Hello everyone...and a very blessed Sunday to you all! I hope that you are enjoying your weekend...and even more, I pray that you will truly feel and experience the presence of God right beside you!
This morning, I would like to share a writing with you from one of the pages on the website, titled... "Daily Hope for the Hurting Heart Blog." You know...it's so easy to become so attached to what is standing before us; that before we realize it...we have been caught in a trap of worry, doubt and fear; so today I thought I would share a writing with you that God has laid upon my heart to post today...and I pray that you will truly find a lasting peace...no matter what you are facing; and that you will be encouraged even more, to "Turn Worry into Prayer."
Many blessings on your day!
It's Always & Only Because of Him...
Diane

​A while back, I was talking with someone who had been facing some difficult times and I was encouraging them to turn their worry into prayer. Just think…if we were to personally talk with God... every time worry was to enter our thoughts; then just imagine the connection we would have with God each day?

I remember a time, when I would allow worry to take control of my thoughts, until I felt all alone with a problem that definitely had full control of my thinking; but over time, I came to see that worry was never going to take me anywhere or make the problem any better...so I began to get alone with God and talk with Him in a personal way…just as though He was standing right before me. Now, I’m learning to lean more and more on God and I just love the time, when I sit and pour myself out before Him.

Why do we allow worry to take control, while allowing these worrisome thoughts to lead us down a road that only adds anxiety and frustration to the problems that we’re already facing?  Can worry cure our problem and can it bring peace to our troubled minds? I don’t know about you but I have found that worry only leads me further away from God, while drawing me closer to the problem.

Through time, I have come to see that Satan allows worry to become his trap…a trap where he can catch us in a moment of weakness and keep our moments of affliction alive, while controlling our every thought. I don’t know about you but one problem is hard enough to handle...let alone adding to it, with a mind that only gets out of control with worry, doubt and fear. Today, we need to realize that Satan isn’t only out to afflict us but he’s also trying to keep that affliction alive, in any way he can think of and when he sees that worry is a weak point in our lives; then this becomes the moment when he lures us in its direction and once he has us connected with thoughts of worry, doubt and fear; then he begins to remind us constantly, of where this trial can lead us, until we begin to believe his words.
 
In Philippians 4:6-7, we read… “Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. 7) And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus."

Right now, we need to let go of the hand of worry and begin to reach out to God through a heart of prayer. When we can turn our worry into quiet moments with God; then we will begin to see that as we let God have every need; then there will be no reason for Satan to step in and have control...and from there, we will come to experience an eternal peace...a peace that can sustain us through what seems to be the most difficult storm.

Hello everyone…and a very happy and blessed Friday to you all! I hope that your day is going as well as mine is…and that you will ALWAYS sense God’s presence close beside you each day…Amen!!
Well…this morning has been a busy one; but God has definitely been there to walk me through everything that’s needed to be done. As I’ve been sitting here…thinking on all that my God has already brought me through today…a question came to my mind and I would like to share it with you, as we begin our time together. How do we know that God is with us? I think that many times, we just assume that God is there, which can cause us to take Him for granted. In other words…we don’t feel the need to talk with Him or pray; because we just expect Him to be there.
One thing that I have learned…especially throughout the past couple of years; is that there should be something that brings us alive…to let us know that we are truly experiencing God’s presence. In Psalm 16:11, we read… “You will show me the path of life; In Your presence is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.”
This morning, I had some extra cooking to do…as I like to get ahead for the weekend and relax. As I left my office, I asked God to join me in the kitchen…and I’ll tell you…His presence was truly felt, as my thoughts began to fill up quickly with ideas, as to how I should do this and do that. There were several times, when I knew without a doubt that my God had truly followed me into that kitchen…and why…because He was showing me the path to follow…one that would make my morning much easier, with less time on my feet.
Another thing that I have come to observe about the presence of God; is that when He is in the midst of whatever I’m doing; from writing…to cooking…or even decorating…there is a joy that overrides the pain and tiredness that I may be experiencing at the time…a joy that can only come, when I am surrounded by the loving presence of God.
Let me ask you a question as we continue…have you ever put a puzzle together and found it difficult to find one piece of that puzzle? You know that until you find that piece of the puzzle; that the picture will never be completed...and if you try to put a piece into that spot that doesn’t belong there; then you also know that the picture will be distorted and unclear. Well…when we try to muddle through life on our own…we only grow tired of searching for the answers to the questions we face…while life only becomes a mess…one that makes a day seem difficult and out of place.
No matter what we are experiencing, as we approach another new day; I have come to see that we can get through it…and why…because of a God that is greater than ourselves; One who can make life easier and less complicated…One who can do all things, even when we can’t make it work on our own.
I may not understand what you are facing right now…and life may seem complicated to you, as you look down the path before you; but one thing I can tell you…I know One who longs to be the best friend you could ever have…One who will enter life with you and fill your days with peace and joy; but first…we need to seek Him, rather than what is standing before us. Once we are willing to let God enter these moments that seem so hard and difficult to get through; that is when we will truly see what it is like, to experience the presence of the Most High God…Amen!
May your days be blessed with the presence of God…and may you find Him to be your closest friend each day!
It’s Always & Only Because of Him…
Diane

