Girlfriends in God

[Judy Harder]

January 2, 2014
I Feel Your Pain
Mary Southerland

Today's Truth

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God (2 Corinthians 1:3-4, NIV).

Friend to Friend

It was Easter Sunday, and I was sitting in the sanctuary waiting for the worship service to begin. Anticipating a large crowd, I arrived early to drop Jered off in the nursery, one of his favorite places to go since every nursery worker doted on him. As the choir filed in, a friend slipped into the pew beside me and said, "I think you need to go to the nursery. Something is wrong with Jered." Jumping up, I leapt over legs, toes, and pews as I raced to the church nursery and my son.

I was not prepared for what I saw. In a far corner, lying on his favorite red mat was Jered, staring at the ceiling, silent and rigid. As I bent over him, searching his beautiful blue eyes, huge tears slid down his chubby cheeks as he flew into my arms, sobbing. You have to understand – as a baby, Jered cried only when he was hungry, wet, or sick. He always seemed to be smiling, happy, and contented. Something was obviously very wrong. I kissed his forehead. No fever. I checked his diaper. Dry and clean. The snack box I had packed for him earlier that morning was empty. I had no idea what had broken my son's heart, but I certainly intended to find out.

Just then, Mrs. Giles, Jered's favorite nursery worker, drew me aside and said, "Let me tell you what happened. We had a new little girl in the nursery today. It was her first time in a church nursery – ever. When her parents left, she immediately began screaming and wouldn't stop. Jered came running and wrapped his arms around her, but she pushed him away. He then brought her his bottle, but she hurled it across the room and continued screaming. Desperate to help her, Jered then found his diaper bag and fished out Turtle.

Turtle was a small, green-and-blue stuffed turtle we had given Jered during a stay in the hospital when he was seriously ill with the croup. From the moment Jered saw Turtle, they were inseparable. He slept with Turtle clutched tightly in one hand, ate with Turtle sitting in his lap or on the table beside his plate, and carefully tucked Turtle in his diaper bag whenever we left the house. Turtle was his most precious possession and an invaluable source of comfort to him.

Mrs. Giles continued, "I couldn't believe Jered was willing to give Turtle to a stranger, but he tried." The crying child took one look at Turtle and threw it in Jered's face. Stunned, he picked up Turtle, dusted it off, and lay down on the mat, refusing to move, the stuffed animal clutched tightly in his arms. Then I knew. I knew Jered couldn't stand to see the little girl in pain and was determined to comfort her. When he couldn't, he retreated, waiting for someone else to help. That's compassion.

Compassion is not just sympathy; it is empathy. When it comes to dealing with difficult people, we mistakenly equate compassion with "fixing" them. Genuine compassion is first able to feel their pain.

I believe one of the reasons we encounter and are commanded to deal with sandpaper people, the difficult people in life, is because the more pain we experience, the more compassionate we will be. We must learn to use our pain in the right way, not lashing out, but looking within to share the pain of others.

There is a choice in every pain, an opportunity in every trial.

Pain makes us focus inward or outward. It makes us martyrs or merciful. The choice is ours.

I have a love-hate relationship with the Good Samaritan in the Bible. The Samaritan chose to use his pain and help an injured man. He understood the man's pain because of the pain in his own life. The Jews hated all Samaritans. The man lying on the road was a Jew. There was no logical reason for this Samaritan to rearrange his plans and spend his money to help this "enemy" or "sandpaper person" in need. But compassion doesn't look for reasons or search out limitations. It searches for opportunity. The Samaritan had a choice, just as we have a choice every time we are confronted with a need. We must adjust our thinking to understand that sandpaper people are needy people. We can either ignore the need, or we can meet the need by giving away part of the comfort God has given us when we have been in pain.

Galatians 6:2 (NLT) "Share each other's troubles and problems, and in this way obey the law of Christ."

If we can't prevent pain, we can at least lighten the load with compassion. Alan Redpath wrote, "You can never lighten the load unless you have first felt the pressure in your own soul." Compassion makes us willing to feel the pain of others, responding as if it were our own.

Let's Pray

Father, forgive me when I respond in anger to the difficult people in my life. I really want Your love to flow through me to each sandpaper person I meet. Please give me Your heart of compassion to feel their pain, and then teach me how to look for ways to help ease that pain.

In Jesus' name,

Amen.

Now It's Your Turn

Read the story of the Good Samaritan found in Luke 10:31-37. How can you apply the same truths in your life that the Samaritan applied when taking care of the wounded man?

Wherever today finds you, look around for someone in need – someone who needs a touch of compassion in their life. Are you willing to let God use you to be "God with skin on" to that person?

More from the Girlfriends

Do you have a sandpaper person in your life – someone who is abrasive and rubs you the wrong way? They are not there by accident. God will use them to cultivate patience, love, forgiveness and a whole slew of Godly traits in your life – if you let Him. Need help? We all do. Check out my book, Sandpaper People, for practical steps you can take to deal with the difficult people in your life.

Looking for a Bible Study? Check out Mary's weekly online Bible Study, Light for the Journey. Don't miss the new study, How to Tame the Tongue, beginning January 20, 2014.

And be sure to connect with Mary on Facebook or through email.

[Judy Harder]

January 3, 2014
Life is a Tug of War
Gwen Smith

Today's Truth

This hope is a strong and trustworthy anchor for our souls. (Hebrews 6:19a, NLT)

Friend to Friend

I grew up in a small town in a big family just outside of Pittsburgh, PA. When I was a little girl, one of the highlights of every summer was going to our family reunion at White Oak Park. Now, some people dread family reunions, but as a kid – I loved them – and here's why: we had some really fun games...and I love to play games!

My brothers and my sisters and my cousins (and my second cousins) played all types of games against each other and got to take home some fun prizes and penny candy. We had sack races, where we'd jump across a long, grassy field in burlap sacks. We had three-legged races, eating competitions, and a big treasure hunt that was so much fun! Then after the kid games were all done, the adults would join us for a final competition: the tug of war.

I don't remember if there was any rhyme or reason as to how the teams were formed, but I do remember this – everyone always wanted my dad to be on their team. He was really strong! So when it came to tug-of-war, wherever my Dad went, I went. He would position himself at the far end of the rope as our anchor. Though there may have been 20 people on each side of the rope, and though the advantage would often volley from one team to another, it was usually the strength of my dad that would help our team gain traction and, ultimately, win the game.

