“Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand” (Isaiah 41:10).
Do not accept discouraging and depressive thoughts as true when they arise strongly. Even if they invade your mind, do not panic. Instead, remain silent for a moment, without feeding these thoughts, and you will see that, little by little, they lose strength. It is surprising how the simple act of not reacting already puts us at an advantage. And when you choose to trust God in the midst of trials, you discover an inner strength that the world cannot offer.
Many people continue to suffer from these feelings because they have not yet realized how many blessings there are in obeying the powerful Law of God. They resist, follow their own ways, and end up distancing themselves from the source of true peace. Obedience may seem difficult at first, but it is in it that we find clarity, balance, and direction. When we stop doing only what we want and start seeking what God requires, everything changes — from the inside out.
Distancing from God never brings relief. On the contrary, it hurts, confuses, and weakens us. The truth is that we were created to live in communion with our Creator, and only then can we experience lasting joy. The creature depends on the One who formed it to be truly happy. And the sooner we understand this, the sooner we will live the life of peace and purpose that He dreamed for us. -Adapted from Isaac Penington. Until tomorrow, if the Lord allows us.
Pray with me: Dear God, I thank You because, even when discouraging thoughts invade my mind, You are with me. Sometimes, I feel as if a heavy cloud is trying to envelop me, but I know that the simple act of being silent before You and not feeding these thoughts is already a victory. Thank You for showing me that I do not need to react to despair — I can choose calm and trust in Your care.
My Father, today I ask You to strengthen me in times of trial. May Your voice be stronger than the noises in my mind and may obedience to Your Law be my refuge. Open my eyes to see that Your will always leads me to peace, even when my heart insists on following shortcuts. Help me not to resist Your ways, but to accept with humility that only You know what is best for me.
Oh, Most Holy God, I adore and praise You for never giving up on me, even when I stray or resist Your call. You created me to live in communion with You, and no other path can satisfy me. Your beloved Son is my eternal Prince and Savior. Your powerful Law is like the morning sun that dispels all fog. Your commandments are like a safe bed of pure waters, where my mind finds rest and my spirit finds direction. I pray in the precious name of Jesus, amen.
