Hey, my beloved sisters! I have you on my mind right now, wondering how you are and what God is presently sowing into your path. I’ve been writing to you steadily through Children of the Day but today I found myself longing for real-time interaction. I’ve been thinking about a verse that I’ve known and loved a very long time. I like it in almost any version but it’s by far the most gorgeous in the King James.
I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
Marvelous are Your works,
And that my soul knows very well.
Psalm 139:14 NKJV
It’s the last line that I love so much. Life is hard and all our unanswered questions and unsolvable mysteries can make us feel like we’re getting sucked further and further into a black hole. We can come to the conclusion that there is really very little that we can know and, for the most part, we earthlings are victims of gravity, the soles of our feet stuck to the dirt and growing more callous by the day. Depression runs particularly rampant this time of year and darkness can be even darker for children of light. We know it’s not where we belong but we don’t always know how to crack the door to the sunshine.
We’re going to give that a shot today.
My challenge to you in the midst of all our questions is to behold what we each – individually, not corporately – really do know all the way into the dark folds of our souls. Here’s the 2-part assignment:
1. Complete this sentence: Right now I don’t have any idea… (pick only one thing, the thing that you find most confusing right now or most removed from your knowledgeable reach).
2. But these things my soul knows very well: (Write 5 things you know – really, really know – even in the black of night, even when you don’t feel well, even amid your thousands of other questions. Don’t just come up with 5 things by rote because you know they’re the right things to say and they’d be the top 5 priority pieces of information for people of our faith. What 5 things make the most difference to you right now in your circumstances?? What does your soul know very well? 5 things, Sweet Things. Don’t copy anybody else’s answers. Don’t even read anyone else’s list until you leave your comment. This is not about their relationship with your God. This is about yours. In a world of wondering, what do you know, Sister? Resist being predictable. Think about it. Don’t say it if you don’t know it to your core. For instance, don’t say, “I know God loves me” if the truth is that you doubt it every single day. Say what you know.
And those things will bridge your faith over to what you don’t.
I love you so much.
Right now I don’t have any idea if we’ll still have a home by the end of the year.
But these things my soul knows very well:
1) God will be with us whether we’re in a home or on the streets.
2) There’s a purpose for this, although I’ve yet to figure it out.
3) My husband loves me, and I love him.
4) Nothing can separate me from God’s incredible love, grace, and forgiveness. Nothing.
5) Jesus died for me. Died. For me.
Praying for continued shelter and provision for you and your family!!!!!
Beautiful responses in the midst of struggle. Praying for you, friend….
I DONT HAVE ANY IDEA…..what the future holds
For our son (he has a form of autism) but….
I KNOW THAT….1. God loves him and he loves God
With all his heart. 2. God will use our son’s love
For him in a great and mighty way. 3. Our prayer is
That he be used for Gods glory and service
4. Our struggles with our son has shown me
The magnitude of Gods grace and his provision
5. God has taught me that it’s not about me
Your statement took me back to Christmas, 1981. My husband and I were experiencing the same circumstances and our answer came at the zero hour. God is faithful and will provide for you as only He can. I loved the 5 things you KNOW, expecially #5!!
Praying right now!
I am praying for you to have Peace while you wait to see what God has planned for you. I think He just likes to see how much we really trust Him!!! Sometimes I just wish He would believe that we truly trust Him without the tests to prove it!! 🙂
Praying God’s perfect will for you and your home!
I dont know how God is going to take care of this situation our family is faced with. But I know this:
1. God loves me SO!
2. My husband is my soul mate.
3. Praise stills the enemy and brings a peace.
4. God hears and cares.
and
5. When this life is over I will be with Almighty God.
I dont know how God is going to take care of this situation our family is faced with. But I know this:
1. God loves me SO!
2. My husband is my soul mate.
3. Praise stills the enemy and brings a peace.
4. God hears and cares.
and
5. When this life is over I will be with Almighty God.
Praying for you and thank you. I needed to be reminded how powerful PRAISE is!!
right now i don’t have any idea whether or not it is in God’s near future plans for me for me to write a book that’s on my heart.
but these things my soul knows very well:
1) He will accomplish ALL that He intends; He knows the beginning from the end–isaiah 46:10
2) I know Who goes before me, I know Who stands behind. He’s always by my side.