​Hello everyone…and a very happy and blessed Thursday to you all! It’s so good to be back with you today and I pray that as you walk through this day; that you will truly experience Jesus in all that you do…Amen!!
Well…the reason why I wasn’t here yesterday; is because it was shopping day…and lately, I have been shopping for a month at a time, due to the severity of my legs and health…plus I seem to accomplish more with the ministry in this way. Anyways…after getting out…doing all the shopping…coming home…and storing it all away, I was ready to let these two legs of mine rest. I’ll tell you though…God was truly with me, as the store wasn’t that busy…plus the taxi was able to pick us up sooner than usual; so I was definitely praising God for that!
After settling down and resting for a bit, I had decided to get up and get some dinner. I was doing fine, until after dinner…and from there on, it seemed that the pain levels were rising…and the body wasn’t feeling that well; so I called it quits for the day and went to bed early.
Once my head hit the pillow, I seemed to drift off to sleep pretty well, until the middle of the night…where I began to wake up on the hour with severe pain. Finally, around 4:00am, I made this body of mine get out of bed and take some ibuprofen. I finally got back to sleep…just in time for the alarm to go off; so I got out of bed and began to slowly get around.
By time I reached the office, I was feeling a little discouraged; so I began to talk with God and share my heart with Him. He began to lead me to a song titled… “Don’t Be Afraid.” As I just sat quietly to myself and listened closely to each word that was coming through my headphones; these were a few of the words that began to draw me closer to Him… “I know it's hard to believe, when your eyes just can't see…so lean on Me. I have not disappeared and I can see you from here. Tears are blinding you from the truth; “Oh, I'm right here in front of you.” You know…sometimes we just need a reminder that God is with us…no matter what we may be facing at the time; because sometimes these difficult moments we face, can truly blind us from the truth and attempt to convince us that God isn’t there, when He is actually right there beside us.
One of my very favorite Bible verses that God has used many times in my life is found in Psalm 34:18 and we read… “The LORD is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.”
I have truly come to see within my own life; that Satan not only afflicts us…but is there to keep reminding us, as to how bad the affliction really is…and once we begin to believe these thoughts; that is when we seem to lose touch with God.
The thing we need to remember each day…especially during difficult and heart wrenching times such as these; is that our Lord has a different love for us…a love that is drawn to the brokenhearted. I don’t know about you; but there can be times in my life, when it’s not always easy to believe this…as the pain and tiredness can make a person feel worthless in the eyes of themself and God.  Let’s face it…we all need Jesus…and even more…we need to know that Jesus still loves us.
Today…maybe you are experiencing something similar to me. Maybe your situation has taken a toll on you…to the place where you feel like a piece of nothing in your own eyes…or even in the eyes of God. May I encourage you, by saying that God is there for you…and He’s even closer than you think. Maybe your circumstance is attempting to make you believe otherwise; but through many years of pain and deep heartache, I have come to see that these are the moments, when I experience God the most in my life. Sometimes, I think we just need to wipe the tears from our eyes…get quiet and alone with God and let Him console and comfort…what has brought us to brokenness. I have come to truly see that once we leave the deceptive thoughts behind…to open ourselves up to God; that this is when the real truth begins to enter our thoughts…truth that can set us free and help us to truly experience God’s loving and compassionate presence once more…Amen!
Have a very blessed day…and I will hope to see you again tomorrow!
It’s Always & Only Because of Him…
Diane

