“Be gracious to me, God, be gracious to me,
Psalm 57:1 HCSB
for I take refuge in You.
I will seek refuge in the shadow of Your wings
until danger passes.”
“Do not fear, for I am with you;
Isaiah 41:10 HCSB
do not be afraid, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you; I will help you;
I will hold on to you with My righteous right hand.”
When we’re in the messy middle, God’s there, too.
We’re there right now. My father-in-law moved on to heaven, and along with mourning his loss, we are attempting to settle the estates for both him and his wife. Our summer changed quickly. We were on vacation with family and left in a hurry to get home. We cleaned out his assisted living apartment as we prepared for his funeral. We are now working on clearing his home and dispersing his belongings.
It is difficult to keep going when we are worn out, emotionally drained, and have our regular life responsibilities to manage as well. But here are some tips we’re finding helpful. See which ones will work for you:
Slow down, pace yourself, take breaks, and allow yourself to grieve or dream.
Read the scriptures and encouraging words of hope. Keep a few verses close to you to refer to often.
Ask for help. Some people are afraid to say anything because they don’t want to say the wrong thing. Others want to help, but need us to let them know how and when the time is right.
Remember, we won’t stay in the messy middle forever. We’ve experienced positive and joyful times in the past. And we will have good and enjoyable times in the future. We just can’t see clearly right now.
Ask the Lord for comfort and strength. Ask Him for direction and love. He will stay especially close to you now, even when you can’t sense His presence in your grief and confusion.
His promises remain the same. The Lord never changes. But your circumstances will. Trust in Him.
PRAYER:
Dear Lord,
Thank You for staying close in our times of trouble. We need You in our struggles and difficulties. Help us to take refuge in You and to ask for help from those You send our way.
In Christ’s name, Amen.
Journal: What are the difficulties you are experiencing now? Ask the Lord for His help. How will you decompress and rest in the messy middle?
Photo by Jonathan Borba on Unsplash
Porch Chair Prayers 