3) God is ALWAYS at work, regardless of what i see when i look at my current circumstances.
4) There is NOTHING i can do to make God love me MORE and nothing i can do to make God love me LESS. NOTHING. it has taken my entire adult life (30 years!) for this to sink in to the marrow of my soul.
5) there is MUCH each day to be thankful for…so.very.much. practicing thanks-giving is a spiritual discipline that thwarts the enemy.
Right now I don’t now if I will ever get it together.
But these things my soul knows very well:
1. The hills outside are gorgeous and real and the same day after day.
2. This time of year is beautiful.
3. I am 29.
4. I am safe.
5. Everything will be fine.
Thank you so much for these thoughts!
Right now I don’t have any idea how God can bring my fractured family back together.
My soul knows well…
1) My husband love me, even at my most unlovable times.
2) The sun rises and sets
3) God’s Word is living and active and He speaks to me through it.
4) Nothing or now one satisfies like Jesus!
5) Praise music (both hymns and contemporary) helps me so much to focus on the Lord!
What I don’t know? ~The what the next month holds, even day. My husband has been under general anesthetic 7 times since January of this year (several surgeries). Fighting cancer and had a heart attack four weeks ago (twice in the hospital for stents these past four weeks). He was called into his boss’office at work yesterday because he has missed so much. They understand, but yet there is a company that needs to be efficient and work to be done, he just hasn’t been able to be there.
But this I do know:
1. God is sovereign over all. This has held me from the first moment I met Him.
2. God is Good and what He does is good.
3. He loves me with an everlasting love and I praise Him.
4. Yes, indeed, He works all things together for good. What comfort and joy.
5. God is my foundation, the stability of my times and He is my Treasure; Jesus is the Logos; His Word is not idle, indeed it is my life and I rejoice in my God and Savior in the glorious Lord Jesus Christ. I love the Word of God.
Just prayed for you and your husband…for peace and to feel HIS presence amidst all the trials and uncertainty.
Right now I have no idea where my daughter (who has special needs) will attend school next year for middle school and how they will meet her needs.
But these things my soul knows well:
1)God has not failed me yet and His plan is perfect everytime it unfolds.
2)He inhabits the praise of His people and so I will praise Him in the unknown.
3)He did not give her to me so that I would live a life of fear for her, but to teach me to trust Him more, and so I could teach HER to trust Him.
4)The red paint color on my front door is named “Burning bush” because I could really use one right now! (ha!)
5)Jesus died for me. He loves me and He is walking with me every single day.
I need to go run around in the cul-de-sac and praise Him! Poor neighbors.
I don’t know why a godly friend with two adult daughters and AN 11 YEAR OLD SON AT HOME passed away this week from a brain tumor…
but I know that
she has received a new body and resides with her Lord Jesus Christ
God will be faithful to her broken loved ones
God Almighty is on the throne
Jesus overcame death
This world is not our home.
Heartbreaking. I’m so sorry for your loss. Praying for the family.
Prayers for you all….so sad but yet hopeful …to DIE IS GAIN… yet our loss on this side….
Right now I don’t have any idea what the future holds for my autistic child.
But these things my soul knows very well:
1 – Her daddy and I will, till our dying breaths, be there to make sure she goes as far as she can go.
2 – Her FATHER loves her even more than we do.
3 – SHE is fearfully and wonderfully made. Just the way the Father created her to be.
4 – HE has a perfect plan for her and we will be faithful to completion.
5 – The same God that used liars, murderers, thieves, cowards and some pretty depraved beings to create a family line for the King of Kings has placed her in MY arms. I can do all things through Him … including NOT messing up the plans He has for my children. Lord, help me!!!
love and prayers to you Becky Jo 🙂 I think your girl is going to rock this world 🙂
Right now I don’t have any idea…
what will become of my marriage now that my seminary-grad, former Bible-church missionary husband has converted to a foreign faith I can’t share.
But these things my soul knows very well:
1) The Lord is near the brokenhearted.
