July 30
My family has the motto: "We do hard things." I don't know what you're going through right now but maybe you need to adopt it, too.
Three Thoughts
As we get older, our bodies start slowing down and don't work as well as they once did. But Paul says that our inner self is being renewed day by day. So even though the outside is getting older, the inside is getting stronger. So remember that the best work in you is invisible.
2 CORINTHIANS 4:16
This verse says, "I believe that I shall look upon the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living." Right here, right now, in this lifetime. God's goodness is all around.
PSALM 27:13-14
God gives us strength when we're tired and weak. That means the moment you feel like you can't keep going is the exact moment God is closest offering help. You just need to ask him. He gives strength to the people who know they don't have any left.
ISAIAH 40:29
Two Quotes
Therapist and author Dr. Anita Phillips on our spiritual life:
"Your spiritual life cannot be isolated from your emotional reality."
Author Abraham Joshua Heschel on self-respect:
"Self-respect is the root of discipline: The sense of dignity grows with the ability to say no to oneself."
Prayer
Dear God, I am running on empty right now. Some days it feels like I don't have anything left, but you've promised to give power to the faint and strength to the weary. That's me. Fill me up again. Renew the inner me. Help me to be obedient every step of the way. Amen.
Question
What's one thing you're thinking about quitting? What would it look like to take just one more step toward it this week?
P.S. We had my son's first birthday last week and did the entire thing in Pooh and Friends theme. It's been so special introducing him to all of the characters that I loved as a kid!