Every day we live out a faith adventure that takes us to a different type of tug-of-war: a battle that we fight against the invisible. On the enemy's side of the rope, the opponents are lined up, ready to take you down and pull you into a pit: fear, doubt, guilt, insecurity, comparison, inadequacy and lies. On the faith side of the rope, standing firm and ready to fight are: confidence, identity in Christ, compassion, forgiveness, competence and truth.

RECOGNIZE that the battle is real and PREPARE for the fight:

"Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication." (Ephesians 6:10-18)

WAGE WAR with the WORD:

"So God has given both his promise and his oath. These two things are unchangeable because it is impossible for God to lie. Therefore, we who have fled to him for refuge can have great confidence as we hold to the hope that lies before us. This hope is a strong and trustworthy anchor for our souls. It leads us through the curtain into God's inner sanctuary. Jesus has already gone in there for us. He has become our eternal High Priest in the order of Melchizedek." (Hebrews 6:18-20, NLT)

Jesus said, "In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world."(John 16:33b)

Say to yourself, "Why are you downcast, O my soul? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God." (Psalm 42:5)

Pray with the psalmist, "Guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior,and my hope is in you all day long." (Psalm 25:5, NIV)

Yes... life is a tug of war – but we are not without hope or help. As we move into a fresh year, be sure to decide which end of the rope you'd like to pick up. If you're anything like me, you'll want to pick the faith side – because our Dad (our Abba Father) is the anchor of strength and hope that helps us gain traction in every battle of life.

Let's Pray

Lord, Surely there is a battle raging around me! At times it knocks me down and hits me hard. Please be the anchor of hope and strength that I need right now. Hold me secure and pull me through each trial I am facing. Help me to remember who I am in You.

In Jesus' name,

Amen.

Now It's Your Turn

Consider these questions: What pit is the devil trying to pull you in? Who can pull you up from the pit or keep you from the edge to begin with? (Read Psalm 40:1-3) What are you going to do in light of this?

Swing by my BLOG and tell me what your tug of war looks like today. Let's PRAY together. I really love to hear from you and to watch the wall light up when we encourage one another!

More from the Girlfriends

Are you struggling to trust that God's got the anchor position of your life rope?Learn how He wants to bring you beyond your past heart-wounds and your present challenges to His wholeness, strength and beauty. Broken into Beautiful is a book filled with stories – real stories ... gritty and honest, not cleaned up and phony. It's also filled with Scripture that will inspire you toward the life-changing grace of Jesus. To order the book, go to Amazon or, for a signed copy, visit Gwen's website.

Gwen's website is filled with videos, posts, songs and resources that will be a deep well of encouragement to you. Visit: www.GwenSmith.net. (Get a FREE song download when you sign up for her newsletter!)

Seeking God?
Click here to find out more about
how to have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.


Girlfriends in God
P.O. Box 725
Matthews, NC 28106
info@girlfriendsingod.com
www.girlfriendsingod.com

[Judy Harder]

January 6, 2014
Prayer Changes Everything
Sharon Jaynes

Today's Truth
The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective (James 5:16b, NIV).

Friend to Friend
Prayer...it changes everything.

If you've been married for more than a few days, then you have most likely figured out that the blessed union doesn't stay so blessed without a lot of work. If you're not married, you've no doubt seen the difference prayer can make in any number of relationships.

I dare say, the most important "work" we can do as wives, mothers, friends or coworkers is on our knees. The psalmist wrote, "Unless theLord builds the house, its builders labor in vain. Unless the Lord watches over the city, the watchmen stand guard in vain" (Psalm 127:1).

Only God can truly protect your marriage and your man. Only God can protect your children and your home. And He invites you to participate in the unleashing of His power by praying for your husband, your children, and your family and turning the key to the storehouse of heaven's door for blessings outpoured.

Louise saw this happen with her husband, Allan, in a miraculous way.

Allan was a tough man. Raised by a single mom with five siblings during the Depression in the early 1930s, Allan learned how to scrap his way through life and climb to the top of humanity's heap through sheer determination and grit. He married at nineteen, had his first son at twenty, and a baby girl at twenty-five. Over the next two decades he advanced from driving a delivery truck at a lumberyard to becoming part owner and president of a building supply company in eastern North Carolina.

Allan drank heavily, fought with his wife physically, and terrorized his children emotionally. He gambled, dabbled in pornography, and had questionable relationships laced with a host of unsavory vices. But when his teenage daughter became a Christian and began praying for her family, God grabbed the chisel of grace and began chipping away at Allan's proud heart of stone. Three years after his daughter's decision to follow Christ, his wife, Louise, became a believer as well. His wife, his daughter, and a host of other prayer warriors began interceding with God on Allan's behalf.

When Allan was forty-six years old, his life took several hairpin twists and troublesome turns. Because of a business deal gone terribly wrong, he was sued for breach of contract for breaking a noncompeting clausewith a former employer. Fearing exposure in court and, more important, in his small community, Allan teetered on the brink of a nervous breakdown. From man's perspective, it appeared he was on the verge of losing it all. From God's perspective, Allan was right where he needed to be.

One day, in a surge of panic, Allan drove home from work, only to remember his wife was at a meeting in Pennsylvania. He got back in his car and drove five hundred miles to try and find her. As he drove into the town where he expected to find his wife, he passed a church. Immediately, Allan made a U-turn, parked his car, and ran inside the ornate building.

"Excuse me, ma'am," he said with tears in his eyes. "I need someone to pray for me. Is the preacher available? I need help."

"I'm sorry, sir," the church receptionist said. "He's not in, but I know a man who can help you. Here," she said as she sketched out directions on a scrap of paper. "The pastor of the Baptist church down the street is out doing some construction work on their new church building. Why don't you drive on over there? I bet he can help you."

So Allan got back in his car, followed the receptionist's crude map, and found the country preacher out in the woods working on his church. With a hammer in his hand and Jesus in his heart, the pastor turned to Allan and asked, "What can I do for you?'

"I need you to pray for me," Allan explained as tears ran down his weathered cheeks.

"Let's sit down on this log while you tell me what's going on."

For several hours Allan sat with a fellow builder and told him all he had ever done. When he had finished his confession, the pastor put his arm around this broken man and said, "Now, Allan, let me tell you what I've done."

The way Allan later explained it, "I told this man everything I had ever done. Then he told me he had done the very same things. And I knew if God could forgive him, and he could be a preacher, then God could forgive me too."