2) He has something good He wants to give me through my trials, even if “good” just means making me more like the Man of Sorrows who saved me.
3) God opened my eyes to the sin of religious pride, forgave me, and gave me a new heart and spirit on April 17, 1987, when I didn’t even know I needed one.
4) In the eternal scheme of things, my greatest pain is a light and momentary affliction which will prove more than worth it when I behold the eternal weight of glory it’s producing.
5) God’s Word really is living and active (Hebrews 4:12) and will accomplish every single purpose for which God sends it (Isaiah 55:10-11).
Right now I don’t have any idea how much my family will have to suffer before Jesus comes back for us.
But these things my soul knows very well:
1. Jesus has been faithful to provide my every need my whole life, and He is capable of providing for me and my family no matter what happens.
2. God is in complete control. He hasn’t forgotten us.
3. Whenever I have needed God’s grace for a new situation, it has always been there. Just when I needed it. Not before.
4. Whenever I am afraid, I can trust Him.
5. Nothing can separate me from God’s love.
Right now I have no idea how we’re going to pay our bills in the next few months. (We just started a business and it’s yet to generate enough salary for us to really live on, and I am stopping my part-time job to have a baby).
But these things my soul knows very well:
1) God sees my need.
2) God won’t abandon me.
3) This season of stress and busyness and uncertainty shall pass.
4) There will be other times of uncertainty – but God is my constant.
5) God won’t forget me.
Right now I don’t have any idea what the future will bring with the physical problems I deal with or what God’s purpose is in me being so debilitated by them.
1) I watched a miracle unfold when God provided the perfect job for my husband. And I live within countless blessings because of that miracle every day.
2) God provided my friend Summer to help me care for my daughter when I was at the end of my rope a few years ago. The friendship that grew between us was completely of Him, and helped her life just as much as it did mine.
3) There is power in prayer.
4) God has spoken to me thru His Word (and people/circumstances) many thruout my life.
5) There is something set apart and very special about people who know the Lord.
Right now I don’t have any idea what’s wrong with me physically.
But these things my soul knows very well:
1) Jesus died for me, was raised and sits at the right hand of God Almighty
2) God’s Word is completely trustworthy, accurate, valid, and authoritative
3) I am His child
4) He is FOR me
5) My life is for His glory
Right now I don’t know why my thyroid and adrenal glands can’t be regulated despite months of treatment
But these things my Soul is POSITIVE of:
1. I am not to try to attain my goal by human effort-Gal 3:3 NIV
2. I am to follow the Spirit’s leading in every part of my life-Gal 5:25 NLT
3. His compassions never fail, they are new every morning-Lam 3:22-24
4. He knows my limited strength. He has placed before me an open door that no one is able to close-Rev 3:8 HCSB
5. That I have circled this mountain long enough & have been told to turn north-Deut 2:3 NASB
1. I know that God is who he says he is –
2. I know that God loves me –
3. I know that nothing makes sense unless he is part of the equation
4. I know that his ways are not my ways – and that his ways are so much greater than anything I could ever hope or dream of.
5. I know that God wants us to store up treasures in heaven not here on earth where they will evidently be destroyed – but the treasure in heaven are eternal, lasting and forever – and that should be our focus.
1.
Right now I don’t have any idea where the road I am on is taking me and what lies ahead.
2.
But these things my soul knows very well:
– My God is faithful
– My God cares about me, individually, personally
– I can’t do this on my own; when I try, I come up empty
– If I open my eyes and ears and heart, He speaks to me
– I need to remember to remember
Right now I don’t have any idea if I will ever have a husband and children.
But these things my soul knows very well:
1. My Maker is my husband – God Almighty is His name! (Is. 54:5)
2. I may get lonely, but I am never alone.
3. No matter what happens here, this girl’s gonna get her wedding one day! (Rev19:6-9)
4. If God has not granted me this desire of my heart, He has a good reason and I can trust Him.
5. I get to be Auntie to my precious nephews & niece whom I love like my own!
1. Right now I don’t have any idea… how a certain matter will unfold – I have to keep trusting that God will weave the pieces together; so my job is to keep my eyes on Him and my ears listening and my heart quiet.
