​Hello everyone…and how are you doing today? I hope that you are all doing fine….and even more; I pray that you are experiencing the loving and powerful presence of God in your day.
As we begin our time together, I’ve been thinking on how this Coronavirus can seem like the worse storm ever…one that seems endless…and one that is trying it’s hardest to beat us up and whip us around in life. Storms like these can make us want to seek shelter, in a place where we aren’t affected by the blunt of the storm.
As I’ve been thinking on this more…I came to see how easily we can find ourselves taking refuge in a broken down shelter (Coronavirus). You ask me how? It actually happens, when we get caught up in the storm. In other words…for every thought that draws us deeper into the problem…those thoughts only become bits and pieces of a make shift shelter…one that is not sturdy and safe to be in; but rather, one that keeps us closer in touch with the storm.
Before coming on here…to spend some time with you today, I was looking for a Bible verse that would encourage us all…and from there; God led me to a Bible verse in Psalm 9:9, which reads… “The LORD is a shelter for the oppressed, a refuge in times of trouble.”
You know…I remember a time in my life, when I found myself in one of these broken down shelters. All the negativity…and all my thoughts had placed me in a shelter, where the roof was leaking, with cracks in the walls…and an open window, where I was definitely feeling the blunt of the storm that I was facing.
As I looked out the window…the ground around me seemed barren and the sky grew darker and darker, as the rain seeped through the cracks and the wind attempted to whip me around within this make shift shelter. It seemed that the more I looked out that window and focused on the storm…the more I began to fear the storm that was headed my way…that is, until I began to pour my heart out to God and cry out for His help, from the very depth of my being.  Within a short time, God did come to me…and He lifted me out of the shelter that was about to collapse upon me…and from there, He carried me off on wings of love…and transported me to a place, where I could take refuge in Him, until the storm had passed.
Today, I wonder how many of us are unknowingly taking refuge in the Coronavirus. In other words…have our thoughts and negative thinking drawn us into a broken down shelter that is not safe…one that could eventually collapse with time. You know…it’s so easy to be drawn into these make shift shelters; believe me, I know; but there is hope…that is, if we are willing to try, rather than give up.
There is one thing I definitely know about God…He can be the strongest and safest shelter, during times like these…for as we focus on Him, rather than the problem; we will be drawn closer to Him, where He can truly shelter us, with the wings that first brought us to His side.
As we close our time together today, may I encourage you to take refuge in God, rather than what is going on around us…for He can truly be a shelter for the oppressed…and a refuge in times of trouble.
Today, if you are looking to find shelter in God…a place where you can be free from all that is attempting to take you down; then you must first turn to Him, during these difficult times, rather than focusing on all the debris that is attempting to take you down through this storm. Once you choose to do so; that is where you will definitely find peace and safety, in the midst of this storm.
Have a great day everyone…and remember that God loves you so much! Take care and I will hope to be with you soon!
Many…many blessings on your day!
It’s Always & Only Because of Him…
Diane

Hello everyone! I hope that you are doing well today…and even more...I want you to know that I am praying for you. I may not know you by name; but God knows who I am praying for; so I do pray that He will watch over you and keep you safe, throughout this very trying time in our lives.
As we begin another new week…to some it can seem like the week before, as we continue to go through this Coronavirus. We can even wonder from day to day, as to whether this virus will continue to rage out of control; but as we step into this brand new week, I would like to start it out by saying that our God has control over all things, including this Coronavirus. We must remember that good can never produce evil; but on the other hand…God can allow it, for reasons that only He knows. Even though He allows these moments to enter our lives; we can rest assured that He has control of all things.
As we continue our time together, I would like to share a Bible verse of hope with you, from Jeremiah 29:11…and we read… “For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”
You know…I remember a time in my life, when I was truly at rock bottom. All I could say to myself at the time was this… “Well Diane, you are really in a bad place now.” To be honest with you, I never thought that I would experience such darkness in my life, as I was experiencing at that time; but a moment did come, when Jesus stepped into that darkness with me…reassuring me that He would bring me out of what seemed so impossible at the time.
Now, as I look back on those moments…one thing I know for sure; He definitely held the control stick to my life in His almighty and powerful hands, even though Satan’s plan was to afflict me and bring me down to destruction.
You know…I think sometimes we don’t always see an end to moments such as these; because we are doing as I did 28 years ago. In other words…we tend to believe even more in what the circumstance is doing and where it could lead us, rather than how our God has everything under control.
