A Message of Inspiration From the Author of Living Loved, November 24, 2024
Hey friends! I was recently just sitting and reminiscing and was reminded of a time when someone saved my life. So, when I was younger I worked, through a program at school, for the United States Forest Service. One day we were up on the side of the mountain cutting a fuel break and as I took a step back to take a bite with my McCloud, I slipped and almost fell down the mountain side, to what could have been my death or at minimum serious injury. But just before I fell, one of the guys in my crew grabbed my tool and threw me back onto the trail, saving me from slipping. I will never forget that moment.
You see it’s like that with the Lord too. Here lately I’ve been feeling myself struggling with some stuff. That stuff could easily push me right off the cliff into the depression that once had its deadly grips on me. And I have felt that all familiar scripture that my heart cries when it’s overwhelmed – Oh, that I had wings like a dove; then I would fly away and rest! (Psalms 55:6)
But the Lord reminds me:
Give your burdens to the LORD, and he will take care of you. He will not permit the godly to slip and fall. (Psalms 55:22 NLT)
“The Lord directs the steps of the godly. He delights in every detail of their lives. Though they stumble, they will never fall, for the Lord holds them by the hand.”
Psalms 37:23-24 NLT
“When you go through deep waters, I will be with you. When you go through rivers of difficulty, you will not drown. When you walk through the fire of oppression, you will not be burned up; the flames will not consume you.”
Isaiah 43:2 NLT
He reminds me that though I stumble around, that He is there to catch me. You see He is always with us. Always. No matter what deep waters you may walk though, be it depression or anxiety or maybe it’s others peoples stuff or your own bad behavior. Maybe it’s rejection. Maybe it’s just not knowing what to do about a situation. He is there and He will not allow his children to stumble. He promises that no matter what we are walking through He will be with us. I used to sink into the darkness of the depression and I would hang out there. It’s also easy to slip into disobedience to the lord and stay there. But His hand is always extended to pull us back from falling. Sometimes He lets us walk through some stuff, but even then He is still with us. If He sees us begin to slip, He reaches to grab us. So I am here to say that if any of you are slipping, reach out and take the Fathers hand. Whether you’re on a slippery slope of depression, disobedience to the father, anxiety, plain ol not wanting to be doing what your supposed to, like reading the word of God and praying; reach out and take his hand. He is right there. And in this upcoming holiday season, remember that He is always with us and you are never alone!! You are so loved!! We are so loved!! Live loved friends!!
About the author
Tracy Kelley is a follower of Jesus, mother, grandmother, author and speaker, living in Sulphur Springs, TX. She is the author of the book Living Loved, Learning to Live in the Fullness of Gods Love, where she shares encouragement from her daily journey and how God has shown His love to her through various trials. You can buy her book, find events, book her for your event, and follow her by going to her Facebook page, where you will always be greeted as friend! You can purchase her book at Good News Book Store in Sulphur Springs, TX; online at Amazon, Barnes and Noble, and most other major retailers.
