Down But Not Out
Have you ever felt beaten down? Has it ever seemed like everything was just against you? Me too.
Even recently I’ve had those days where it just seemed that it was the world against me.
What do you do in those situations?
Can I be a bit vulnerable here and tell you, I haven’t always handled those times well. I’ve often let circumstances dictate my mood and my behavior, including what I have said. Unfortunately, that didn’t usually yield positive results.
Those days when it has seemed that nothing was going right, and in fact many things beyond my control were going wrong have in the past left me in a wallow of self-pity.
I have come to realize, however, that there is a better way…
I don’t have to take such situations so personally.
I can make the conscious decision to thank God that He is bigger than my adverse circumstances, and that because of Him, I already have everything I need for life and Godliness.
Just recently I had one of those days: I was learning something new but it seemed like I was in a dance…one step forward, two steps back. Things I tried went from bad to worse for no apparent reason.
I was at first tempted to get frustrated. But that would be giving my power and my purpose away. Instead, I walked around my house declaring God’s truth and thanking Him that He works ALL things together for my good – even the frustrating adverse events.
The next morning as I read my morning devotion, I came across Deuteronomy 33:27 & 29, and it gave me such hope and confidence. It reads, “The eternal God is your refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms. He will drive out your enemy before you, saying ‘Destroy him!’…Blessed are you, O Israel! Who is like you, a people saved by the Lord? He is your shield and helper and our glorious sword. Your enemies will cower before you and you will trample down their high places.”
Most of my frustration during the unforeseen circumstances comes from not knowing how to overcome the situation in my own strength. What comfort it is to know that God will drive out our enemy before us, and they will cower before us—not because of anything we do, but because of what God does. It’s almost as if He’s saying, “It’s ok Baby, I’ve got this!”
No matter what you are going through right now,
He loves you and wants to be your shield and helper. Will you let Him?
(If you have a question you’d like Dr. B to answer, contact her here now. Your name and identity will be kept confidential.)
A short brief about Hope Prevails.
Hope Prevails
Insights from a Doctor’s Personal Journey through Depression
Dr. Michelle Bengtson
Speaking from personal and professional experience, a neuropsychologist unpacks what depression is, shows how it affects us spiritually, and offers hope for living the abundant life.
Neuropsychologist Offers Hope to Those Struggling with Depression
-By 2020, depression will be our greatest epidemic worldwide
- An estimated 350 million people worldwide suffer from some form of depression
- As with the bestselling My Stroke of Insight, the author experienced the same condition she treats
- Helpful features include personal stories, biblical truths, prayers, and music recommendations
In Hope Prevails, Dr. Bengtson writes with deep compassion and empathy, blending her extensive training and faith, to offer readers a hope that is grounded in God’s love and grace. She helps readers understand what depression is, how it affects them spiritually, and what, by God’s grace, it cannot do. The result is a treatment plan that addresses the whole person—not just chemical imbalances in the brain.
For those who struggle with depression and those that want to help them, Hope Prevails offers real hope for the future.
Hope Prevails is available now wherever books are sold. To find out more, see: https://drmichellebengtson.com/hope-prevails-book/.
awesome and timely post.
Thanks Linda. So happy to hear it!! Hope Prevails!
You are right! Our frustration does come not being able to overcome by our own strength. We definitely need to declare God’s word! It is powerful. We tend to forget that.
Ann, we often forget the power of God’s word. Even Jesus relied on the power of speaking God’s word when He was tempted in the desert. Let’s rely on Him!
I’m there with you, Michelle. I’m currently going through some troubles right now and many times I feel afraid and frustrated because I don’t know what to do in my own strength. I have got to take it to Him and leave it. My hope is all in Him.
Oh Yes, Mary! Our hope prevails Because of Him! If we didn’t go through trials, we’d be tempted to forget how much we need Him. Praying for you!
Such a timely word and great scriptures to go along with your message – and truly, you are not alone, I can promise you I often do not handle these times well! But a great word of encouragement!
Thanks Clare! Glad it was timely and that you could relate. The good news is that we can have the victory. Hope Prevails!
I think we get frustrated because we assume we are promised answers that we’re not. God promises to be with us and to draw near to us, but never promises that He will do things according to our plans. When we align ourselves to Him instead of trying to use Him to get what we want, then we can endure hardship knowing that He has already given us the best gift possible… Himself! Thanks for the honest post!