​Hello everyone…and a very happy and blessed Tuesday to you all! I hope that you are experiencing God in your day…and that you can face each moment…knowing that He’s right there beside you…Amen!!
Today’s been a different day with my health, as I am not only going through chronic pain…but also chronic fatigue syndrome. No matter what attempts to take me down…I am lifted up each moment within the heart, as the wind blows through the trees, while the squirrels and birds enjoy the backyard outside my office window. You see…we may feel as if something has or is attempting to take life from us; but I have come to see that when I look around me; that life still continues on. Oh how we tend to let the tears and brokenness within; fog over the truth of where we really are in life. Even though days may seem hard and almost impossible to get through, I have come to see that there is always a God standing before us…ready to walk us through these difficult times.
There are a few Bible verses in Isaiah 43 that have truly helped me during the hard times…and today, I would like to read verses 1b-3a, which reads… “Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine. 2) When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze. 3) For I am the Lord your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior…” What power, love and compassion we see in these Bible verses. The first thing that truly brought me alive, while reading these Bible verses; is where it says… “I have summoned you by name; you are mine.” What a great feeling to know that God has claimed us as His very own…especially during the hard times of life. You know…even though we may feel as if our heads are barely above the troubled waters; God is there to control these moments; so as to not allow them to take us down for good. Just think…no matter what Satan’s plan is; God will always be there to keep us from total destruction.
Lately, I have awoken to so much pain and tiredness; that I’ve been tempted to remain in bed; but you know what…I can’t do that to you; for God has a plan to use me, as a means of encouragement to you. Second…I have come to see that when I persevere through it all; that God does pick up the slack and more strength is added throughout my day…and even more, I see how God goes way beyond my thinking…to help me in all of my ways.
You know…sometimes we can feel as if the trials we face are about to take us down for the last time. The flames of problems that flare up around us can also make us feel as if they will take us to destruction; but I have come to see that when I take my thoughts beyond these moments…to see what God is about to do; then I truly come to see that He is there…and has been there for me all along.
No matter what storm you’re walking through today; just remember that God is there…and even though the waves of affliction attempt to take you under the troubled sea; just know that God’s got you, while holding the control stick to everything that concerns you. Just think…even though our problems have a way of convincing us that we’re alone…we are never alone in this lonely world; for there is a love that is so real…a love that longs to hold onto us and never let go…and a love that stands continually beside us…Amen!
Have a very blessed day and may you always know that you are never alone; but that a loving and compassionate God stands before you…ALWAYS!!
It’s Always & Only Because of Him…
Diane
PS…I won’t be able to be here tomorrow…but I will look forward to being with you again on Thursday! Hope to see you then! God bless! Diane

Hello everyone…and a very happy and blessed Monday to you all! I sure hope that your week is off to a great start…and that God will truly bless everything you put your hands to do…Amen!!
Today, I have already been busy…even before writing you. Usually, I start my morning off in the office and then I go to my kitchen, where I prep food for dinner…so as I left my office this morning to go to the kitchen, I did something different. I had some homemade chicken and rice soup in the freezer; so that was easy enough to do…as I just had to put it in the fridge to slowly thaw. From there, I decided to cook up some hotdogs but I didn’t have any buns; so I made up some homemade bread dough and French braided some wraps around the cooked hotdogs…and boy did they turn out great! From there, I ground up some homemade bread that I had dried out and made my own Panko crumbs…and then I finished it up in the kitchen, by making some cherry vanilla granola bars. Wow…no wonder I’m tired; but I have to admit…I love being in my kitchen and when God blessed me with a gift to write…He also blessed me with gifts to decorate our home and create recipes of my own. In fact…I tell Keith that it was a packaged deal…lol.
Anyways…as I sit here now with my feet up…enjoying a beautiful day outside my window; I am reminded as to how God is always there for us…that is, if we invite Him into each moment of our day.
Like I’ve said in the past…I not only invite God into my office; but I also take Him with me wherever I go…and what a great feeling to know that He is always there to pick up the slack, when I am in pain…or when I’m just not feeling my best.
A Bible verse that God has taken me back to today is found in Romans 8:31 and we read… “What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us?” Just think…if God is for us; then He will long to be with us in everything we do…and if He is with us; then what can come against us and especially this most powerful being. I have found that when I take God with me…no matter where I go; that everything just falls into place…and just knowing that He is close by…brings comfort to my heart.
Sometimes, I have a hard time figuring out why we try to muddle through life alone. In other words…why wouldn’t we want to include the most powerful being, into every moment of our day?
You know…life isn’t always easy…and believe me I know; but I have truly come to see that a day and even a whole week can truly fall into place…where we can look back and see the beauty that came forth, from what we once saw as impossible…simply by inviting God to be there with us and for us.
No matter what we face in life…and no matter how long we endure these moments…a ray of light can shine into the darkest day, when we just simply allow God to walk with us and be everything…for everything we need. I have truly come to see that He does pick up the slack and can even show us how to see life in a less difficult way. His presence can also bring comfort and strength and cause us to rise above despair, rather than always standing face to face with it. He is a God who can help us to overcome the impossible and can make the final result seem so much better, than what we first thought or imagined.
If we could only take a minute or two and invite God to share in the moments that seem so difficult to get through; I truly believe that we would crave His presence more and more, as we journey through life.
As we close our time together, may I encourage you to stop looking at the impossible and start looking into the eyes that can make all things possible? When we are willing to let God stand in the gap for us; that is when I truly believe that life will be seen in a better light…one that can continually bring hope to us, as we walk from one day into another…Amen!
Have a great day…and may you truly find God to be someone greater than the problems that attempt to bring you low! God bless!
It’s Always & Only Because of Him…
Diane

