Tuesday, November 17, 2009

His Hope

Have you heard the song, "The Words I Would Say" by Sidewalk Prophets? I have been listening to it a lot lately. I'm actually listening to it right now. It's almost 5:00 am. I haven't been to sleep yet. There are so many things going through my mind and my heart - it is hard to sleep. So, here I am.

Here are some of the words... "be strong in the Lord and never give up hope. You're gonna do great things. I already know. God's got His hand on you, so don't live life in fear. Forgive and forget but don't forget why you're here. Take your time and pray. These are the words I would say from one simple life to another."

Powerful words! These ARE the words that I would say to some people in my life. From my own children, to friends I know in real life to some that I have had the pleasure of meeting through this blog. Draw your strength from the Lord. Keep going back over and over and over. I know we can grow weary but if we return to the Father, He will renew our strength. It may not be on our time table. Most often it is not.

I believe in you. More importantly, God believes in you. He has a purpose for your life. Don't forget it! Keep pressing into Him. I don't say these things as someone who has it all together or as someone who has it figured out. Like the song says..."from one simple life to another".

This life of mine has been redeemed from the deepest pit of sin. I know what it's like to run from God straight toward destruction. On purpose! Please don't give up on the Lord. Cry out. He will meet you wherever you are. In whatever way you need to come to Him. Just come. Do not give up!!

There is hope in the Father. The only source of true hope comes from God. As bad as it seems...God is there and He wants to fill your life with HIS HOPE.


27 comments:

Sheena said...

Thank you for this post this morning! Sometimes I do want to give up...throw in the towel! I love those lyrics!

I can do everything through him who gives me strength. Philippians 4:13

I love this verse! Got to keep saying it!

Have a great day!
Sheena

Kathleen said...

I've come to believe the broken heart is often much nearer the Lord than the sturdy one. We may or may not hear Him well while our wounds mend, but one thing's certain: the authenticity of our words while we attempt to make sense of it all cannot be denied.

I love the song you reference. I also appreciate your kindness in sharing it, as if a prayer for us, for me. Your sleeplessness and pain may well be the balm that encourages another.

Blessings and comfort to you, friend.

Kathleen

Erin said...

Sheryl,

I heard that song on the way to work this morning and what hit me about it is the line "take your time and pray." It's slower than the rest of the chorus which emphasizes it's importance. It reminds me of Philipians 4 verse 6: "Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God." I love that! There is such hope in knowing that we can talk to our Father with confidence when we need His help (Hebrews 4:16).
I love reading your posts! They are such an inspiration to me. Thank you for sharing!
Erin

Andrea said...

Praising GOD for the hope we find in HIM.
Blessings, andrea

Michelle @ Give a Girl a Fig said...

Amen sister! God is so good...

I'm sorry your mind is racing...my prayers are with you my friend...xoxoxoxo

Kim in NC said...

...and just when I thought encouragement wasn't one of your gifts!

Imagine how many lives could be changed just with those words. Not only the people hearing them, but the people like you who are saying them!

Just this morning I was once again doubting myself and struggling with what my purpose is in life. I do believe God is working to show that to me. I think I let fear blind me of it though.

Thank you for sharing something I needed to hear today.

-stephanie- said...

Amen! and thank you. I need this.

The Blue Sparrow said...

Amen to that! It is so true, and I was just sharing with someone else how glad I am to have to lord in my life or I think Id just be hopelessly lost in this grief. Thanks for posting this, I think its really going to help alot of people to hear it. HUGS!

Beth E. said...

I'm praying you'll get a good night's sleep tonight. I know all about insomnia...it stinks!

Thanks for a great post.

Blessings,
Beth

Farmgirl Paints said...

Preach it girl! Love your encouraging words today. Hope you get some sleep soon.

Robin said...

Thanks for the encouragement! It is so important to keep our focus on the eternal. I'll be praying that you can get some sleep though!

Robin

Unknown said...

Beautiful post! And I agree with Sassy Granny. I feel that God is able to use me much more now that I have been "broken". Before I relied on myself and not on Him. Now my eyes are seeking Him and his strength daily.

UL Cards Fan said...

LOVE that song Sheryl. The first time I heard it the words " You're gonna do great things.... God's got His hand on you" gave me great hope for Brittany. She has a great destiny to fufill for God. Thanks for joining me in prayer that she will realize when her hope lies.

Love, Linda (Married to a Saint!)

Laura said...

Thanks for being so open and real my friend. That is one of the many things that I love and treasure about you. As you know of my journey.. its so refreshing to see your openess before us and more importantly before our Father. Things may not be going our way but what I do know is that our HOPE is in the LORD. It doesn't change how things are now but I know and believe of his master plan even when I can't see it.

Love you girl,
Laura

laurette said...

You are the best, lady! Love your thoughts and your heart. Such a heart of compassion for others. I also love this song, it is great!
See you around 'blooming'. Love you!
Lala

Mercy Uganda said...

So true! He is always there. I have been known to run the other way a few times, but He always gently called me back! Sleep well tonight......I have chronic insomnia so I know how good it feels when you finally have a good nights sleep!

Alicia The Snowflake said...

Amen! I don't think I have heard this song before. I'll have to check it out. I'm so thankful that we can turn to our Heavenly Father when life is hard. I don't know where I would be without Him. Thanks for this great reminder. Hope you were able to get some rest today ;)

Suzanne said...

Praying that you get the sleep and rest you need.

A friend posted this to Facebook and I though I would share:

"If your heart is broken, you'll find God right there; if you're kicked in the gut, he'll help you catch your breath." Psalms 34(TMT)

My response:
Been there and He did that!

Count it all joy!
Suzanne

Unknown said...

Great words. As soon as I read it I clicked on YouTube and now I'm listening to the song.

I know you are walking such a difficult journey. But, God is with you. He will never leave, never forsake. Rest in Him.

Blessings~

Lisa Smith said...

Love, love this song!!

Ashley said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Just a little something from Judy said...

I read this morning, about the forty years that Moses spent on the backside of the desert in preparation for the great leadership role God had in store for his life. He had no idea what all God had planned for his life as he faithfully tended his father-in-law's sheep day after day. Hope was what kept him going and hope is what we cling to. This was another one of your beautifully written posts. God is using you my friend, in ways that you possibly do not know. Thank you for using your honest and open ways of writing your posts, for Him.

Heather of the EO said...

Thank you, friend. I needed that. Thank you.

Jackie said...

Sheryl,
Thanks for your encouraging post this morning.....It blessed my heart so!!

I love the part that says "God's got His hand on you, so don't live in fear"..........I often all through the day stop and thank Him that His hand is resting upon me and my children!.....I've done this for years and it's become so real to me now!

Yes, the only source of true HOPE and Freedom comes from God!!!

Thanks for sharing!

Sweet Blessings!
Jackie

~*Michelle*~ said...

That song is awesome!

I so needed to hear these words of encouragement today....

Kathleen (Sassy Granny) makes a powerful statement...."I've come to believe the broken heart is often much nearer the Lord than the sturdy one."

Amen!

Sadie said...

Well I'm glad you enjoyed my potty post. I'm not sure how less profound it could get than a post about toilets, but I felt I owed it to World Toilet Day ;) I miss chatting it up with you on Bloom! Whatcha doing over Thanksgiving break?! ;) Maybe I'll see you there. Thank you, thank you for these words of encouragement and the example that you are. "See" you soon!

Paula V said...

Beautiful post, Sheryl. Great encouragement for all, including my heart.