Devotionals for the Heart: Restoration

Restoring your soul
A devotional by Melissa Henderson

“He restores my soul.” ~Psalm 23:3 (ESV)

Every moment of each day has the potential to be filled with hope or filled with despair. Daily living may include activities which give us joy or bring on stress. Smiles one moment and tears the next moment. From employment worries, financial concerns, health issues, relationship challenges and “to do” lists invading our thoughts and making the heart beat faster and the pulse feel like you're running a never-ending race. We can become consumed with worry.

Have you ever experienced one of those days? A day when everything seemed to be going wrong? A time when the car wouldn’t start, the bills are overdue, the dinner burned on the stove, the laundry machine overflowed onto the floor, the school is calling with news of a bad situation or any other worrisome event.

Pause for a moment. In those seemingly endless situations where you felt like all you could do was fall to the floor and cry, what was your initial reaction? What was your response to everything happening around you? What about things you have no control over? What about things you do have control over and they still went the wrong way?

Did you blame someone? Did you blame God? What were the first words out of your mouth or the first thoughts in your mind? Was your question something like, “Why God? Why do bad things keep happening to me and my family? What is the reason? How can we go on like this? I can’t take this anymore. I don’t know what to do.”

I have experienced those awful days. Times when my heart has broken into pieces and I felt deeply at a loss for a remedy to the situation. Through medical diagnosis of breast cancer and the after-effects of surgery and treatment, to the loss of both of my parents, to job changes and financial concerns and so much more, I have been that person who fell to my knees and asked, “Why? Lord, are you trying to teach me something? What is the purpose in all of this mess?”

The storms of life hit and thankfully, I have a way to find peace and comfort. Yes, I still encounter the storms and stumble through them. But, I am not alone. You are not alone.

Through learning to rely on God and not myself, I found an answer to help me. No, the problems aren’t all “fixed”. Yet, there is one response to my worry that comforts me the most.

You may ask, “What? How can anyone find comfort in the saddest of times?”

My answer is this. Call out to God. Cry to Him. Give Him your joys and your concerns. He knows your heart already. He is waiting for you. Share your thoughts and your pain with Him. Talk with God. He is ready to restore your soul.

Saying His name provides comfort for me. 

Father ... Jesus ... God ... Savior ... Creator ...

Those are just some of His names. Breathe in and say His name. Breathe out and say His name. Concentrate on Him.

Pause...say His name. Call to Him. He is listening. Let Him restore your soul.

Problems and stressful times will come and go. God will always be here for us. Remember that His love is overflowing and never-ending. He loves you.

Have a glorious and blessed day,

Melissa Henderson

~*~
Author Bio:

Melissa Henderson and her husband Alan live in South Carolina.

Married for over 38 years, they have one son (Mike) who is married to daughter-in-love (Christine) and now are blessed by precious grandson (Rowan). 

Melissa was taught the love of reading and writing at an early age from her parents. She is now working on her first inspirational fiction novel.

Her passions are volunteering, Bible Studies and reading and writing. Connect with Melissa online, https://mimionlife.wordpress.com.SaveSave