Can misery lead to meaningful change? An excerpt on Gideon from Little Strength, Big God answers this question. Don’t miss the link to a podcast with Tina Yeager. I’m grateful to Tina for discussing Little Strength, Big God with me on her Flourish-meant podcast. Tina is a dear sister from the Advanced Writer and Speaker Association and a fabulous podcast host. I know you’ll enjoy getting to know her.
Why Am I Depressed?
Gloom choked the air like diesel exhaust at a bus stop. I plopped on the side of my bed and asked myself why. Two healthy preschoolers, a loving husband, a comfortable home, and a fruitful ministry should have added up to a satisfying life. Why, with so much good in my life, did I feel down?
Immediately, I sensed the answer.
You don’t think I love you.
Dumbfounded, I knew it was true. According to my plans, I should have been finishing my master’s degree in Biblical Studies. Instead, because of short finances, while our ministry team scattered for summer mission projects, we canceled our plans and stayed home.
Ironically, when the Holy Spirit uncovered my wrong belief, I felt relief. I knew God loved me. My spirit lifted despite my disappointing circumstances.
The Midianites descended from Abraham and Keturah (Gen. 25:1–2). At harvest time, they swooped into Israel like swarms of locusts to ravage Israel’s crops.
But Midian wasn’t the primary source of Israel’s misery. The root of their suffering lay in Israel’s idolatry, not their horrible circumstances. Gideon was wrong; God hadn’t abandoned Israel. Israel had forsaken God.
While the Hebrews blamed others, they remained victims. But if Israel took responsibility for her actions and realigned herself with God, everything else would change too.
Knowing God is with us—even when we’re suffering from our own making—strengthens us to face our fears, errors, and disappointments. Before we can change what’s happening on the outside, we sometimes need God’s transformation on the inside.
Today’s Strength Builder: Have you felt forgotten by God? Ask him to show you the root of your problem. Could it be you’ve pinned your hope—or blame—in the wrong place?
Excerpt taken from Little Strength, Big God.
Before we can change what’s happening on the outside, we sometimes need God’s transformation on the inside. #hope, #healing Click To TweetLittle Strength, Big God podcast interview with Tina Yeager.
I invite you listen to my interview with Tina Yeager. You can also listen on YouTube.
Blessings,
Sometimes I link with these great sites:
#InspireMeMonday, #InstaEncouraements, #TellHisStory, #Let’sHaveCoffee, #Grace&Truth
Thanks for the transparency…been there, done that. Feeling guilty for being “whiney and emotionally down. But, like you said, it reveals a deeper problem that God offers to help us with. I am actually writing a piece about disappointments today so this was right on point!
Barb, disappointments are part of life. We can’t let them steal our joy. Thanks so much for reading and sharing your thoughts, Barb.
These words really helped me today, “Knowing God is with us—even when we’re suffering from our own making—strengthens us to face our fears, errors, and disappointments. ” Amen Debbie. Thank you. I’m
Yvonne, makes all the difference, doesn’t it?
It’s quite amazing how believing something that is not true can so powerfully impact every areas of life.
You’re so right, Ann. What we believe has great power for good or for bad.
How true Ms. Debbie. It seems “the human default” is to look for someone else to blame, to find another source for our troubles. Reality, more times than not, that “source” lies between our ears. While I agree that “the heart is wicked” (Jeremiah 17:9), we must ask God to see our mind. Our heart often controls what we think. Jeremiah 17:10 goes onto to state that God “searches the heart of man, but He tests the mind.” It is when we allow Him to do that, when we “take every thought captive” that God reveals His truths in our lives. What a wonderful illustration of that in your devotion ma’am. Thank you!
J.D., it is our tendency. And it certainly doesn’t solve the problem. Thanks for adding your insights.
Such an important lesson to be remembered. Sometimes we bring difficulties upon ourselves with the choices we make. May we be quick to realign ourselves with God, letting Him change us and hopefully, our circumstances.
Yes. I don’t want to sit in my misery any longer than I must! Thanks, Joanne.
When we finally pause and ask God for help to understand our troubles, He will always give us wisdom. Then we need to actually listen. Thank you, Debbie!
Good counsel, Annie!
You’ve focused on something we often experience, but dont usually admit. We worry that we don’t deserve His love (of course we don’t), but He loves us anyway with a love that is beyond our comprehension. Thank you for this uplifting message.
“He loves us anyway with a love that is beyond our comprehension.” Amen! Thank you, Katherine.