Do you have trouble telling people no? I sure do! Do you have borders or boundaries for yourself? Many times, I take on too much. I get overwhelmed and stressed as well as a little irritable. I want to be helpful. For example, I always did my kid’s laundry. I knew deep down they were more than capable, but instead, I felt I must do this for them. Since I did a lot of things for them, when I asked them to complete their chores it never seemed to get done. I might have to wait a few days before they took out the trash and this would frustrate me to the point that I would end up doing it myself. Looking back, I think I made some serious mistakes. I continually put pressure on myself. If I don’t have supper done at a particular time, I am disappointed in myself. If I don’t have the house nice and tidy, I feel stressed. 

I am learning that it is okay to say no to things. Just because we want to be helpful, does not mean we drive ourselves to an early grave doing things for others. We think we are selfish by saying no but sometimes love requires us to say no. God does not require us to do everything. We put these expectations on ourselves. James 1:5 states, “If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.” In other words, ask God before you say yes. For example, “is this something I need to do right now?” God will let you know what you need to do. We need to take the time to listen. 

Do things in your life seem impossible? Do you feel like you have lost all hope? I have been through seasons in my life that seemed impossible. Many nights I have sat alone and cried out to God seeking answers. I wish I could tell you that all of my prayers were answered overnight. I can’t!

Take, for example, Naomi. “In the days when the judges ruled, there was a famine in the land. So a man from Bethlehem in Judah, together with his wife and two sons, went to live for a while in the country of Moab. The man’s name is Elimeiek, his wife’s name was Naomi, and the names of his two sons were Mahlon and Kilion. They were Ephrathites from Bethlehem, Judah. And they went to Moab and lived there. So Elimelek, Naomi’s husband, died, and she was left with her two sons. They married Moabite women, one named Orpah, and the other Ruth. After they had lived there about ten years, both Mahlon and Kilion also died, and Naomi was left without her two sons and her husband.” Ruth 1. 1-5

Naomi lost her husband and then her sons. I could only imagine what she was going through. Her only hope was God. She tried sending her daughter-in-law’s away so they could go about their lives. However, Ruth stayed with Naomi. When I think about this story, I think about the love of God.

We do have hope. God is our one true hope! My favorite Scripture in the Bible is Jeremiah 29.11, “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “Plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”

I hope that you will take a few minutes to listen to “I Will Rise” by Chris Tomlin. Be blessed!

How do we have faith in hard times? You may feel like the world is falling down around you. God never promised us we would never go through hard times. He did promise us that He would be with us always. 

Take for example, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego from the book of Daniel. They would not worship the gold statue the King Nebuchadnezzar set up, so they were thrown into a fiery furnace. They had faith that God would take care of them. “Your threat means nothing to us. If you throw us in the fire, the God we serve can rescue us from your roaring furnace and anything else you might cook up, O king. But even if he doesn’t, it wouldn’t make a bit of difference, O king. We still wouldn’t serve your gods or worship the gold statue you set up” (Daniel 3. 14-16). Wow, that took some faith. When the king checked on the three men in the furnace, he saw four. Can you imagine his shock to see that there were four men in the fiery furnace, and they were walking around freely? 

We can be encouraged today that we are overcomers because Jesus Christ has overcome the world. So, keep the faith and do not fear. Keep your eyes on God and start your day off right by reading His word. “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).