subject: Sober Living - God's Hand Upon Your Life! [print this page] Sober Living - God's Hand Upon Your Life!
Are you feeling hopeless? Abandon? Discouraged? Having trouble staying positive, when the expected outcome you had hoped for doesn't happen? Discouragement has a tendency to invade our lives, when we have struggled for so long; and we have begun to lose hope. "Webster's Online Dictionary" describes the word discouragement. It is defined ... The act of discouraging, or the state of being discouraged; depression or weakening of confidence - dejection.Likewise, depression, is also a strong intense emotion that is fueled by negative thoughts (what you think on constantly)that's not positive, and/or a series of overwhelming events that you have encountered. Both can make it pretty hard to function, when life has hit you hard in the face.
Nothing to feel but feelings itself? Like most women, I understand how powerful emotions can be. At one time in my life, discouragement depleted my courage to walk through life. I know I'm not alone, when saying ... life hurts ... at times! Support mechanisms are central in women's lives. And areas part of our identities, as sources of self-esteem, as the context for decision-making and choices, and as support for day-to-day living and growth. Not only, are we responsible for maintaining our sobriety. But all too often, life, obstacles, relationships, and reaching for our goals, can drain us, if we don't take care of our inner - hearts. Whether its repairing or replacing hurtful or damaging relationships, dealing with parenting issues , learning how to be more social, or learning how to respond to - stressful life events.
We can have hope in knowing, it's never as bad as it seems. Yes, at that very moment of frustration, it is painful and one can't help but to wonder ... will I get through this? My answer - yes! God's grace has carried me through some tough times, and it will carry you through whatever situation you are facing. Here's one of my favorite scriptures. That has uplifted me when I have felt discouraged. To view its entirety, you will have to visit "Bible Gateway" and look - up passage Psalms 139 (Amplified Bible -version)
My frame was not hidden from You when I was being formed in secret [and] intricately and curiously wrought [as if embroidered with various colors]. In the depths of the earth [a region of darkness and mystery]. Your eyes saw my unformed substance, and in Your book all the days [of my life] were written before ever they took shape, when as yet there was none of them. You sift and search out my path and my lying down, and You are acquainted with all my ways. How precious and weighty also are Your thoughts to me, O God! How vast is the sum of them!
You are valuable; God has a special purpose for you, in today's culture. You were born, at the right time, and place. To be used by God, in whatever way he has designed to use you and your experiences. God's grace will cover you, and all things will work together for your good.