We must remember that God’s plans aren’t to harm us or even destroy us; but rather, His plans are to renew us in His spirit and teach us new things, while giving us hope for a brighter tomorrow…and sometimes that happens by going through the worst, to get to God’s very best, just as I have learned throughout my life.
No matter how bad everything seems to be around us; there is a God sitting in the heavens, with control stick in hand…and this alone should give us hope that our God will sustain and keep us…and control every moment, of what He is allowing into our lives.
One question we need to ask ourselves as we close; is why would God give up His only Son, Jesus Christ on the cross, to display such love and forgiveness…only to turn around and harm us? One thing I’ve learned about Christ’s love; is that it’s a love that continues on and never wavers…so whatever He allows into our lives; we definitely have the hope and assurance that He will always remain faithful and be there for us, with control stick in hand…praise Him!!
Have a great day everyone and remember that you are never alone; for I am praying…and God is listening. See ya soon!
Many…many blessings on your day!
It’s Always & Only Because of Him…
Diane
​

​Hello everyone…and how are you doing today?  Even before we begin our time together, I would like to come heart to heart with you and let you know that Jesus loves you so very much!  I know that these times we’re facing can make us feel shut up, in a world of the Coronavirus; but one thing I know without a doubt…Jesus is there, in the midst of it all…and He will always be there for us, until these difficult times find their end.
Last night, as I was preparing to go to bed, I was hit with a question that goes like this… “Do we truly understand the love that Jesus has for each of us?” As I was thinking on this, I began to think on how it is so easy to say, I love you Jesus; but we must remember that it’s not only through our words that we express our love for Him…but even more, it’s through our actions…just as Jesus’ actions displayed a very real love for us on the cross.
In Romans 5:6-8, we read… “You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. 7) Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous person, though for a good person someone might possibly dare to die. 8) But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”  
The love that Jesus displayed on the cross was a very sacrificial love…a love that was willing to look beyond every fault, to lay down His own self and His own life…to pay the complete price for our sin; that we might be set free forever. Now if He was willing to go to the very extreme, as a means of opening up His arms of love to us, on an old rugged cross; then don’t you think that this same love would be available to us, during times such as these?  
You know… these difficult times that we are facing, can make us feel as if no one could ever understand the feelings that seem to overwhelm the heart at this time; but you know what…I have come to see that Jesus does care and that He is there for all of us and even more…He truly does understand; but you know…sometimes, I think we just get so caught up in what is happening and surrounding us at the time; that we find ourselves in a dense fog…that seems to have hidden us from the One we need the most, which is Jesus Christ. One thing we must remember; is that Jesus didn’t give Himself up freely for us at the cross; just to walk away…at another time in our lives, when we truly need Him the most.
I remember a time in my life, when all the problems I was facing were so overwhelming; that it actually seemed like a dense fog…one that I was lost in and one where I couldn’t find Jesus…just the density of the problems that surrounded me. It was during one special moment in my life, when I found myself crying out to Jesus; that I felt the need to look up, rather than straight ahead into these foggy moments of circumstance…and as I did, it was as though a ray of hope began to shine through the fog and clear it away.
You know…sometimes I think we just need to stop and regroup, so we can get our thoughts back on track with Jesus. Maybe your day to day life lately has felt dreary and fogged over, by all that is taking place with this Coronavirus; so may I encourage you to look up…not out. Let your thoughts soar above these moments of despair…and one thing I know…the light of His presence will shine down upon you…and lift you up into wings of love…a love that will transport you, from these darkened moments of despair…into the loving presence of Jesus!
As we close our time together, I pray that you are well and that you will truly…truly experience the love of Jesus, above everything else in this life. Please take care…and may God truly bless you! See ya soon!
It’s Always & Only Because of Him…
Diane

​Hello everyone! I sure hope that your day is off to a good start! As I’ve been sitting here in my office …listening to some music, God began to lead me to a beautiful Bible verse of hope; that is found in Isaiah 43:2…and we read… “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.”
You know…times like these can make us wonder where Jesus is. All we seem to be experiencing right now is suffering and death…and a situation that seems to have no end.  Moments like these can become so overwhelming; that before we realize it…we find ourselves to be more attached to these thoughts of despair, rather than the hope that Jesus longs to offer us…which only makes us feel distant from His presence.
One thing I have truly come to see and experience over my life; is how a circumstance can actually make us believe that what it’s conveying to us will really happen. In other words…the thoughts that come out of these darkened moments…truly do attempt to make us believe that the situation will never get better; so from there, we find ourselves puzzled and confused, while wondering where Jesus is; but that is only because we are choosing to follow after the voice of circumstance.
