OUT OF THE DEPTHS - Everyone faces hardships and overwhelming circumstances, many of which we cannot control. The challenge of faith is this: that even though we find ourselves in deep despair due to circumstances and the doubts that arise in us, we continue facing toward God. No matter our circumstances, we cry out to Him and know that He will answer us. He will not abandon us. When you find yourself in the depths of despair, turn toward God, not toward your circumstances. The God of the universe will hear your cry, and the deepest depths are not too deep for Him. - “Out of the depths I have cried to You, O LORD; Lord, hear my voice! Let Your ears be attentive to the voice of my supplications. … I wait for the LORD, my soul waits, and in His word I do hope. My soul waits for the Lord more than those who watch for the morning—yes, more than those who watch for the morning” - Have you ever been there? In the depths? Have you ever felt so overwhelmed by life and its circumstances that you felt as if you were in the deepest, darkest pit? The psalmist did. And he cried out to the Lord. This is actually an amazing statement by the psalmist, because when you find yourself in the depths, one of the hardest things to do is cry out to God. You may think that sounds strange. Perhaps you think that the natural cry should be to God. And it should. The problem, however, is that when we find ourselves in the depths, we stand on the edge of despair.

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Out of the Depths

Everyone faces hardships and overwhelming circumstances, many of which we cannot control 

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The challenge of faith is this: that even though we find ourselves in deep despair due to circumstances and the doubts that arise in us, we continue facing toward God. No matter our circumstances, we cry out to Him and know that He will answer us. He will not abandon us. 

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When you find yourself in the depths of despair, turn toward God, not toward your circumstances. The God of the universe will hear your cry, and the deepest depths are not too deep for Him.

BY CBN ISRAEL IN BLOG

“Out of the depths I have cried to You, O LORD; Lord, hear my voice! Let Your ears be attentive to the voice of my supplications. … I wait for the LORD, my soul waits, and in His word I do hope. My soul waits for the Lord more than those who watch for the morning—yes, more than those who watch for the morning” - (Psalm 130:1-2, 5-6 NKJV).

Have you ever been there?

In the depths?

Have you ever felt so overwhelmed by life and its circumstances that you felt as if you were in the deepest, darkest pit?

The psalmist did. And he cried out to the Lord. 

This is actually an amazing statement by the psalmist, because when you find yourself in the depths, one of the hardest things to do is cry out to God.

You may think that sounds strange. Perhaps you think that the natural cry should be to God. And it should.

The problem, however, is that when we find ourselves in the depths, we stand on the edge of despair. 

Circumstances overwhelm us like violent waves of the ocean. At first, we may find the strength to face the challenges and hardships, but eventually, even inside of us, we begin to faint, wear down, and despair. 

Faith is not just believing God in the good times or even the mildly bad times; faith is crying out to God from the deepest depths of despair, when everything outside of us and inside of us feels like things are hopeless.

When we can cry out to God in that moment, pleading with Him to hear our cry, that is the genuine test of our faith. 

Everyone faces hardships and overwhelming circumstances, many of which we cannot control. 

The challenge of faith is this: that even though we find ourselves in deep despair due to circumstances and the doubts that arise in us, we continue facing toward God. 

No matter our circumstances, we cry out to Him and know that He will answer us. He will not abandon us. 

The psalmist didn’t allow his circumstances to consume him, nor did he buy into the thought that his circumstances separated him from God’s being able to hear him.

From the depths, he called out to the Lord because the God of the Bible is near to the cry of His people. 

When you find yourself in the depths of despair, turn toward God, not toward your circumstances.

That doesn’t mean that the hardship, difficulty, or pain will subside.

It does mean that the God of the universe will hear your cry, and the deepest depths are not too deep for Him.

PRAYER

Father, hear our cry. Give ear to our plea today. Amen.

CBN Israel exists to tell the true story of Israel and sustain a movement of Christians who will bless and stand with the Jewish people. Our vision is to change the global conversation about Israel and build bridges of hope and healing between Jews and Christians worldwide.

https://cbnisrael.org/2021/01/18/out-of-the-depths/

 

YOU’LL GET THROUGH THIS - What Satan intends for evil, God redeems for good - Grief is universal. It touches all of us at one point or another. From the big to the small — though none of it ever seems small at the time. From the expected to the unexpected. You fear you won’t make it through. We all do. We fear that the depression will never lift, the yelling will never stop, the pain will never leave. In the pits, surrounded by steep walls and aching reminders, we wonder: Will this gray sky ever brighten? This load ever lighten? Max reminds readers God doesn’t promise that getting through trials will be quick or painless. It wasn’t for Joseph – tossed in a pit by his brothers, sold into slavery, wrongfully imprisoned, forgotten and dismissed — but his story is in the Bible for this reason: to teach us to trust God to overcome evil. With the compassion of a pastor, the heart of a storyteller, and the joy of one who has seen what God can do, Max explores the story of Joseph and the truth of Genesis 50:20. What Satan intends for evil, God redeems for good.

