Hope Archives - Page 2 of 9 - Tabetha’s Devotions

October 20, 2018

Overwhelmed with Troubles, Near Death, in a Pit, without Strength.

Hebrew 11:1
Faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.

In the throes of depression, anxiety or even a PTSD attack, I feel alone. I feel I am in the pit. I am surrounded by darkness.

Yet, in this darkness that is full of evil, sadness, hatred, anger a sweet sickening voice calls out softly. It pretends to be my friend. It pretends to understand. It pretends to comfort me. It says things like…

Life is so hard. Your life is a struggle. It just isn’t worth it. Just give in. You are so tired. It would e easier if you just give up. You don’t want to fight anymore. You can’t fight anymore. Everyone else would be so much better without you in their lives. That is what you really want. you are a selfless, loving person. You want what is best for them. So go ahead. Do what is best for them.

In the pit, I feel like Psalms 88:3-4

I am overwhelmed with troubles and my life draws near to death. I am counted among those who go down to the pit. I am like one without strength.

Yes, I am overwhelmed with troubles, near death, in a pit, without strength.

But, wait! These words are in God’s word. God knows where I am. God knows what I am feeling. He used the exact words I am feeling. He even knows I feel like I am crying out to Him and He is rejecting me (Ps 88:14).

He has also provided a magic word to see me through the pit. There is one word, just five little letters long, that will see me out of this pit. That word is FAITH!

The writer of Hebrews us in chapter 11 verse 1 said,

Faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.

So, where does this leave me in my pit of despair? It leaves me confident that as I hope for God to save me and assurance that even though I don’t see Him right now He is there.

THAT IS FAITH!

July 2, 2018

Express It and Confess It!

Psalm 46:1
God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.

Did you know you can’t surprise God? Yep, no surprise parties for Him.

Everything you do and don’t do,
Everything you feel and don’t feel,
Everything you think and don’t thing,
He knows it all and is NOT surprised by it.

I came to grips with this a few years back when I was angry at God. My husband came home, on my 10th wedding anniversary, to tell me he was in love with someone else and he wanted a divorce. Here I was all dressed up and ready to go out for a nice dinner. He was two hours late, with no phone call or text, and these were the first words out his mouth. I am pretty sure I had a right to be upset.

I was upset with him, of course, but truth was, I was also angry with God.

I had two choices. One, be the “good little Christian” I was taught to be in my Sunday School class as a child and keep it all boxed up. Put a bow on top and smile my way through it. Two, stomp off to my room give out a wail of an ugly cry and yell and scream at God. Throw the temper tantrums of all tantrums.

Want to guess what I did? If you guessed two, you would be correct!

It was all right there in my heart. God knew it already. I might as well express it! I gave Him both barrels. I may have even thrown in a cuss word here and there.

You know what I found out? God has big shoulders. Confessing to Him every little detail was healing. Hiding it and pretending it doesn’t exist doesn’t make it go away. Your pain will find you!

God was not offended by my brutal honesty. As a matter of fact, I think He is more offended when we hide it. It is like we are out and out lying to His face! We are no better than Adam and Eve trying to hide in garden.

The next time you feel those emotions boiling inside, express them and confess them. Pour out your heart to God. He is our strong refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.

June 29, 2018

She is Not Broken Anymore

I know I would normally blog about some experience I am going through and then tie it all nice and neat up with a bow to a bible verse. However, tonight is going to be a little different. A bible study of verses in I Peter, in the Message version of the bible, spoke to me. I really think they speak for themselves and need no wrapping paper or bows.

Since Jesus went through everything you’re going through and more, learn to think like him. Think of your sufferings as a weaning from that old sinful habit of always expecting to get your own way. Then you’ll be able to live out your days free to pursue what God wants instead of being tyrannized by what you want.

Friends, when life gets really difficult, don’t jump to the conclusion that God isn’t on the job. Instead, be glad that you are in the very thick of what Christ experienced. This is a spiritual refining process, with glory just around the corner.

So if you find life difficult because you’re doing what God said, take it in stride. Trust him. He knows what he’s doing, and he’ll keep on doing it.

