Praise the Lord. Praise the Lord, my soul. I will praise the Lord all my life; I will sing praise to my God as long as I live. 

Psalm 146:1-2

Most likely, we have all experienced a moment of deep grief that has literally brought us to our knees. We fall down because our physical self is overcome with despair or fear, and we cry out desperately to the only One Who is in control…the only One in Whom we can completely trust with our burden.

But sisters, there’s another type of knee-dropping, face-planting response that I pray each of you has had the privilege of experiencing: that of raw, unabashed praise for what God has done…for an outcome that confirms He is in control and the recognition that He is the only One Who could have accomplished what happened. 

One of the first times in my life I experienced this was shortly after my husband and I became Christ-followers. We were in a desperate, impossible situation that had no logical, worldly remedy. But God. Although it was 20 years ago, I recall as if it were yesterday getting news we needed and then falling down onto my kitchen floor—face to the ground—crying in praise for His Sovereignty, mercy, and miracles.

And today, amid this COVID-19 crisis of forced isolation and swirling uncertainty, there is still opportunity to fall on our knees in praise. Firstly, let us stay amazed by the gift of our salvation in Jesus Christ—our ultimate home awaits us in heaven! Acknowledge His sovereignty and control in our world (although we may see only confusion and chaos). Recognize that it’s by His power the earth turns…and by which we take each breath. 

Are we daily humbled by His greatness?

If you’ve been walking with the Lord for decades, or if this crisis has just recently turned your heart to Jesus, take time throughout the day to recognize—and appreciate—the daily miracles He provides, from a stunning sunrise to an unexpected provision. And that’s His desire: for us to give Him all the glory. 

So, let’s praise the Lord with the same level of abandon that we may demonstrate in times of trouble. Let’s fall down in reverence! Let’s shout aloud for joy! Or, like King David, let’s “dance before the Lord with all (our) might” (2 Sam 6:14)!

Then Jesus said to him, “Away with you, Satan! For it is written, ‘You shall worship the Lord your God, and Him only you shall serve.’”

Matthew 4:10

Temptations come in all shapes and sizes. In fact, they come in just the right size and shape for each of us. The enemy knows us—really knows us. He and his minions have listened to and watched us over the course of our lives. He’s made careful study of our verbal reactions, even those slight facial movements made in emotional response. To him, we are each a well-read book. 

In today’s vernacular, Satan knows what triggers us.

Until we leave this world through death or rapture, we are in a war. And going to battle against this ancient enemy of our souls is not an easy task. So, why don’t we take fighting lessons from the Master—our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ?

When He was in the desert before launching His ministry, Jesus was tempted by Satan three times (Matt 4:1-11). Each approach targeted specific aspects Jesus’ fully-man and fully-God nature. But Jesus knew how to hit him back with pinpoint precision. With each effort to thwart God’s great plan for our salvation, Jesus fought back with Scripture (from Leviticus, no less!). 

Sisters, we need the hard-hitting Truth of God’s Word as ammunition—and for this, we need to know the Bible. The more familiar we are with Scripture, the more specific we can be against the enemy’s lies. 

And beware! Familiarizing ourselves with a few favorite verses here and there will not do. See, Satan knows his Bible too. And since he slithered into the Garden with Adam and Eve, he’s been methodically twisting God’s Word to confuse, trap, and deceive us Christians.

We must delve deeply into our Bible in preparation. Read it, study it, meditate on it, and memorize verses. Like training for a sport or preparing for a final exam, taking in God’s Word is a discipline—it’s hard work! But it’s required of us in this life as we pursue godliness. Plus, in our earthly quest to become more and more like Jesus, we can use Him as our ultimate battlefield example. 

So, next time Satan whispers some lie or twisted half-truth in your ear, let him hear you say, “It is written…”

I pray that God, the source of hope, will fill you completely with joy and peace because you trust in Him. Then you will overflow with confident hope through the power of the Holy Spirit.

Romans 15:13

Do we trust God? In the midst of the panic and chaos around COVID-19, do we trust Him? When we look ahead and see only uncertainty—do we really trust Him?

