Words of Comfort

I have been reflecting on the days since the stay-at-home guidelines began. I went back and started to count the days and realized we are at 116 days since the official word to stay-at-home started.  There are some other things we are able to do now other than stay-at-home, but these last 116 days have been like none other in my lifetime and many of our lifetimes.

As I began to think about the emotions I have felt during this season I know that many of those around me have felt the same. So today I am going to do something a little different, I am going to share the words that represent the emotions I have felt during this time in hopes you can relate. Then I will provide scripture to represent comfort and reassurance the God is still the center of it all.

• Lost: “Turn to me and be gracious to me, for I am lonely and afflicted. Relieve the troubles of my heart and free me from my anguish.” Psalm 25:16-17 
• Grief: “My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.” Psalm 73:26
• Anxiety: “Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.” 1 Peter 5:7
• Sadness: “The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.” Deuteronomy 31:8
• Anger: “Better to be patient than powerful; better to have self-control than to conquer a city.” Proverbs 16:32
• Fear: “So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God.  I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” Isaiah 41:10
• Worry: Then Jesus said to his disciples: “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat; or about your body, what you will wear.” Luke 12:22
• Confusion: “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 be faint.” Isaiah 40:31
• Heartache: “You keep track of all my sorrows.^[a]You have collected all my tears in your bottle. You have recorded each one in your book.” Psalm 56:8
• Gratefulness: “Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” 1 Thessalonians 5:18

My prayer is that these scriptures carry you through the next week as we are all still in this season of life.

Blessings,
Pastor Hope Terhaar