Soul Feeds: Hope and Perseverance

While I was reading last night some verses struck me which I believe I need at these moments.. Everything is happening so quickly and a surge of emotions both good and bad have sunk me into a wave. It's that push and pull thing when you feel you've done something right yet have done something wrong at the same time. It's like knowing you've accomplished so much yet it doesn't matter and then suddenly you feel you've done so little.

For some reason two nights ago, there was this coffee table book I spotted on my mom's desk - Bible Inspirations for Women. It seems to have been there for quite some time but I didn't notice it but at that instance only. I scanned the pages and almost every page rebuked me. Okay. So there I was swallowing my pride at every word I read, recalling my shortcomings, apologizing earnestly, and vowing to myself to try and start being the best person I am, you are -we are potentially created to be.

Then here comes a load of work from all directions. The pressure of this big event on August. Promising everything, spanning all aspects of my life, and assuring nothing. This is nothing I could control and nothing I could do about. But after all that I've done the past few weeks do I deserve it? I'm reaping all the consequences for what I did and would this be another of those?

Finding answers to my questions, I found time for my ideally-daily devotion.. Let me share you the verses I found comfort in... 

Lamentations 3:25-27 

 ²⁵ The LORD is good to those whose hope is in him,
   to the one who seeks him;
²⁶ it is good to wait quietly
   for the salvation of the LORD.
²⁷ It is good for a man to bear the yoke (God's will)
   while he is young.

Let me hope in the Lord, I seek for Him. Let me do God's will and bear His will. Let it be all natural to me and may I do it tirelessly.

Lamentations 3:31-33 

 ³¹ For no one is cast off
   by the Lord forever.
³² Though he brings grief, he will show compassion,
   so great is his unfailing love.
³³ For he does not willingly bring affliction
   or grief to anyone.

Though I may fall from Your grace time and again, You have been merciful and loving to me. Not giving me what I deserve but giving me room to learn. Let me not inflict pain and malice upon others but make me an instrument to spur one another toward love and good deeds. (Hebrews 10:124)

James 1:2-4 

 ² Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters,^[a] whenever you face trials of many kinds, ³ because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. ⁴ Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.

 

Let these trials, anxiety and grief strengthen my soul and give me joy so that I may persevere in loving you and improving my imperfections.  My hope is only in you.  Let these things that befall me test my character so that I may reach the fullness of my being in you.

And believe me, God continues to reach out to me and even to you. In places you never thought of  or in moments you never dreamed about. We all just need to feed our soul continuously so that we may be mindful of ourselves and sensitive to God's will in our lives. <3