Ten Minutes
“But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus
Christ. Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmovable, always
abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not
in vain in the Lord.” (1 Corinthians 15: 57, 58 KJV)
Yesterday, I had the most challenging and the most heartbreaking day that I have
had in a year. For ten minutes yesterday afternoon, I was hurting so badly that
I thought about not writing devotions any more. Then, I realized that it was
just another sneaky and vicious attack of satan to keep me from serving Jesus.
Even in the midst of all my pain and heartache during those terrible ten
minutes, I could feel my precious Saviour holding me close to His loving heart.
As He drew me closer and closer to His compassionate heart, I could hear Him
whispering softly and tenderly in my ear as He kissed my tears away “I love you,
Joanne. I feel your pain and heartache and I really do care that you are
hurting. I weep when you weep and I laugh when you laugh.” What a Saviour! What
a friend, this Jesus of Nazareth! There is no one like Jesus! He is a friend
beyond compare.
I receive a lot of emails from people who tell me that something I wrote has
encouraged them. That always encourages me and I praise God for those emails but
it is very important that people understand that the words are not from me; they
are words that Jesus has inspired me to write. Of course, He doesn’t tell me
word for word what to write. He just tells me what to write about and then gives
me the Scripture verses for the devotions and guides me as I type the words.
Please don’t think that I am perfect because I’m not. Nobody is perfect. The
only perfect person was Jesus. I am human and I cry and I hurt just like you do.
I also fail Jesus many times just like you do. It is very important that you
keep your eyes on Jesus because He will never let you down or hurt you. He is
our rock which we can cling to in the midst of life’s storms because He never
changes. He is always with us, loving us, caring about us and helping us. “Jesus
Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever” (Hebrews 13: 8).
I don’t know what heartaches you have and what heavy burdens you are carrying
but I do know the one who can take your heartaches away and bear your burdens
for you and His name is Jesus. “Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy
laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I
am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke
is easy, and my burden is light” (Matthew 11: 28 - 30).
Give all of your heartaches and burdens to Jesus and you will have rest to your
soul and peace in your heart. Allow our compassionate and precious Saviour to
carry you through the valleys of discouragement and heartaches. He will be
faithful to put you on the top of the mountain once again if you will only trust
Him. You can’t do it by yourself. As much as your family and friends want to
take your pain away, they can’t do it. Only Jesus can take the pain from your
heart and bring you through the valleys of life victoriously. Are you trusting
Him to carry you through your dark valleys of sorrow, discouragement and
heartaches?
Joanne Lowe
August 15, 2008
joannelowe8@cox.net
http://www.heavenwardbound.com