It’s a fearful time in our world. This newly created virus has been unleashed, creating havoc and producing anxiety. We’re worried about the health and safety of our loved ones, and we dread the personal results of the national economic fallout. This is a scenario most of us have not experienced—and many of us could not have imagined.

But God. 

Sisters, we must hold fast to the confident hope we have in our heavenly Father. As we wake up each day to a new normal, let’s lean into the Truths of His precious Word. 

• God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore, we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging.  Psalm 46:1-3 
• The name of the Lord is a strong tower; the righteous run into it and are safe. Proverbs 18:10 
• Do not grieve, for the joy of the Lord is your strength. Nehemiah 8:10 
• So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with My righteous right hand. Isaiah 41:10 
• The Lord is my strength and my song; He has given me victory. This is my God, and I will praise Him, my father’s God, and I will exalt him! Exodus 15:2 
• The Lord is a refuge for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble. Psalm 9:9-10 

These verses are not trite words to toss around. They’re not just the fodder to a pithy social media post. These are God’s promises to us. His Word is a light unto our path, it gives us wisdom, it endures forever. And when we hide His Word in our hearts, our minds will be renewed by His Truth.

There may be a lot of unknowns today. But, as a believer in the Lord Jesus Christ, we can rest in confident hope—in the certainty—of His power, sovereignty, and love.

“I know that You can do everything and that no purpose of Yours can be withheld from You.” 

Job 42:2

Have you ever gotten news that you’re literally unable to comprehend? You’re hearing words, but nothing’s processing because it’s beyond anything you could fathom. The fog eventually clears, and you realize everything is different. Everything. 

With COVID-19, we are currently in the midst of this type of situation—as a society. New uncertainties, fears, and “what ifs” are being unveiled on a daily basis.

Like pulling a loose thread on a knitted sweater, life as we know it is beginning to unravel. In these times, what is our response to God? 

I think of Job. Right from the start, this book is a hard-hitting drama. In a matter of minutes, Job finds out he lost his property, his animals, his servants—and all 10 of his children. His immediate response? “The Lord gave, and Lord has taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord.” He. Praises. God.

And, despite his not-so-helpful friends and a conversation with God Himself, Job never came to an understanding of why his life was shattered. God had His reasons, and He is Sovereign over everything. Ultimately, that was good enough for Job.  

When our lives are unraveling—with uncertainty, pain, loss, heartache—do we praise God in the midst of it all, knowing He is in control? I think a follow-up question is needed: Do we praise the Lord when things go well—a promotion, a good medical report, a successful child. Of course! We shout, “Praise God!” and give Him all the glory. It “all works for our good,” right?

Sisters, it does all work for good…even the suffering. Sometimes we see the purpose not long after we come through the other side. Often, though, things might not “make sense” until months or years later. And, as with Job, there will be times we won’t know God’s reasons this side of heaven. But, regardless of whether our life is being knit together perfectly so we see a beautiful pattern, or if threads are unraveling and all we see is the mess, God is in control. His ways are higher than our ways (Isaiah 55:8-9). 

So, let’s lift a shout of praise for His sovereignty—whether through tears of joy or of sorrow. Let’s bless His name through it all, even as our circumstances unravel. And know this, others are watching—especially today amid the panic and chaos…and our response may just keep someone else from coming unraveled themselves.

Let’s pray together, shall we? “Lord, thank You for being in control of my life. All the time. I trust You—even through crisis, difficulty, defeat, and despair. Blessed be Your name.”

“Their eyes bulge with abundance; They have more than heart could wish.”

Psalm 73:7

Do you ever cry out like the Psalmist does here? When reading through some of the Psalms, I all too often agree and think, “Yeah! Everything comes so easy for them. Why do other people have everything they want, while I struggle?” The proverbial grass “over there” seems a bit greener and more vibrant than mine.

Girls, comparison like this breeds envy. And envy seeps into our soul’s soil, establishing roots of bitterness and discontent. 

The struggle is real (and promised in this life). Physical pain, loneliness, job loss, marital woes…the list is endless, and we each have a unique set of challenges. So, how do we stop our wandering gaze and escape the traps of “woe-is-me” and “if-only”?