We must remember that whatever we choose to follow in life; will become the path we walk down….so if we choose to believe the thoughts that are coming out of these darkened moments right now; then this is what will make us feel even more drawn into the circumstance, while making us feel even distant from Christ. I don’t know about you…but I choose to let go of the hand of circumstance; so I can feel the presence of Jesus walking close beside me, until we walk out of the darkened moments of Coronavirus together.
One thing that I have come to understand, through a very difficult life; is that when we choose to seek after Christ, rather than what is taking place around us; then He will be there to go through these troubled times with us…and when we feel as if these moments are about to overtake us; He will be close by…and will not allow them to sweep over us and cause us to drown deep within them.
You know…I think that if we would slow down and think about it; then maybe…just maybe, we would come to see that we are the ones who have made Jesus distant from us…just by the way we are being drawn into what is taking place around us. 
As we walk through this day…and the days that lie ahead of us, we need to understand one thing…no disease or nothing else in this world, can ever separate us from Christ…or even rise above the love that He has for each one of us.
Maybe today you are feeling alone, in the midst of what you perceive to be the very worst. May I encourage you today, to seek the Lord with all your heart…for when you do; He will be there…and when you pass through the waters, He will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you…and when you walk through the fire, you will not be burned…for the Lord your God will be with you.
As we close our time together, I pray that your day will be filled with the loving presence of Jesus…and that you will come to see and experience a God that can never be taken down, even by the Coronavirus…Amen!
Have a great day…take good care and know that you are in my daily prayers! See ya soon!
Many…many blessings on your day!
It’s Always & Only Because of Him…
Diane

Hello everyone! I sure hope that you have had a good start to your day…and that you will truly feel and experience the peace of God, above everything else in your day…Amen!
Last night, as I was going to sleep…God was waking me up with some thoughts, to share with you today about fear. Have you ever wondered why we tend to fear something that is only meant to appear strong, when actually it’s just a form of weakness?
As we begin our time together, I would like to share a Bible verse with you that God has laid upon my heart and it’s found in 2 Timothy 1:7…and we read… “For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.”
With all that is happening around us right now; we need to ask ourselves, as to why we fear the worst…or live in dread of what may happen with this Coronavirus? One thing I know…God does not implant fear within us; but there is one who longs to enhance the problems we face…and the way he does it; is when he not only brings affliction upon us…but even more, when he allows the affliction to worsen, by whispering thoughts within our minds and hearts; that can cause us to easily fall prey to fear…and once that happens; then we find ourselves imprisoned within that fear, where we become blinded by fear, while being bound up with no hope.
Yesterday, it was time for me to get some groceries. I hadn’t been out in quite some time, due to the pain in my legs and what has been going on with this virus; but the cupboards were almost empty…and the fridge to; so I had no choice. Now, I could have gone to the store with the attitude; that the worst could happen…but I didn’t…and why…because I had a settled feeling in my mind that God would take care of me and my husband.
One thing I’ve always wondered for the longest time is this…why do we invite Jesus to come and live within us; but yet, we make Him seem powerless, by the way we respond to moments like these? The Bible verse above says that God has not given us a spirit of fear; but of power…love and a sound mind. In other words…when He lives within us; then we should shine forth His true character…and it’s not a spirit of weakness or fear; but instead, a spirit of overwhelming power…one that can definitely defeat the works of evil.
When I went into the store yesterday, to get my groceries…I noticed the shelves to be empty in places and they even had us stand 6 feet apart in line; but no matter what seemed different around me…it didn’t affect the powerful God that lives within me; because His power remained the same…and nothing wavered or changed, when it came to who He has always been for me; so if God doesn’t change, even though the things around us do; then what is there to fear?
I think the thing we need to do people; is to get caught up in this powerful, loving and awesome God, rather than a weak circumstance; that is only trying to make itself appear bigger than what it really is. One thing I know for sure…when we choose to place God above every circumstance that comes our way; then we will truly be able to live with a settled feeling; that our God has everything under control.
As you walk through your day, may I encourage you to let God rise up within you; that you may experience His power, rather than the fear that attempts to imprison you, within these weak moments. Have a great day…and may God be with you…and may His angels surround you with safety and perfect peace! See ya soon!
Many…many blessings on your day!
It’s Always & Only Because of Him…
Diane
​

Hello everyone…and how is your day going? I truly pray that you all are doing fine…and that you will come to truly experience a God, who is greater than anything we may walk through in this life.
