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Listen while you read: "He Hideth My Soul"1 (Lyrics) |
2 Corinthians 4:7-8 – This precious treasure — this light and power that now shine within us — is held in a perishable container, that is, in our weak bodies. Everyone can see that the glorious power within must be from God and is not our own. We are pressed on every side by troubles, but not crushed and broken. We are perplexed because we don't know why things happen as they do, but we don't give up and quit. (TLB)
Recently, due to a diagnosis of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), I had to leave a job that I have held for the past ten years. I struggle daily with symptoms of depression. It feels like I am in a meaningless void, kicked aside, and no longer worth consideration. As a result, I strive extra-hard to make something happen and to get answers, until I break down in frustration, as if only I can bring forth the results that I want. When, however, I realize that God has the ultimate power, that He is with me, and that He has a wonderful plan for my life, it makes things less of a struggle. In the end, I do all that I can do, then I pray and leave the rest up to God.
I believe that it is important for everyone to remember that although we who trust in Jesus may be pressed on every side by trouble, we are not broken, because God gives us the strength to endure. It is too easy to become angry and frustrated and to question why this is happening. Remember, contained within us is a precious treasure: light and power shining from God.
Prayer: Lord, help us to strengthen our faith and to have the wisdom to know when we have done all that we can and that it is time to let You take over. Amen.
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Tuesday, January 21, 2025 – In Durham, Ontario — Pray for Durham Presbyterian Church, Durham, Ontario, as they begin hosting a new community youth programme in their church building, that there may be harmony and good fruit in the community. Pray that this leads to some youth giving their hearts to the Lord.
daughter: "Update December 30, 2024: And please touch her heart that she may turn to YOU.* November 12, 2024:..." 
Thanks for sharing, Andrew. Praying for you.
Thank you, Andrew, for your story and vulnerability.
Words of wisdom, thank you Andrew and God bless you!
Good Day, Andrew,
Thank you for your well expressed devotional.
Been there, done that, Andrew. You’ll get through this. Thanks for writing about it. God be with you.
Thank you, Andrew, for sharing your pain. May our loving God continue to bless and heal you. Blessings.
Thank you for sharing Andrew. This is a good reminder to everyone to turn our struggles over to God. Blessings to you.
You are so right.
Sometimes I have felt that I am just hanging on to the hem of Jesus’ garment. But I keep hanging on.
Thank you for sharing. You are right. The road is easier when we trust and give ourselves completely to God’s care. Continued peace.
Andrew: it must be difficult to have the daily structure of your life yanked away after ten years. May you soon learn what our Lord has planned for the next phase.
Thanks for sharing.
Thanks for sharing Andrew. The unfairness of life is very difficult indeed and l identify with your struggle and your answer. Keep up the good fight in Him, it does eventually get better. Maybe never forgotten but better.
Blessings.
Andrew, as someone who suffers from chronic depression and PTSD, your words gave me spiritual succour and a much-valued insight into the mind of someone in a similar situation to me. Thank you for sharing this message. I pray for a healed mind and peace for you.
Blessings.
One comment on today’s devotional.
I think we need to let God take over, in the beginning, and then do all that we can do rather than doing all that we can do first, and then letting God take over.
It is Jesus through whom we can do all things.
Blessings.
Andrew,
Your devotional was written for me, I believe. The past three months my husband has been in and out of the hospital. Faith and the power of God’s influence in our lives has gotten us through.
My wish for you is a victory over depressions. I cannot imagine what dealing with depression is like, and I will pray for your recovery.
(Texas)
Hello Andrew
Thank you for this devotional and putting yourself out there. It is amazing how life can change so quickly; thank goodness we have Christ. I find also His strength when I am feeling down and out, kicked to the ground and just like scripture I am strong when I am weak!!!!
Thanks again, and trusting every day is better than the day before.
God bless.
This devotional really spoke to me this morning. For whatever reason throughout the night I woke several times trying to make sense of my own issues and a world so deep in problems.
I really like the TLB version of Corinthians 4: 7-8, compared to my NLT.
I feel so perplexed most all of the time and must endeavour to say and remember the prayer you included.
Thank you.
Let go and let God. My strength is made perfect in weakness. (2 Cor: 12:9)
Dear Andrew
These words have been my mantra through the many adjustments that life threw at us over a number of years and I God never failed me.
The other verse which has meant so much over the years is Psalm 55:22…Put your trust in the Lord and He shall sustain you.
I pray that the Lord will continue to strengthen and support you
Blessings.
This wisdom is especially real because, you have been there.
Thanks so much.
Dear Andrew,
Thank you for your prayer.
Keep writing.
Dear Andrew,
When I was 39, I was diagnosed with breast cancer, had a mastectomy and a year of chemotherapy. I never asked why? Why me? Why not me! I was a Christian, but not a deep thinker. During the two weeks before surgery, God blessed me with the peace that passes understanding. I had no physical reason for feeling peaceful, but I have never forgotten that deep well of peace. I went on from there to grow slowly in the knowledge that God is in control, and I do not have to worry about anything.
The doctors did not give me better than a 50/50 chance of survival. I am now 76 and though I have many age-related problems, I have never had a recurrence of cancer.
My thoughts and prayers will be with you. I have Panic Disorder and the depression that accompanies it; but I have so many blessings in my life, that I no longer miss the things I cannot do.
God’s blessings.