I wrote this post a year ago, holding it in reserve to post in future. I wrote this before the unexpected death of my darling husband, Will, in November of 2016.
These words are even more meaningful to me now, and I hope will touch your heart too and help you if you need to feel peace. I know our Shepherd cares for us tenderly.
Sometimes I need help in finding peace or ease, in a stressful situation. This may be true for you too.
One thing I did years ago is to type my favorite Bible verses on a small piece of paper, laminate it, and keep it in my purse. You can buy little packets of laminating paper at office supply stores, 3 x 5 inches or so, that are sticky on one side only, so use two of them a bit bigger than your paper. Easy peasey and cheap protection for your verses.
The verses I have in my purse are about God protecting us and quite a few of them are in Psalms.
"Behold! I send an angel before you to protect you on the way and to bring you to the place that I have prepared." Exodus 23:20
"But I will sing of Your strength, in the morning I will sing of Your love; for You are my fortress, my refuge in times of trouble." Psalm 59:16
"But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary, and they shall walk, and not faint." Isaiah 40:39 KJV
Many translations of Psalm 91 speak to my heart. Here is the poetic KJV. " I will say of the Lord, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in him will I trust.
Surely he shall deliver thee from the snare of the fowler, and from the noisome pestilence.
He shall cover thee with his feathers, and under his wings shalt thou trust: his truth shall be thy shield and buckler. Thou shalt not be afraid for the terror by night; nor for the arrow that flieth by day; ... There shall no evil befall thee, neither shall any plague come nigh thy dwelling. For he shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways. Psalm 91:2-11
What a beautiful thing, that he gives his angels charge over us, to keep us in all our ways.
"The answer to anxiety is the adoration of Christ", Ann Voskamp.
22 comments:
Dear Terra, I know you need all the strength to get through this very difficult time in your life. I am glad that you have something to go to to help ease your pain. Take care of yourself and lean on what is close to your heart.
Dear sweet Terra ~ I just re-read Psalm 91 this morning. It is so comforting. I have found a lot of comfort and encouragement in the Bible, that speaks to my heart more than ever, since losing my own husband a little over 4 years ago. God is our strength in this journey, and can be anyone's strength in any situation.
Thanks for sharing ~ Love, hugs & prayers ~ FlowerLady
Beautiful verses, Terra. God be with you.
Oh Terra Garden, I love how God was preparing your heart and instructing you in the ways to find peace and comfort long before you knew how much you would need this information. How great is our God?! This is an excellent idea for scripture memorization and also to carry God's Word in your heart for moments of reassurance and comfort just when you need it most. Thank you for sharing this with us. Holding you up in prayer during these days of finding your way.
I'm so glad you're finding comfort in these beautiful scriptures. I'm thinking of you each and every day and sending you my love. 💗
Thank you for sharing such inspiring verses. Blessings, Pat
I know these are very comforting words for you and thank you for sharing them. Seeing all of these make me feel very comforted in my own world.
Hoping and rpaying you feel better with each passing day.
jane
My dear Terra, I was truly shocked to read of your husband's death....I am so, so, so sorry for your loss, sweet lady!
This was truly a beautiful post and one of comfort and strength. May you continue to lean upon our loving Lord during this time. As Pamela said, the Lord was preparing you...what a precious thought.
Sending lots of love, hugs, and prayers your way!
So true! When I feel anxious or troubled I keep repeating "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me". I can't remember where that is in the Bible but it is one I remember and it has helped me more times than I can count! I hope you have a gentle peace filled day.
Haven't been by in a while so first time I head about your sweet husband, so sorry for this. I am looking forward to our Spring Womens Bible to start and it's truly a wonderful way to connect with other ladies. Thanks for coming by today.
Ann
So sorry to hear of your husband's passing. What do we have for comfort except the Scripture...Thank you for sharing this. In life, in death, in good times and bad, in sickness and health, the Bible, the true Word of God is our comfort. Love you.
Terra, I had to share this with you....I went out to mail mailbox just now to put in a card I'm sending to you....and there was one from you waiting on me! We're in sync this week!!! :)
You don't necessarily need to post this comment on your blog...I just wanted to tell you! <3
Terra, thank you for this encouraging post. I love the bibleverses. And I am praying for you this moment. I love the first photo;-) Sp special these words are even more meaningful to you now. God bless you.
Dear Terra!
The Scripture is indeed a good place to find comfort. I find new places all the time when I prepare my sermons or when I listen to what others have found. Book of hymns is a good place, I love hymn 139 and 91, the one you quoted. This weekend I held a sermon over one of my favourite parts of Mathew where Peter tries to follow Jesus walking on the water, but fails. The fact that Jesus doesn't abandone him or rules him out, is very comforting to me. This was so comforting, the entire post ,and I am grateful that you can find moments of peace and light, in these dark times of sorrow. God bless you!!!
Everything is harder to cope with in wintertime Terra, isn't it! You have had the most awful shock. I hope that when Spring comes you will find renewed strength. Meanwhile you know that your friends are thinking of you and holding you in their hearts. How is your puppy getting on? Is it bringing you comfort?
What a lovely idea, I am going to adopt it. So many times, sitting by a hospital bed, I have needed to read a verse.
May I send you my sympathies on the passing of your husband.
I'm so sorry to hear about your husband Terra, I know how hard it is to lose a loved one. My prayers are with you for comfort and peace. I love the verses you selected. Isaiah is one of my favorite books in the bible, and the verse on eagles wings is one of my favorite and most comforting. God Bless You in this new year.
Thank you, Terra, for these verses tonight. They are very much appreciated. I hope you're doing ok, my dear.
love, ~Sheri
Great idea! One that I always repeat to myself when the going gets tough is "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me". I've been listening to Pastor Rick Warren's Daily Hope podcasts which have been a big help since my son fell ill. My peace and serenity be yours today and always.
So sorry that you too are grieving. Glad we find solace in God's word!
Dear Terra, It's difficult to find comfort in anything when a loved one is taken, whether the death is expected or not. Seven months on, I find solace in places and music I shared with my husband and will also take time to reflect on your scriptures. sending you a blogger's hug.
Never thought about writing down the books I have read. Be a great thing to do though.
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