A Morning Reminder

READ: PSALM 73:26; LAMENTATIONS 3:21-23; MATTHEW 11:28-30

When my alarm clock first went off, I did not want to rise; I laid within my bed awhile; It held me like a vice.

A blackened cloud hung over me, Of doubt and fear and pain; I shut my eyes and thought I would Not open them again.

It felt like I could not get up, Nor could I face the day; But then in my deep dark despair, I heard my Savior say:

“Oh come to Me, dear weary soul, And I will give you rest; My grace is all sufficient for Your every trial and test.

Oh come to Me and I will give You peace and strength anew; And when you cannot carry on, Then I will carry you.” ⦁ Jacob Bier

⦁ Life can feel overwhelming at times, but Jesus is the Prince of Peace, and He wants to help us. In what areas of your life do you need His peace today?

⦁ Sometimes, depression can make it difficult or even impossible to get out of bed on our own. In times like these, Jesus does not scold us. He knows how badly suffering hurts—He endured it here on earth. He has compassion on us and invites us to rely on His love. One of the primary ways God helps us is through other people. If you are experiencing feelings of despair, intense emotional pain, or emotional numbness, who is a trusted adult you feel comfortable talking to? If you need someone to talk to, you can set up an appointment for a one-time complimentary phone consultation with a Christian counselor through the Focus on the Family Counseling Service. In the United States, call 1-855-771-HELP (4357) weekdays 6:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. (Mountain Time) to set up an appointment. In Canada, book your appointment by calling 1-800-661-9800 between 8:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. (Pacific Time) and ask to speak with the care associate.

• If you or someone you know is thinking about suicide, please call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 988. You can also talk with someone via web chat (suicidepreventionlifeline.org/chat). If your situation is potentially life-threatening, call 911 (or the emergency number for your area) or go to the local hospital emergency room right away.

Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.” Matthew 11:28 (NLT)