, O God; listen to my prayer. From the ends of the earth I call to you, I call as my heart grows faint; lead me to the rock that is higher than I. For you have been my refuge, a strong tower against the foe. I long to dwell in your tent forever and take refuge in the shelter of your wings.” Psalm 61:1-4 (NIV)
Do you ever feel lonely? Recently, I was at an event full of people. Everyone else seemed gabby and like they were effortlessly making easy connections with others. I just felt out of sorts. Someone had said something to me earlier that day that hurt my feelings and knocked me off kilter. It was one of those, “I would really like to be at home alone, in a bubble bath, eating something chocolate” kind of nights. But I had to go to this outing, so here I was – feeling lonely.
My shifting emotions caused me to get in such a down state, I even started wondering if God cared about me.
I politely smiled my way through the evening, and finally got to go home. As I crawled into bed that night, I asked Jesus, “Why am I letting some thoughtless comment made by someone affect me like this?”
There was no deep explanation. There was no Bible verse that instantly popped into my head. There was no sudden rush of peace through my heart. Only a very gentle reminder in the depths of my soul that Jesus loves me - insecurities and all.
Jesus loves me, that simple little song I learned all those years ago. Very simple, yet so powerfully profound, that one statement grounds me in the truth of who God says I am. Friends can’t make you feel accepted all the time. Accomplishments will never truly make you feel secure. Having lots of people around you does not mean you won’t ever feel lonely. And chocolate, while it is deliciously distracting, is just a little too temporary.
So, I turn to the One who is Everlasting, Prince of Peace, Emmanuel - God with us. I draw close to Him so He can help me separate solid truth from shifting emotion.
See if you can identify with any of the shifting emotions listed below. Then, rejoice as you read God’s solid truths upon which we can find a firm place to stand and a sure place to park our feelings.
Shifting Emotion:
I don’t always feel noticed by other people. Everyone just seems to be wrapped up in their own lives. Sometimes I even wonder if God notices me.
Solid Truth:
God not only notices us, He is with us at all times. We are to keep ourselves in God’s love whether we feel Him or not. By praying, and filling our minds with God’s truth, His love will grow in us and through us. Then we won’t be so consumed with wanting others to notice us. We will become people who notice others and let God’s love shine on them. Jude 1:20-21, “But you, dear friends, build yourselves up in your most holy faith and pray in the Holy Spirit. Keep yourselves in God's love as you wait for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to bring you to eternal life.” (NIV)
Shifting Emotion:
I don’t feel very loved. Therefore, I don’t feel like being very loving towards others.
Solid Truth:
We are dearly loved by God. His love enables us to display compassion, kindness and patience even when we don’t feel like it. Colossians 3:12, “Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.” (NIV)
Shifting Emotion:
Does God really care about this situation I’m in?
Solid Truth:
God is with us. As we cry out to Him, we are reminded of His help. Psalm 61:1-4, “Hear my cry, O God; listen to my prayer. From the ends of the earth I call to you, I call as my heart grows faint; lead me to the rock that is higher than I. For you have been my refuge, a strong tower against the foe. I long to dwell in your tent forever and take refuge in the shelter of your wings.” (NIV)
Dear Lord, Help me rid my mind and heart of the doubts shifting emotions cause, and be filled with only Your solid truths. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Visit Lysa TerKeurst’s blog to enter to win a resource package
Jesus Calling: Enjoying Peace in His Presence by Sarah Young
What Happens When Women Walk in Faith by Lysa TerKeurst
Application Steps:
Print these solid truths off and carry them with you. When shifting emotions start to tug at your heart, be reminded of God’s truths that can turn around any situation.
Reflections:
What are some other verses that might specifically apply to areas of struggle for you right now?
How might it help to keep these verses close at hand and reflect on them often?
Power Verses:
Matthew 7:24-25, “Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock.” (NIV)
© 2008 by Lysa TerKeurst. All rights reserved.
“Hear my cry, O God; listen to my prayer. From the ends of the earth I call to you, I call as my heart grows faint; lead me to the rock that is higher than I. For you have been my refuge, a strong tower against the foe. I long to dwell in your tent forever and take refuge in the shelter of your wings.” Psalm 61:1-4 (NIV)
Do you ever feel lonely? Recently, I was at an event full of people. Everyone else seemed gabby and like they were effortlessly making easy connections with others. I just felt out of sorts. Someone had said something to me earlier that day that hurt my feelings and knocked me off kilter. It was one of those, “I would really like to be at home alone, in a bubble bath, eating something chocolate” kind of nights. But I had to go to this outing, so here I was – feeling lonely.
My shifting emotions caused me to get in such a down state, I even started wondering if God cared about me.
I politely smiled my way through the evening, and finally got to go home. As I crawled into bed that night, I asked Jesus, “Why am I letting some thoughtless comment made by someone affect me like this?”
There was no deep explanation. There was no Bible verse that instantly popped into my head. There was no sudden rush of peace through my heart. Only a very gentle reminder in the depths of my soul that Jesus loves me - insecurities and all.
