26 Look up at the sky and consider:
Who created these?
The one who brings out their attendants one by one,
summoning each of them by name.
Because of God’s great strength
and mighty power, not one is missing.
27 Why do you say, Jacob,
and declare, Israel,
“My way is hidden from the Lord,
my God ignores my predicament”?
28 Don’t you know? Haven’t you heard?
The Lord is the everlasting God,
the creator of the ends of the earth.
He doesn’t grow tired or weary.
His understanding is beyond human reach,
29 giving power to the tired
and reviving the exhausted.
30 Youths will become tired and weary,
young men will certainly stumble;
31 but those who hope in the Lord
will renew their strength;
they will fly up on wings like eagles;
they will run and not be tired;
they will walk and not be weary.
Reflection
Have you ever felt so far down in the dumps that it seems as though no one cares about you, no one can possibly relate to what’s happening in your life, and no one has ever felt like you’re feeling right now? Even when you know someone who has been through a similar crisis, challenge, or loss, sometimes you can’t fathom that they felt as bad as you do at this moment.
These words from Isaiah remind us that no matter what challenge we are facing, God is there with us and understands, because God created us and loves us just as we are, warts and all.
When we feel totally at a loss, resting for a while with God can help. Allow yourself to feel the way you feel and sit with those feelings for a while. Get angry, cry out loud, punch a pillow, write down any words that come to you, play music LOUD and let your emotions flow. If your negative mood lingers for more than a few days or if you feel as if you need more help, don’t be afraid to reach out to your pastors or someone from the Caring Team. We’re all really good at listening.
By Kathleen Stolz
For Pondering & Prayer
What helps your spirits rise? A trip to the beach? A particular piece of music? Before you sink into a total “funk” think about what lifts your spirits. Plan ahead for those days when your mood is going to slip into negativity. It’s like stocking your pantry before a snowstorm – when you feel prepared, you can rest easy.
Prayer: Tireless and timeless God, loving parent, wrap me in your shelter, protect me from harm. When challenges come, comfort me like a babe in arms; bring me peaceful rest knowing that together we can conquer whatever the world throws at us this day. Amen.
Comments are closed.