Encouragement in the spiritual life

Overcome Discouragement 5 Powerful Ways

Discouragement. It stops progress—especially progress overcoming temptation, doubt, and fear.

  • Will I ever get over my anger towards that person?
  • Can God really love a person who has failed as miserably as I have?
  • Will I survive the loss of my loved one?
  • What will happen to my loved ones if I die?
  • Will I ever get a job?
  • What if we can’t pay the mortgage?

When temptation, doubt, and fear persist, perseverance can seem futile. But that’s not what God wants. In fact, perseverance is one of the qualities God wants to grow in us:

Make every effort to add to your faith … perseverance.

2 Peter 1:5-6

And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.

Galatians 6:9

Here are five ways to overcome discouragement.

1. Treat Discouraging Thoughts Like a Farmer Treats Crows

Imagine two farmers, each with five sons. One year both farmers plant a field of corn.

The First Farmer

When the corn began to sprout ears, the first farmer heard cawing, looked out the window, and saw crows descending. He shouted, “Boys, crows are after the corn. Quick! Let’s chase them away!”

The farmer and his sons ran outside yelling. One banged on a metal trash can lid. Another waved a rake in the air. One fired rocks with his slingshot. Finally they succeeded in chasing the crows away and returned to the house. They wiped their foreheads and drank tall glasses of sweet tea.

But soon, the farmer looked out the window and saw the crows returning.

“Bad news, sons,” he said. “The crows are back. We’ll have to take shifts to keep them away until harvest.”

So they each took shifts chasing away crows until the corn ripened. They harvested the corn and had plenty to eat and sell.

The Second Farmer

Now the second farmer likewise heard cawing, looked out his window, and saw crows descending on his corn. He called out to his sons and they too ran through the rows shouting. They banged on a trashcan lid, waved a rake, and fired rocks with a slingshot. When the crows finally fled, the farmer and his sons returned to the house and drank icy lemonade.

But soon, this farmer, too, looked out his window and saw the crows returning.

“Bad news, sons,” he said. “The crows have returned. We don’t eat this season.”

The Moral

Of course, no sensible farmer would simply give up. But we are like that second farmer when we don’t persevere in our struggles against temptation, doubt, and fear. These are like crows in our spiritual lives. We need patience to prevail.

Heart guarded against discouragement

2. Guard Your Heart

Paul told Timothy to “guard the deposit entrusted to you. Avoid the irreverent babble and contradictions of what is falsely called ‘knowledge’” (1 Timothy 6:20). Just as the persistent farmer stationed his sons in shifts to guard his corn, so we can station truths to guard our hearts. Here’s how my husband and I do it.

Create a Truth Journal

A truth journal can be a notebook, a piece of paper, or a file on a smartphone. In it you write out what’s true from God’s perspective about your situation. Each truth is like an armed farmer’s son. Here are examples:

  • I am a dearly loved child of God. He is training me to do his will and I am learning to overcome _______.
  • God will work _______ out for my good. He sees the big picture. I don’t. Therefore, I can trust him that he knows best.
  • God loves my family even more than I do. I can trust him to care for them.

Add Scriptures to the Truth Journal

Take time to read your Bible every day. Begin by asking the Holy Spirit to guide you to verses that will help you see what he wants you to know and do. Additionally, use a concordance or ask your pastor for verses that suit your situation. When you find encouraging verses, write them out in your truth journal.

Click on the headings below to see verses to get you started.

And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ. (Philippians 1:6)

It is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure. (Philippians 2:13)

No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Romans 8:37–39)

No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it. (1 Corinthians 10:13)

Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied. (Matthew 5:6)

We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ. (2 Corinthians 10:5)

Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. (Proverbs 3:5)

[You] by God’s power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. (1 Peter 1:5)

Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have, for he has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” (Hebrews 13:5)

Come now, let us reason together, says the LORD: though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red like crimson, they shall become like wool. (Isaiah 1:18)

If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. (1 John 1:9)

But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God. (John 1:12)

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him. (John 3:16–17)

Use the Truth Journal

Always keep the truth journal handy. Every time discouraging thoughts return, read the truth journal until you find the truth that helps. Loop it in your mind until discouragement flees.