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You’ll Get Through This

What Satan intends for evil, God redeems for good

Struggling With Grief: An Interview with Max Lucado

Grief is universal. It touches all of us at one point or another.

From the big to the small — though none of it ever seems small at the time.

From the expected to the unexpected.

Taking from the story of Joseph, pastor and NYT bestseller Max Lucado teaches readers how to endure and persevere through grief.

In 2013, Josh Olds had the chance to sit down with Max Lucado and talk about the book, being a pastor, and the reason for his wild success.

Along the way, Max gives Josh some pastoral advice about writing — something that still resonates to this day.

Josh Olds: What did you want to say through this book?

Max Lucado: You’ll Get Through This is exactly that: a message of hope to encourage people who are passing through tough times. It’s really a war against despair. It’s a message against despondency.

As a pastor now for 30 years, I’ve realized that there’s something that happens to people when they pass through tough times, that if they’re not careful, they will slide down into such a pit, they’ll never come back up. And what I wanted to do is give people a message of hope that would just encourage them and lift them up and help them out of this, through this season of difficulty.

I based the study or the book on the life of Joseph in the Old Testament, because I don’t know anybody who went through as many tough times as he did. But boy, he didn’t just survive, he thrived. And he had such a great understanding of how God used those tough times to create something good.

Josh: How do you hope people response to this message?

Max: Well, well, I hope people will respond by taking a step out of despair. But taking a step out of despair, if I can just talk one person off the ledge, if I can just convince one person not to make matters worse by making a bad decision.

That’s, that’s my goal. Because when we’re in despair, Josh, you know this, we just make bad decisions, and we draw the wrong conclusions about life. But if we can just hold on to some hope, then we’ll think more clearly and make better decisions. And we really will get through.

Josh: This is a wildly different topic, but I have to ask since I have you. What advice do you have for people who want to write like you do?

Max: If God has called you to be a writer, hey, congratulations! You’re in the league with, you know, he called Luke to be a writer and Paul to be a writer. You’re in pretty good company! And he’ll give you what you need. He’ll give you what you need to go at it and see what happens.

The Book - You’ll Get Through This

You fear you won’t make it through. We all do. We fear that the depression will never lift, the yelling will never stop, the pain will never leave.

In the pits, surrounded by steep walls and aching reminders, we wonder: Will this gray sky ever brighten? This load ever lighten?

In You’ll Get Through This, pastor and New York Times best-selling author, Max Lucado offers sweet assurance. “Deliverance is to the Bible what jazz music is to Mardi Gras: bold, brassy, and everywhere.”

Max reminds readers God doesn’t promise that getting through trials will be quick or painless.

It wasn’t for Joseph – tossed in a pit by his brothers, sold into slavery, wrongfully imprisoned, forgotten and dismissed — but his Old Testament story is in the Bible for this reason: to teach us to trust God to overcome evil.

With the compassion of a pastor, the heart of a storyteller, and the joy of one who has seen what God can do, Max explores the story of Joseph and the truth of Genesis 50:20.

What Satan intends for evil, God redeems for good.

The Author | Max Lucado

Max Lucado says he “writes books for people who don’t read books.’ Even so, his best-selling books have sold 100 million copies across 54 languages worldwide. Perhaps Lucado is converting non-readers with his poetic storytelling and homespun humor. Perhaps readers can sense that his encouraging words flow from the heart of a pastor.

Every trade book Max Lucado has written during the last 30 years began as a sermon series for his home church Oak Hills Church in San Antonio, Texas. Max presses every word of his sermons through this sieve: Why would this matter on Monday morning? How can I relate the promises of God to every person, wherever they are, regardless of the burdens they carry?

Since his first book On the Anvil was published in 1985, Max Lucado has been sharing the promises of God in sermons, books, articles and media interviews. His writing is also featured in videos, devotionals, songs, plush toys, greeting cards, booklets, Bible studies, and Bible commentaries. 130 million of these products have been sold around the globe. His books regularly appear on national bestseller lists including the New York Times.