Jesus loves me, that simple little song I learned all those years ago. Very simple, yet so powerfully profound, that one statement grounds me in the truth of who God says I am. Friends can’t make you feel accepted all the time. Accomplishments will never truly make you feel secure. Having lots of people around you does not mean you won’t ever feel lonely. And chocolate, while it is deliciously distracting, is just a little too temporary.
So, I turn to the One who is Everlasting, Prince of Peace, Emmanuel - God with us. I draw close to Him so He can help me separate solid truth from shifting emotion.
See if you can identify with any of the shifting emotions listed below. Then, rejoice as you read God’s solid truths upon which we can find a firm place to stand and a sure place to park our feelings.
Shifting Emotion:
I don’t always feel noticed by other people. Everyone just seems to be wrapped up in their own lives. Sometimes I even wonder if God notices me.
Solid Truth:
God not only notices us, He is with us at all times. We are to keep ourselves in God’s love whether we feel Him or not. By praying, and filling our minds with God’s truth, His love will grow in us and through us. Then we won’t be so consumed with wanting others to notice us. We will become people who notice others and let God’s love shine on them. Jude 1:20-21, “But you, dear friends, build yourselves up in your most holy faith and pray in the Holy Spirit. Keep yourselves in God's love as you wait for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to bring you to eternal life.” (NIV)
Shifting Emotion:
I don’t feel very loved. Therefore, I don’t feel like being very loving towards others.
Solid Truth:
We are dearly loved by God. His love enables us to display compassion, kindness and patience even when we don’t feel like it. Colossians 3:12, “Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.” (NIV)
Shifting Emotion:
Does God really care about this situation I’m in?
Solid Truth:
God is with us. As we cry out to Him, we are reminded of His help. Psalm 61:1-4, “Hear my cry, O God; listen to my prayer. From the ends of the earth I call to you, I call as my heart grows faint; lead me to the rock that is higher than I. For you have been my refuge, a strong tower against the foe. I long to dwell in your tent forever and take refuge in the shelter of your wings.” (NIV)
Dear Lord, Help me rid my mind and heart of the doubts shifting emotions cause, and be filled with only Your solid truths. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Visit Lysa TerKeurst’s blog to enter to win a resource package
Jesus Calling: Enjoying Peace in His Presence by Sarah Young
What Happens When Women Walk in Faith by Lysa TerKeurst
Application Steps:
Print these solid truths off and carry them with you. When shifting emotions start to tug at your heart, be reminded of God’s truths that can turn around any situation.
Reflections:
What are some other verses that might specifically apply to areas of struggle for you right now?
How might it help to keep these verses close at hand and reflect on them often?
Power Verses:
Matthew 7:24-25, “Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock.” (NIV)
© 2008 by Lysa TerKeurst. All rights reserved.
Labels: Balance, God's Perspective, Overcoming, Relationships, Time with God, Trusting God
6 Comments:
Wow! Great writing on how emotions can drag us down, yet how susceptible we are to them, because we are human. Then we must remind ourselve to count on our faith and God, rather than the words or actions of other humans! thanks for putting this into words...
I noticed a typo in the last Solid truth. I think you meant Psalm 61 not Proverbs.
But great message. It was quite timely for me. Thank you for your commitment to share God's Truths!
Thank you for this wonderful insight! I am going to use these spiritual truths with my daughter, who is searching for her own identity. I want to remind her why she is so precious, and it has nothing to do with 'fitting in' or what her peers think of her. Thank you!
I was in a similar situation, where my FIL had said something nasty to me. I was really upset and hurt. I was angry that although I was doing what was right and Christian, no one came to my defense, not my husband nor God. While I seething, simmering and sulking...between all that and anger and frustration, I kept asking God to help me deal with this hurt feeling. When I had calmed down God spoke to me and said that no matter what anyone says to me...He still loves me, He is proud of me for doing what is right. Also there was one thing that He spoke loud and clear to me. People will be mean..continue to be so, but I need to decide whether I am going to let it bother me or not. Is it worth it, to spend your day, emotions, time on some reckless comment made by somebody. It doesn't reflect badly on you but on the person who made it. This revelation by God made it much more easier to deal with my in laws who continued making such comments during our 2 week visit with them. But this time, I was equipped with God's revelation and it made it so easy for me to deal with them...rather not deal with them. I hope my silence and nonchalance was a testimony for God.
Everyday I open P31 webpage the Lord speaks to me exactly what I need. Just this morning my stepson said some very mean & hurtful things to me. And like the person just before me, no one came to my defense. My husband just sat there. I know how it feels. God told me to let it go and walk in peace. It is not an easy thing for me to do. But I am learning the virtue of patience and to keep my emotions in check. Keep praying and never cease. God's got your back!
Yes, God uses this web page in my life everyday. Each one seems to fit me so perfectly. Our emotions are so like those powerful waves that knock you flat. Praise God for the bedrock of His Word that as we can build our houses or lives upon, His Word stands strong and doesn't let us down. We can run into that strong tower and hide. We recover and then go on with a joyful heart showing Christ's love to others who do not know Him.
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