The Lord Is My Shepherd

How encouraged I am with Psalm 23. This is my assurance and comfort today. These days of trial and emotional turmoil have plagued me and have brought me to a place of distress. But though weeping may endure for a night, joy comes in the morning. *

The Lord is my shepherd, and I lack nothing. He makes me lie down in green pastures of peace and rest. He is restoring my soul - my mind, soul and emotions. He guides by His Word and by His Holy Spirit and I am righteous in His sight, in Christ Jesus.

And so now I perceive these days in the valley of the shadow of death as being a part of my journey along the path of recovery. I don't have to fear, as stinking thinking has told me to, because I'm not stuck and this is not my destination. He's with me and we're going somewhere. The Lord's rod and His staff (His Word and His Spirit) comfort me and protect me and are correcting and directing my paths and are ordering my steps, and He's orchestrating my healing, hallelujah. 

He anoints my head - my thoughts, with the oil of gladness and they are blessed. My cup, the loving cup of my heart, overflows with joy! Surely goodness and mercy will follow me, as Jeremiah 29:11 promises, there is a reason to hope and my future is bright. Amen!

*Psalm 30:5

Feelings...uugh

My feelings have been saying that I'm losing steam, I'm off course and in danger of missing it. But God's promise in Jeremiah 29 verse 11 reminds and comforts me again. I have assurance that I will not forfeit His plans. His blessing to me today is "rest". I am not going to miss it - for He knows the plans (the way, the course, and each step towards and in the right direction to my unique blessings) for my life. I can completely fall back in his arms – He will not drop me or let me fall. Jeremiah 29:11

My feelings aren't a good compass; Yes, I have been in the 'wilderness' but I am headed somewhere and in the right direction!  Amen.

https://abide.is/prayer/q437ha

Unconditional Love

I honestly have to admit that unconditional love is new to me. Since early in life I thought that I had to demonstrate my worthiness of love by doing something or by performing at a certain level, then I would receive approval - which I equated with love. And, since I didn't know the Lord I didn't even know what true love was. So, in truth, I wasn't really looking for love but actually trying to avoid rejection. What I didn't realize before was that unconditional love isn't about doing something it's about being someone; the beloved of the Lord.

Unconditional love comes from the Father. Unconditional love doesn't have to be earned, indeed it cannot be. This is great news! I no longer have to figure out what unconditional love is or how to love unconditionally, I just have to receive it!

“We love Him, because He first loved us.” 1 John‬ ‭4:19‬ ‭AMP‬‬