1 Peter 4:1-2, 12-13 & 19 The Message

June 27, 2018

Thank You for Traveling that Road

Philippians 1:6
Being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.

No one’s life is all rainbows and unicorns. We all face painful moments that rock out entire world in a matter of seconds.

These moments will change you forever. So let them change you for the good. Let them make you smarter, stronger, and grace filled.

Through these times of trials and tribulations you just might be molding into the person God is preparing as the answer to someone’s prayer. Someone is going to need your wisdom, knowledge and most important empathy when they travel the road behind you.

Right now you may not see the end of the tunnel, but I know the LORD can. He is right next to you every step breathing life into your present and future. He is shining HIS light in the darkest places. Hold on tight.

He is NOT going to leave you or forsake you. His grip is very tight and He will not drop you. No uncertainty, no broken dreams, and NO FEAR can keep you from Him.

Kick, scream, cry, throw a tantrum if you must. But then straighten your crown, remind Satan just who you are and keep moving.

May 18, 2018

I Hope

Romans 5:5
And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.

I am drawing a blank today. I prayed and prayed, but nothing is coming to me.

A writer’s worst nightmare!

I had actually picked the verse above a few days ago and set it aside. I am staring at it and still nothing is coming, or is it?!

I think I am living this verse right now in this very moment. I am praying and hoping that God will tell me what I am suppose to blog about. I am hoping for some words of wisdom to pass on.

I am HOPING!

Hope is such a teeny tiny little word, but has such a BIG meaning. I wake up in hope and I go to bed in hope.

I hope for a good day.

I hope for a message from my children.

I hope for one more day with my mother and father.

I hope I remember everything when I leave for work.

I hope for green lights and no trains or accidents.

I hope for something good for dinner (my hubby does all the cooking).

I hope for enough energy to do my workout after work.

I hope for a relaxing evening.

I hope for a good nights sleep.

These are just a few things that pop through my mind as I go through my day. I have bigger hopes and dreams also, but the important thing is I have hopes. I do hope. When I continue to hope, God doesn’t let me down.

Do all of those things always come to pass right then?

No, but I never give up hope.

Hope is what gets me through each moment, even the ones I hoped would never come. My hope is what sustains me because God’s love has been poured out into my heart through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to me.

Hmmm…I hope this blog has encouraged you to keep hoping. I also hope to see you again on Monday.

*Hugs*

Tabetha

April 13, 2018

Always Hope

Romans 15:13
May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

HOPE is simply

Having

Obscure

Peace

Everlasting

No matter how dark life gets, I have a hope that tomorrow is a new day. It is this hope that gets me up everyday. It is this hope that carries me through everyday! It is this hope that allows me to sleep.

I can’t explain the peace that comes over me while the storms continue to rage all around. I can’t explain the joy I still find when I see only darkness around me.

I can only say thank you Lord for never leaving me. Thank you for your peace and joy. My hope is in You Lord.

And I pray may the God of hope fill you my friends with all joy and peace as you all trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

January 12, 2018

Today I Want to Pray for You!

Lord, today I lift up my family and friends before you in prayer, and in agreement with your word, I ask:

That they will love You will all their hearts, souls, minds, and strength. Mark 12:30

That they will be patient thus gain greater understanding, and that they will be quick to hear, slow to speak, and slow to anger. Proverbs 14:29, James 1:19

Thay You protect them spiritually, mentally, and physically. Psalsm 28 & 41

That they will submit themselves to you, resist the temptations of the evil one, and acknowledge You in all that they do so that You will direct their steps. James 4:7

That you will give them the desire, strength, and courage to run the race with boldness, so that they may press on toward the goal that You have called them to in Christ Jesus. Philippians 3:12-14

That they will be a wise steward of all the things You have given them, remembering that all things are Yours, given to us by You for Your purpose and glory.
Matthew 6:19-21, Luke 16:10-13

That they would meditate on your word, pray without ceasing, and stay faithful to you Lord Jesus to the end. Psalms 1:1-3, 1 Thesselonians 5:17

In Jesus Name, Amen!

January 10, 2018

Who Cares?!?!

Psalms 27:1
The Lord is my light and my salvation — whom shall I fear?
The Lord is the stronghold of my life — of whom shall I be afraid?