2. But these things my soul knows very well:
1) You are here
2) You are enough
3) You are more than enough
4) I cannot fathom the love You have for me
5) Since I know #4 is true, I feel spoiled, loved, cherished, enjoyed, like You’re over-the-moon-about-me
1. I know that HE KNOWS, exactly what’s going to happen, and I don’t need to fear.
2. He has gotten us thru many medical bills before and if we have another HE WILL PROVIDE!
3. PEACE THAT PASSES ALL UNDERSTANDING is mine.
4. I know that HE HEARS my prayers.
5. HE HEALS
PRAISE YOU JESUS!!!
Right now I don’t have any idea how to relate to my husband.
But these things my soul knows very well:
1) God surrounds me
2) He wants my attention and focus on him, for me to love Him first
3) He suffers when I do
4) He wants me to serve however I can – nothing is too small
5) He is my anchor keeping me from hitting the rocks when the waves are crashing and holding me still when I try to go off in the wrong direction
Dear Beth,
I have no idea if my relationship with my only sister will ever be restored.
1. I know that I have been blessed richly for forgiving her even though I can not under stand why she stole our inheritance, had me jailed falsely and becuase of it all my father died without me being able to ask him why this all happened.
2. Though I do not condone her for wrongs done I can still chose to forgive and in that free my self from the bondage of bitterness.
3. Jesus forgives me daily for the wrongs I do and commands me to forgive as I have been forgiven.
4. Even though she never may say those words “I was wrong, please forgive me I can forgive anyway.
5. It is okay to admonish her when the bitterness of envy shows up, but then go on and do not stew over it. If He sees fit, the relationship may at some point reestablish itself. If not I can still pray for her.
Right now I don’t have any idea…how I will manage being a mother of two.
But these things my soul knows very well:
1) My son makes me smile and laugh every day.
2) The flutters that I feel inside my growing belly are very special to me.
3) My husband is supportive and encouraging to me as a mother.
4) God’s grace is sufficient.
5) The crazy, hard to handle season of the baby/toddler/preschool years is only that…a season.
1. Right now I don’t have any idea what is going on with my marriage or when my husband will return to his passions.
2. But these things my soul knows very well:
– This is only a season, that it won’t last forever
– That even if everything fell apart, I would still be ok (thank you, Beth, for So Long Insecurity!)
– God is a very good and faithful God.
– I have sisters in the faith that will be there for me- I am never alone
– God has plans- plans for prosperity and not harm!!! 🙂
Right now I don’t have any idea how we will pay for our son to go to college next year and his 3 brothers following him.
But these things my soul knows very well:
1. The Lord of the universe loves me
2. He will take care of us
3. The Lord of the universe loves my boys
4. I know He knows what’s best for me
5. I am His child
I have no idea… how our (my husband and I) relationships will progress with our children and grandchild.
My soul knows very well….
1. God has plans to prosper us.
2. God knows and understands us.
3. Jesus will never leave our sides.
4. The most important relationship as individuals and as a husband and wife is with Him!
5. This life can be sweet and wonderful, but the next one will blow us away!!!
Right now I don’t have any idea what the holiday season will hold in the way of family interactions. My family has been split apart and broken since the death of my uncle a few years ago. Mental illness ravages my vulnerable family.
But these things my SOUL knows very well:
1. JESUS LOVES ME!
2. I have my relationship with my Savior to sustain me, encourage me, comfort me, guide me, protect me and just BE with me.
3. Hot chocolate with whipped cream will ALWAYS bring physical and emotional warmth 🙂
4. Books will always be a TREASURED FRIEND.
5. I am BLESSED beyond my wildest imagination. When I focus on that everything else falls into proper perspective. It empowers me to seek to be a BLESSING to others. Even my family.
Right now I don’t have any idea how I’m going to have purpose in my life once our kids have left the house.
But these things my soul knows very well:
1) God has always been faithful to me and tender with me
2) He has given me gifts that He wants me to use
3) His Holy Spirit will guide me forward
4) This season in my life, right now, is the gift I am to be cherishing
5) Life is full of surprises!!