​One thing I have truly learned and come to grips with in my life; is that God cannot help us, when we are in His way. You ask me…how can I get in God’s way? We can do that, when we try to make everything work our way or when we attempt to get ourselves out of a problem that is just too much for us to handle on our own.
 
Today, as I was looking for a Bible verse, I came across a verse in John 3:30…and we read… “He must increase, but I must decrease.” In other words…I must humbly bring myself low; so Christ can rise in my place and do all that He has planned for the moment.
 
One thing I came to see over time; is that my circumstances from the past…probably wouldn’t have had to go on as long as they did, if I would have sat back and let God have the reigns to my life completely.
 
Sometimes I wonder why we find it so difficult to let go; so God can step in and work. Could it be that we are insecure and can’t trust anyone else with our lives; so we hold tightly to everything that we should actually let go of?
 
For me…my circumstances made me feel as if I was testing the waters with God. I guess that there is always that fear that we just might fall into the deep end and never come back up; but one thing that helped me; was to focus more on who God truly is, rather than what my circumstances were relaying to me at the time. Once I came to truly see God as someone who was more powerful than my circumstance; that is when I stopped listening to what my circumstance was attempting to convey to me, which truly helped me to let go and let God have His way.
 
No matter what you’re facing…don’t allow your problems to become a security blanket that you hold tightly too because you will only find out in the end that this blanket will not bring comfort to you…only more unsettled feelings. Today, let’s humbly fall down before a powerful God; that we may decrease, while He increases in strength!

​Hello everyone…and a very happy and blessed Friday to you all! Well…I don’t know about you; but I’m praising God today, for bringing me through a very busy week…and for being the strength I definitely needed every day. When I look at all I’m going through right now with my health…I can say without a doubt; that it has been God who has carried me through every little thing that needed to be accomplished this week…PRAISE HIM for sure!!
As we begin our time together today, I would like to ask you a question. Can you say that you have experienced more of God this week or more of the problems we face from day to day? In other words…if our thoughts carry memories of everything that has gone wrong this week; then I would say that we have experienced more of the problem; but if we can remember and backtrack to the moments when God was there for us; then I would say that even through every problem we may have faced this week…God reigned supreme.
This morning was another one of those busy times, when one thing got crossed of the list…just so I could begin something else; but the thing I picked up on the most…was how God was truly walking me smoothly from one thing to another…and why? Because first of all, I invited Him into those moments…and second, I was anticipating His best.
So many times, we find ourselves sizing up everything that needs to be done in a day; that before we know it...we overwhelm ourselves into thinking that it’s going to be a rough day, which only opens these moments up to Satan, rather than God. I don’t know about you; but I need a companion everyday…One who can give me strength to keep moving on, while accomplishing everything that needs to be done…and the only perfect companion I have found is Jesus Christ.
This morning, as I was beginning my day, I was thinking on the Bible verse Philippians 4:13…and how we find it so easy to memorize this verse…thinking that this is enough; but one thing God has truly shown me overtime; is that the words from His word should never be memorized and stored away; but rather, opened up like special gifts, from His heart to ours…and when we read these words… “I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.”…that doesn’t mean that He’s going to do it by Himself either. In fact…I’ve truly come to see that this verse comes alive…only when we let go of ourselves and our own way of thinking; to experience a strength that far outweighs any so-called strength that you and I may have.
Do we realize that when we size up the things that need to be accomplished in a day…according to our own thinking; that this only causes us to focus on what we can’t do, which only attempts to convince us even more that we won’t make it; but when we can read Bible verses such as Philippians 4:13; then we can say to ourselves… “I may have a lot to do in this day…and maybe I don’t feel up to it; but with Christ’s strength, I can rise above my weaknesses and accomplish anything that I put my hands to do.
I have to tell you today; that I have truly experienced this in my life. In fact…lately, my body has felt as though it’s been going on fumes; but when I admit to God that I can’t do it…and that I need His perfect strength to make it…then I do make it…and everything gets accomplished to its very best…praise Him!!
No matter what you are facing…and no matter how difficult life may seem; try not to view these moments by what you are experiencing right now; but rise above your weakness and seek a strength that can take you that extra mile…and one thing I know…God will be there to carry you through the moments…that had at one time seemed impossible to get through…Amen!!
Have a great day…and many blessings on your day!
It’s Always & Only Because of Him…
Diane

