--by Amanda Figgins

Psalms 5:11-12 “But let all who take refuge in you rejoice; let them sing joyful praises forever. Spread your protection over them, that all who love your name may be filled with joy. For you bless the godly, O Lord; you surround them with your shield of love.”

Has anyone made you feel worthless or unhappy? I think we have all fallen into that trap at one time or another.

Navigating life has its ups and downs, and at times we take some life events too serious. A lot of times friends and family can help us through the roller coaster ride of life, but sometimes we let them jolt our ride to a stop. All it takes is a simple phone call from a family member saying you’re not a good enough Christian or close enough to God…Or a friend who no longer wants to continue a friendship because of a misunderstanding or the outcome of a situation isn’t what he/she wanted. It’s amazing how we can dwell on situations like these and let them steal our joy and possibly harden our hearts towards others.

Through these tough times, when words and actions can hurt so bad, we must remember to keep our focus on God. Our true joy does not come from earthly possessions or our family and friends, but from God. During these challenging times in life we must remember to take refuge in God’s protection and let Him heal our hearts with His love, mercy, and grace.

Dear God – Thank you for your everlasting love. Protect us throughout life’s ups and downs, and protect our hearts as we face challenging situations with others. We ask that you help us to stay focused on You as You are our only source of true joy. In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen.