Some Truths for Depressing Days
some quick comforts to keep handy
Hello and welcome to the most depressing day of the year! 😬
I wanted to make a quick post just to check in and offer some comfort if you’re struggling. I’ve had some really low seasons—and I’m in quite a valley currently—but it’s always been very helpful when I have a short list of scriptures and true things that provided me comfort.
It’s funny because when you’re growing up in Sunday School or Awana, you memorize verses for the prizes and badges…and because it’s what everyone else is doing. When you’re 30, though, I don’t think there is any extrinsic motivation for learning Bible verses. I read the Bible now because I need it. I hope these truths give you some strength to keep going on the hard days, too.
Daily Affirmations
First, here are some affirmations in my kids’ Morning Menus1 that I need to remember every day, too. (I’ll share a PDF and editable Canva file of our complete Morning Menus some other time.)
Jesus loves me more than I could ever imagine.
Others will fail me, but the Lord is my Rock.
I am fearfully and wonderfully made. God did a good job making me.
God is writing an incredible story for my life…even the hard parts.
Everything is a gift. All is grace.
Obedience to God brings joy.
I get to help people be restored to who they are supposed to be.
Jesus is alive and He is going to make all things right one day. And it’s going to be awesome.
When You Feel Like a Failure
General thoughts of discouragement are not from God. The Holy Spirit convicts and helps, but Satan is the one who accuses.
God has prepared your good works beforehand and you will walk in them. You are his masterpiece.
You were chosen by God before the earth was even made. You do not belong to Him by accident. He did not save you randomly or carelessly. He really, truly loves you.
The Lord takes delight in you. He rejoices over you with singing. He quiets you with His love.
You are called, beloved, and kept. He presents you before His glorious presence
without fault and with great joy.
Feel free to save these to your phone, maybe in a “When I’m Struggling” photo album or something.
When You Want to Give Up
The Lord is the strength of His people. “I will strengthen you, I will help you you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.”
The Lord is close to the broken-hearted and saves the crushed in spirit. Cast your cares on the Lord, and He will sustain you.
You are not abandoned by God; Jesus has already been forsaken for you. There is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. You stand in grace.
His faithfulness continues to all generations. He has not given up on His people for thousands of years; He will certainly not forget you.
Those who sow in tears shall reap with shouts of joy! You will not feel like this forever.
I hope this helps. I would love to know what verses are a quick comfort to you when you’re struggling, too. I highly recommend my friend Jessamyn’s post on trains of thought.
See you Friday.
Love,
Hope
If you’re concerned that I’m brainwashing my children, please know that every parent teaches their children what they believe to be true. Parents who teach their children affirmations such as “I am strong” and “Anything is possible” are also passing down their beliefs. I take this matter very seriously and my children know they are not forced to believe as I do. But they also know that I’m intellectually convinced of the Bible’s validity and that Jesus is very real to me. Currently, they find that attractive and they believe Him, too.