Allan knelt in the woods of Pennsylvania with angels hovering low. Heaven's host celebrated as he gave his heart to Christ and made Jesus the Lord of his life. "Amazing grace, how sweet the sound..." But for me, this is more than asweet story. It is a miraculous memory. Allan was my dad.

From my earliest years as a Christian, I experienced the power of prayer to change a man's life—to strengthen a man's resolve, to protect a man's heart, and to mature a man's faith. My firsthand encounter with God's faithfulness to hear our pleas began with my father and continues today as I witness it in the lives of my husband, my son, and a host of husbands whose wives call out to God in prayer.

On this, the first week of 2014, I hope you will join me in making this a year of prayer. Let's start right now.

Let's Pray

Dear Lord, I am so thankful for another year. Thank You for the people You have brought in my life. Stir my heart to pray often. Prompt my soul to pray fervently. Speak to my heart to pray powerfully. Thank You for allowing me to be an intercessor for those You have brought across my path and into my life.
In Jesus' Name,
Amen.

Now It's Your Turn

Write down 5 people that you will commit to pray for in 2014. You don't need to note any specific prayers for these people, just commit to pray. I truly believe that God will prompt your heart about when and what to pray throughout the year.

Turn to Colossians 1:1-14 and pray those verses over those 5 people. Simply put their names in the verses.

Now, click over to my Facebook page and leave a comment with one of those names so I can pray for them today. Then pray for the name that is listed above your comment.

More from the Girlfriends

I am so excited about my latest book that is hot off the press: Praying for Your Husband from Head to Toe: A Daily Guide to Scripture-Based Prayer. In it I map out sixteen landmarks to help wives consistently and effectively cover their husbands in prayer from his mind and the thoughts he thinks, to his eyes and the images he sees, all the way down to his feet and the path he takes. The 30-day prayer guide shows women how to pray in ways that are powerful, practical, and life-changing. Not married? This book is a great resource to use to pray for any man in your life...including adult sons, nephews, and that special someone.

[Judy Harder]

January 7, 2014
Go for the Gold
Part 1
Mary Southerland

Today's Truth

Our conscience testifies that we have conducted ourselves in the world, and especially in our relations with you, in the holiness and sincerity that are from God. We have done so not according to worldly wisdom but according to God's grace (2 Corinthians 1:12).

Friend to Friend

I look forward to watching the Winter Olympics, and am always amazed by the amount of training the athletes are willing to invest in order to win a gold, silver, or bronze medal. If Christians were willing to make the same kind of investment in running the race of life, I believe the world would be a very different place.

How important you consider a race to be influences how hard you will run that race and determines the goals you set in order to win. I believe every follower of Christ should have clear life goals based on clear spiritual goals. There is a close connection between reaching spiritual goals and living a life of victory and contentment. If you want your relationship with God to flourish, it needs to be accomplishing something, and steadily growing - which involves learning to set meaningful life goals.

In order to set life goals that honor and please God, it is important to remember that because we are children of God, we walk by faith - not by sight. The world's wisdom is often in direct opposition to the grace of God. In 2 Corinthians 1:12 the apostle Paul reminds us to keep our gaze on God, our glance on our circumstances, and our steps in His will.

One of the most comforting thoughts about setting goals is that God is more concerned about my future than I am. When I stop to think about the fact that God has planned every day of my life, setting goals becomes the daily quest of discovering that plan and choosing to follow it. I find great hope in the knowledge that even though I do not know every detail concerning my future, God does, and He has already made every provision for that plan. In other words, where God guides - He provides. He has already been where He is asking us to go. And that is why I can face each day with a confident expectation that God is sufficient and will bless my life as I seek His plan and set my life goals accordingly. Setting goals is the mark of a seeking heart that longs to please God and experience every blessing He has for us.

A friend once shared with me the idea of making life goals "S.M.A.R.T." Over the years, this idea has become a practical and powerful tool in learning how to set meaningful life goals. I hope it is helpful to you.

Specific. Psalm 139:16 "All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be."

Life goals must be specific. Determine precisely what your goals are. What have you always wanted to do but have never had the time or money to do? What would you do if money and time were not an issue? What do you want to accomplish in the next five years? What do you wish you had done in the last five years? What do you think God wants you to do now that you are not doing?

Break each goal down into a series of smaller accomplishments that will result in achieving your primary goal. When you break your goals into bite-sized pieces, they don't seem to be quite as daunting.

By the way, celebrate each time you achieve one of your goals. Sharon Jaynes is a good friend and awesome partner in ministry. I will never forget the day Sharon walked into the office where we both worked, holding what looked like a new baby wrapped in a blanket. Since Sharon's son was in college at the time, you can say I was a little surprised - until she unfolded the blanket and said, "I just gave birth." Her "bundle" was actually the first copy of her new book, and she was celebrating. I joined her in praising God for the goal she had set and met! Praise and celebration can help motivate you to achieve the next goal on your list.

Measurable. Luke 11:28 "Blessed are those who hear the word of God and obey it."

Can you tangibly show that you met your goal? Goals must be measurable to have life-changing value, and you must be able to tell whether or not you have reached each goal. What specifically do you want to accomplish, and within what time frame? It is so easy to set ambiguous life goals. "I want to get more involved in my church" instead of "I will attend the 10:30 worship service each week." I once set the goal of improving my prayer life, but the first question that popped into my mind was, "How?" A better goal would have been to pray each morning for 10 minutes or recruit a prayer partner to pray with once a week.

Once a goal has been met, review the process of meeting that goal. What mistakes could you have avoided? What changes should you have made along the way? Ask God for wisdom as you plan and set specific goals. Involve Him in every step and be sure to chart your progress. Don't be afraid to make mid-course corrections as needed. We sometimes allow sin to influence the goals we set, but if we submit each goal to God, He will guide us back onto the right path and lead us to re-evaluate each goal

Join me Thursday for the "rest of the story" on setting goals.

Let's Pray

Father, I come to You today with a heart full of praise and wonder. To think that You created me in response to Your plan is an amazing thought, Lord. But I choose to believe it and celebrate the awesome plan You have for my life. Help me learn how to set life goals that will lead me in Your ways and help me fulfill the purpose for which I was created. Thank You, Lord.

In Jesus' name,

Amen.

