Has Today Been a Hard Day?

Don't be afraid. I am with you. Don't tremble with fear. I am your God. I will make you strong, as I protect you with My arm and give you victories. Everyone who hates you will be disgraced; those who attack will vanish into thin air. You will look around for those brutal enemies, but you won't find them because they will be gone. I am the Lord your God. I am holding your hand, so don't be afraid. I am here to help you. Isaiah 41:10-13

For whatever you're going through right now, know that your friend Jesus is ever near and is leading and guiding you. You’re not in the boat alone, He’s in it with you. The voice that calmed the raging sea is calling you His child, so be still and know He's in control, He'll NEVER let you go.

For those who struggle with cutting or other forms of self-harm ... kneel before God and scream out the pain before Him and release the pain and frustrations to Him.

For those who suffer with depression and thoughts of suicide … life IS worth living, whether you feel like it is right now or not. DON’T listen to voices in your head trying to tell you otherwise.

For those suffering with addictions … may God give you grace to say no, lead you not into temptation and help you to replace addictions that aren’t good for you with other things and habits that are safe and godly.

For those in abusive relationships … God hates abuse, you’re His child and He wants NO harm to come near you (you are His temple) or your dwelling and He’s committed to take care of you. Pray for God’s will about how and when to leave abusive relationships. You can't save that person hurting you and you can't change them. Don't stay for the kids, they are in jeopardy of being hurt right where they are.

 

For those who have been raped ... it WAS NOT your fault. You are valued and loved, regardless of what happened to you. FYI - if your husband forced you against your will to have sex, that's rape, too.

For those who are pregnant … you have options. Contact a local pregnancy care center that will share the truth in love about options that will help you choose life.

For those who have had an abortion … there is healing for your empty arms at the feet of Jesus. May He hold you and fill the voids.

For those who need wisdom and direction ... seek God. Read and meditate on His Word. Ask for wisdom and direction and when you hear from Him (and you will, for you DO know His voice) do as He asks. For He has a good plan for your life.

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Helpful numbers and websites:

S.A.F.E. Alternatives self-injury hotline 1-800-DONT-CUT http://www.selfinjury.com
National Suicide (Self-Harm) Prevention Lifeline 1-800-273-TALK http://www.suicidepreventionlifeline.org
National Hopeline Network 1-800-442-HOPE http://www.hopeline.com
National Domestic Violence Hotline 1-800-799-SAFE http://www.thehotline.org
National Sexual Assault Hotline (RAINN) 1-800-656-HOPE http://www.rainn.org
National Runaway Safeline 1-800-RUNAWAY http://www.1800runaway.org
National Eating Disorders Helpline 1-800-931-2237 http://www.nationaleatingdisorders.org
Option Line (for those who are pregnant) 1-800-395-HELP http://www.optionline.org
The National Helpline for Abortion Recovery 1-866-482-LIFE http://www.nationalhelpline.org

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I'm so sorry that others have judged you. I never will, 'cause I've got my own struggles and pains ... NO ONE is perfect.

It doesn't matter who you are, or what you've done ... God loves YOU. Jesus doesn't merely like you when you do well; He's personally and passionately committed to your good, even when you fail. God is love and He deeply, stubbornly and eternally insists on loving EVERY individual. Relax in the LOVE that CHRIST has for YOU.

Even if you don't believe that others care, know that JESUS cares about you personally, He knows you by name. Keep PRESSIN' IN to Him, He's NOT going to hurt you like others have, He CAN be trusted.

The arms that hold the universe are holding you, it's gonna be alright.

Father, thank You that even though we’ve made mistakes and feel like we’ve missed the best life that You had for us, help us to know that it’s not too late to begin again. Like a child following in the footsteps of a strong father, help us to follow Your footsteps, wherever they may go. In Jesus’ name, amen.

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See also:

God HATES Abuse - So Stop Being a Martyr and Let Go http://answerfortheailing.blogspot.com/2011/05/god-hates-abuse-so-stop-being-martyr.html
Don't You Dare http://answerfortheailing.blogspot.com/2013/02/dont-you-dare.html
Don't Self-Harm Because of a Relationship http://answerfortheailing.blogspot.com/2012/08/dont-self-harm-because-of-relationship.html
Do You Hate Yourself? http://answerfortheailing.blogspot.com/2010/05/do-you-hate-yourself.html
Signs of Abusive Men http://eshanya.webs.com/signsofabusivemen.htm

Measured God’s Love Lately?

Can anything ever separate us from Christ’s love? Does it mean he no longer loves us if we have trouble or calamity, or are persecuted, or hungry, or destitute, or in danger, or threatened with death? As the Scriptures say, 'For your sake we are killed every day; we are being slaughtered like sheep.' No, despite all these things, overwhelming victory is ours through Christ, who loved us. And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow - not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love. No power in the sky above or in the earth below - indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 8:35-39

No Christian should ever fear being separated from the love of God.

Living as we do in a world of imperfect love and failing relationships, it’s a challenge to rest in a love so pure and so permanent that it will never cease. But that is the nature of GOD’S LOVE.

Paul exhausted his creativity trying to think of something that could come between us and God’s love – and he failed (Romans 8:35-39).

The true measure of God’s love is that He loves without measure.

Father, I pray that You help us to receive the perfect love that You have for us. Give us deeper understanding of just how wide, deep, long and vast Your love for us is. May it drive away all fear and bring healing and peace to our hearts. Help us to share that love with others. In Jesus’ name, amen.