HEARTSICK - ‘Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but a longing fulfilled is a tree of life.’ - Proverbs 13:12. - When the dream of hope drags on and on, the delay can spiral us downwards into a state of dark depression. We need to ask God for wisdom to know when a loved one has become so hopeless or emotionally ill that they can’t take another day of it. And we need to be right there for them. Millions of people are battling with depression or anxiety every day throughout the world. Depression is no respecter of persons, age, social status or geographical area. Jesus sends us with the Word, the Spirit and with the power to help them. To come alongside and care enough to love deeply, and long enough to bring hope. Depression can cause us to give up on life. When the job became too big for Moses, he told God to take his life immediately and not let him have to face his own wretchedness any longer. Elijah was certain that Jezebel would make good on her threats to kill him, so the prophet asked God to take his life. And it is said that the book of Job covers a span of only nine months, but Job’s losses were so devastating the he said his soul loathed his life. When the dream of hope drags on and on, the delay can spiral us downwards into a state of dark depression. We need to ask God for wisdom to know when a loved one has become so hopeless or emotionally ill that they can’t take another day of it. And we need to be right there for them.

.................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

Heartsick

When the dream of hope drags on and on, the delay can spiral us downwards into a state of dark depression 

.

We need to ask God for wisdom to know when a loved one has become so hopeless or emotionally ill that they can’t take another day of it. And we need to be right there for them. Millions of people are battling with depression or anxiety every day throughout the world. Depression is no respecter of persons, age, social status or geographical area. Jesus sends us with the Word, the Spirit and with the power to help them. To come alongside and care enough to love deeply, and long enough to bring hope.

listenandprosper.com

 

‘Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but a longing fulfilled is a tree of life.’ - Proverbs 13:12 (NIV).

 

Depression can cause us to give up on life.

When the job became too big for Moses, he told God to take his life immediately and not let him have to face his own wretchedness any longer.

Elijah was certain that Jezebel would make good on her threats to kill him, so the prophet asked God to take his life.

And it is said that the book of Job covers a span of only nine months, but Job’s losses were so devastating the he said his soul loathed his life.

When the dream of hope drags on and on, the delay can spiral us downwards into a state of dark depression.

We need to ask God for wisdom to know when a loved one has become so hopeless or emotionally ill that they can’t take another day of it.

And we need to be right there for them.

Who are these people?

A young person who has cut themselves as a cry for help because of life problems that seem beyond fixing.

War veterans suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder who can’t escape or expel the demons of war.

Victims of abuse who engage in harmful or unhealthy behaviors as a way of coping.

People who struggle with sexual issues but are terrified to talk about them.

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, open my heart and my eyes to the need around me.

Lead me to another who needs your love and the message of hope today.

I am willing and ready to go.

In Jesus’ Mighty Name,

AMEN!

Final Thoughts:

Millions of people are battling with depression or anxiety every day throughout the world.

Some sleep in mansions and some under bridges.

Depression is no respecter of persons, age, social status or geographical area.

Some are Christians with thoughts of suicide, who dread hearing that they’re weak and don’t have enough faith.

A quick Scripture, a brief prayer, and a ‘God bless you’ is not the answer they need.

Jesus sends us with the Word, the Spirit and with the power to help them.

To come alongside and care enough to love deeply, and long enough to bring hope.

Where is He calling us to bring hope today?

Be Greatly Blessed!

https://listenandprosper.com/heartsick/

You might also like:

 

Blessed be the Lord God Almighty

Kelly Willard

CLICK HERE . . . to view complete playlist . . . 

https://puricarechronicles.blogspot.com/2019/08/blessed-be-lord-god-almighty-kelly.html

...................................................................................................................................................................................................................

A Bottle of Your Tears

CLICK HERE . . . to view . . . 

https://puricarechronicles.blogspot.com/2020/04/a-bottle-of-your-tears-we-have-father.html

...................................................................................................................................................................................................................

Choosing Hope When Life Seems Hopeless

CLICK HERE . . . to view . . . 

https://puricarechronicles.blogspot.com/2020/10/choosing-hope-when-life-seems-hopeless.html

...................................................................................................................................................................................................................

Holding on to our Master’s robe is all that we can do

CLICK HERE . . . to view . . . 

https://puricarechronicles.blogspot.com/2019/12/disappointments-when-life-doesnt-add-up.html

...................................................................................................................................................................................................................

Antidepressants the most prescribed drug in the U.S.