This morning, I was thinking on what God may have for me to share with you today, as a means of encouragement…and as I was seeking Him with all my heart; this is what came to my thoughts… “I asked>I listened>He showed me>I did it>and it worked.”  In other words…these are the things that can truly lead us to God’s richest blessings.
First of all…how many of us have even taken the time, to ask God for His help…and I don’t mean that we should beg Him for His help. In fact…I have learned throughout my lifetime that begging is actually a lack of faith because we are actually trying to convince Him to help us, rather than trusting Him for His best.
Through my own experiences in life, I have come to see that when we can allow our hearts and minds to fall freely before His throne…in a humble way, while seeking for His will to be done, rather than what we feel He should do for us; then that is when we will be open to Him, instead of ourselves.
Now once we are open to God; then we should follow through, by listening for that still small voice within our spirits…a voice that can guide us through these difficult times. How many of us can say that we have gone to God for help; but yet there didn’t seem to be any response? Could it be that we didn’t stay around long enough to find out?  You know…so many times, I think that we are in such a hurry to have our prayer answered; that we go to God and give Him our need…only to run back, to where we once were…before coming to Him for help…which really doesn’t give Him a chance to respond. We must remember that it’s when we are open to Him; that we begin to experience His loving presence.
Once we have asked and listened for God’s response to our need; then we must be open to His ways, rather than our own. For example…let’s say that someone was given a treasure map, to the greatest treasure ever; but yet they just sat there with the map in hand…doing nothing; would they ever find the treasure? In a similar way, when we aren’t willing to humble ourselves and accept God’s help, in the way He so desires; then how will we ever receive, what He longs to do for us?
You know…I have actually come to see that when I ask…listen and allow Him to show me the way, while following through, with what He is asking of me; then everything does come together and work out for the best.
In Deuteronomy 28:1-3 we read… “If you fully obey the Lord your God and carefully follow all his commands I give you today, the Lord your God will set you high above all the nations on earth. 2) All these blessings will come on you and accompany you if you obey the Lord your God: 3) you will be blessed in the city and blessed in the country.”
So many times, I feel that we don’t experience God, in a very real way; because we are looking for Him to follow through, according to our plans and ideas. Don’t we realize that if we already knew what to do…and if we already knew it would work out; that we wouldn’t need to go to God in the first place? If we are going to truly find the answers, to these difficult moments we’re facing; then first, we must be willing to listen and obey…and then follow through with God’s plan for our lives. Once we are willing to humbly do so; that is when I truly believe that we will come to see…that everything will be just fine.
Have a great day…and may you truly experience a God, who longs so much to help you during these difficult times! See ya soon!
Many…many blessings on your day!
It’s Always & Only Because of Him…
Diane

Hello everyone! I hope that your day is off to a good start! You know…a short time ago, I really had something special happen between me and God…and so I thought that I would take some time and share it with you today, as a means of encouragement, while facing these uncertain times.
Lately, I have been going grocery shopping about every two to three weeks, due to the condition of my legs…and I would say that about several weeks back, I began to feel the need to try and store up for four weeks…thinking that this may be God’s way of sustaining me, through the tough times of pain that I have been experiencing lately.
Anyways…last week, as I was beginning to put another new list together…something all of a sudden hit me. Could it be that God was not only trying to help and sustain me, due to the pain in my legs; but could it also be that He had already been making plans to help and sustain my husband and I during this Coronavirus?
After thinking on this…I began to feel more and more convinced that God had already saw way down the road…to a storm that was brewing and heading our way…and this became His way of helping us, even before the storm had arrived.
You know…so many times, we get caught up in what is going drastically wrong around us; that we completely miss out on the hidden blessings that could help and sustain us through these difficult times. One thing I have learned over time; is to keep myself open to God…no matter what is happening around me. I truly believe that when we do this; then this does give God room to step in and help us, especially when we need it the most.
As I’ve been sitting here…thinking on all that God has placed upon my heart today, I began to feel Him lead me to a Bible verse in Deuteronomy 31:8, which says… “The LORD himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged."
You know…moments like these can make the path ahead seem so dark and unknown to us. Even though we know what is happening…we just don’t always know what the final outcome will be, due to the darkness of despair that surrounds us; but when we allow God to go ahead of us; then His presence lightens these darkened moments…so we can truly experience the hope and help that He so longs to offer us.  
