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31 Days to Keep a Tender Heart: October 30

 
I was counseling a person who is suffering great despair over painful life circumstances. They told me that they were hanging on to their faith by a thread and that they were afraid it would break at any moment. They said that their joy had been taken away and that they were not sure that they would be able to get it back. They said that they were having a hard time locating hope because they cannot see how God is working in their impossible situation.
I was reminded of this as I was reading Lamentations 3 tonight.
He (God) has walled me in, and I cannot escape. He has bound me in heavy chains. And though I cry and shout, he shuts out my prayers. He has blocked my path with a high stone wall. He has twisted the road before me with many detours. (7-9) He has made me grind my teeth on gravel. He has rolled me in the dust. Peace has been stripped away, and I have forgotten what prosperity is. I cry out, “My splendor is gone! Everything I had hoped for from the LORD is lost!” The thought of my suffering and homelessness is bitter beyond words. I will never forget this awful time, as I grieve over my loss. Yet I still dare to hope when I remember this: The unfailing love of the LORD never ends! By his mercies we have been kept from complete destruction. Great is his faithfulness; his mercies begin afresh each day. I say to myself, “The LORD is my inheritance; therefore, I will hope in him!” (16-24) For the LORD does not abandon anyone forever. Though he brings grief, he also shows compassion according to the greatness of his unfailing love. For he does not enjoy hurting people or causing them sorrow. (31-33)
I think that we all have seasons of life and painful circumstances that tempt us to believe that God is against us and all hope is lost. But, the truth is that His love never ends and He has given us Himself. So, no matter how impossible our situation may appear, I think that we can always hope in the LORD for our deliverance. I also think that we can look to Him to sustain us with His love and joy while we wait and pray and suffer until our circumstances change.
Still Counting Gifts:
·         #616: Too many people showed up to serve at the soup kitchen
·         #617: This made it possible for me and Karyn to leave early and hang out at Katie’s Cup before work
·         #618: Noah singing and dancing in a scarecrow costume
·         #619: Delicious hibachi lunch with Mandy
·         #620: Searching Barnes and Noble for the perfect book to launch our Pearcy ladies book club
·         #621: Hours of fun and freedom in the middle of a work day
·         #622: Mom’s and kid’s
·         #623: New clients
·         #624: Anticipating my Chicago weekend with great delight

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