Rise and Shine

Gratitude is the inspiration of heaven's most melodious anthems. Its fruit is joy in the time of mourning, courage in the day of despondency, security in the hour of loneliness, peace in the midst of battle, and satisfaction in spiritual or physical famine.
~Dorothy K. Patterson

When thou prayest, rather let thy heart be without words, than thy words without a heart. ~John Bunyan

"Every opportunity to worry is also an opportunity to trust God." ~Mary Southerland

I'm going to be blunt and ungraciously honest: I have really been struggling with false guilt, anxiety and depression lately. Unlike my monthly pms and occasional periods of "the blues", no amount of sleep or happy talks are fixing it.

The thing that has really made a dent in it, which is sadly the last thing I've "resorted to", is confessing my struggles to others and trusting in Him through the power of prayer. I had some dear friends pray over me at our MOPS steering meeting and we've prayed in our lifegroup. I must say that although nothing has changed environmentally speaking, spiritually I have literally felt God's hands on me. His love has held me when I've felt like I can't get through another day. I thank the Lord for amazing friends, His gift of prayer and for the strength of it in numbers!

"Two people are better off than one, for they can help each other succeed. If one person falls, the other can reach out and help. But someone who falls alone is in real trouble. Likewise, two people lying close together can keep each other warm. But how can one be warm alone? A person standing alone can be attacked and defeated, but two can stand back-to-back and conquer. Three are even better, for a triple-braided cord is not easily broken." ~Ecclesiastes 4:9-12

The story of Elijah is one that has touched me lately. Read through some of it and insights that go along with it here in this great article:
ELIJAH – 6: DEPRESSION – How to get up when you are down!


A couple of new songs have really spoke to me and are helping me get through this time. Music is such a great ministry!


Lift Up Your face by Third Day

Lift up your face, lift up your face
Salvation is calling, salvation is calling

You have fallen so far now
You don't even know how, you are going to survive
(But) Just above the horizon
A new light is shining, breaking through the darkest night
Love is coming and it's calling out your name

Lift up your face, lift up your face
Salvation is calling, salvation is calling

Lift up your face, lift up your face
Salvation is calling, salvation is calling your name

You feel like your life is fading
You're tired of waiting, for your moment to arrive
But tomorrow will bring a song that you can sing
And your hope is gonna rise
Love is coming and it's calling out your name

Lift up your face, lift up your face
Salvation is calling, salvation is calling

Lift up your face, lift up your face
Salvation is calling, salvation is calling your name

Oh yeah...
Do you hear Him calling?
Can you hear Him calling?
He's calling out your name
He's calling out your name

Lift up your face, lift up your face
Salvation is calling, salvation is calling

Lift up your face, lift up your face
Salvation is calling, salvation is calling your name

Can you hear Him calling?
Can you hear Him calling now?
Oh, can you hear Him calling you
He is calling you now
He is calling out your name

Just above the horizon
A new light is shining
Salvation's on its way


Beautiful by Mercy Me

Days will come when you don't have the strength
And all you hear is you're not worth anything
Wondering if you ever could be loved
And if they truly saw your heart
They'd see too much

You're beautiful, You're beautiful
You are made for so much more than all of this
You're beautiful, You're beautiful
You are treasured, you are sacred, you are His
You're beautiful

Praying that you have the heart to fight
Cuz you are more than what is hurting you tonight
For all the lies you've held inside so long
But they are nothing in the shadow of the cross

You're beautiful, You're beautiful
You are made for so much more than all of this
You're beautiful, You're beautiful
You are treasured, you are sacred, you are His
You're beautiful

Before you ever took a breath
Long before the world began
Of all the wonders He possessed
There was one more precious
Of all the earth and skies above
You're the one He madly loves
Enough to die!

You're beautiful, You're beautiful
In His eyes

You're beautiful!
You are made for so much more than all of this
You're beautiful!
You are treasured, you are sacred, you are His
You're beautiful!
You are made for so much more than all of this
You're beautiful!
You are treasured
You are sacred
You are His

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Dear Jesus, I trust in you. I know there is always a reason for the pit.... but that is not where it ends- I know you will pull me out of it! Thank you Jesus! You are my light and my salvation!