Devotional by Savannah Latimer
Hey, you! Can we pause together for a second to reflect on a few promises from the Lord? I believe the Lord wants you to feel empowered, encouraged, and equipped as you read His Word. Maybe you’re reading this and you just graduated high school or you’re an upcoming senior and you feel the pressure of adulthood or college. Maybe you’re reading this and you’re a young adult trying to figure life out and even figure yourself out as you overcome some pretty big changes. Or maybe you’re a mom, dad, or grandparent who just needs a bit of encouragement to get you through the week. Whoever you are and at whatever stage of life you find yourself in, we all know that no one is exempt from having bad days or entertaining negative self-talk. However, we have authority over these things through Christ Jesus. We, as children of God, get to shut down every negative thought with the Truth - the God-breathed scripture.
If you need a bit of encouragement to latch on to for the week, check out the scriptures listed below that have held me even through my darkest hours.
I believe many times in life or ministry what was once exciting and fulfilling can somehow become silent and mundane and that is where we can begin to become discouraged because we feel as though we are being overlooked or unseen. Maybe you feel like all your hard work goes unnoticed or unappreciated. What I love about God are His endless promises that remind us that we actually are seen and not forsaken. His name is El Roi, the God who sees. He sees the things that man’s natural eye can overlook.
Here are some scriptures to help you overcome that feeling of being overlooked or forgotten and begin to remember that the most important person Who sees all and misses nothing sees you:
“Aren't five sparrows sold for two pennies? Yet not one of them is forgotten by God. Indeed, the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.” - Luke 12:6-7 NIV
“Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence? If I go up to the heavens, you are there; if I make my bed in the depths, you are there. If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea, even there your hand will guide me, your right hand will hold me fast.” - Psalms 139:7-10 NIV
Weariness. We have all been there. God promises us that He will always give us rest if we just come to Him. He is Jehovah Jireh, the God who provides. Not only does He love to provide for us financially, but He loves to provide us rest.
Here are some scriptures to help you overcome the feeling of weariness:
“He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not faint.” - Isaiah 40:29-31 NIV
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” - Matthew 11:28-30 NIV
“Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.” - Philippians 4:8 NIV
Maybe you were discouraged because you didn’t get accepted into your dream job or college. Maybe you messed up and feel the temptation to give up on yourself because you feel like a failure. Or maybe you were discouraged by a peer, friend, or family member. The enemy would love for you to get knocked down so bad that you never want to get back up again. However, we have an Anchor, a Savior who will never leave us down! One thing we can take from the life of Jesus is that He always empowered people, even in their lowest moments. Jesus gives life when there seems to be none. Furthermore, the Trinity came into agreement to create you, me, and all of mankind. And if God, Who is a God of purpose, created us in His image, then we must have a God-given purpose within us. This is a time to get up and fight because we know Whose image we were made in the likeness of.
Here are some scriptures to help you overcome feeling purposeless or having self-doubt:
“Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart; I appointed you as a prophet to the nations.” - Jeremiah 1:5 NIV
“For though the righteous fall seven times, they rise again.”- Proverbs 24:16 NIV
“But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.” - 1 Peter 2:9 NIV
Whenever the enemy tries to attack you with lies, remember to stand on the Word of God. Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. He cares about you even more than you care about yourself!
I want to encourage you to take some time today to draw near to the Father. Take some time today to declare these scriptures over yourself. And remember, you are special. You are seen. You are loved. You are heard. You have not been forsaken. You are doing a great job!
Savannah Latimer is a junior SEU student at Bethany College earning her bachelors degree in ministerial leadership. Sav continues to amaze all of her teachers and peers as she grows and expands her leadership skills in the pastoral leadership practicum. Savannah, you are a world changer!