Now It's Your Turn

Read and memorize Jeremiah 29:11. With that promise in your heart, begin to evaluate your life goals. Are they specific? Are they measurable? What changes do you need to make in order to set and meet the goals God has for your life? Record those changes below.

Specific goals. Psalm 139:16 "All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be." _______________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________

Measurable goals. Luke 11:28 "Blessed are those who hear the word of God and obey it."

____________________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________

More from the Girlfriends

One of the most important parts of setting goals is bathing each goal in prayer. When we have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ and seek to obey His commands, we can come before God in confidence, knowing that He wants to pour out His blessings on our life. He is waiting. We just need to ask. If you struggle with understanding how to pray and how to hear the voice of God, I encourage you to get Chair Time, an E-Book written by Mary's husband, Dan. It will absolutely change your life!

[Judy Harder]

January 8, 2014
A Warrior in Cute Shoes
Sharon Jaynes

Today's Truth

The Lord God said, 'It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper suitable for him' (Genesis 2:18, NIV).

Friend to Friend

"In the beginning..."

Those three little words are pregnant with anticipation, and God does not disappoint. Genesis 1:1 tells us, "In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth." God said, "Let there be," and there was.

"By the word of the Lord the heavens were made, their starry host by the breath of his mouth" (Psalm 33:6). God decorated the sky with the sun, moon, and stars, separated the seas from the land, scattered seed of every kind in the soil, and released flocks of birds into the sky, swarms of insects into the air, and schools of fish into the sea. On the sixth day, God created all the creeping animals. And He wrapped up His work with a masterful flourish.

"Then God said, 'Let us make man in our image, in our likeness....So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them" (Genesis 1:26-27).

Then, as if the writer really wanted us to fully grasp what transpired during the first week of the earth's existence, he picked up his pen and told the story again. In Genesis 2:4, he starts over: "This is the account of the heavens and the earth when they were created."

This time when the writer got to the part about God creating man, he interjected God's musing after He formed Adam and breathed the breath of life into his lungs. God sat back, considered the lone male, and decided, "It is not good for the man to be alone" (Genesis 2:18).

This is where you come in.

"I will make a helper suitable for him," God declared.

So God set out to fashion His final masterpiece. The crowning touch of His creation. Woman.

Up to this point in the creation account, we have no recorded words from Adam. However, when he laid eyes on the fair Eve, I imagine he said, "Now this is good!" His exact words were, "This is now bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh; she shall be called 'woman,' for she was taken out of man" (Genesis 2:23). Woman—the inspiration of man's first poetry and the grand finale of God's creative genius.

Let's back up, replay the scene, and take a look at one particular word God used in the creation account. God said, "I will make a helper suitable for him" (Genesis 2:18). The Hebrew word translated here as "helper" in reference to the woman is ezer. This term is derived from a Hebrew word used of God and the Holy Spirit: azar. Both mean "helper"—one who comes alongside to aid, assist, or rescue. The ESV Study Bible notes that the"helper" is one who supplies strength in the area that is lacking in "the helped."

Ezer appears twenty-one times in the Old Testament. Two times it is used of the woman in Genesis 2, and sixteen times it is used to describe God or Yahweh as the helper of His people. The remaining three references appear in the books of the prophets, referring to military aid. Interestingly the sixteen times the word ezer is used of God, it also carries military connotations.

"O Lord, be my helper," David cried (Psalm 30:10 nasb). "My father's God was my helper; he saved me from the sword of the Pharaoh," Moses proclaimed (Exodus 18:4). Clearly, the word ezer suggests a role of great honor. It is a portrait of great strength.

Theologian William Mounce painted a poignant picture:

With so many references to God as our helper, it is obvious that an ezer is in no way inferior to the one who receives help. This is important because this is the word that God uses in Gen. 2:18, when he says about Adam, "It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper suitable for him." God then forms Eve as his ezer. According to God's design, therefore, the man and the woman, the husband and the wife, have been designed by God to stand together and help each other fight the battles of life. And God is there as the divine ezer to fight with them.

I was surprised to discover that even the Proverbs 31 woman, this woman who has been showcased as a godly role model for centuries, was referred to in military terms. "An excellent wife, who can find?" the passage begins. "Her worth is far above jewels" (Proverbs 31:10, nasb).

The New International Version calls her "a wife of noble character." The Amplified Bible describes her as "a capable, intelligent, and virtuous woman." The Hebrew word that is translated "excellent" or "virtuous" can also mean "wealthy, prosperous, valiant, boldly courageous, powerful, mighty warrior."

Did you catch that? Mighty warrior.

And here's some more good news. You can be an ezer whether you are married or single. You are called to be an intercessor, or one who battles on your knees in prayer. You don't even have to wear army boots, but can be a warrior in cute shoes.

So suit up! Power up! You are a capable, intelligent, and virtuous woman—a valiant, boldly courageous, powerful, mighty warrior. And I'm so glad to be doing life alongside someone like you!

Let's Pray

Lord, I pray the Holy Spirit will empower me to be a valiant warrior today. Show me who I need to pray for. Whether it is the person in my office, the woman I pass on the street, or the man in the grocery store, show me what to pray and when to pray. I'm suited up and ready.

In Jesus' Name,

Amen.

Now It's Your Turn

Open your Bible and read Ephesians 6:10-18 and be reminded about the armor we are to wear each and every day.

It you're suited up and ready for battle, click over to my Facebook page and leave a message that says "I'm suited up and ready!"

More from the Girlfriends

I am so excited about my latest book that is hot off the press: Praying for Your Husband from Head to Toe: A Daily Guide to Scripture-Based Prayer.In it I map out sixteen landmarks to help wives consistently and effectively cover their husbands in prayer from his mind and the thoughts he thinks, to his eyes and the images he sees, all the way down to his feet and the path he takes. The 30-day prayer guide shows women how to pray in ways that are powerful, practical, and life-changing. Not married? This book is a great resource to use to pray for any man in your life...including adult sons, nephews, and that special someone.

Join me and women all around the world in a 30-Day Prayer Dare. Click here to learn more.

Seeking God?
Click here to find out more about
how to have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.


Girlfriends in God
P.O. Box 725
Matthews, NC 28106
info@girlfriendsingod.com
www.girlfriendsingod.com

[Judy Harder]

January 9, 2014
Go for the Gold
Part 2
Mary Southerland

Today's Truth

Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take (Proverbs 3:5-6, NIV).

