Recently, I posted a guest blog about God's Word on my friend Nancy Lee's website www.inspirationallee.com. We met through the online Flourish Writer's conference and swapped stories. The following is an excerpt of the full article. Hit the button with a link to her site to read the rest. I've found that meditating on God's Word, especially in several versions, gives me deeper insight into the truths God is showing me through Scripture. May this bless and encourage you.
Peace from Meditating on God's Word My heart was weak and weary as circumstances jumbled one problem on top of another. My boyfriend had broken up with me the week of Valentine’s Day. Two weeks later I started having problems with my boss. Then COVID-19 swooped in, and the world shutdown. At the beginning, some days I barely slept or ate. My body was in shock, and I started to harden my emotions. I needed God’s truths to pump new life into my frail heart. One night, I talked on the phone with my friend Vivian for hours. She listened to me sputter and then encouraged me straight from God’s Word. I explained to her that the line between myself and God was paper thin. Few times in my life have I heard the Lord as clearly and often as I did that in that month of misery. God kept telling me that He loved me and to trust Him. I marveled at how close God felt. She said, “Of course! The Lord is near to the brokenhearted” (Psalm 34:18). I got shivers. My heart was shattered, but the gift I received was an intimate connection to the Lord that I’d only found through abject pain. I had no hope apart from the Lord. I choose to embrace truth, even when all my eyes saw was heartache.
4 Comments
6/28/2021 12:40:06 pm
So thankful “God doesn’t let us fall through the cracks!” Reading the word from different versions has really helped me too.
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6/29/2021 07:16:27 am
God is indeed near the brokenhearted. And as Lewis says, he shouts to us in our pain. Relish the closeness. Healing comes.
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Jeannie Waters
6/30/2021 05:54:13 pm
Joanna, when you mentioned the way God drew close to you, I was reminded that we can trust Him and hold onto the promises of His Word. Thank you for sharing a personal example of His faithfulness.
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7/3/2021 11:36:54 am
Sometimes I feel like my relationship with God is paper thin, too. Thank you for your inspiring message and the hope and recognition that "God is not finished with me yet." Wishing you continued blessings in your ministry.
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AuthorJoanna Eccles has led Bible studies for over twenty years and completed the year-long C. S. Lewis Fellows Program. She is passionate about discipleship and helping people grow in Christ. Joanna enjoys coffee and reading, and currently lives in Florida. Categories
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