Receiving Food With Gratitude Instead of Guilt
Kate Horney
“For everything created by God is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving, for it is made holy by the word of God and prayer” (1 Timothy 4:4-5, ESV).
“He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.” Psalm 147:3 (NIV)
“Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.” Psalm 90:12 (NIV)
Lord, the realities of life on this side of heaven are just maddening to understand, and I sometimes find myself asking … Why? As I face injustices and brokenness, feel let down by others, or just work through the complicated dynamics of doing life with other sinners, help me to bring my anger to You. Help me to choose forgiveness and to see others’ perspectives. Bring healing. Pave the way for any necessary conversations. Release me from any shame I feel about myself. Thank You for not leaving me alone in these feelings. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
“Take delight in the LORD, and he will give you the desires of your heart.” Psalm 37:4 (NIV)
“Direct me in the path of your commands, for there I find delight.” Psalm 119:35 (NIV)
“Then he said to them all: ‘Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me.’” Luke 9:23 (NIV)
“His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness.” 2 Peter 1:3 (NIV)
“I have asked one thing from the LORD; it is what I desire: to dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, gazing on the beauty of the LORD …” Psalm 27:4 (CSB)
“I remain confident of this: I will see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living.” Psalm 27:13 (NIV)
God, thank You for Your mercies that are new every morning. As I breathe in this fresh day, I also breathe in Your love for me. There are things from yesterday that I can’t change, and tomorrow hasn’t happened yet, so give me the wisdom to focus simply on today. Please strengthen me in the circumstances I’m currently facing. Show me how to uplift, encourage, and meet a need for someone else in my community. Soften my heart today to see someone who needs a touch of Your compassion, and then give me the boldness to love that person. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
“For everything created by God is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving, for it is made holy by the word of God and prayer” (1 Timothy 4:4-5, ESV).
“But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God ...” (John 1:12, ESV).
Jesus, as I feel my emotions, I’m going to choose not to rush through this pain. Because You lived on earth as a human, I know You understand how sadness can make Your heart feel like it’s...
“Trust in him at all times, you people; pour out your hearts to him, for God is our refuge” (Psalm 62:8, NIV).