TODAY’S SCRIPTURE
The Lord has heard my cry for mercy; the Lord accepts my prayer. Psalms 6:9
Read: Psalms 6:8–9
Listen: Psalms 6
TODAY’S MESSAGE
David is honest about his sadness. He doesn’t gloss over it. He doesn’t simply express sadness. David also expresses trust in God. He seems to be okay with sadness and trust existing at the same time. Watch this video clip as Pastor Jeff Manion explains how David flavors his sadness with hope and trust. The feelings don’t have to be mutually exclusive.
When we are experiencing sadness, it can be easy ONLY to feel sadness. But God often has more for us in that time. When we find ways to crack open our hearts to what God wants us to experience, we can find ourselves experiencing sadness flavored with something else. It could be sadness flavored with gratitude or sadness flavored with hope. As we express to God what we are experiencing that is causing the sadness, it is healthy also to talk to God about what is going right in our life. It’s a way to remind ourselves of who God is and what he has done for us. It’s not that we overlook our sadness or act like it isn’t there. We acknowledge it and express it, but we open our hearts to experiencing more than only sadness.
IN YOUR CHAIR TIME TODAY
One practice we return to over and over here at Ada Bible Church is a gratitude journal. The simple step of journaling three things we are grateful for each day has the potential to renovate our hearts radically. Whether it is the beauty of a sunrise, time spent reading to a grandchild, the rich taste of a latte or an encouraging text from a co-worker—taking the time to reflect on the day and thank God for these things is a healthy heart habit. Thank God for three things today, and consider starting or restarting this habit.
2022 BIBLE MEMORY PRACTICE
Develop spiritual roots and tap in the power of God’s word by memorizing monthly a Bible verse! View previous verses at beyondtheweekend.org/biblememorypractice.
JAMES 1:19–20
My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires.
Download a printable PDF of the BTW week here.