Lucado has been dubbed “America’s Pastor” by Christianity Today, and Reader’s Digest called him “The Best Preacher in America.” The New York Times has named Max one of the most influential leaders in social media. He has been featured on countless media outlets including USA Today, “Good Morning America,” “The Today Show,” NPR, CNN, “Fox & Friends,” and Life is Story.

Max and Denalyn live in San Antonio, Texas, and have three grown daughters, two sons-in-law, and two grandchildren.

http://www.lifeisstory.com/podcast/struggling-with-grief-an-interview-with-max-lucado/

A FLOWER FOR YOU - God has planted little shoots of hope . . . How many times do we feel like nobody cares? God has planted little shoots of hope in each and every one of our difficult circumstances -- do you know that? Perhaps we're stepping on them, not even noticing they exist. Perhaps we're pulling the shoots before they spring forth into beautiful flowers. God wants us to be released from our prisons of despair. Look around! See what God has planted since the beginning of time especially for us today. Be encouraged! “Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost.” -

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A flower for you!

God has planted little shoots of hope . . .

Worthy Ministries

“Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost.” - Romans 15:13

I heard a story about a man who was imprisoned during Napoleon's reign.

While sulking in his dungeon one day, he etched on the wall the words "Nobody Cares".

A few weeks later, through a crack in the dungeon floor, a little green shoot sprang forth, reaching toward the tiny ray of sunlight that came from his small prison cell window.

The prisoner began giving a portion of his daily water to the little shoot and it began to grow.

One morning the man awoke to a beautiful flower.

A tear rolling down his face, he crossed out the words, "Nobody Cares" and replaced them with "God Cares."

The story goes on to tell that His devotion to the flower was reported to the Empress Josephine.

She was so very moved that she convinced Napoleon to set the man free.

How many times do we feel like "Nobody Cares"?

God has planted little shoots of hope in each and every one of our difficult circumstances -- do you know that?

Perhaps we're stepping on them, not even noticing they exist.

Perhaps we're pulling the shoots before they spring forth into beautiful flowers.

God wants us to be released from our prisons of despair.

Look around! See what God has planted since the beginning of time especially for us today. Be encouraged! There's so much work to be done!

Worthy Ministries is a Christian organization based in Israel with a global outreach to more than 120 countries on a daily basis.

Though we are an internet ministry, we are also significantly involved in the land of Israel. Living in Southern part of Israel near the Dead Sea, we run Worthy News and minister full-time to the many spiritually hungry people in our region. Learn about our Project Hear O Israel.

https://www.worthydevotions.com/christian-devotional/a-flower-for-you

WHEN A SEA OF FEAR IS RAGING ALL AROUND YOU - Fear can take many faces and be the driving force behind good as well as evil. The problem is when fear is the driving force, there is no peace or joy. As children of God, we are created to live out peace and joy. Oftentimes, we are so caught up in the storm of fear that it becomes our norm and we don’t see life as it really is. The Word of God gives us multiple examples showing us the way out of fear. As we familiarize ourselves with the God of the storm -- the God over fear -- He gently leads us out of fear and into faith. When a sea of fear is raging around us, He shows us the way out.

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When a Sea of Fear is Raging All Around

3 Things to Do When a Sea of Fear Is Raging All around You

Misty Honnold

Crosswalk.com Contributing Writer

Fear is a force that seeks to suck us under its waves and draw us to the depths of despair or trap us in a whirlpool of never being enough. 

David certainly identified with fear in Psalm 55:4-5, 7: 

“My heart is in anguish within me, And the terrors of death have fallen upon me. Fear and trembling come upon me, And horror has overwhelmed me... I would hasten to my place of refuge From the stormy wind and tempest."

Fear can take many faces and be the driving force behind good as well as evil. The problem is when fear is the driving force, there is no peace or joy.

As children of God, we are created to live out peace and joy.

Oftentimes, we are so caught up in the storm of fear that it becomes our norm and we don’t see life as it really is.

Fear was once my closest friend. As a young adult, I had the realization that most of what I had accomplished throughout life had been done out of fear.

Over and over, I had bowed to fear as the god of my life.

Even the good that I had accomplished had been done because of fear: fear of rejection, fear of abandonment, fear of not being enough or being too much, fear of judgment, fear of pain... the list goes on and on.

I was caught in a tumultuous sea of fear; it had become my norm and I didn’t know how to escape. 

Fortunately, the Word of God gives us multiple examples showing us the way out of fear.

