Monday Motivation: Take Hold

Friends

Let’s take inventory this morning? What is the state of your spirit? How are you holding up under the pressures and problems of this frightening pandemic?

I appreciate your continued prayers for my family as we deal with some health struggles. Lifting up prayers for you and your family this morning as we seek the peace that passes all understanding.

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“…He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives…”

Isaiah 61:1 – NIV

In this time of uncertainty and disorder, we are all feeling the impact. How about you? Are you bound by fear this morning? Are you held captive by anxiety? Are you a slave to worry? I don’t know about you, but I am certainly battling these arrows of the Enemy this morning.

In times like these, we can find ourselves living a life of bondage, held in chains by the weight of problems we cannot solve. Life seems to be spinning out of control, leaving us feeling lost and helpless. This virus and its imposed social isolation is wreaking havoc on all our lives. As if that isn’t enough, we all have other worries. Perhaps your health is threatened, and your future is uncertain. Maybe your loved one is sick. Perhaps your precious child is in trouble or your spouse is struggling. Likely financial concerns are weighing you down. You want to fix it, but you are powerless to change the situation. You are desperate to find the answer, but no matter how hard you try, you cannot make the problems go away.

Sometimes, it feels like we are drowning in a sea of sorrow, of guilt, of frustration. Do you ever feel like you are treading water? Perhaps your body is wearing out under the strain. You can’t go on this way. The waves are crashing over you, on and on they come, one after another, wave after wave. You can’t catch your breath. You need to come up for air, but the waves just keep coming.

But you and I are not alone in that water. There is a hand that seeks to steady us, to lift us up, to keep our heads above the waves. Jesus is there in the water with us. His hand is extended. All we have to do is reach out and take hold of His hand.

It’s a choice. Keep struggling or take hold. It’s a simple choice, but one we must make. Jesus will not make it for us. You and I have free will. We get to choose how we live. We can keep on struggling. We can keep on sinking under the weight of it all, OR we can reach out and clasp His outstretched hand. You and I can break free from those deep waters and find His peace.

Isn’t it time that you and I reached out to grasp His peace? Our Savior stands waiting to calm the waves of fear and anxiety. He will bind up our wounds and set us free. Only one thing is required of us. We must take hold. We must choose to trust our Lord Jesus. Are you ready to take that step of faith today?

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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 – NIV

PRAYER

O Lord our God, please help us. In the midst of this virus pandemic, we are assailed by fears, besieged by anxiety, worn out with worry. We seek Your peace. We need the peace that only You can provide. Help us to reach out in faithful trust, to let go of our fears and worries. Set us free from our chains, O Lord, that we might take hold of Your outstretched hand. Lord, be with all those around the world who are suffering from the impact of this virus. Heal those who are sick. Help our nation and our leaders to pull together in this crisis and help those in need. Be with all the health care workers as they provide lifesaving care. Lord, we pray that this virus would vanish from this world, and those affected would be returned to good health. Thank You, Lord for always being there for us, no matter what we face in this fallen world.

In the Ever-Present Name of Jesus, we pray,

Amen

Blessings,

Anita

-APS 3/23/2020