My life is busy. Too busy. In the middle of the busyness I have friends and family going through major life crisis. Last night, as I drifted off to sleep, they were on my heart. I love them so much. I wish I could step in, pray the right prayer, and all of their problems would be solved.
I drifted off to sleep last night with a heavy heart, carrying the burdens of my friends and family.
I awoke this morning and my daily devotion was Philippians 4. God reminded me how to walk through the valley with my friends and family.
1. Rejoice. What? My friends are hurting. But Paul said, “Rejoice in the Lord, ALWAYS!” Always means all the time even in pain, even in distress, even in heartache. God does not change. He is the same God when I’m on the mountain top and when I’m in the valley.
So today as I contend with my friends and family, I will rejoice. Surely not because of what they are going through but because of what God is going to do. Because He will resurrect their circumstances. He will redeem and restore.
2. Pray. I wish I could fix their circumstances but their crisis are far above my pay grade. But I can pray in faith. I can go boldly into the throne room of my Father. I can entreat El Shaddai, Almighty God. I can carry them to the Way maker, Miracle worker, Promise Keeper, Light in the Darkness on my knees.
As I pray, God has promised the peace of God which surpasses all knowledge will guard my hearts and minds.
3. Trust. Trust I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength. Trust God will supply all I need according to His riches in Glory.
He will give me the wisdom, the words, the prayers, the time, the compassion, the hope, the love to help my friends walk through the valley to the mountain top.
Are you in the valley this morning? Or maybe walking through the valley with a friend? Heed Paul’s advice. Rejoice. Pray. Trust. God is good. He is in the valley with you leading you to mountain.
“Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice!
I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.
And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.”
Philippians 4:4, 13, 19 NKJV