​Hello everyone…and a very happy and blessed Thursday to you all! It’s so good to be back with you today…and I pray that through this writing and time alone with God; that we all will come to see that God is all we need, for everything we need…Amen!!
It seems like lately, I have been viewing YouTube videos of people urging others to store up food and even water, during these uncertain times…and today, I noticed one that was talking on how much emergency money we should save up. The strange thing about these videos; is that they all seem to be Christian people talking like this. I’m not saying that we shouldn’t be wise; but at the same time we can easily find ourselves relying on our own means, rather than trusting God.
As I’ve been sitting here this afternoon; God began to lead me to some Bible verses in Matthew 6:25-27, which reads… “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food and the body more than clothes? 26) Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? 27) Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life?”
Do we realize that when we are out there teaching others to store up for an uncertain future; that first of all, we are not relying on God…and second, we are not revealing a God to others; that is more than capable of caring for them…especially during these difficult times.
When I look out my window each day, I have seen squirrels, birds and even a raccoon or two in the evening. As I watch them…I see birds and animals that are not skilled to plant a garden and store up, in the way that we do as humans…but yet, I also see birds and animals that seem to be well cared for…and why…because it is their creator that not only made them; but continues to care for them each day. Just think…they leave their little homes every morning…never knowing what they may or may not find to eat; but yet, they go out and seem to trust the situation and find what they need for that day.
We need to remember that God not only created us; but also longs to care for us…and trusting Him to do that for us; is often tested during these uncertain times…just as we are facing right now.
I just wonder why we find it easy to trust God, when everything is going well; but yet, we turn inwardly to ourselves when life falls apart. One thing I have come to see; is that even though we may not have the answers…God does…and storing up, as a means of providing for ourselves is never going to teach us to trust Him more.
One thing I can say for sure; is that within these past years, I have seen God provide in ways that I would have never imagined. As my husband and I have been supporting someone overseas; it hasn’t always been easy to make ends meet…but never once has my God forsaken us, even during this pandemic. In fact…when we just couldn’t see a way; God was always there to make a way for us…and this is when we as God’s children truly do come to experience the love and care that He so longs to give us.
We need to realize that when we allow the world to view us as Christians that need to store up, as a squirrel stores up for the winter; that we are not bringing hope to the hopeless, while allowing them to view a powerful God that can be the same for them, as He so longs to be for us each day. One thing that I have truly come to see; is that when we can see God as a loving Father and Friend…one that can truly be trusted; that is when we will also come to see that this Father and Friend will ALWAYS be there to care for us…no matter what we face in life.
Have a very blessed day…and may you always find God to be everything, for everything you need!
It’s Always & Only Because of Him…
Diane

