The GREAT Encourager...

God has an amazing way of encouraging me when I let me feelings drag me down. We had a tragedy occur in our church body this past week that has cast a cloud of heaviness over me for the past several days. A wife and mother was killed in an auto accident. I didn't even know the family that well, but she periodically cared for our kids in the childcare department. Regardless, this event stirred up emotions from my own past of losing my father when I was only 18 years old.

As I have struggled through old emotions, prayed for this grieving family in our church, and thought about the brevity of life I have felt pretty down. Often when my emotions go south so does my focus on maintaining my personal purity. My flesh tells me the most important thing in my life is "feeling good." Sometimes I buy into that lie, other times I resist.

Today I was feeling particularly gloomy. I was wondering if I was making a difference in life or just taking up space. God was faithful today, even in the midst of my pity party, to encourage my soul and remind me that He has a purpose in my life.

I received a phone call from a man I never met. This man had a lifelong struggle with masturbation. He said earlier this year he did a search on the Internet for help and our website came up. He shared with me how much that helped him to take the first steps toward freedom and purity. He said he felt he needed to call me to tell me personally what a blessing my story and our ministry had been to him. Isn't God good?!

I'm constantly amazed at God's compassion and unfailing love for us. I pray you are experiencing the goodness of God - even in the midst of roller coaster emotions.

encouraged,

jonathan