Friend to Friend

Someone once said that if God showed us every detail of our lives - all at one time - we would sit down and refuse to face another day. We were not created to be omniscient like God. He reveals our future to us in portions we can digest - like loving parents feeding their child the only type and amount of food the child can handle.

Watching our daughter introduce solid foods to our grandson, Justus, was an intriguing process to watch. I'm not sure if it was the texture or taste that surprised Justus, but the faces he made when that new food was first placed in his little mouth were hilarious. When he liked the new food, his eyes got big and he grinned and made a big smacking sound as if to say, "Where have you been keeping this stuff?" However, a few foods elicited a very different reaction. He scrunched up his face, turned his head away, and promptly spat out the offending food. Danna quickly learned the art of mixing foods in a single bite. She also learned that the food Justus refused to eat on Thursday was often eagerly consumed the next time she tried. God only reveals what we can understand, perceive, apply, and digest at the time.

Attainable. Proverbs 16:3 "Commit to the LORD whatever you do, and your plans will succeed."

If you have seen the movie, "Miss Congeniality," you will remember when each contestant was asked about life goals. "I want to achieve world peace" was the popular answer. World peace is a great goal, but not attainable by one person. Perhaps a better individual goal would be to make peace with your neighbor. I sometimes think we set life goals that are lofty and unattainable so we can rationalize our way out of even trying to attain it. Reaching a life goal requires action. We are called by God to not only hear His Word, but to put it into practice - to do something about it through setting goals.

A goal should not be set to authenticate what you have already been doing or want to do. God created us to mature, to grow, and to change, not to stand on the sidelines of life. God wants us in the game and on the field of life. Godly goals will push us beyond where we are and what we are capable of. If no effort is required to reach the desired outcome, then it really isn't a goal.

When I was in college, I sensed God leading me to take organ lessons. I had played the piano for years, but suddenly had the desire to play the organ as well. After a few months of lessons, I was asked to play the organ for a countywide crusade to be held at the convention center of the small town where I grew up. Hundreds of people would attend the crusade, and the guest speakers were well-known across the state. I was terrified, but began to practice the organ every spare minute of every day. By the time the crusade came, I was able to play each song that was handed to me. It was definitely "a God-thing."

Sidebar: Ask a trusted friend to hold you accountable in each area where you want to improve, grow, or achieve. Choose a friend from whom you can easily take criticism – a friend who will lovingly push you a little when you aren't following through on your goals. When we involve others, we tend to feel a greater sense of responsibility and accountability. Run your plans and goals past other people. You don't want to do this with every goal or at every step along the way, but involving others with big and important plans is a great idea, especially if those plans impact other people.

Realistic. Hebrews 11:6 "And it is impossible to please God without faith. Anyone who wants to come to him must believe that God exists and that he rewards those who sincerely seek him."

It is easy to establish a goal that is totally unrealistic. In doing so, we are setting ourselves up to fail. I once set a goal to read and memorize at least two chapters of the Bible each week. Yes, it was a great goal, but it was also an unrealistic goal for that season of my life. I had two small children and was directing the women's ministry of the church where my husband was the lead pastor. In my spare time, I taught a community Bible study, had 20 voice and piano students each week, and was traveling and speaking for women's events. When I did not reach that goal of memorizing two chapters of Scripture each week, I beat myself up with guilt. A more realistic goal would have been to memorize a few verses each week.

At this point, it is good to brutally examine motives. Are the goals I am setting from God, or are they from our own selfish desires? Do I want my relationship with God to grow, or do I want others to think I am Godly? Consciously decide in light of Scripture which goals you will prioritize, or you will most likely end up surrendering to the "tyranny of the urgent" or just doing the next and easiest thing.

Timely. Ephesians 5:15-16"Be very careful, then, how you live, not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil."

Deadlines help me achieve my goals. When someone books me to speak for an event, I always ask them to give me a deadline for submitting handouts and slides, shipping resources, etc. I then record those deadlines on my personal calendar. If I don't, I often find myself scrambling to get books shipped in time for the event and end up paying extra postage or I have to download slides onto a memory stick to take with me to the event. If you give yourself a deadline, you will get more done.

Write out a list of things that would need to change in your life in order to reach your goals. The only reason we sometimes don't accomplish our goals is that we don't have a written plan of what needs to be done. Without having the ability to review goals regularly, we tend to lose our focus. Before we know it, a month or two has gone by, there is no progress, and we are frustrated that we are no closer to the realization of our goals.

Pray! Ask God to give you direction to create goals and help you to reach them. He has plans and purposes for our lives. Success and purpose come when we find out what they are and go after them wholeheartedly. Bathe your goals and plans with prayer, and ask the Lord to bless you as you work toward each one.

We need to order our lives in a more conscious way. Set forward-focused, spiritually sound goals, and be delivered from the futility and defeat of a life without purpose.

Let's Pray

Father, I want to follow Your plan for my life. Please lead me and guide me in Your ways. Give me Your wisdom and truth and show me the purpose for which I was created. I will seek You first in my life. I will trust You with my whole heart and do whatever You ask me to do.

In Jesus' name,

Amen.

Now It's Your Turn

Read and memorize Proverbs 3:5-6 (NIV) "Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take."

Record these verses in your journal.

Circle each action word.

In your own words, define the action words you circled.

How can you apply each directive to your daily life?

More from the Girlfriends

One of the most important parts of setting goals is bathing each goal in prayer. When we have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ and seek to obey His commands, we can come before God in confidence, knowing that He wants to pour out His blessings on our life. He is waiting. We just need to ask. If you struggle with understanding how to pray and how to hear the voice of God, I encourage you to get Chair Time, an E-Book written by Mary's husband, Dan. It will absolutely change your life!

Looking for a Bible Study?Check out Mary's weekly online Bible Study, Light for the Journey. Don't miss the new study, How to Tame the Tongue, beginning January 20, 2014.

And be sure to connect with Mary on Facebook or through email.

Seeking God?
Click here to find out more about
how to have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.


Girlfriends in God
P.O. Box 725
Matthews, NC 28106
info@girlfriendsingod.com
www.girlfriendsingod.com

[Judy Harder]

January 10, 2014
Climbing to High Places
Gwen Smith

Today's Truth

How Awesome is the Lord Most High, the great King over all the earth." (Psalm 47:2)

Friend to Friend

My husband, Brad, and I celebrated 20 years of marriage last summer by taking a trip to several cities, far away. We planned our days and painstakingly plotted touring strategies in order to see the sites, view the views, eat the foods, experience the local charms and soak in the unfamiliar cultures as best we could. Each city boasted different personalities and attractions, but one thing was consistent about our approach in every location: we climbed to high places.

