Reflections on a cloudy day in midsummer, and a free giveaway.
Let’s be real. We are not at the top of our game every day.
No one is. Some days we may not even be IN the game, to be honest. On those challenging days I feel like my personal black raincloud is hovering overhead, coloring all of my world with grayish, lifeless stone-colored blah-ness. Anxiety. The blues. Can you relate at all? On that kind of day, I try to give myself some grace, and celebrate the small things accomplished. Like opening my eyes. Or getting up out of bed, brushing my teeth and getting dressed.
There are good days and bad days.
I love to encourage people, so I tend to avoid negative posts here, but please do not think I am anywhere near perfect! Every day is a battle against anxiety, fear, discouragement. And this is to be expected! It’s in the Bible after all. We’re instructed to put on the armor of God every morning, in preparation for the spiritual battles we will encounter each day. The battle is real.
But then as I leaf through my Bible I see these words, written in red: “In the world you will have tribulation (this can be loosely translated “roll over, hit snooze and pull the covers back over your head” kind of days) BUT...” (there is a but, hallelujah!) Jesus continues, ” be of good cheer. I have overcome the world!!“
There is always hope.
No matter how you feel, there is always, always, always hope! Sometimes you just have to turn your head and look. God is always right there….waiting. He is the Overcomer. And He is ready to help. When I feel anxious or sad, under the shadow of thick dark clouds, and I remember to turn to Him, He usually guides me to a Scripture, or a song. When I pray and sing it back to Him, I find hope, peace, and joy that feeds and refreshes my soul!
“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.”
Romans 15:13
This is my prayer for you today. Bring your discouragements and anxiety to God. Ask Him for help. Then grab hold of His Holy Spirit power to defeat the barbs, darts, and discouragements of the Enemy.
5 simple steps that will chase the clouds away:
Here are just a few examples of weapons that have helped me to stand strong against discouragement, fear, anxiety, and rainclouds. I say them out loud. I make them my prayer:
- Reflect on God’s promises. He means what He says, and He has promised to be with you through the fire and the flood. Isaiah 43:1-3, “Fear not, I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers they shall not overwhelm you; when you walk through the fire you shall not be burned, and the flame shall not consume you. For I am the LORD your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior.”
- Listen. God is with you, sit quietly before Him, listen to His words: “Be still, and know that I am God.” Psalm 46:10
- Count your blessings. A thankful heart a sure cure for anxiety and fear. “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication WITH THANKSGIVING let your requests be made known to God. And the PEACE of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:6-7
- Remember who you are. If you have come to Christ, believing in Him and accepting Him as your Savior, you are one of His. If this sounds new to you and you would like to know more on this important topic, please click here https://just2miles.com/index.php/category/gods-simple-plan-of-salvation/ As a child of God you are accepted, chosen, loved, holy, blameless, redeemed, completely made new, purposed, free. Our God is a God of great power, and abundant love mercy and grace. Remember this. Claim this. Preach it to yourself every day. He is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think or imagine, according to the power (His power) at work within us! (Ephesians 3:20) He can chase those clouds away as we turn our gaze upward to Him.
- Sing! This song, based on Psalm 91, speaks of God’s covenant of protection with His children. It has really been touching my heart lately.
If you would like a PDF with my personal prescription for cloudy days, please let me know how to send it to you! I’m happy to share what has helped me, in the hope that it will be an encouragement to you. And if you like our content, please consider subscribing to www.just2miles.com at the top or bottom of this page.
Do you have a favorite Scripture, or worship song you’d like to share?
Please post in the comments below. In the midst of these often crazy and cloudy days, let’s encourage one another!
nm 🌷
You must be logged in to post a comment.