As we familiarize ourselves with the God of the storm -- the God over fear -- He gently leads us out of fear and into faith.

When a sea of fear is raging around us, He shows us the way out. 

Take refuge in the ark.

“For forty days the flood kept coming on the earth, and as the waters increased they lifted the ark high above the earth. The waters rose and increased greatly on the earth, and the ark floated on the surface of the water. They rose greatly on the earth, and all the high mountains under the entire heavens were covered.” (Genesis 7:17-19)

Noah’s ark was a vessel of salvation.

Noah and his family had to enter into the ark by the one door and while the storms raged and mankind ceased to be, God kept Noah and his family safe.

There was only one way to enter the ark, and there is only one way to our ultimate safety -- through Jesus Christ.

Like Noah, we can run to our ark, Jesus, when the storms of fear seek to devour us and find safe refuge and all we need.

“The name of the Lord is a strong tower; The righteous runs into it and is safe.” (Proverbs 18:10)

Speak to the storm.

“A furious squall came up, and the waves broke over the boat, so that it was nearly swamped. Jesus was in the stern, sleeping on a cushion. The disciples woke him and said to him, ‘Teacher, don’t you care if we drown?’

“He got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, ‘Quiet! Be still!’ Then the wind died down and it was completely calm. He said to his disciples, ‘Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?’ They were terrified and asked each other, ‘Who is this? Even the wind and the waves obey him!’” (Mark 4:37-41)

In this passage, Jesus has just come away from a full day of teaching and training. 

Oftentimes after I have spent a day of powerful teaching and equipping, the enemy rages around me telling me things like “you failed, you missed the mark, you didn’t represent Jesus well.”

Fears start to swell up in my mind and overflow into my heart. Like the disciples, I can easily focus on the waves.

However, I have learned the benefit of looking at Christ who was completely at rest. In fact, “He was in the stern, asleep on a pillow.” 

Jesus was resting in the boat while the disciples were trembling in fear.

He rose up at their request and calmed the storm by speaking to the wind and the waves: “Peace, be still.”

He spoke peace and peace came, not only to the wind and the waves, but also to the people in the boat.

When we let the Prince of Peace arise in us and speak to the storm, things calm down. 

“The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet.” (Romans 16:20)

Get out of the boat.

“Shortly before dawn Jesus went out to them, walking on the lake. When the disciples saw him walking on the lake, they were terrified. ‘It’s a ghost,’ they said, and cried out in fear.

“But Jesus immediately said to them: ‘Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.’ ‘Lord, if it’s you,’ Peter replied, ‘tell me to come to you on the water.’ ‘Come,’ he said. Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus.

“But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, ‘Lord, save me!’ Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. ‘You of little faith,’ he said, ‘why did you doubt?’

“And when they climbed into the boat, the wind died down. Then those who were in the boat worshiped him, saying, ‘Truly you are the Son of God.’” (Matthew 14:25-33)

Here we have a great picture of the disciples once again cowering in fear.

In this story, the disciples aren’t necessarily fearful of the storm, but in fact are battling against the storm.

Fear rises up when Jesus shows Himself in a way they had never seen before. 

So many times in life we may face a storm, even a familiar storm, but Jesus wants to come and show us a new way to overcome.

Battling against the waves of fear is not doing the trick and Jesus wants us to walk over the waves of fear.

Fear arose when the disciples saw Jesus walking on the water. Maybe they didn’t want to have their paradigm of a “nice, safe Jesus” confronted. 

As disciples, we are called to do what we see our Teacher doing and if He walks on water, we need to develop the courage to do so also.

But the disciples became afraid and cowered in the boat. Jesus reminds us “it is I… do not be afraid.” 

So, we, like Peter, can get out of the boat and walk on the water with Jesus, but we must keep our eyes on Him lest we sink.

The good news is, if we find ourselves sinking under the waves of fear, all we need to do is reach out and He will take us by the hand and lift us up over the waves of fear. 

Jesus is the way out of fear. Whether we run into His name and find safety, speak to the raging sea of fear, or walk on the waves of fear, He is showing us, leading us, and guiding us on how to overcome.

We must keep our eyes fixed on Him, the Overcomer--our Overcomer.

Misty Honnold is the Founder and Director of the non-profit organization The Single MOM KC.  Misty equips, trains and empowers women to discover the source of their strength in Christ. She publishes a weekly blog on the website The Single MOM KC as well as freelances for other publications. 

https://www.crosswalk.com/faith/women/3-things-to-do-when-a-sea-of-fear-is-raging-all-around-you.html