Crow on fence
Bert the crow heads towards our grapevines

3. Don’t Call Crows

That is, avoid things that invite temptation, doubt, and fear.

  • Temptation: Put parental filters on your television and computers.
  • Doubt: Don’t “test your faith” by frequenting atheist sites.
  • Financial fear: Avoid window shopping and reading magazines with glossy photos of things you can’t afford right now.
  • Anxiety: Turn off the news.

Jesus said, “If your right eye causes you to sin, tear it out and throw it away” (Matthew 5:29). He was using hyperbole to get across the point that we need to take drastic measures to get rid of stumbling blocks.

4. Pray with Hope

Draw near to God through prayer.

Discovering Hope in the Psalms
Discovering Hope in the Psalms

Pray the Lord’s Prayer (Matthew 6:9-13). Pray each line, then personalize it. This will help you care for all aspects of your spiritual life.

Pray Psalms of hope. These teach you to remember God’s past care, focus on the eternal view, and give thanks for God’s current care. Pray a line or stanza and then personalize it. Use Psalm 119 for temptation; Psalm 73 for doubt; Psalm 71 for fear; and Psalm 51 for repentance.

Sing worship songs, especially before bedtime. These remind you of God’s love. They help you “set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth” (Colossians 3:2). When you remember that eternity will end all evil and bring final healing, peace will calm you. Additionally, the rhythm of music and poetry can stop frenetic thoughts.

5. Serve

Serve others in a way that gets your mind off discouraging thoughts and onto helping others. For example, feed the poor, help a widow, or volunteer at church.

Helping those in need can reset your thinking. “Nature loves a vacuum,” and filling your mind with positive thoughts about serving can crowd out negative thoughts. Seeing what someone else needs to do to get out of a predicament can help you see what you need to do. Helping others gets your eyes temporarily off yourself. Besides, God rewards our efforts to serve others. It’s a win-win.

Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.

James 1:4

Related Posts

Books You Might Like

These are affiliate links for which I receive a small commission at no cost to you.

/0 Comments/by

Remembering God’s Good Care

In hard times, it’s crucial to remember God’s good care during past difficulties. The past three years have brought significant health problems for my husband, Clay. He developed Afib while we were out of the country. A scan of his heart when we returned home showed a growth on his liver. That turned out to be metastasized bone cancer. He’s gone through difficult cancer treatments. Chemotherapy and radiation hindered his appetite.

Right away we turned to a tool we use in hard times: a Truth Journal. One of its ten sections is called Remembrances. The basis for including this section is verses like these:

“I remember the days of old; I meditate on all that you have done; I ponder the work of your hands.” (Psalm 143:5)

“Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits,” (Psalm 103:2)

Here’s an example of a time we experienced God’s good care that we both listed in our Truth Journals.

A Loss and Its Aftermath

God's good care: The Good Shepherd by Thomas Cole
The Good Shepherd by Thomas Cole

A medical laboratory recruited me to work as a systems analyst, oversee the company’s transition from DOS to Windows, and design a computer training program. They assured me that working in the medical industry had the benefit of job security, and I took the job.

One year later, the company was bought out and downsized. They laid off a third of my department, including me.

I was devastated. I sent out resumes to no avail.

But here’s what happened.

Just before I was laid off, Clay had been hired as the interim CEO at a small Christian school named Simon Greenleaf, which offered degrees in law and Christian apologetics. The accounting VP had resigned, so Clay wanted me to come work for him. But I had turned him down because I had a job I loved and I disliked accounting.

Now I was stuck. I told him I’d work for him until I found another systems analyst position.

However, I soon discovered the school needed a computer programmer more than an accountant. The former accountant had been keeping books on paper cards and worksheets. He sent the data out to a contractor who entered it into accounting software and sent him back reports.

How inefficient!

I purchased the accounting software and automated the bookkeeping and recruitment records.