And we climbed.

We climbed and we climbed... thousands of steps. I kid you not! We climbed up creaky, dusty, windy staircases of old cathedrals and up small steps in tall buildings. We climbed fancy-schmancy staircases in opulent castles, up ancient stone staircases in an arena, up earthen lava trails on the sides of a dormant volcano and up steep, grassy paths on scenic hills.

Every ascent was both an adventure and a challenge. The rewards of each strenuous climb, however, were breath-taking views that gave us a bigger picture of the locations we were visiting. We saw beauty and grandeur. We gained clarity and focus. We got fresh perspectives. It was awesome.

Have you ever looked out an airplane window and seen the world from above the clouds? Have you ever taken in mountain hike views or climbed to the top of a lighthouse? High places are incredible. High places can also be humbling as they show how small we are in light of this massive earth and galaxy in which we live.

God is El Elyon, the Lord Most High. The highest of highs! The psalmist said it this way, "How awesome is the Lord Most High, the great King over all the earth." (Psalm 47:2) God is all-knowing, all-powerful, glorious and full of splendor. He. Is. Awesome!

So, how can and should who He is affect our day-to-day views? Our perspectives change when we look up and climb to the sacred chambers of the Most High God. Think about how your mindset changes when you get a fresh perspective.

Maybe you have a few heart burdens or disappointments that are keeping you from high views. We all find our place discouraged at times. Psalm 123:1-2 says, "To you I lift up my eyes, O you who are enthroned in the heavens!Behold, as the eyes of servants
look to the hand of their master, as the eyes of a maidservant to the hand of her mistress,
so our eyes look to the Lord our God, till he has mercy upon us." (ESV) The Hebrew word for "lift" is nasa' meaning, "to lift, bear up, carry, take." So when we look up, bear up, carry up and take up our concerns to God His mercy meets with us. He meets us with mercy because He loves us.

But... we still have challenges and they weigh us down. Our burdens shouldn't keep us from climbing to high places – from the highest place – but often they do. They keep us from experiencing the mercy and help of God and they consume our mind with low and discouraging thoughts.

How can we connect our low or average life places to God's highest place... to the place of His grace... His power... His provision... His love... His forgiveness... His rest? We can ask God for help. We can be still before Him, confess our sins, remember that He is God and we are not. We can ask Him for the courage we need to move forward in His strength.

When Brad and I wanted to get better views we climbed. It took intentional effort. We took step after step until we reached the top and each climb met us with a beautiful reward. The distance between our low, dim-viewed living and the high places we are invited to experience in Christ will only change if we climb. When we look up, God lifts us up... and the view from the top is always incredible.

Let's Pray

Dear Lord, Thank you for reminding me that You are the Most High God! Help me to climb beyond my discouragements and challenges toward Your provision and help.

In Jesus' name,

Amen.

Now It's Your Turn

I'm a music girl. As you reflect on today's devotion, click here to listen to a song that will lead you to God's heart in responsive worship.

Read Psalm 47 and journal a prayer response.

[Judy Harder]

January 13, 2014
God's Looking for a Gap Girl
Sharon Jaynes

Today's Truth

God said, 'I looked for a man among them who would build up the wall and stand before me in the gap on behalf of the land so I would not have to destroy it, but I found none,'(Ezekiel 22:30, NIV).

Friend to Friend

"Well, I guess the only thing left to do is pray about it."

How many times have I heard those words? How many times have they slipped past my lips? But what if we looked at prayer from a different perspective... God's perspective? What if we viewed prayer as our first course of action rather than a last resort?

The vast majority of the e-mails I receive through my ministry center around marriage problems. Women struggle with husbands who aren't living up to their expectations: men who work too much and love too little, men who withdraw emotionally and advance sexually, men who initially appear to be Prince Charming but later reveal the villain within.

The second most common request is in regard to children—both school-age children, and adult children out on their own. Listen, I get that. Been there. Still there on many days.

Regardless of where your marriage, your children, or your family fall on the continuum of terrific to tolerable to terrible, there is always room for improvement. Prayer can make a bad situation good and a good situation great.

One thing we have to remember: Prayer is not a means of gaining control over your husband, to whip him into shape and make him the man you want him to be. Prayer is a means of relinquishing control of your husband and asking God to shape him into the man that He wants him to be. Prayer involves turning the finger that points out your man's faults and folding it along with the others in prayer.

Prayer is not a not a means of getting your children to be exactly what you want them to be, but for them to be exactly what God wants them to be.

Prayer is not a means to gain control over any situation in your life, but to relinquish control so that God can do what God needs to do.

The Bible tells us in Isaiah 29:16, "You turn things upside down, as if the potter were thought to be like the clay! Shall what is formed say to him who formed it, 'He did not make me?' Can the pot say of the potter, 'He knows nothing'?"

God is the Master Potter, and He certainly doesn't need you or me to tell Him how to shape and mold the people that we are praying for. Oh, we'd like to. That's for sure.

But God's ultimate goal is for each lump of clay to be fashioned according to His design and for His purposes, not ours. "We are the clay, you are the potter," Isaiah writes, "we are all the work of your hand" (Isaiah 64:. I am. You are. Whoever you are praying for today is.

God shapes and molds. You pray and intercede.

James warns about the danger of praying with wrong motives (James 4:3). Check your desire to control at the door of the prayer closet and don't let it in.

God is not hoarding His blessings, waiting for us to say the right words to pry those blessings out of His stingy hand. He longs to lavish us with His goodness! (Ephesians 1:7-8) And yet He often waits for us to ask. I am not saying I understand it. Prayer is simply how He chose to engineer the flow of His power and activity from the spiritual realm into the physical realm. Prayer is the conduit through which God's power is released and His will is brought to earth as it is in heaven.

It is not that God cannot act without the prayers of His people. He can do anything He pleases (Psalm 115:3). However, He has established prayer as the gate through which His blessings flow. James reminds us: "You do not have, because you do not ask" (James 4:2).

Ezekiel gives us a glimpse into the heart of God regarding prayer. Israel had sinned in every possible way, and her people were doomed for destruction. God said, "I looked for a man among them who would build up the wall and stand before me in the gap on behalf of the land so I would not have to destroy it, but I found none" (Ezekiel 22:30). God looked for someone to pray, to intercede, to stand in the gap for Israel, but there was no one.