Do you know what life would be like, if we were to just look for the blessings that shine through these darkened moments, rather than just focusing on how bad something is…and even, where it may take us? The way I see it; is that this alone would truly help us to remain connected to God during these difficult times, rather than deeply connected, to what is going on around us…and if we are truly connected to God, during these troublesome times; then those little blessings that shine through the darkness, will be just enough light, to keep us pressing on.
Today, I thank God for the blessings He has bestowed upon me…and even more, I thank Him for walking ahead of me…down this darkened path; for this gives me hope… that He is truly taking care of me.
You know…God longs to do the same for you too; but first, you must get rid of all the roadblocks that are keeping you imprisoned within these troublesome times. Once we are willing to look beyond the hard times, for what God is truly longing to do, as a means of sustaining us; that is when we will find a light of hope, even in the darkened moments of despair.
Have a great day everyone…and know that you all are in my prayers! May God truly bless and keep you each day! See ya soon!
It’s Always & Only Because of Him…
Diane

​Hello everyone…and how is your day going? You know…lately, it seems as if there have been so many mixed emotions in this world, while dealing with this Coronavirus; but as I was spending some quiet moments with the Lord last night; He began to lay upon my heart; that when we truly know Him; then there won’t be the temptation to seek a relationship with a problem.
How many of us…especially as Christians can say that we have been living with fear, rather than faith? If so; then maybe we have left the closeness that we once experienced with Christ; to get to know more about what is going on around us.
After spending some time with God last night…I was talking on the phone with someone, who has been going through some hard times…and as we were finishing our talk, I asked him if he would like me to text him a couple Bible verses, to help him deal with his life and all that is going on around him. Immediately he said, yes; so this was a couple of the Bible verses that God laid upon my heart to share with him, which are found in Psalm 112:7-8…and we read… “He does not fear bad news, nor live in dread of what may happen. For he is settled in his mind that Jehovah will take care of him. 8) That is why he is not afraid but can calmly face his foes.”
Today can we say that we are convinced that God will always be there to take care of us? You know…I have truly come to see how easy it is to say these words; but to believe them and live them, is another story.
One of the many things that I have come to see throughout my life; is how there can be a settled perfect peace, during the hard and difficult times, just by having a close and deeply connected relationship with Christ.  You know…when our relationship with Christ is rooted deep within the heart; then when the storms of life come; they will never uproot us and take us away from Him.  So many times we face fear and an unsettled feeling, during a crisis such as this; because we tend to relate more with the problem than Christ. In other words…we have chosen to follow after something that appears to be more powerful than any other thing; when in real life…it’s only a form of weakness; that only contains power, by what we feed into it.
As we begin another new week; what could be better, than to start out the week, by getting to know Christ, in a deep and lasting way…one that will allow us to see Him for who He really is…a strong and mighty God…One that can override these forces of darkness; that in real life hold no power, in comparison to Christ.
As we close, let me share the final Bible verse; that I shared last night, with this person who was hurting…which is found in Isaiah 41:10… “Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.”
I think today, we need to stop relating with what is going on in this world and truly come to know that God is God…the One who is great and mighty…the One who will strengthen us, during these weak moments…and the One who will help us and uphold us, with His right hand of righteousness…the hand that can truly lift us high above these moments of despair…Amen!!
May your day be truly blessed by God…and even more, may you come to realize that nothing or no one can ever rise above the One, who is truly God! Have a great day and I will hope to be with you again real soon!
Many…many blessings on your day!
It’s Always & Only Because of Him…
Diane

​Hello everyone! I truly hope and pray that your day is off to a great start…and that no matter what may rage around you; that you will truly come to see that there is peace in the midst of the storm…praise Him!
You know…most times we think of peace, as a time of rest…a time away from the world and the problems that associate us with the world; but peace is really a time, when we have a calm assurance that God has everything under control…a time when we can settle back and know in our hearts and minds; that our God will take care of us.
A Bible verse that has truly stuck with me over the years…and has brought peace to me many times; is found in John 14:27…and we read… “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.”
You know…the world’s definition of peace, is to be free from problems. They only identify with the word, “peace”, when everything seems to be going their way; but on the other hand, we as Christians should view the word “peace,” in a different way. We should be experiencing peace, even in the midst of the storm.
When a hurricane hits, the quietest part of the storm is in the midst or eye of the hurricane. Everything around the eye of the hurricane can be destructive but if someone was to enter the eye of the storm, they would find a calmness that would make them think that there was no storm at all.  In a similar way, we need to remember that God’s peace can be found too, in the midst or eye of our storm. We don’t have to wait until the storm completely passes by, in order to experience God’s peace. The storm may seem fierce, as it rages around us but when we can discover a place, where we can rest in the peace of God; then we will find a shelter that will take us away from the blunt of the storm and sustain us.