CLICK HERE . . . to view . . . 

https://puricare.blogspot.com/2017/04/antidepressants-most-prescribed-drug-in.html

...................................................................................................................................................................................................................

 Sadness For No Reason

CLICK HERE . . . to view . . . 

https://puricare.blogspot.com/2018/11/sadness-for-no-reason-there-is-no.html

...................................................................................................................................................................................................................

Psychotic Depression

CLICK HERE . . . to view . . . 

https://puricare.blogspot.com/2017/09/psychotic-depression-when-major.html

...................................................................................................................................................................................................................

Don't Listen to Job's Wife

CLICK HERE . . . to view . . . 

https://puricarechronicles.blogspot.com/2018/01/dont-listen-to-jobs-wife-joni-eareckson.html

...................................................................................................................................................................................................................

The Spirit Of Suicide

CLICK HERE . . . to view . . . 

https://puricarechronicles.blogspot.com/2019/09/the-spirit-of-suicide-satan-and-those.html

CHOOSING HOPE WHEN LIFE SEEMS HOPELESS - No matter what difficult circumstances you may be facing, God wants you to know you can turn to Him as your “very present help” in times of trouble. Even though you may feel surrounded by problems on every side, the Lord wants to be your HOPE. Perhaps you’re feeling like your “brook” dried up and God’s help and provision were nowhere to be found. The key to a turnaround in your life is right there in your hand! God promises that if you keep the words of His Covenant, you will “prosper in all that you do.” And as you are blessed, you can BE a blessing to others — sending the hope and salvation of Jesus Christ to the nations of the world. - If you’ve watched any TV news lately, you’ve seen reports of the stress and hopelessness many people are experiencing today. Layoffs, unemployment, foreclosures, bankruptcies, and natural disasters are putting enormous pressure on families to give up hope and succumb to despair. This is not just the experience of unbelievers. I meet many Christians who face difficult times in their finances, health, family, or emotions. Like Job and many other men and women in the Bible, they’re at the end of their rope, and their faith is being tested. Friend, no matter what difficult circumstances you may be facing, God wants you to know you can turn to Him as your “very present help” in times of trouble.

...................................................................................................................................................

Choosing Hope When Life Seems Hopeless

.

No matter what difficult circumstances you may be facing, God wants you to know you can turn to Him as your “very present help” in times of trouble. Even though you may feel surrounded by problems on every side, the Lord wants to be your HOPE. Perhaps you’re feeling like your “brook” dried up and God’s help and provision were nowhere to be found. The key to a turnaround in your life is right there in your hand! God promises that if you keep the words of His Covenant, you will “prosper in all that you do.” And as you are blessed, you can BE a blessing to others — sending the hope and salvation of Jesus Christ to the nations of the world.

by David Cerullo

If you’ve watched any TV news lately, you’ve seen reports of the stress and hopelessness many people are experiencing today.

Layoffs, unemployment, foreclosures, bankruptcies, and natural disasters are putting enormous pressure on families to give up hope and succumb to despair.

This is not just the experience of unbelievers.

I meet many Christians who face difficult times in their finances, health, family, or emotions.

Like Job and many other men and women in the Bible, they’re at the end of their rope, and their faith is being tested.

At such times, we need to know where to turn for help:

“I lift up my eyes to the mountains —

where does my help come from?

My help comes from the LORD,

the Maker of heaven and earth” (Psalm 121:1-2 NIV).

Friend, no matter what difficult circumstances you may be facing, God wants you to know you can turn to Him as your “very present help” in times of trouble (Psalm 46:1).

Even though you may feel surrounded by problems on every side, the Lord wants to be your HOPE — “the One who lifts [your] head” (Psalm 3:3).

When the Brook Dries Up

Sometimes we forget that men and women in the Bible often went through trials very similar to those we face today.

For example, even though God provided Elijah with food brought by ravens and water from a brook, “it happened after a while that the brook dried up, because there had been no rain in the land” (1 Kings 17:7).

Have you ever felt like your “brook” dried up and God’s help and provision were nowhere to be found?

Perhaps you’re feeling that way today, struggling to make ends meet and wondering whether God will be faithful to meet your needs.

At times like these, it’s important to remember that whenever you ask the Lord for a miracle, He will give you an instruction.

In Elijah’s case, God told him to go to Zarephath: “Arise, go to Zarephath, which belongs to Sidon, and dwell there. See, I have commanded a widow there to provide for you” (1 Kings 17:9).

