Downcast Soul

“Why are you downcast, O my soul? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God.” Psalm 42:5-6a

I have to confess this is not one of my better days being a Christian. I’m being very stubborn about something, and that is making me miserable. My soul is downcast because I am tired of waiting. Now, what I’m waiting on is really not that important. It truly is a petty issue. But, in my life, it’s a big deal to me. I’m finding out though that being stubborn makes my soul become depressed. And when my soul is depressed, nothing works out right in my life. Thus begins the cycle of depression, things going wrong, depression, etc. You get the picture.

So, this morning as I was having my quiet time, I remembered the focus verses from Psalms. I know the way I’m feeling is wrong and certainly not beneficial to me or God. I am trying my best to do what the last half of the verses say, and that is to put my hope in God and praise Him. It’s hard sometimes when life isn’t going your way. The last thing you want to do is to put your hope in someone else when everyone else has disappointed you. And praise? Who feels like doing that when their life is falling down around them? That’s how I feel today. But, I had another reminder from God’s Word. We are commanded in Philippians 4:6 “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.”

Two phrases stand out to me—in everything and with thanksgiving. No matter what we’re going through God wants us to pray about everything and give thanks to Him in every circumstance of our lives. What’s the benefit of that? Well, the next verse in Philippians says “And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” That is what I want! I want peace in my situation and my heart and mind guarded so that I don’t become depressed when things aren’t going my way.

I challenge you today (and myself) to take all your cares and burdens to God. Praise Him for what He has already done in your life and what He is going to do. He will give you peace and guard you from depressing thoughts. Praise His name today!

Hearts at Home

Motherhood is a valid profession.

It is that belief that inspired Jill Savage and a group of women to plan the first Hearts at Home conference 16 years ago. Today these conferences are a place where moms can go to find the encouragement and education they need to do this mothering thing right!

The problem is, not everyone can attend a Hearts at Home conference, so Hearts at Home University was created!

Hearts at Home University is a new resource designed to encourage and equip you in your journey as a parent! These live web casts, affordably priced at $15 each, allow you to tap into continuing education as a mom on a regular basis right from the comfort of your own computer.

The topics that will be covered over the Spring and Summer Semester include:

“Is There Really Sex after Kids” with Jill Savage
“She’s Gonna Blow” with Julie Barnhill
“Redefining Romance” with Mark and Jill Savage
“Keeping Your Ducks in a Relative Row” with Karen Ehman

For information on dates and times, or to register go here.