Right now I don’t have any idea how to face life alone after 38 years of marriage to my best friend, who is now in hospice.
But these things my soul knows very well:
1. God is with me – He will never leave me alone
2. My Redeemer lives
3. Nothing in this life surprises my Savior
4. He truly is who He says He is
5. I am nothing without Jesus
May God surround you with His comfort, care, and bring special sweet memories to mind during this difficult time. {{{{{{HUGS}}}}}}
My prayers are with you. I pray specifically for God to keep good memories in your heart and help you remember with strength and grace. The LORD holds you tightly as you walk this out.
standing up beside you right now in prayer and support. May you KNOW HIS presence in a sweet and real way today, tomorrow, and in the coming days and months!
Right now I don’t have any idea where my marriage is headed, and I am scared to be walking in the unknown.
But these things my soul knows: 1.He doesn’t want to see me fail. 2.God wants me to feel His love even when right now I can’t remember what that feels like.
3. God will have glory in this hardship.
4. My Lord is sovereign. Which means my mind has no room for the Devil and his lies.
5.He will make a way… When there seems to be no way (a new song He will give every morning)!
Depression is so real to me. It’s a thorn in my side. Thank you for reminding me that in my praise and thanksgiving will I find the way out and into what my soul KNOWS.
Love you too.
Right now I don’t have any idea if, after six long months, I will ever walk completely out of this severe depression.
But these things my soul knows very well:
1. I am better than I was a few weeks ago.
2. I am very much loved by my family.
3. My husband has devotedly taken care of me and my family when I could not and he will continue to do so as long as it takes.
4. That I WANT very much to believe that God has a good purpose for this.
5. I am blessed beyond measure.
Right now I don’t have any idea how to survive sleep training another child (our older daughter was nearly impossible with all things sleep so I have a lot of fear/anxiety with this for the baby right now).
But these things my soul knows very well:
1. God gave me strength last time and He will this time.
2. My sweet husband will never leave me and will always be there to support and encourage me.
3. My girls are a BLESSING and a JOY no matter how hard being a parent is.
4. I might feel like I’m going to die if I don’t get some sleep soon but I will survive!
5. Weeping lasts for the night but joy comes In the morning.
Don’t know/understand why my body hurts so much all the time.
But I do know…that without the love of my Father I couldn’t be putting one foot in front of the other; I cannot wait to share Him with my Sisters; I am part of a body of believers who want/desire/are compelled to share Him whenever and wherever they can; I am married to a man who wants/desires/and is compelled to share Him whenever and with whomever will listen; His love for me is so strong!
Right now I don’t have any idea of what 2014 holds for me.
But these things my soul knows very well:
1. God is who He says He is
2. My Lord is FAITHFUL!
3. He always hears my cry
4. He will do what He says He will do
5. I am who He says I am!
Those truths get me through each day.
Right now I don’t have any idea why I have these lingering health issues.
But these things my soul knows very well…
1. God has never allowed me to be overtaken by the enemy.
2. When I am completely unfaithful He is still kind to me. It still takes me by surprise how sweet He is.
3. In specific fears and anxieties He’s been overwhelmingly faithful to rescue me, even when I fall back into fear and forget how faithful He was before.
4. When I was angry with Him he was still in the midst of working out His beautiful plan for me. He didn’t get mad at me because I was angry with Him.
5. He’s in control even when I don’t like the way He’s controlling it:)
Lots of questions: Your words have encouraged me. Thank you
I don’t know how to deal with all this illness around us. I buried one this week from Cancer. Today is our nieces 9 birthday–she died in April from a brain tumor. And a dear, dear friend was diagnosed last week with a brain tumor.
1) I know that God is who he says he is
2) I know God can do what he says he can do it. (I’ve seen it)
3)I know God loves me –and those who are sick
4)I know HE is the creator of all….
5)I know he knows the numbers on my head and that he has counted and collected every tear I have shed this week.
It still hurts–even though I know.
Today I have no idea what my purpose is in my current job.
