You can't reason your way into peace. You have to surrender your way there.
Why are you cast down, O my soul, and why are you in turmoil within me? Hope in God; for I shall again praise him, my salvation. - Psalm 42:5
Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice. - Philippians 4:4
Don't let the enemy steal what Jesus died to give you
Now is your time of grief, but I will see you again and you will rejoice, and no one will take away your joy. - John 16:22
Slide 1: What if this isn't the end of your story? Slide 2: The ending you fear may be the beginning of God's plan. Slide 3: Before you give up, remember what God does with broken things. Slide 4: "He will give a crown of beauty for ashes, a joyous blessing instead of mourning, festive praise instead of despair." - Isaiah 61:3
What's a prayer God answered that you'll never forget?
A joyful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones. - Proverbs 17:22
Joy comes in the morning
Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you…do not let your hearts be troubled. - John 14:27
I waited patiently for the Lord to help me, and he turned to me and heard my cry. - Psalm 40:1
Sorrow and joy are not opposites. They are companions on the same road.
Consider Him who endured such hostility from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart. - Hebrews 12:3
We rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance. - Romans 5:3
God meets us in the valleys just as much as the mountaintops.
Restore to me the joy of your salvation
1. “God, let me die.” (A story you need to read.) 2. Elijah had just called down fire from heaven and then ran for his life because one person threatened him. 3. He collapsed in the desert, alone, and prayed the most honest prayer of his life: "I've had enough, Lord. Take my life." 4. God's response wasn't a rebuke, a lecture, or a theology lesson. It was an angel, a fresh loaf of bread, and a jar of water. 5. He was told to eat, because the journey ahead was going to be longer than he had strength for right now. 6. God never told Elijah his feelings were wrong. He just refused to let discouragement and exhaustion have the final word. 7. If you're sitting under your own tree right now, the God who met Elijah in the desert already knows where you are. He has what you need.
The Lord has done great things for us, and we are filled with joy. – Psalm 126:3
1. “Everything happens for a reason.” Except that isn’t in the Bible… 2. We say it because we want pain to make sense. And that instinct? That's not wrong. That's human. 3. What the Bible actually says: And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him. (Romans 8:28) It doesn't say everything is good. It doesn't say everything has a reason. It says God works in all things. 4. You don't have to find a reason for what happened to you. You just have to trust that God is working in it. You are not alone in hard times. 5. Faith doesn't always mean having the answer. Sometimes it just means trusting the one who does.
"Yet I will rejoice in the LORD; I will take joy in the God of my salvation." - Habakkuk 3:18
What would you say to someone who was dealing with sadness today?
Pray this if today feels heavy. 1. God, I feel overwhelmed and I don’t even know where to start. 2. My thoughts are loud. My heart feels tired. Please quiet the noise inside me. 3. I release what I cannot control. I surrender what I cannot fix. I give You what I cannot carry. 4. Fill my mind with Your peace, my body with rest, and my heart with hope. 5. I am not alone. You are with me here.
1: God restores what was broken 2: God heals what was hurting 3: God frees what was bound 4: God redeems what was lost 5: God is not done yet.
Here's what will happen on that day...