Without debate or delay, Elijah “arose and went to Zarephath” (verse 10).

He chose to obey, knowing that obedience was his only hope of unlocking God’s supernatural provision in his life.

It Only Takes a “Handful”

Just as Elijah had to choose whether or not to obey God’s instructions, so the widow he found in Zarephath faced a difficult decision when the prophet told her, “Please bring me a morsel of bread in your hand” (verse 11).

This may not seem like a very difficult request, but you have to understand the woman’s situation: “I do not have bread, only a handful of flour in a bin, and a little oil in a jar; and see, I am gathering a couple of sticks that I may go in and prepare it for myself and my son, that we may eat it, and die” (verse 12).

What a dilemma.

This widow had almost nothing left… only a “handful” of flour and a little bit of oil. But you see, this “HANDFUL” was the key to her miracle!

“Faced with a seemingly hopeless situation, the widow could’ve surrendered to fear and unbelief… but instead, she CHOSE HOPE and obeyed God’s instruction!”

As long as the woman held on to her meager supply of food, that’s all she had.

But when she obeyed God’s instructions and released what was in her hand, God intervened in her circumstances and released the supernatural abundance that was in HIS hand!

Although the Lord’s instructions to this poor widow must have seemed totally unreasonable, His purpose was not her demise but her BLESSING!

Elijah assured her that if she would obey, “The bin of flour shall not be used up, nor shall the jar of oil run dry, until the day the LORD sends rain on the earth” (verse 14).

She chose to obey the prophet of the Lord, and the result was MIRACULOUS provision: “She and he and her household ate for many days. The bin of flour was not used up, nor did the jar of oil run dry, according to the word of the LORD which He spoke by Elijah” (verses 15-16).

What an amazing miracle!

In a time of drought and famine, this desperate woman went from having “not enough” to having “more than enough.”

From the brink of starvation and death, she experienced life and abundance — all because she chose to obey the man of God and believe the Lord’s word to her.

What’s in Your Hand?

Remember: The key to a turnaround in your life is not in some far-off place — it’s right there in your hand!

But here’s the problem:

“What you have in your hand must be transferred into God’s hand!”

How much food does it take to feed more than 5,000 hungry people?

Only five loaves of bread and two fish, IF they are transferred into Jesus’ hands and blessed by Him (Matthew 14:14-21)!

But how many people could have been fed without Jesus’ blessing on these loaves and fish? Maybe five or ten!

In Exodus 4:2, God asks Moses the same question He’s asking you today: “What is that in your hand?”

All Moses had in his hand at that point was a simple wooden shepherd’s rod.

But after he laid it down and surrendered it into the Lord’s hand, it was transformed into “the rod of God” (Exodus 4:20) —

o  able to part the Red Sea (Exodus 14:21),

o  bring water out of a rock (Exodus 17:5-6), and

o    gain supernatural victory over enemy armies (Exodus 17:8-13).

“Friend, I believe your breakthrough from God is at hand — and it’s literally in your hand! Whatever breakthrough you need from Him — whether in your finances, marriage, job, health, or children — the key is surrendering all of your resources into the hands of your Almighty Covenant Partner.”

God Wants to Bless You!

During this difficult season in the world’s economy, it’s more important than ever to keep God’s commandments.

Sow your financial Seeds into the Good Ground of His Kingdom, wrap your faith with expectation, and be fully persuaded that He will bless you!

God promises that if you keep the words of His Covenant, you will “prosper in all that you do” (Deuteronomy 29:9).

And as you are blessed, you can BE a blessing to others — sending the hope and salvation of Jesus Christ to the nations of the world.

David Cerullo is the founder, chairman, and CEO of Inspiration Ministries, located in Indian Land, South Carolina ­– a ministry dedicated to impacting people for Christ worldwide through media. The son of international evangelist Morris Cerullo, David took a less traditional approach to ministry, graduating from Oral Roberts University with a degree in business administration and management. He has authored over 20 books, and operates a global media ministry that powerfully impacts the world for Christ. More from David on Inspiration.org.