First, we have to focus on our own grass—our own circumstances. Sometimes it’s so easy to look away and see everyone else’s seeming blessings and miss our own. Here’s an idea: Really assess your life…home in on the Lord’s gifts. Did you see the sunrise or sunset that God made today? The bursts of colors glorify the Creator—and so does your vision to be able to see it. Do you have a roof over your head to stay warm during the winter months? Did you go to bed hungry last night (well, don’t answer that if you’re on a diet)? Is there one person in your life you can count on to be there for you?

Sister, you are richly blessed.

When you peer with intention into the meadow of your life, you’ll be astounded by the splendor that exists and the glorious blessings. Focus on what you have to be thankful for—the big things and the small things. Even our struggles and pains are purposeful, ultimately resulting in beauty. When we look for weeds, that’s all we’ll see…but when we look for the blessings, our perspective will change completely.

Most importantly, if you’ve accepted Jesus as your Lord and Savior then, regardless of any rocks, weeds, or dead grass in life, you can choose contentment in His saving grace. You are the greatest miracle: once dead and now alive forever in Christ. And your pasture can’t get any greener than that.

Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.

Romans 8:1

Has it happened to you? You’re enjoying a delicious dinner out with friends, talking and laughing the hours away. A few sweet teas into the evening, you hit the restroom and gaze at your reflected smile…only to see a big green hunk of spinach between your teeth. The mirror has shown you what your friends didn’t tell you—and you couldn’t see.

So, we take down the mirror off the wall and use it to clean our teeth, right? Of course not! The mirror only reveals the problem, it doesn’t fix it. 

This is a perfect analogy for God’s law. Throughout the Bible, the Jews were trying to use the law to achieve a level of holiness that would be acceptable to God. Even today, followers of nearly every world religion—and many Christians—believe the “rules” are steppingstones to salvation. 

But sisters, the law was never meant to be the way to God. Our Father in heaven is perfect, and He requires nothing less than perfection. So striving for rule-following, no matter how hard we try, will fail. Humans are not perfect, and we are incapable of following God’s law with perfect righteousness. 

Just like the bathroom mirror that reveals food caught in your teeth, the law is meant to show us we are not good enough for a perfect, Holy God. His law shows us how unrighteous we really are so we’ll run to the only One Who is perfect. Jesus came to this earth, fully God and fully man, to pay the price for our sinfulness. Because he died for us and rose again, we are able to accept His gift of grace and be made perfect in God’s eyes.

The mirror cannot remove the spinach from our teeth. But it was necessary to recognize there was a problem—a big hunk of green. And trying to follow God’s rules will not remove the stain of sin from our lives. The law shows us there’s a problem…but Jesus Christ is the only answer. 

“But I want you to know, brethren, that the things which happened to me have actually turned out for the furtherance of the gospel…”

Philippians 1:12

When setbacks happen, our natural response can be frustration, even anger. We had a vision for where we were heading and a specific plan of action…then things just veered off track. This can be a small impediment, like hitting every red light on your way to an important appointment, or a more substantial obstacle—a frightening medical report or an unexpected layoff.

As he was writing to the Philippians, the Apostle Paul was in prison, literally chained around the clock to a Roman guard. And this certainly wasn’t where he expected to be in his vision for advancing the gospel. But he wasn’t frustrated or angry at all. In fact, Paul saw his imprisonment as purposeful to God’s strategy. Now that’s the kind of attitude to have.

Can we do this? How can we see our trials and tribulations as progressions? It’s all about perspective, really. About looking around at the situation and the people involved to see how it could be used to glorify God. All those red lights? Perhaps the Lord is timing your trip to avoid a wreck or get you to your appointment just in time to connect someone who needs to hear your friendly, “Hello.” That layoff? Maybe a coworker needs to see what a Christian really looks like, as you handle the news with grace and godly confidence. (And, just maybe, the Lord has something much better in store for you—and He knew you’d never leave on your own.)

A change of circumstances, seemingly backward, can really be creating spiritual progress, so we end up exactly where He wants us. It’s all part of God’s curriculum in the classroom of our lives.

Are you in the midst of a reversal right now? It’s likely that the Lord is orchestrating it so He can advance your life or the life of someone you’ve come in contact with because of that reversal. So, sisters, let’s look around with this fresh perspective and take on a new attitude of grace and gratefulness in every situation. 