Today God is looking for wives who will stand in the gap for their husbands, moms who will stand in the gap for their children, and women who will stand in the gap for their friends. I'm so glad He has found such a woman in you.

If you're standing in the gap for someone today, click over to my Facebook pageand say, "I'm a Gap Girl!"

Let's Pray

Dear Lord, today I stand in the gap for __________. I pray for _________'s mind, that You would keep wrong thinking out and usher truthful thinking in. I pray for ________'s eyes, that he/she would turn his/her eyes toward what is good, and away from what is evil. I pray for _______'s ears, that he/she will listen to words and music that glorifies You, and turn his/her ears away from words and music that would do his/her soul harm.

In Jesus' Name,

Amen.

Now It's Your Turn

Has God called you to stand in the gap for someone today?

Here are the sixteen landmarks of prayer that I cover in Praying for Your Husband from Head to Toe. You can use these same landmarks to pray for anyone.

His mind: What he thinks about

His eyes: What he looks at

His ears: What he listens to

His mouth: The words he speaks

His neck: His decisions that turn his head

His shoulders: His burdens and worries

His heart: Who and What he loves

His back: His protection

His arms: His strength

His hands: His work

His ring finger: His marriage

His side: His relationships

His sexuality: His need for physical intimacy

His legs: His stand for the truth

His knees: His relationship with God

His feet: His walk

More from the Girlfriends

I am so excited about my latest book that is hot off the press: Praying for Your Husband from Head to Toe: A Daily Guide to Scripture-Based Prayer. In it I map out sixteen landmarks to help wives consistently and effectively cover their husbands in prayer from his mind and the thoughts he thinks, to his eyes and the images he sees, all the way down to his feet and the path he takes. The 30-day prayer guide shows women how to pray in ways that are powerful, practical, and life changing. Not married? This book is a great resource to use to pray for any man in your life...including adult sons, nephews, and that special someone.

Join me and women all around the world in a 30-Day Prayer Dare. Click here to learn more.

[Judy Harder]

January 14, 2014
Escaping the Pit of Depression
Mary Southerland

Today's Truth

I waited patiently for the Lord; he turned to me and heard my cry. He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire; he set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand. He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God. Many will see and fear and put their trust in the Lord (Psalm 40:1-3, NIV).

Friend to Friend

It was the spring of 1995, and I was empty. My energy was gone. I was exhausted in every way, but honestly, I had the right to feel that way. It had been a nonstop year for me.

My husband was the pastor/teacher of Flamingo Road Church, a contemporary, seeker-sensitive ministry in Fort Lauderdale that had exploded in growth and begun meeting in multiple services. I attended every service, going early to welcome newcomers, and staying late to smooth the ruffled feathers of disgruntled church members. We were in the process of transitioning from a traditional church to a contemporary one. Change is always hard, but this experience had been a nightmare.

I had never encountered such opposition or been the target of such criticism, and I had never known such rejection as people I thought were friends attacked my husband's integrity, heart, and vision. I felt like a wounded soldier and wasn't sure I would survive the war. I knew we were being obedient to what God had called us to do, but some people in our church disagreed. I was hurt and angry, and didn't know what to do with those emotions.

My ministry as the church pianist had become more of a pain than a joy. Singing was no longer the overflow of a daughter's full heart, but the hollow performance of a spiritual chore. I loved being a mom, but, lately, even that role felt more like an unwelcome burden.

I was usually the one who gave help – the one other people came to for advice. People who knew me well would describe me as a strong woman. I was driven to excel in everything, and if I couldn't do it perfectly, I didn't do it at all. I was legalistically disciplined ... with little sympathy for weak people. Now I, the strong one, couldn't get out of bed. The simplest decision often sent me into a full-blown panic attack. The great wisdom-giver couldn't compile a grocery list. The woman who taught hundreds of women couldn't bring herself to face crowds of any size. The large tasks of life were out of the question, and even the simplest tasks seemed like huge mountains.

Meals, housework, and shopping were all left undone. If I somehow managed to get out of bed and get dressed by the time our kids got home from school, it was a good day. All I wanted to do was sleep. I wanted the world to go away and leave me alone.

I was paralyzed.

I had fallen into a deep, dark, nameless pit.

I had no idea how I got there. And even more frightening was the stark reality that I had no idea how to get out.

I decided I was just tired and needed to rest, so my family and I escaped the hot, humid flatlands of Florida to enjoy three weeks in the cool mountains of North Carolina, my favorite vacation spot. That vacation is a complete blur. Our children knew something was terribly wrong. They had never seen their mom so quiet ... so still ... and so sad. Dan listened patiently as I poured out my fear and confusion each night. There seemed to be no answers ... only questions. In his eyes, I could see the growing fear that I felt in my own heart.

We had never been here before. It was a foreign land. We had no idea how to navigate these unfamiliar waters. I was in serious trouble, and I needed help.

As each day grew darker, Dan and I both realized we had to come up with a plan – quickly! We decided I would see a Christian counselor Dan often referred people to and in whom he had great confidence. My first appointment with Betty was uneventful as far as I could tell - and a total waste of time. I was furious! She was supposed to "fix" me in those few hours and had failed miserably. She did, however, accomplish one thing.  She named my pit.

Clinical depression was a problem I knew little about. Evidently, strong, committed Christians were not supposed to get depressed, because I had never heard anyone in the church even talk about depression, much less admit they struggled with it. I recoiled at the thought of such blatant weakness in my life. I felt ashamed of what was obviously a great failure on my part, but I was desperate and willing to do whatever it took to climb out of that pit.

I also knew I could not make this journey alone. Over the next year, Dan and Betty, along with many others, climbed down into that dark, slimy pit with me and became God with skin on. God really did work through them to bring me out of that pit.

I believe one reason God allows me to struggle with depression is to help others.

You do not have to be a prisoner of the darkness.

You do not have to stand helplessly by while a friend or family member drowns in the darkness of depression.

We were created to dwell in the light.

Lift up your head, open your heart, and listen for the voice of the One who knows you best and loves you most. He is with you and He will deliver you.

Let's Pray

Lord, it seems as if my world has collapsed, hurling me into a deep, dark pit. I come to you in complete surrender. I am desperate for you, helpless and afraid. Please lift me out of this pit and show me the way, Lord.   In Jesus' name,

Amen.