But 5 things my soul knows well is
1 God is able and He surprises me with what He is able to do
2 I may not know my purpose in this season,but God does
3 God loves me even with my flaws
4 God walks with me He is ever faithful
5 I am growing closer to Him
Happy andblessed weekend
Right now I don’t have any idea: where He’s calling me to serve/go to school/work.
But these things my soul knows very well:
1. “It is well with my soul” (from the hymn of course)
2. That even though I don’t always feel it, my soul knows I am loved by Him
3. That He has and is blessing me
4. His Word stands strong and firm even during the storms of life
5. That I am His. Period.
I’m deep in the throes of relapse with anorexia and bulimia- 10 years into recovery and this was a life saver tonight. Bless You.
Praying for you.
Saying a prayer for you, tonight, Susan. “Father, please hold off the tsunami of despair, bring peace to my sister, send angels (ministering spirits) to serve her in ways she needs right now; Holy Spirit- please bring to the fore the truth of Your word in her heart and mind. Hold this one close, Lord. Let her know You’re fighting on her behalf.”
1) right now I don’t know what is next after my mom has gone to 4th rounds of chemo for her stage 4 of breast cancer.
2) But these things my souls knows very well.
– That The Lord is a God that I can trust
– The Lord heals
– He is the same yesterday, and today and forever
– He cares and love her more for her than I do
– that we are going to be stronger after all of this is done because of His strength not ours.
Right now, I don’t have any idea how to adjust to a permanent circumstance that 3 years later still fills me with continual frustration, interruption, and depression at times.
But these things my soul knows:
My times are in His hands. Psalm 31:15
Trusting God is the best option on the table.
He is always available to listen to every detail about this that I want to share with Him. And I do share.
When no other friend can understand (and I know it), He does.
Somehow, in His sovereignty, He intends this to shape me.
I don’t know when I will be healed from back pain.
Yet my soul knows:
1. God never has and never will leave me
2. God loves me more than I can ever imagine
3. He is My only source of Peace and Joy
4. He has each day of my life in His Hand, under His control
5. My Best Friend is delighted when I spend quiet time with Him
Right now I don’t have any idea what ministry the Lord is guiding us into.
But these things I know very well.
1. He will be with us through it all.
2. I know He is going to use our story to reach others for Him.
3. We have no reason to fear.
4. He gives us strength & will remove obstacles in our way.
5. He alone is my rock & my salvation, my fortress where I will never be shaken!
Right now I don’t have any idea if my marriage will end.
But these things my soul knows very well:
1. God is always with me
2. God will bring good out of every situation.
3. God has mercy and grace for me.
4. God is for marriage.
5. God will/ has already forgiven me.
Right now I’m having trouble knowing where God wants me in my next chapter in life.
Five things
I have no doubts that Christ is the lover of my soul.
I know this world is temporary and I’m not home yet.
The Holy Spirit is my best friend that helps me in even the smallest things
Gods love is the only real unconditional love.
Without God I would be a hot mess!
Right now, I have no idea how God will restore my marriage.
But these things my soul knows very well:
1.) I know God is working things out for my good.
2.) I know God helped me decorate my new apartment, and enjoyed the fun I had doing it.
3.) I know that there is truly a peace that passes all understanding
4.) I know what its like to fall in love with Jesus
5.) I know that my walk with God doesn’t have to be or look like anyone else’s. He has a specific way He wants to live through me.
1. Right now, I have no idea how God is going to use me right where I am.
But these things my soul knows very well:
1. God is perfecting me until the day of Christ Jesus. Phil 1:6
2. God’s gift to me is my loving family…I am loved and wholly accepted by them.
3. When my heart and soul aches, I can cry out to Jesus and He will soothe my soul.
4. Hind sight vision blesses my faith in Christ.
5. The more I grow in the Lord, the more I realize I need a savior..
Right now, I don’t have any idea how God plans to use my life…story
But these things my soul knows very well
Even though I don’t always feel it, God is Good all the time.
My husband is the best gift I could possibly have, he loves me no matter what.
There’s nothing I can do to earn God’s love or lose it, he loves me “no matter what”
Every day I breathe in air and seek Jesus’ heart, I am a living miracle! Most who endure what I have do not live through.
All things work together for good to those who love him and are called according to his will.