[Originally, I wrote this for Memorial Day weekend 2020 as a way to reflect and remember those who give their lives to serve us. But this message is perfect for any day of the year!]
Can you believe we made it to Memorial Day weekend?!! You guys, it’s summer! Kids are finishing school. Life is beginning to breathe again. And the sun is shining.
At the same time, I am hearing reports of people I know and care about being laid-off, companies closing, businesses and families struggling. We are still facing a difficult time and possibly an uphill climb for some time. Fear is lingering, and anxiety and worry threaten to spill over at any given moment. Even in the middle of outwardly positive circumstances (like kids playing in the sprinklers, baby bunnies running free, iced tea on the patio…); internally many of us are dealing with some serious negative battles.
So what do we do to keep our minds going in a good direction, to push back the fear and dread? Don’t you wish we could pray one prayer and immediately life would be full of sunshine and rainbows? The “Sunshine & Rainbows Prayer” would be very popular right now! But we all kow it’s not that simple. These situations and emotions are so real and very difficult to navigate. As I was thinking about this today, the words “Don’t Dread” came to mind.
I searched the scriptures to see what God had to say about dread…(man, that sounds so spiritual! What I actually did: open Bible Gateway on my computer and type in the word: dread…lol.) Either way, he lead me to an amazing passage! It’s filled with promises for our current situation, our family, our future. In fact, I pulled out 10 promises I feel most apply to us today. I hope as you read and reflect on this, God will encourage your heart, and maybe you will feel at least the tiniest of rainbows in your heart.
Everyone who loves the Lord and delights in him will cherish his words and be blessed beyond expectation. Their descendants will be prosperous and influential. Every generation…will experience his favor. Great blessing and wealth fills the house of the wise, for their integrity endures forever.
Even if darkness overtakes them, sunrise-brilliance will come bursting through because they are gracious to others, so tender and true. Life is good for the one who is generous and charitable, conducting affairs with honesty and truth. Their circumstances will never shake them and others will never forget their example. They will not live in fear or dread of what may come, for their hearts are firm, ever secure in their faith.
Steady and strong, they will not be afraid, but will calmly face their every foe until they all go down in defeat. Never stingy and always generous to those in need, their lives of influence and honor will never be forgotten, for they were full of good deeds. (Psalms 112:1-9)
Look at these promises! God is so awesome! I’ve written out these 10 promises as first-person statements to personalize them and make them easy to remember…
- I love the Lord. My family and household love the Lord. These promises are for us!
- We are blessed beyond expectation.
- My children–and descendents–will be prosperous and influential.
- Every generation–me, my children, my grandchildren–will experience his favor.
- Great blessings (health, peace, prosperity, joy, life, light…) fill my house!
- Even in dark moments, God’s light will burst through like a brilliant sunrise.
- My circumstances will never shake me.
- I do not live in fear or dread of what may come.
- I am steady, strong and not afraid; I will calmly face every foe until they all go down.
- I will remember those who lived lives of influence, honor and good deeds, and teach my children to do the same.