Encouragement

Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing

1 Thessalonians 5:11

I am so thankful for a friend who encouraged me with scripture this past Thursday. The weeks have really gotten hard and truthfully I really haven't felt like praying or even reading. I just feel a huge heavy weight that keeps getting heavier and heavier. Nathan is on pain medication around the clock and he's possibly going to need another blood transfusion next week. Last week was beyond hard. There are areas in his throat that are swollen which is one of the side effects from the radiation. Unfortunately the radiation has to hit there because of where the cancer is, so they put him on a steroid to ease the pain he's been feeling. But then the steroids have their own side effects (one being intense mood swings). Everyday this week has been hard for him and as a parent it's just hard to watch. I miss our daughter during the week and I was just sick of the changes taking place. I just really long to have our old life back and all of this just keeps mounting up and I was so frustrated when I talked to my friend. And she told me to try to read some scripture if I can, even if it's one verse. I said I'd try but I didn't know when it'd happen but I said I'd try. It wasn't that I didn't believe she was right, I do know the power in God's word but seriously I just felt worn out and kind of mad at God. He was so close to me in the beginning but where is He now? She then called me back about a half hour later with a chapter she just read in Psalm and she wanted to encourage me to read it. I actually couldn't wait to see what she'd found so that night I read it and it was dead on for me!!!!!! Psalm 77 said everything I've been saying to myself and then at the end it reminds me of the God I serve! Thank you so much Alisha for that chapter! Seriously reading that rejuvenated me in a way I didn't think was possible right now, I actually went into the hospital with Nathan the next day feeling stronger after reading it. Especially verse 19, I really feel like I can't see Him at times but that chapter gave me a swift kick reminding me who God is once again and that He's still here. I thank you a million times for calling me back with it! I now read it before I go to bed and as soon as I wake up. It's encouraged me in an unbelievable way.

Also I watched 'Fireproof' on Friday and there's a song that says a lot of what I've been feeling and I want to share it with you along with Psalm 77 below that. God Bless

Psalm 77

1 I cried out to God for help;
I cried out to God to hear me.

2 When I was in distress, I sought the Lord;
at night I stretched out untiring hands
and my soul refused to be comforted.

3 I remembered you, O God, and I groaned;
I mused, and my spirit grew faint.
Selah

4 You kept my eyes from closing;
I was too troubled to speak.

5 I thought about the former days,
the years of long ago;

6 I remembered my songs in the night.
My heart mused and my spirit inquired:

7 "Will the Lord reject forever?
Will he never show his favor again?

8 Has his unfailing love vanished forever?
Has his promise failed for all time?

9 Has God forgotten to be merciful?
Has he in anger withheld his compassion?"
Selah

10 Then I thought, "To this I will appeal:
the years of the right hand of the Most High."

11 I will remember the deeds of the LORD;
yes, I will remember your miracles of long ago.

12 I will meditate on all your works
and consider all your mighty deeds.

13 Your ways, O God, are holy.
What god is so great as our God?

14 You are the God who performs miracles;
you display your power among the peoples.

15 With your mighty arm you redeemed your people,
the descendants of Jacob and Joseph.
Selah

16 The waters saw you, O God,
the waters saw you and writhed;
the very depths were convulsed.

17 The clouds poured down water,
the skies resounded with thunder;
your arrows flashed back and forth.

18 Your thunder was heard in the whirlwind,
your lightning lit up the world;
the earth trembled and quaked.

19 Your path led through the sea,
your way through the mighty waters,
though your footprints were not seen.

20 You led your people like a flock
by the hand of Moses and Aaron.