January is a rotten time of year. Every commercial seems to scream “You are fat!” I don’t care if you are watching TV, scrolling social media, reading your email or picking up a magazine. You are bombarded with this message.

Then there are all the other messages that tell you are unorganized, lazy, or totally in debt.

I am not saying some of these things aren’t true, but there is one huge problem with all of these messages. They start you down a road of COMPARING!

I am convinced comparing is the go-to weapon of choice for the enemy. If he can open that door even a smidge, he gets you hooked. Your mind starts down a trail that is so hard to turn away from.

You try the first exit and it leads you to depression and despair because you don’t measure up. The next exit has you all holier than thou because at least you are not as bad as that person. No matter where you turn your focus remains on one thing…YOU!

Let’s get to the truth right now. You start worrying about what everyone else around you thinks. You are afraid people are not going to like you and think you aren’t good enough.

How do I know this? Because I have worn out way too many pairs of shoes on that journey. Can I tell you something I am trying to remember?

Who cares!?!?

I don’t care if I ever look like those rich, skinny women, with the perfectly organized house and thousands of followers on Pinterest. If God wanted me to be them he would have made me them. God made me the way he wanted me with my own unique qualities and talents. I need to be more aware of what he thinks of me.

You know what he thinks of you? He loves you right where you are now.

He doesn’t care if you fit into a bikini. You are perfect to him.

He doesn’t care if your home looks like the cover of a magazine. You are perfect to him.

He doesn’t care if you have organized your entire life on the most beautiful planner money can buy. You are perfect to him.

There is no need to be afraid of what everyone else thinks because the Lord is ou light and my salvation — whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of our life — of whom shall I be afraid?

Let’s not wear out another pair of shoes trying to compare our lives to someone else. Instead, let’s skip down the road of life together enjoying what we have and who we are.

January 3, 2018

Be the Light in Someone’s Day

2 Samuel 23:3-4
The God of Israel spoke, the Rock of Israel said to me:
‘When one rules over people in righteousness, when he rules in the fear of God, he is like the light of morning at sunrise on a cloudless morning, like the brightness after rain that brings grass from the earth.’

How can I make someone’s day?

During Lent last year I was challenged to do random acts of kindness each day instead of giving something up. I had so much fun sending little thank you notes to people. I even snuck a card to a lady working in the drive-through window on a very cold and busy morning at McDonalds. I know I was supposed to be blessing others, but spoiler alert I got blessed too!

You never know what baggage someone is lugging around or what scars they have. You may be the only smile or kind word they get. Never pass up a moment to be someone’s sunshine. It doesn’t matter if it is your spouse or the rude cashier, everyone deserves a smile, thank you, can I help you or may I pray with you.

Generosity doesn’t take a lot of money. It just takes a heart!

Light up someone’s world today. You just might be the only thing keeping them from total darkness.

Lord,
Help me be like the light of morning at sunrise on a cloudless morning, like the brightness after rain to someone today.

January 1, 2018

Give Me Light For The New Year

2 Samuel 22:29
You, Lord, are my lamp; the Lord turns my darkness into light.

I love to wake up to a brand new year. I have brand new journals, planners, and calendars laid out in front of me. Blank pages. How will they be filled? What will this new year bring?

I am not much for New Year’s resolutions. I have goals I want to accomplish. Places I would like to see. Things I would like to do. Yes, there are even things I would like to change or improve about myself.

However, I know just like those blank pages, my life will soon start to fill up. Any promises I make today will fall to the side and soon be forgotten.

Instead of resolutions, I want to offer up this simple New Year’s prayer.

Lord, you are my lamp; you turn my darkness into light. Guide my steps this year. Light my path. Help me to never give up even when I falter and fail. I want to follow you and fulfill your resolutions for my life.

Tag: Hope

Overwhelmed with Troubles, Near Death, in a Pit, without Strength.

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Express It and Confess It!

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She is Not Broken Anymore

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Thank You for Traveling that Road

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I Hope

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Always Hope

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Today I Want to Pray for You!

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Who Cares?!?!

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Be the Light in Someone’s Day

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Give Me Light For The New Year

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