Our storm today may seem as though it’s the strength of a thunderstorm, while other times, we may feel as if a hurricane is headed our direction; but one thing I know…we don’t have to allow ourselves to be beaten up by the effects of this storm…for there is a place where God can take us…a place where we don’t feel the effects of the storm…only His perfect peace and sustaining love…a peace that can surround us and become the shelter we need, until the storm has passed by.
As we walk through these troubled times, I pray that we will not allow our circumstances to whip us around and become destructive in our lives; but that we will seek God’s peace and pursue it; that we may discover a shelter, where we can be safe and filled with a perfect and lasting peace; that only comes from the presence of God.
Today, there may be a lot of things going through your mind…and you may even feel as if these thoughts are whipping you around; but may I encourage you to look up to the One, who can lift you up into the eye of this storm…to a place where you can truly find peace and a love…that can comfort and keep you, until the blunt of the storm has passed.
Have a great day everyone…and know that you are all in my daily prayers! Hold onto God…and I promise you one thing…He will never let go of you!
Many…many blessings on your day!
It’s Always & Only Because of Him…
Diane

Hello everyone…and how are you doing today? Before we begin our visit, I want you to know that you have been in my daily prayers…and no matter what we face in this life…trusting God, rather than the problem; becomes the path that can truly draw us closer to Him, while leading us further away from these darkened moments of despair.
There is probably one thing you don’t know about me…and that is that most times, when I write, I haven’t a clue, as to what I will be typing on the screen before me…that is until I begin my time alone with God; but tonight, as I was getting around for the evening, a song came into my thoughts titled… “I Can Trust Jesus”…and today, I would like to share a few of the lyrics to that song with you…and it goes a little like this… “God picked up a sparrow; that could no longer fly. He brushed off his wounds and then watched it soar into the sky. If He's mindful of creation, on this I can depend; I am His child and I can place all my trust in Him. I can trust Jesus…I can trust Jesus; He never once has failed to meet my needs. He is my strong tower; the strength in my weakest hour. I can trust Jesus; He takes care of me.”
After listening to this song, God began to take me even deeper in thought. I just wonder…do we truly trust Jesus, during the hard and difficult times of life? Maybe we are living with fear and an unsettled feeling right now; because we are placing our trust in the problem and how we find ourselves perceiving it. One thing I do know…when we trust in God; then it’s as if we have placed our hand in His and said, “Ok Lord, I trust you to take care of me…no matter what stands before me right now;” but on the other hand…have you stopped to think that when we become caught up, in the trying times that are standing before us; that this too can become a form of trust…a bad form of trust…one where we have placed our hand into the hand of the problem and said, “Ok…keep leading me in your direction; because I always need to know what you are up to.” The only problem with this; is that this form of trust only leads us further into despair…where sadness and depression also become our companions in life.
Tonight, as I was thumbing through God’s word, He began to lead me to a beautiful Bible verse in Nahum 1:7…and we read… “The LORD is good, a stronghold in the day of trouble; he knows those who take refuge in him.” Today can you say that God knows that you are truly seeking His help, while taking refuge in Him…or have you sought refuge with what is going on in this world? We need to realize that our thoughts and actions truly determine how we will feel and react, during these hard and difficult times of life. In other words…if your thoughts and actions are allowing you to rise above these problems; then you will truly experience the perfect peace of God; but if you are racing, to keep in tune with everything that is going on around you; then all you will probably experience; is anxiety, fear…and a very overwhelming feeling. Like I told you a few days ago…I have truly had peace, in the midst of what has taken place with this virus…and one thing that  I have truly come to see through it all; is that I have placed my trust in God; otherwise, I would probably have all of this on my mind night and day.
You know…God longs so much to be our stronghold in the day of trouble; but first, we must be able to trust Him and let go of everything except for Him; so He has free reign of these moments we’re experiencing. When we can truly let go of every thought that is attempting to imprison us in despair and take refuge in Him; that is when we will truly experience His presence, even in the midst of this awful storm we’re walking through.
Today, may I encourage you to stop placing your trust, in what is going on in this world…and instead…begin anew, by placing your trust in the One who longs to be everything, for everything you need.
Please take care and have a very special day…and I will hope to be with you again real soon!
Many…many blessings on your day!
It’s Always & Only Because of Him…
Diane