Hope In The Lord

 “But those who hope in the Lord

will renew their strength.”

Isaiah 40:31

“Hoping in the Lord is expecting that his promise of strength will help us rise above life’s distractions and difficulties.  Do you believe God loves you and wants the best for you?  Can you relax, confident that His purposes are right?  Are you convinced that he has the power to control all of life as well?  Though your faith may be struggling or weak, accept His provisions and care for you.”

~ Life Application Bible Study

Leave it to God

 

“Cast your cares on the Lord.”

Psalm 55:22

To "leave it to God" means to surrender our worries, concerns, and desires to God's care and guidance. It is an act of trust and faith, acknowledging that God is in control and has a perfect plan for our lives. It means letting go of our own efforts to control or manipulate outcomes, and instead relying on God's wisdom and sovereignty. Leaving it to God does not mean passivity or inaction, but rather an active choice to seek God's will and align our actions with His purposes. It is a recognition that God's ways are higher than our ways, and that His timing and ways of working may be different from what we expect or desire. Ultimately, leaving it to God is an invitation for Him to work in our lives, to bring about His perfect will, and to bring us peace and assurance in every circumstance.

~ webebible.us

Be Confident in the Lord

 So we say with confidence,

“The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid,”

Hebrews 13:6

God wants us to have confidence in life! Not boastful, arrogant pride but an assured knowledge of who we are in Him! Our self-worth should be seen through the eyes of God, our creator. When you need a boost of self-esteem, there is no better place to turn to than the Bible! Scripture is filled with truths and promises that we can place our confidence in.

Our confidence is in Jesus Christ and the love of God. When you feel not good enough or not strong enough, remember who God says you are! Bible verses about having confidence brings you courage and strength through the love of God.

~ BibleStudyTools.com

Overthinking

 “When anxiety was great within me,

your consolation brought joy.”

Psalm 94:19

Mentally, overthinking can lead to anxiety. When individuals continually worry about potential future events or dwell on past mistakes, they can develop generalized anxiety disorder (GAD). GAD involves persistent and excessive worry about various aspects of life, such as work, health, and relationships. For instance, someone might overthink an upcoming job presentation, imagining all the ways it could go wrong, which can lead to significant anxiety and avoidance behaviors.

Depression can be linked to overthinking. Ruminating on negative experiences or self-criticism, people can fall into a depressive state. Rumination involves repetitively thinking about the causes, consequences, and symptoms of one’s distress, rather than focusing on solutions. This pattern of thinking can intensify feelings of helplessness and hopelessness, core symptoms of depression. For example, someone who constantly replays a breakup in their mind might begin to feel unworthy of love, leading to deep sadness and withdrawal from social activities.

Psalm 94:19 offers comfort to those who struggle with overthinking and anxiety: “When anxiety was great within me, your consolation brought me joy.” Thankfully, the verse acknowledges the reality of anxiety but also points to the joy and consolation found in God. It reassures believers that they are not alone in their struggles and that God provides solace amidst their worries.

~Bible Tools.com

Nature

 Let the fields be jubilant, and everything in them; let all the trees of the forest sing for joy.” - Psalm 96:12

Being out in nature helps me understand the qualities of God in a different way. I see His power, creativity, and the intricacies of the world He created. I slow down and breathe in his glorious creation. I feast my eyes on all the colors in His palette and marvel at His work. I listen to the sounds that surround me: wind, birds, animals, rushing waters, etc. I touch plants, rocks, dirt. It is where I am freely able to marvel at God’s handiwork. By entering nature and taking myself out of my “norm” I can focus my whole being on His creation.

God made the earth for us to enjoy. Nature is a source of beauty, inspiration, rest, and healing. It is a place where we don’t have to look at it from a distance. We can get up close and be a part of it. We can enjoy the diversity of God’s craftsmanship in a powerful way. There is rejuvenating power in God’s playground – the natural world.... time spent in nature is transformative.

- By Susan Little

Contentment

 “For I have I have learned to be content

whatever circumstances.”

Philippians 4:11

According to the Bible, contentment is a state of being satisfied, at peace, and emotionally fulfilled with what one has or the circumstances in which one finds themselves. It is an attitude of the heart and mind that is not dependent on external possessions, wealth, or circumstances. Bible verses about contentment teaches us that it comes from recognizing and being satisfied with God's provision in one's life, whether that provision is material, relational, or spiritual. It involves trusting that God knows what is best and provides for our needs.

Scripture helps us understand that true contentment includes the ability to accept and find peace in one's current circumstances, even if they are challenging. The Apostle Paul, in Philippians 4:11-12, speaks of learning to be content in any situation. Contentment is linked to trusting in God's sovereignty and His plan for one's life. It acknowledges that God is in control and has a purpose for everything, even in difficult times. As we trust God, give thanks in all circumstances, and find freedom from worry and anxiety, we will experience God's presence and peace! 

~ Bible Study Tools.com

Good Listening

 “Everyone should be quick to listen,

slow to speak and slow to become angry.”

James 1:19

“Listen before you answer.”

Proverbs 18:13

According to Bonhoeffer, there are many times when “listening can be a greater service than speaking.” God wants more of the Christian than just our good listening, but not less. There will be days when the most important ministry we do is square our shoulders to some hurting person, uncross our arms, lean forward, make eye contact, and hear their pain all the way to the bottom. Says Dunn,

good listening often defuses the emotions that are a part of the problem being discussed. Sometimes releasing these emotions is all that is needed to solve the problem. The speaker may neither want nor expect us to say anything in response.

One of Dunn’s counsels for cultivating good listening is: “put more emphasis on affirmation than on answers. . . . [M]any times God simply wants to use me as a channel of his affirming love as I listen with compassion and understanding.” Echoes Bonhoeffer, “Often a person can be helped merely by having someone who will listen to him seriously.” At times what our neighbor needs most is for someone else to know.

~ desiringgod.com