There are so many special things to give thanks for each day in our lives.  Simple things often are over looked, sometimes even the big things are taken for granted. Life has so many up and downs.  Sometimes the people we are closest to and love the most, the very people we have had incredibly special life moments with are the very ones that challenge us the deepest.  Compassion and mercy are so precious and gifts we need to extend each day.  Especially to those who live within the very same walls we do.

Sometimes the battles that ensue are overwhelming and we focus far too much on the battle, than on God who can turn that battle into beautiful victory.  Struggles that seem to repeat, can harden us to the point we forget to be gentle and show love even though……has happened or keeps happening. In our home we struggle with a child diagnosed with Asperger’s.  We pray often, and God has shown mercy in our home, our challenges seem to come and go, and we have to keep seeking him.  This at times can be the hardest thing for me, to seek God at those moments. That is just one kind of mental battle that can rage, there are also personal emotional battles many of us face.  We need to seek God for help in these areas.  Also seeking help of professionals and those God has trained.  God can really help us, it is in these moments  we need to ask Him to pour his love into our hearts and try again. Sometimes we need to seek those trained individuals for further help, and that is ok! God guides us each step. We all need help at different times.  Sometimes the battles we face or our loved ones face are deeper than we or anyone on the outside can imagine.  It is so important we support each other and encourage each other.  We truly don’t know what someone may be dealing with.  Battles of the mind can be extremely difficult.  There are some very real and tough mental battles in our society today that need attention, and we need to better understand.

My cousin has experienced the loss of her husband due to one of these intense mental battles, a terminal battle in the mind.  As tough as things have been she has shared a most precious part of her heart today.  I encourage you to read it. and be encourged by her.  When information is brought to life, understanding can come forth and help, help situations and healing.  This story and outreach is found at  http://samanthaamidon.com/when-darkness-turns-to-light/with the title When Darkness Turns to Light.  I pray you are encouraged today to seek God for encouragement and to share an encouraging word with someone you love!

 

Ask God: Fill me with love, mercy and grace in all my broken places that I would extend it to others.

Ask God: Who in my life needs an encouraging word from me.

And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast. 1 Peter 5:10

Because of the LORD’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning. Great is your faithfulness. Lamentations. 3:22-23