When I was four years old, I broke my collarbone. I fell off my bed, landed on my shoulder, and heard a snap. In my four short years of life, I had never felt anything like the excruciating pain suddenly pulsating through my body. Immediately, I began crying. My mom called my dad at work to let him know what happened, and then she rushed me to the emergency room.
I remember crying and crying and crying. My mom tried to comfort me. My big sister tried to help me. The nurses tried to reassure me everything was going to be okay. Unfortunately, it didn’t help. I cried in the car, the waiting room, the exam room. I cried the whole time the nurses prepared me for X-Rays.
Then it happened. My dad flung open the doors to the exam room. He had left work early and rushed to the emergency room to get to me. He entered the room, his eyes met mine, and I immediately stopped crying. I was still in pain, still hurting, still in need, but my father’s strong and loving presence in the room changed everything for me. My dad walked into my room, and when he walked in, fear walked out.
In life, we will face bumps and bruises, broken bones and broken hearts. No one is exempt from difficulties, disappointments, and trials. Our hope is not in the absence of trouble, but in the presence of God. His presence strengthens us, even when we are at our weakest.
God is truly in our midst (Zephaniah 3:17). When we acknowledge His presence and turn to Him, He becomes a refuge for us and a present help in our troubles (Psalm 46:1). He tends to us and protects us as a good shepherd tends to his flock (Isaiah 40:9–11). We don’t need to grit our teeth and bear the difficulties we face alone, and we certainly don’t need to navigate the storms of life in our own inner strength and moral compass. Instead, God’s presence becomes the source of our power and courage.
What troubles are you facing today? What difficulties are seeking to rob you of your peace and joy? Today, I pray you know beyond a shadow of a doubt that your heavenly Father has walked into the room of your life and He’s not going anywhere! I pray that you would know the sheer joy and complete peace of having God close to you, lavishing His love on you, relentlessly pursuing you, and fiercely protecting you. I pray that you would know God is with you, and His presence would dismantle the power of fear and fatigue in your life!
I was just writing in my journal of how I just feel defeated and discouraged. I loved the prayer at the end and truly needed it .
Hopefully, they catch the glitch here and post Day 4. ❤️
@Rhonda J- yes, on days I am pretty early on here, it’s because I am studying before my new job. I’m only there a few days so my timing here is scattered, lol.
@Mercy, Laura Dianne, Sharon JG ❤️ thank you for your words and prayers. I am still struggling and sensitive… Hoping in time things don’t sting as much and I can feel safe being myself around him…
@Kristin Duffey – glad you are here. ❤️
Happy Thursday. I pray the Lord continues to lead us by His goodness and mercy. I pray we do not lose heart and continue to look for His goodness in the land of the living (Psalm 27:13). ❤️
“Our hope is not in the absence of trouble but in the presence of God. His presence strengthens us…”. This was so good. Too often I find myself feeling like I’m alone. Like God has forgotten about me. This is surely exemplified when God seems so present in the lives of those around me. I pray that I remember his word because they will never return void. And that is a scheme of the enemy as he is the master of confusion. God is always there. He may not be right in front of me. He may be right behind me. He has strategically changed his position but he has not left me. “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding.” ❤️
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Exodus 33:12-17, Numbers 6:22-27, Psalm 16:11, Psalm 23:1-6, Romans 15:13, 2 Thessalonians 3:16
Scripture from HRT page for Day 4. Thanks Kelly for the reminder!
As of 5 am eastern time, day 4 is up at He Reads Truth…
I don’t see it as of 6:45am EST in the app.
Amen and amen! Good word!
Day 4 is not up yet! Ooops.
As I’m here, lifting you all, my dear sisters up in prayer. Prayerful your days are blessed in ways you know, only our Father God can bless, that you are covered in His peace and love, and that His presence is so tangibly felt as you go about your day..
Happy Thursday, wrapped in love and hugs from across the pond..❤️