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.

2 Corinthians 5:17

When you meet someone new, how do you describe yourself? By your job? Your hobbies? Perhaps you share some notable personality trait. And what about the people that know you already—how would they portray you? 

The most important perception—the only one that matters, really—is that of God. So, how do you think He sees you? Does the thought of answering this question make you cringe? Maybe you immediately begin thinking about where you’ve been in life and what you’ve done…and your head hangs in shame. There are choices you’ve made, whether last week, last year, or several decades ago, that you know weren’t in line with God’s Word. And even if you’ve accepted the grace of Jesus and know you’re forgiven, you can’t forget your past…and you believe God sees all that junk about you as well.

Sisters, here is the truth: When we trust Christ and surrender to Him, our sins are both forgiven and forgotten by our precious Father! “As far as the east is from the west, so far has He removed our transgressions from us” (Psalm 103:12). They are “cast in the depths of the sea” (Micah 7:19) never to be drudged up—so let’s not do any fishing either. 

Even more miraculous and wonderful is the fact that we are made new when we accept the gift of salvation. “The old has passed away.” Do you know what that means? When the Lord looks at us, He sees pure righteousness and perfection because of the blood of Jesus. No past errors, no bad habits, no dirty sin. We are made white as snow. New. And if someone were to ask God to describe you—yes, you—He would say this: “Oh, isn’t she beautiful? Because of My Son, she shines like the sun.” 

So, think about this next time someone asks you about yourself. Or, better yet, grab onto that truth when the enemy of our souls, Satan, comes at you with all-too-familiar accusations, like, “Don’t forget about all your failures,” and, “You’ll never be good enough.”Stand firm, sister, and respond with boldness: “I am a daughter of the King, and I am a new creation in Him.”

So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.

John 8:36

Freedom.
We think of nations
Of rights,
Government-given
And God-ordained.
 
We pledge allegiance,
Embrace patriotism.
Some fight to keep it,
And die so others live in it.
 
But there’s a freedom
That’s above nationality,
Beyond borders.
Individual freedom
Transcending this world.
 
Freedom 
From addiction,
From loneliness,
From depression,
From self.
 
And Someone suffered,
Dying a brutal death
To win this freedom.
One paid the price
For all.
For you.
 
Jesus conquered death,
Breaking the bondage
To sin in this world.
Through Him 
Our chains fall.
And we can live.
 
In freedom.

I am weary with my moaning; every night I flood my bed with tears; I drench my couch with my weeping.

Psalm 6:6

Problems. Challenges. Trials and tribulations. These were all promised us in this life by the Lord Himself. Sadly, there are some Christians who believe (and teach) that being a Christ-follower means your life is all rosy—and if it’s not, it’s because you lack trust and faith. But the truth is, all we have to do is open any of the Bible’s 66 books to see otherwise. 

When those hard, painful times do come, and we turn to our Christian sisters for support, often we are given pillow-stitched verses in response. Of course, turning to the Word is a must, and the intentions of our friends are noble and good…

…but we know these things! We do trust that God is Sovereign. We are absolutely confident that He works all things for good in our lives (Rom 8:28). So, it’s not that we are unaware of God’s promises, we just need another form of comfort in these times.

In fact, sometimes these words of “support” can be frustrating when we simply just need to be in the pain. Even with the knowledge of God’s Truths, sometimes, like David in Psalm 6, we just need to cry. We need to feel our God-given emotions, cleansing our mind, heart, and soul. Even the Author of the Word—the Word made flesh—wept (John 11:35). Yes, Jesus, fully human and fully God, expressed His sorrow with tears.

So, sisters, when a friend reaches out to us with devastating news or a newly inflicted grief, let’s not automatically react with a familiar verse in an effort to spread balm. Instead, let’s follow Paul’s instruction from Romans 12:15 and “weep with those who weep.” Then, with tears mingling and the weight of sorrow shared, pray with her. For comfort and wisdom. For strength to hold tightly to the Rock that will sustain her amid the storm.

And don’t forget that the same is true when the agony is your own. It’s OK to call out to God with your frustration and distress. It’s OK to be certain of your faith in His plan and question the pain…and it’s certainly OK to cry.