Casting all your care upon the
Lord, because He cares for you.
1 Peter 5:17
I cannot recall how many times I have read this verse from the apostle Peter's first letter to his fellow Christians…
Lord, because He cares for you.
1 Peter 5:17
I cannot recall how many times I have read this verse from the apostle Peter's first letter to his fellow Christians…
Not only to encourage myself, but for the edification and encouragement of others as well. It's a Scripture that has helped lift me out of sad times, which most, if not all, of us go through on occasion.
Just recently, a man wrote asking me about sadness and depression. He heard about my faith in God and therefore thought to ask for my advice. I am only a lay person and by no means a professional. But I do try to encourage whomever I could by using the Word of God and prayer.
His young son had been diagnosed with cancer. The news devastated him, as it would any loving parent. So he wrote, asking if I would pray for his boy. "Of course I would," I replied. He also told me he's an Army veteran and is trying to make sense of why his son developed cancer.
Before I answered his letter, however, prayed for wisdom as to what I should say. My advice was simple. "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and call upon him in your time of trouble."
I added how the Lord will never reject anyone who calls to him with a sincere heart because he is a God of mercy and grace. I likewise encouraged him to seek out a local fellowship where God's word is believed and honored, and that he needed to be born again.
Here are two of several Scriptures I gave him in order to provide comfort and hope: "Have mercy upon me, O Lord, for I am in trouble. My eyes are consumed with grief, yes, even my soul and my spirit." While another verse said, "Be of good courage, and he shall strengthen your heart, all you that hope in the Lord" (Psalm 31:9 and 31:24).
God's word is medicine for the soul. It gives strength and hope to all who place their faith in Him. It can lift someone from the grip of depression and bring happiness to a sad heart. I know this from personal experience.
D.B.
Just recently, a man wrote asking me about sadness and depression. He heard about my faith in God and therefore thought to ask for my advice. I am only a lay person and by no means a professional. But I do try to encourage whomever I could by using the Word of God and prayer.
His young son had been diagnosed with cancer. The news devastated him, as it would any loving parent. So he wrote, asking if I would pray for his boy. "Of course I would," I replied. He also told me he's an Army veteran and is trying to make sense of why his son developed cancer.
Before I answered his letter, however, prayed for wisdom as to what I should say. My advice was simple. "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and call upon him in your time of trouble."
I added how the Lord will never reject anyone who calls to him with a sincere heart because he is a God of mercy and grace. I likewise encouraged him to seek out a local fellowship where God's word is believed and honored, and that he needed to be born again.
Here are two of several Scriptures I gave him in order to provide comfort and hope: "Have mercy upon me, O Lord, for I am in trouble. My eyes are consumed with grief, yes, even my soul and my spirit." While another verse said, "Be of good courage, and he shall strengthen your heart, all you that hope in the Lord" (Psalm 31:9 and 31:24).
God's word is medicine for the soul. It gives strength and hope to all who place their faith in Him. It can lift someone from the grip of depression and bring happiness to a sad heart. I know this from personal experience.
D.B.
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