Fixate on current events and become anxious.
Consider the bleak projections for the future and become fearful.
Dwell on your own struggles and become discouraged.
Focus on personal inadequacies and become doubtful.
Mull over regrets and become guilt-ridden.
Contemplate fading dreams and become despondent.
Permit negativity free reign and become depressed.
How easy it is to drift away from the truths that provide prosperity of soul.
We must choose to remember the following.
NO MATTER what we see happening, no matter the fear beginning to build, we can affirm: “For every visible reason for terror, there is an invisible and immensely more powerful reason for trust.” [1]
O Lord, God of our ancestors,
you alone are the God who is in heaven.
You are ruler of all the kingdoms of the earth.
You are powerful and mighty;
no one can stand against you!
–2 Chronicles 20:6 NLT
NO MATTER that we may not know the way forward; we do know the loving, all-powerful, and trustworthy Way Maker who has promised:
NO MATTER that life is a struggle right now, God will use it for good. “There is coming a day [when] . . . We will have the glorious truth of our difficult ‘now’ laid out before us in a way that makes perfect sense, that will leave us panting a breathless ‘hallelujah’ for the process we’ve walked to get there.” [2]
“You do not realize now what I am doing,
but later you will understand.”
–John 13:7
NO MATTER how inadequate you feel because of failures, shortcomings, and doubts, you must remember: “Weakness . . . is the very thing that qualifies you. Never mind your feelings of inadequacy; it is God’s work, not yours.
“Simply make yourself available, and let go of any need to impress others, or prove yourself worthy, or achieve ‘success.’ What matters is that God has chosen you, and that God claims you as His own.” [3]
NO MATTER what you’ve done, “You no longer have to fear the consequences of your past, for your sovereign God promises that he will cause everything in your life to work together for your good and Christlikeness.” [4]
“Blessed are those whose transgressions are forgiven. . .
. . . Blessed is the one whose sin
the Lord will never count against them.”
–Romans 4:7-8
NO MATTER that your dreams may be fading; “the death of your dream [is] not the death of God’s dreams for [you].” [5]
NO MATTER that circumstances conspire to steal your joy, you can . . . “Begin to rejoice in the Lord and your bones will flourish like an herb, and your cheeks will glow with the bloom of health and freshness. Worry, fear, distrust, care-all are poisonous! Joy is balm and healing, and if you will but rejoice, God will give power.” [6]
“Do not be worried,
for the joy of the Lord
is your strength and your stronghold.”
Nehemiah 8:10 AMP
NO MATTER the uncertainties and challenges of life, we have an all-powerful, wise and caring Companion for the journey, who provides all we need to experience prosperity of soul.
[1] Elisabeth Elliot, These Bold Ashes, 11.
[2] F. Elaine Olson, Peace for the Journey, 101.
[3] Brother David Vryhof
[4] Kay Arthur, His Imprint, My Expression, 274 and Romans 8:28.
[5] Tasha June, Take Heart, 25.
[6] A. B. Simpson
Photo credits: http://www.pxfuel.com; http://www.piqsels.com; http://www.www.pixfuel.com; http://www.wikimedia.org; http://www.canva.com; http://www.heartlight.org; Nancy Ruegg.
From the Inside Out 
Amen, Nancy! The glass is half full, not half empty. And God remakes us from the inside out. Your post reminds me that the power of an emotion does not, necessarily, determine its value. Blessings!
Oh, I love that statement you made there at the end. SO true, and well said, David. I’m copying that in my quote journal!
Oh, Nancy, as I watch with dread and sadness what our country is presently going through, I need to remember that God will hear our prayers and still grant His blessings on this nation founded on His principles. We know God has the victory, but we, as His soldiers, need to fight the battles ahead in His name. I don’t want to worry, but instead, allow God to be my stronghold.
Blessings!
Amen, Martha! I’m praying with you–for our nation and for all of us Christians that we might be filled with holy courage, wisdom, and discernment in these times of turmoil. Most of all we can pray for a revival of faith in Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord!
Nancy, this is so positive, so forward looking! Our culture, the 24/7 media, the enemy wants us looking down, looking back, imagining worse case scenarios and thinking all is lost.
We have nothing to fear. We love and trust the One who already knows the rest of the story. And in this truth lies our peace.
Amen, Linda! Praise God for his peace that transcends all understanding, his strength beyond measure, his joy that is independent of circumstances! He WILL see us through whatever may come!
Nancy,
I feel so far from God. This piece is a reminder we face all sorts of things in this life that we don’t really understand. Why things change so quickly we never know.