https://inspiration.org/david-cerullo/strengthen-your-walk/choosing-hope/

HOPE BLOSSOMS - The restoration of Israel, or Zion, is described as ultimately involving the renewal of the land and people - the desert and wilderness will blossom, Israel will be healed, be safe, and be filled with joy. Can a few flowers rekindle our hope? A prophet said yes - so does our hope-giving God. No matter our situation today, we too can rejoice in the beautiful ways our heavenly Father restores us with fresh hope, including through His creation - when we feel down, reflecting on His glory and splendor will bolster us - “The desert and the parched land will be glad; the wilderness will rejoice and blossom.” In the city of Philadelphia, when weedy vacant lots were cleaned up and brightened with beautiful flowers and trees, nearby residents also brightened in overall mental health. This proved especially true for those who struggled economically. The downtrodden people of Israel and Judah found fresh hope in the prophet Isaiah’s vision of their beautiful restoration by God. Amid all the doom and judgment Isaiah foretold, this bright promise took root: “The desert and the parched land will be glad; the wilderness will rejoice and blossom. Like the crocus, it will burst into bloom; it will rejoice greatly and shout for joy” No matter our situation today, we too can rejoice in the beautiful ways our heavenly Father restores us with fresh hope, including through His creation. When we feel down, reflecting on His glory and splendor will bolster us.

...............................................................................................................................................................

Hope Blossoms

.

The restoration of Israel, or Zion, is described as ultimately involving the renewal of the land and people - the desert and wilderness will blossom, Israel will be healed, be safe, and be filled with joy. Can a few flowers rekindle our hope? A prophet said yes - so does our hope-giving God. No matter our situation today, we too can rejoice in the beautiful ways our heavenly Father restores us with fresh hope, including through His creation - when we feel down, reflecting on His glory and splendor will bolster us

By Patricia Raybon

Read: Isaiah 35:1–4 (NIV)

“The desert and the parched land will be glad; the wilderness will rejoice and blossom.” - Isaiah 35:1

In the city of Philadelphia, when weedy vacant lots were cleaned up and brightened with beautiful flowers and trees, nearby residents also brightened in overall mental health.

This proved especially true for those who struggled economically.

“There’s a growing body of evidence that green space can have an impact on mental health,” said Dr. Eugenia South, “and that’s particularly important for people living in poorer neighborhoods.”

South, a faculty member at the University of Pennsylvania’s Perelman School of Medicine, is coauthor of a study on the subject.

The downtrodden people of Israel and Judah found fresh hope in the prophet Isaiah’s vision of their beautiful restoration by God.

Amid all the doom and judgment Isaiah foretold, this bright promise took root: “The desert and the parched land will be glad; the wilderness will rejoice and blossom. Like the crocus, it will burst into bloom; it will rejoice greatly and shout for joy” - (Isaiah 35:1–2).

No matter our situation today, we too can rejoice in the beautiful ways our heavenly Father restores us with fresh hope, including through His creation.

When we feel down, reflecting on His glory and splendor will bolster us.

“Strengthen the feeble hands, steady the knees that give way,” Isaiah encouraged (verse 3).

Can a few flowers rekindle our hope? A prophet said yes. So does our hope-giving God.

When you feel hopeless, how do you usually respond?

How could spending time outdoors in God’s creation transform your despair to renewed hope in God?

Dear God, thank You for the splendor of Your creation, pointing me to Your glory, and reviving my hope in You.

INSIGHT

Isaiah 34 and 35 provide a summary of the judgment and blessing described in the first half of the book.

Chapter 34 describes judgment against “all nations” (verses 1–2), then focuses on Edom (verse 5), an enemy of Israel, which was representative of all nations.

The two chapters are linked by the warning of God’s vengeance “to uphold Zion’s cause” (Isaiah 34:8) and to save Zion (Isaiah 35:4).

The restoration of Israel, or Zion, is described as ultimately involving the renewal of the land and people.

The desert and wilderness will blossom (verse 1), Israel will be healed (verses 5–6), be safe (verses 7, 9), and be filled with joy (verse 10).

For encouragement, read Hope: Choosing Faith Instead of Fear at discoveryseries.org/q0733.

Patricia Raybon, a former Sunday Magazine editor at The Denver Post and former associate professor of journalism at the University of Colorado at Boulder, now writes bridge-building books “to inspire people to love God and each other.” Passionate for God’s Word, she also supports Bible-translation projects worldwide. Her award-winning books include My First White Friend and I Told the Mountain to Move. A mother of two and grandmother of five, she and husband Dan live in Colorado where they enjoy movies, popcorn, cozy mysteries, and soapy PBS dramas. Find her at patriciaraybon.com or on Facebook or Twitter @patriciaraybon

https://ourdailybread.ca/hope-blossoms/