Now It's Your Turn

Pour out your heart to your God, asking Him to uncover the dark places in your life. As He does, record them in your journal. Be honest with yourself and with God. Read Psalm 40:1-3 each day and claim it as God's promise to you.

More from the Girlfriends

Statistics show that more people struggle with depression during the months of January and February than at any other time of the year. I know. Depression is a constant thorn in my side. Over the next few weeks, some of my devotions will address the topic of depression. I pray they will be helpful to you.

My book, Hope in the Midst of Depression, is my story of desperation, brokenness and restoration. It is also the story of God's power to help you overcome depression in your own life, and offers practical ways you can help someone you love deal with depression. Check it out.   

Looking for a Bible Study?Check out Mary's weekly online Bible Study, Light for the Journey. Don't miss the new study, How to Tame the Tongue, beginning January 20, 2014.

And be sure to connect with Mary on Facebook or through email.

[Judy Harder]

January 15, 2014
Coming Out of the Dark
Mary Southerland

Today's Truth
"I waited patiently for the Lord; he turned to me and heard my cry" (Psalm 40:1, NIV).

Friend to Friend
Patience is not my greatest virtue. I do not like to wait – for anyone or anything - which is precisely why you should never get in line behind me at the grocery store. It doesn't matter if there are two people or ten people in front of me, my line will invariably be the slowest line. I do not like to wait on God either ... but was forced to do so when I found myself sitting at the bottom of a pit called clinical depression. I was empty and more tired than I had ever been in my life. I kept asking, "How did I get here?"

Depression is not an overnight phenomenon. I can honestly say that I don't know a single person who has climbed out of bed in the morning and said, "Hmmm ... I think I will jump into the pit of depression today." Deliverance from that pit is usually not an overnight process either. It takes time and patience.

1.  Wait. The psalmist simply says,"I waited." Waiting is not passive. Waiting is meant to be a time of preparation, a time of rest and healing,

To wait means to accept the pit. Isaiah 45:3 (NIV) "I will give you hidden treasures of darkness, riches stored in secret places, so that you may know that I am the LORD, the God of Israel, who summons you by name."
Any time "LORD" is capitalized in Scripture, it means "Abba Father." This verse indicates that our Father has gone before us and buried a treasure or stored a secret in every dark moment or painful circumstance. The only way we can find the treasure or learn the secret is to pass through that darkness. Some things cannot be learned in the light. To wait means to accept the pit, knowing it is for our good.

To wait means to admit there is a problem. Isaiah 40:29 (NLT) "He gives power to those who are tired and worn out; he offers strength to the weak."   
Emotional health begins at the point of emotional integrity with a willingness to say, "I need help!" As I shared in yesterday's devotion, my husband was the pastor of a large church in South Florida when clinical depression overwhelmed my life. We could choose to be transparent and real, or we could sweep my struggle under the rug. We concluded that in order to be right, we had to be real. Dan and I shared my battle with the staff, the deacons, and then with the entire church. Yes, we took a risk, but we learned an important lesson in doing so. A shared load is a lighter load. We were created to need each other.                         

To wait means to be still. Psalm 40:1 "I waited ..." To wait means to hope in and look for someone or something who will rescue us.
So much about God can never be known on the run. I was so wrapped up in serving God that I had failed to be wrapped up in Him. During those two years in the pit, I not only gave up every role of leadership, there were many times when I could not even attend church because of panic attacks. God taught me an important truth. He is more concerned with who I am than what I do. No one can take my place in His heart.

2.  Be patient. It took twenty-two years for the McDonald's hamburger chain to make its first billion dollars. It took IBM forty-six years and Xerox sixty-three years to make their first billion. Harvey Mackay, in his book Swim with the Sharks, tells of an interview with the 88-year-old President of Japan's largest and most successful electrical enterprise. The interview went as follows:

Question: Mr. President, does your company have long-range goals?

Answer: "Yes."

Question: "How long are your long-range goals?"

Answer: "Two hundred and fifty years."

Question: "What do you need to carry them out?"

Answer: "Patience."

David said, "I waited patiently for the Lord." The word "patiently" means "without tiring and with perseverance." It took me many years to hit rock bottom. It took me two years to climb out of that pit, and I am still climbing. Yes, I still battle depression from time to time. Depression keeps me broken and on my face before God – and that is a good thing.

Depression may not be the problem you are facing, but at some point in life, we will all face some kind of pit. It may be a pit that we have dug with our own hands of wrong choices or it could be a pit that has been uniquely designed for us by the enemy. But a pit is a pit – a place of paralyzing fear and numbing doubt that is constantly fed by our human frailty and desperate attempts to escape the darkness.

The good news is that God is drawn to broken people. Psalm 40:1 says, "He turned to me." Notice it does not say that David turned to God. Honestly, I doubt David had the strength to turn to God ... so God turned to him. God heard the cry of David and he will hear yours. I don't know if you are in a pit and need help or if someone you love is in that pit and needs your help, but one thing I do know is that the purpose of the pit is to purify and then to restore. Right now, surrender the broken pieces of your life to God. He can and will bring you out of the dark.

Let's Pray

Father, I am so tired. I can't hear Your voice or sense Your presence in my life. My faith is weak and I need Your strength to go on. Right now, I am laying the broken pieces of my life at Your feet and counting on You to come through for me.

In Jesus' name,

Amen.

Now It's Your Turn

Read Psalm 40:1-3. "I waited patiently for the LORD; he turned to me and heard my cry. He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire; he set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand. He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God."

Circle all of the "action" words in these verses. What does God ask you to do? What does God say He will do? Do you believe Him? Are you willing to let Him be God in your life?

More from the Girlfriends

If you or someone you love is dealing with depression, I encourage you to check out these FREE resources on my website. My book, Hope in the Midst of Depression, is a practical guide for anyone dealing with depression and will help you learn how to:

Change a negative thought life into positive, healthy thought patterns.
Control and use the power of emotions to avoid erratic mood swings.
Enjoy better relationships by establishing replenishing friendships and managing draining ones.
Re-set priorities to have a more balanced life
Looking for a Bible Study? Enroll in Mary's weekly online Bible Study, Light for the Journey. The current topic is How to Tame Your Tongue. We will experience pain and hurt but we can learn how to handle the hurt in a way that honors God and assures a life of victory. Connect with Mary on Facebook or through email.