Thank you,
Gary
God bless you, Gary, for your honesty. I think most Christians go through seasons when they feel distant from God. Kay Arthur’s book, His Imprint, My Expression includes a chapter that addresses this experience. Her words have helped me in dry seasons. What follows is an abbreviated excerpt: “God may be silent . . . challenges to our faith may come . . . but we can know with surety that though we may be wounded, we cannot be defeated. God is watching over us. Whether we feel His presence and watchcare or not, God is there–maybe not manifesting Himself now but never ceasing to love us and never failing to cause all things–even His silence–to work together for our good” (p. 41). It encourages me to know even strong Christians like Kay Arthur experience times when God seems distant, silent, and uninvolved. Her anchor is this: When the silence is broken, her relationship with God will be more treasured than before! That’s good news to cling to!
Gary, I am praying for you.
Thanks for this wholesome truth.
Thank you for stopping by, Chris, and taking the time to comment!
This is so good, Nancy! Look around and be depressed. Look up and be blessed. Nothing that is happening takes him by surprise, and he is still in control. That’s the truth we need to keep before us!
“Look around and be depressed. Look up and be blessed.” Wonderful truth in those words, Sheila–love it! Thank you!
Wonderful post! This is so uplifting!
Thank you, Linda. So glad you found uplift here–praise God!
Nancy, Thank you for this great post full of encouragement. It was just what I needed.
Praise God, Mary! LOVE how he engineers the perfect timing of a post for a particular reader. And it warms my heart to be a part of his work. I pray you are upheld and uplifted, dear friend, as this new chapter of your life continues to unfold.
Nancy, it’s Friday night, our dog Fannie is going between my husband and me barking for popcorn because we’ve spoiled her, the week is behind us and I’ve come upon your beautiful message. For every doubt, for every feeling of inadequacy, for every anxiety and fear and sense of failure and loneliness, you have provided words of strength and power to overcome. Now, taking a deep breath, I’ll place this in my heart and carry it with me into tomorrow, and all the tomorrow’s God grants me. You are a jewel.
Thank you,
Deb
Oh Deb, what an encouragement this is! Praise God for his inspiration that worked in me as I composed this post. And praise God he used it to minister to you!
How very, very timely! My biggest issue (other than my burden for unsaved loved ones) is what it going on in my beloved country. Every single day we are accosted by fresh evil invading our government at the hands of Satan. So many Americans have given their lives over to Satan and have accepted and propagated his agenda. But earlier today (before reading your blog) the Holy Spirit revealed to me that the worse things get, the closer we are to Christ returning to gather us up with Him! That is so comforting and that comfort was reinforced by your writings. God has not (and never will) abandon His children! You wrote:
‘NO MATTER that circumstances conspire to steal your joy, you can . . . “Begin to rejoice in the Lord and your bones will flourish like an herb, and your cheeks will glow with the bloom of health and freshness. Worry, fear, distrust, care-all are poisonous! Joy is balm and healing, and if you will but rejoice, God will give power.” ‘
Satan is working on Christians overtime to fill us with fear and steal our joy, but I’m claiming that joy because (as you said) joy is a BALM! It soothes and heals all of the wounds that Satan keeps inflicting on God’s children. Now more than ever I rejoice in all that God is doing behind the scenes. For every sling and arrow aimed at me and when I am on the verge of despair I will be renewing my trust in Him. It is sometimes a minute-by-minute battle that the Lord is winning for me.
AMEN, my friend! Who would have thought just two years ago that our country would be accosted by evil so vehemently? Who could have predicted how quickly havoc would break loose and cause mounting problems? PRAISE GOD he will supply ALL that we need to fight against fear and despair! We can LOSE our joy, but nothing can STEAL our joy! And we are NEVER without hope! Thank you for your wise and uplifting comments, Cheri.
Thank you Nancy for sharing these encouraging truths. God is in control.❤️
That’s a glorious truth right there, that calms our fear and feeds our faith: God is in control! Hallelujah! And thank you, Alicia!
Amen “NO MATTER how inadequate you feel because of failures, shortcomings, and doubts, you must remember: “Weakness . . . is the very thing that qualifies you. Never mind your feelings of inadequacy; it is God’s work, not yours.”
Isn’t that a great quote from Brother David Vryhof? I found it encouraging; I’m glad you did too Tangie!
This reminds be so much of a social media posting that says, “You read the newspaper to see what’s going on around you; I read the Bible to understand why!” Great message Sister Nancy!! 👍💗📖😇
Thank you, Roland. Praise God for his inspiration! I like that posting you shared too.
Just confirms what I’ve been praying for our son who is about to be released from prison. Thank you for your insight, encouragement and prayers. I believe God has plans for all of us as we surrender to Him.
AMEN, my friend! He will not be the first whose trials are turned to triumph in the hands of Almighty God!
Your posts are always so uplifting, Nancy, and effectively wash away frustrations or discouragements that lie before me. Thank you for always steering your readers back to the path of righteousness.
Thank YOU, Dave. What a delight for ME to help assuage the frustrations and discouragements before you. As always I praise God for the inspiration behind each post!
Wow… So basically, all that matters is what GOD says, thinks, plans, and wants. 😉 Great post, Nancy!
Yup–you’ve summarized it perfectly in eleven words, Ann!! : ) Thank you!