Very true Karen – God doesn’t promise He will do things according to our plans, for which I’m grateful. His ways truly are higher, better, for our good. If I can just get out of His way, life is so much better!
I love the picture of walking around the house and declaring God’s truth. Right now, I am waiting on Him to do His work. Because I can’t do it. And I am so uncertain of what to do, how to handle it. So, I wait.
Aimee, I have been there. Waiting is hard. But as I pray for you, I’m reminded of Isaiah 40:31 “But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.” Stand and wait, Dear One. It always seems darkest before the dawn, but God is faithful to make the sun rise again.
In the stepping back and being reminded that He is our All in all, our Refuge, and our Strength, and so much more, I cannot do it, but He can.
Glad I came by Michelle.
Caring through Christ, ~ linda
Thanks for coming by Linda! We can do nothing in our own strength. But He can give us strength to do all things! Blessings!
It is very hard to see His purpose and His way when we are frustrated, tired, weak, lost, depressed, or hurting. This post is a great encouragement for those that are feeling off His path.
This also reminds me of the book The Red Sea Rules. The author talks about how to overcome difficult situations by using the book of Exodus and the story of Moses.
Thanks for sharing at Inspire Me Mondays!
Brandi, thanks for the book suggestion! I’m always up for a new read! Thanks for stopping by!
We so easily forget that He is fighting for us. WHY! Thanks for sharing. Visiting from BloggerLovesTheKing and Christian Women Bloggers Unite.
So often we try to do things in our own strength. What an assurance to know He fights for us. Thanks for visiting.
I have can identify with you Michelle. I too have struggled with difficulties, I have learned God uses those times for me to draw closer to Him. It always brings me to Proverbs 3:5-6 ” In all your ways acknowledge Him,..”. Every time I follow that especially early in a problem the result is always rewarding because I feel God’s hand at work. Thanks for sharing a wonderful post.
Walter, there is certainly nothing better than seeing God’s hand at work. In acknowledging Him in all our ways, I think it takes the focus off ourselves and off our struggles, and puts it back on Him which is key!
Yes, I am in the midst of this *right* now and I am so grateful to have found your post at the Grace & Truth linkup. I appreciate your honesty – I don’t think many of us handle these situations too well. I am always encouraged to find another who says, “I walk there, too.” Blessings!
Rebekah, God is so good. He wants us to know we aren’t alone. You are most definitely not alone!
God is always with us no matter what. He is always in control no matter the storm. At the Johnny Hunt Men’s Conference 2015, I like this statement. What seems over our head is under His feet. *comment from Christian Comment Blog Exchange* Check out my blog http://www.courageouschristianfather.com Have a Blessed Day and keep Blogging for God!
“What seems over our head is under His feet.” Love that! Looking forward to returning to your site Steve – I’ve enjoyed your posts before. Keep up the good work!
Too bad I didn’t read this last night. I felt so overwhelmed I just went to bed, but thankful that God’s mercies are new everyday. Thanks for your insight. I needed it!
Gina, your posts are always so encouraging! But the reality is, even those who encourage need encouragement too. Glad today’s post could do that for you today. Hugs friend. Even more mercies await you tomorrow.
I love how God’s Word gives us the power to overcome! Through our God we shall do valiantly-this is His promise so why not declare the victory in every circumstance before we see it with our eyes!! This is the song I will have in my heart today and I will ask Him to give me the words to change my tune so it will always be His song I sing in the dark nights.
You’ve hit something very important there Jeannie…asking Him to give us the words to change our tune. When we are in tune with Him, everything flows better! Keep asking. He promises to answer.
Such an encouragement. Thanks for sharing at the #HomeMattersParty 🙂
So glad you found today’s post encouraging Brittany. Thanks for coming over to visit and check it out.
So encouraging and timely! Thank you for sharing at Women With Intention Wednesdays! I look forward to what you will be sharing this week!
Thank you so much for your kind words! I’m grateful for the opportunity to share what God puts on my heart! Blessings!
This is so powerful and true. Often it is the hardest thing to Let God take the reigns, but when we do and hand it over to Him, the weight seems to lift.
You are so right LanaLou! How I pray we do this quicker and quicker each time! Hope Prevails!
God is always bigger, and He’s in control! Great post, thanks for sharing !