Feeling drained throughout the week? Overwhelmed with the demands of life and the tasks set before you? Stressed out because of work, school, or family affairs? Does life feel like it's crumbling down on top of you, like a heavy weight on your shoulders, barely giving you room to breathe? Just need more of God's Love to comfort you everyday? If you answered yes to any of these questions, it's time to get reFRESHed!
Scripture: Do you not know? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom. 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 be faint." - Isaiah 40:28-31NIV
Song Inspiration: Sunday Morning (feat. Kirk Franklin) - Lecrae
After a long day of work, most would want to just go home, relax, maybe turn on Netflix, vent to a friend about how awful work was, trying anything in hopes that they will feel better after the day they've had. I know I'm in that number, for sure. Sometimes it's so hard to just get out of bed in the morning! (Anybody else feel that?)
I've tried so many things to feel less stressed and anxious about life. I truly thought turning on Netflix and even sleeping it away would remove the pain I felt. But it wasn't until God spoke to me one day and said "Why haven't you turn to me? You'll never feel refreshed turning to other things when you could be getting refreshed by the one who gave you life."
And that, my friend, was my revelation...
While I was so busy dwelling in my sadness and frustration, God was just waiting for me to seek refreshment from Him. And sure, the things I mentioned above may help us feel better for a little while, but what happens when you have to face reality again? When you have to shut the tv off and return to work? When you have to wake up from your dreams and return to what you were so desperately trying to escape? Or when you have to face whatever gives you anxiety? How about this one: when you feel overwhelmed with the assignment God gave you and you shut down because you feel you're not equipped to complete the task(s)?
I'm here to encourage you, that whatever you may be facing today, whatever you're feeling, even in this moment, God is right there with you. You can make it, and you will make it because He is within you! It is with these five principles that you'll be able to overcome any emotion sent from the enemy:
Faith | Renew | Energy | Strength| Hope
This is the foundation to our refreshment! And every week, we'll meet right here to discuss just how we'll be able to utilize what God gave us to make it through. I know you're probably interested in knowing the specifics behind the reFRESH devotional and just how these five things make up the vision of what reFRESH is all about. Don't worry: I got you! Join me every Sunday, starting January 3, 2021, where I'll begin with the first five Sundays of the year to discuss each principle.
In addition to that, if you've been rocking with me for a little bit, you know music really gets me through, so you can definitely expect a song inspiration with each devotion. And guess what: we get to stay uplifted through song together (because you know I had to make a playlist for y'all). As we continue to meet and have devotion every week, I will add the songs to the playlist that I've used for inspiration.
This week, I had to start with Sunday Morning by Lecrae. One night, I woke up out of my sleep and God gave me this song to listen to and I knew it was the one!
When we're stressed out, feeling like we can't make it, God continues to wake us up and we have another opportunity to wake up. Well, what does that mean? It means we have a choice to stay stagnant or to keep going. Through the hurt, through the stress, through our doubts and frustration...
Even when last night was a mess
God can still hit refresh
Will you allow Him to reFRESH you?
I don't know about you, but I totally relate to the song when Blu June says:
I woke up Sunday morning, weight up on my chest
Had to remind myself that everyday I'm blessed
Can I be transparent with you? Sundays used to bring me anxiety. I knew the weekend was getting ready to come to an end and I had to face the week ahead of me. If you're anything like me, can I remind you that Sunday should be the day you reFRESH your spirit and spend time with the Lord to prepare yourself for whatever will be thrown your way? If you need a little push to do that, I encourage you to join #theREFRESHdevo and join a community of others ready for God to hit reFRESH.
Much Love,
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