​Hello everyone…and a very happy and blessed Wednesday to you all! Well…it’s been a busy day today and all I can say is that I am here. Praise God for that!!
As I’ve been sitting here…preparing to write, I was thanking God for holding me up throughout this day, as I have been going from one thing to the next. As I sat and thought for a moment, on what I had just thanked God for; a question came across my mind that I would like to share with you today. Have you ever wondered what life would be like, if we didn’t have God with us…to hold us up and keep us standing through the difficult times? It seems that we can become so caught up in what is attempting to pull us down; that we completely bypass the One who is keeping us standing through it all.
While thumbing through some Bible verses this afternoon; God led me to a Bible verse in Psalm 40:2, which has become one of my favorites over the years…and we read… “He brought me up also out of an horrible pit, out of the miry clay, and set my feet upon a rock, and established my goings.”
These moments of affliction we endure are truly meant by Satan to defeat us. I believe His plan is to destroy us and keep us away from God almighty…and even though he may attempt to have that much control over us…there is a God who is not only watching over us; but is always watching Satan’s every move. In other words…God may allow Satan to afflict us, for a reason we many not quite understand; but at the same time…God is only allowing so much to take place.
As I look back on the hard and difficult moments of my past; I remember times when I felt as if I was about to fall permanently into a pit of destruction…for it was the symptoms of my problems that were attempting to make me believe this. Even though there were many hopeless moments such as these; I also remember moments when I still remained standing and functioning each day…and why? Because even though Satan was attempting to throw me in that pit…God was holding me back and suspending me above defeat.
I don’t know about you…but when I am very overwhelmed with pain and tiredness…these moments seem to be pushing me back, near the edge of that pit once more; but then God comes along and stands with me…holding me up…at a time when I am just too weak to stand on my own.
You know…it’s so easy to believe the symptoms of our trials. Satan not only afflicts us; but he seems to work overtime to enhance these moments, until we begin to believe that they are going to defeat us. If we could just focus on what is actually happening at the time, rather than what is attempting to take us down; then I think that this alone would become a reminder to us; that God still has us in His loving and almighty arms of strength and love.
Maybe today, you feel as though your situation has taken you to the edge of a pit that is only reminding you that defeat and destruction is about to enter your life. May I encourage you today, to not focus on where your situation may be taking you; but rather, focus on the One who is keeping you standing through it all. If you could just see your situation in this light; then that would end up becoming a daily dose of hope, to help you walk through one day and into another.
A Bible verse that has truly been of great help to me over the years is found in Isaiah 41:13, which says… “For I the LORD thy God will hold thy right hand, saying unto thee, Fear not; I will help thee.”
At a time when our circumstances are attempting to bring us down…God is there…already holding tightly to us…and I have come to see that once this powerful and loving God takes hold of us…He never lets go; so just know that no matter what the situation may appear to be right now…and no matter where you think this situation is attempting to lead you…God’s got you and He will never let go!
Have a very blessed day…and ALWAYS know that God has control over every little thing in your life!
It’s Always & Only Because of Him…
Diane

Hello everyone…and a very happy and blessed Tuesday to you all! I truly hope and pray that your day is going well and that you will come to see God as One who can make all things new…no matter how broken your life may be right now…Amen!!
Well…from day to day, I don’t always know what thoughts and words God may lay upon my heart to share with you…but one thing I truly know; is that whatever He places on my heart to write…He is actually pointing it in your direction too…that you may experience His hope…His love and His encouragement.
As I’ve been sitting here this afternoon…listening to some music; I began to stare out the window and just relax from a busy morning. As I was looking to the back of the yard, I began to see the sun hitting the fence, which we haven’t seen for several days now, due to all the smoke from these wildfires out west.
Anyways…as I was starting to see a glimpse of light, through all the smoke surrounding us; God began to speak to my heart. He was reminding me that even though the darkness of a circumstance can surround us for some time…the sun does shine again.
While looking through some Bible verses; God began to share a couple of verses with me from 2 Corinthians 4:6-7, and we read… “For God, who said, "Let light shine out of darkness," made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of God's glory displayed in the face of Christ. 7) But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us.”
Don’t we realize that nothing can put out the light that lives within our hearts as Christians? Yes…a circumstance can attempt to make the light seem dimmer…but that light still shines, even if it is hidden behind a foggy, dreary moment of despair.
Just as I was beginning to wonder when the sun was going to give way through the smoke…we all can have moments in our lives, when we feel as if the circumstances we face can be so dark; that no light will ever be able to penetrate our paths again.
One thing that truly took hold of me, while reading these two verses in 2 Corinthians 4:6-7; was where it said… “Let light shine out of darkness”…which reminded me that God’s light truly does have the power to shine through darkness…for it’s the darkness of a circumstance that actually leads us to the light of a new dawn or a ray of hope…one that can take us to new places in life and even cause us to experience life in a whole new way.
Maybe evil has a way of attempting to put out the light of God’s presence in our lives, through very trying moments of circumstance; but we must remember that nothing or no one can ever darken our lives, to the place where the sun can never shine again. In John 1:5, we read… “The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.”
Right now, you may be feeling overwhelmed by a dark circumstance. Maybe you are growing weary and wondering when the sun will ever shine down on your path again. May I encourage you by saying; that no matter how dark the path may seem…God’s light is still there…following you through these darkened moments…and once the darkness has served a purpose in your life…one directed by God Himself; then darkness will give way to light, as God walks you into a brand new dawn…believe me, I know!
Have a very blessed day…and may the light of God’s presence always be felt, even during the darkest moments of affliction!
It’s Always & Only Because of Him…
Diane