In the hard times of life, the presence, the word, and the encouragement of just one friend can make all the difference. We only need one to come alongside us and give us hope. Where do you turn when you don’t have the one?

~~~

Alone as the tears streamed down my cheeks, I wondered if anyone understood my pain. Would anyone care?

I longed to feel the comfort of a touch. To know I was not alone. To believe that despite my faults and my circumstances, I was worthy of being loved.

I’ve often explained to patients and their families, no matter what our circumstances, we all want the same thing: to be loved, to know we aren’t alone, and to be found worthy.

We only need one to give us hope.

Sometimes I knew these things with much greater assurance, but on this particular day, my soul was gaping from the emotional wounds of the week.

Have you ever been there? You just needed one person to care?

One person to understand?

One person to say, “Me too!”?

As I lay my head on my tear-stained pillow, I ached for just one to care, to understand, to remind me that I would get through this just as I had the other painful events in my life.

My husband was out of town and not quick to answer his cell phone. I had called a good friend, but hung up when I got to voicemail, hoping I’d feel better before she’d have time to return my call. Another friend was too overwhelmed with her own struggles for me to feel free to add to her worry. And it wasn’t the kind of thing to air on social media, although everyone seems to love a little drama there.

When you need someone to turn to, cry out to Jesus

In the darkness of the room, I did the only thing I could think of. I whispered His sweet name, “Jesus.” I didn’t need to give Him a litany of all the reasons my heart felt heavy – He had been there. He saw it all. He knew.

I needed only to give Him the pain my brokenness wielded at every turn and trust Him.

I needed to take hold of the lies that had screamed at my heart until I could hear nothing else, and exchange them for His truth.

7 Scriptures to stand one when we need hope

  1. When the enemy wanted me to believe no one understood my pain, God affirmed that He is well-acquainted with our sorrow: “He was despised and rejected by mankind, a man of suffering, and familiar with pain” (Isaiah 53:3).
  2. When I was tempted to think nothing and no one could comfort me in my sorrow, I instead had to choose to believe truth which was that I serve a God of all comfort. “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction so that we will be able to comfort those who are in any affliction with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God” (2 Corinthians 1:3-4).
  3. As my eyes swelled from the steady stream of tears, and I was tempted to believe that I was alone in my pain, I had to choose instead to exchange that lie for God’s truth. He promises to never leave me. “Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.” (Deuteronomy 31:6).
  4. And when the lies screamed that there were many things that would make me unworthy of love, I had to choose to remember that Jesus and His death on the cross made me worthy of God’s love. “God’s unfailing love and faithfulness came through Jesus Christ” (John 1:17 NLT).
    In those dark quiet moments of wrestling to fight back the lies and remember His truth, nothing in my circumstances changed. My pain still throbbed with the beat of my heart. But I was no longer alone in the fight.
  5. God’s word is our greatest weapon in battle. “For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword” (Hebrews 4:12 NIV). It changes people, hearts, and the environment when it goes in and when it comes out.
  6. And God promises that His word will have an impact-it will not return void! “so is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it” (Isaiah 55:11 NIV).
  7. We can fight the doubts and unbelief, the fears and the pain when we return to the truth. The truth is that we are more than overcomers and when our one source of support is Him, we’re on a winning team! “we are more than conquerors through him who loved us” (Romans 8:37).

 

When the enemy is screaming lies at our hearts and minds, we need to take those thoughts captive and exchange them for God's truth. Fight back with these 7 hope filled scriptures. Bible verses. Christian encouragement.

We can fight the doubt and unbelief, the fears and more by standing on God’s word.

 

During the difficult and painful times of life, it only takes one coming alongside us to give us hope. Will you let Jesus be your one?

Hope Prevails,
DrB

 

 

Every day can be a good day when you trust the promises of God.

Today is Going to be a Good Day

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My newest book, Today is Going to be a Good Day: 90 Promises from God to Start Your Day Off Right is now available!

This uplifting devotional helps you make each day a good day no matter what is going on in your life.

When life conspires to drag us down with all of its troubles, it can be hard to keep our spirits up. In times of severe illness and depression, I learned that when I stand on God’s promises, despite my circumstances, every day can be a good day.

Each reading includes Scripture, reflection, prayer, and a recommended playlist song designed to help you live out Philippians 4:8: “Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable–if anything is excellent or praiseworthy–think about such things.”

 

Today is Going to be a Good Day book is available now!

 

For more information on the book visit: Today is Going to be a Good Day Book

 

In the hard times of life, the presence, the word, the encouragement of just one friend can make all the difference. We only need one to come alongside and give us hope. Where do you turn when you don’t have the one?

 

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