Meanwhile, a VP from the medical company that had laid me off called saying they couldn’t go forward without training in the software upgrades I’d instituted. Another VP called saying the IT department no longer had the personnel to handle programming needs, so could they hire me to program as a contractor? Soon the company was paying me more for temporary jobs than my former salary.

More Evidence of God’s Good Care

About a year after being laid off, a Simon Greenleaf contact asked me to write a proposal for work he needed at his construction company. I won the contract, and when I finished the job, he recommended me to a giant construction company called the Irvine Company. Now I had more work than I could handle.

Clay hired a new accountant, and I quit the law school to run my own business. Not only was I making more money than when I worked as a regular employee, but I had time to pursue writing, something that I’d dreamed of for years.

My initial job loss was God moving us to something better.

Remembering God’s Good Care

When we turn to the Remembrances section of our Truth Journals, we see the entry about my being laid off and many other entries. As we ponder each memory, it lifts our hopes and assures us that God will take good care of us in current trials as well.

Get a free Super Bonus Bundle with Truth Journal

We explain how to create a Truth Journal in our book, How Does God Use Suffering for our Good? (January 13, 2026). But we’ve made things easier for you. We’ve created a Super Bonus Bundle that includes a truth journal and more. Just forward your preorder receipt to HowGodUsesSuffering@yahoo.com and we’ll send you your Super Bonus Bundle. Get more details here: Preorder Bonus.

Discover more about God's good care and get the preorder bonus now.
/0 Comments/by

Will We Recognize Loved Ones in Heaven?

“Will my husband remember me in heaven?” a grieving widow asked us.  It’s a common question. Indeed, an internet search of “Will we recognize loved ones in heaven” resulted in over 10 million returns.

The concern over loved ones forgetting us comes from Isaiah 65:17:

For behold, I create new heavens and a new earth, and the former things shall not be remembered or come into mind.

Isaiah 65:17

Taken alone, this verse sounds like people’s memories might be erased in the eternal abode. But is that what this verse means?

Will Memories Be Erased So We Won’t Recognize Loved Ones in Heaven?

Let’s look at the context of verse 17.

Forget Can Mean No Longer Bring to Mind in Order to Act Upon

In verses 13-15, the Lord God warns that he will punish the wicked with curses and death, but he’ll reward his servants. Then he says this in verse 16:

The former troubles are forgotten and are hidden from my eyes.

Isaiah 65:16

Notice God says the former troubles are hidden from his eyes—he’s the one forgetting the “former troubles.” In the Bible, when God says he will no longer remember something, he doesn’t mean he gives up his omniscience. Rather, he means he will no longer remember it for the sake of acting on it. After the final judgment, there won’t be any reason to call to mind the sin and the troubles sin brought on this earth.

Since “forgotten” in verse 16 doesn’t mean memory erasure, we can expect the same in verse 17.

Our Former Failures and Troubles Will Fade from Mind

After the final judgment, God will create a new heaven and earth unspoiled by rebellious angels and humans. Gone are all causes of sin and any who don’t love God’s rule. Old Testament scholar Gary V. Smith writes:

This new world with its transformed people will be so completely different that God’s servants will not remember the “former world” (48:13) of sin, suffering, hunger, death, and destruction. In fact, this new world will be so different that even the more positive aspects of the former things will probably fade from memory.

Gary V. Smith, Isaiah 40-66, vol. 15B, The New American Commentary (Nashville, TN: Broadman & Holman Publishers, 2009), 718. Affiliate link.

Gary V. Smith, Isaiah 40-66, vol. 15B, The New American Commentary (Nashville, TN: Broadman & Holman Publishers, 2009), 718.

Just as God will put the failures and troubles of this world out of his mind, so will people. Perhaps the glorious new heavens and earth will soften our memories to something like a dream. We won’t have to recall what we don’t want to recall. But loved ones whom we want to remember? Yes, we’ll know them. That’s because…

The Righteous Are Eternal Beings, Not Former Things

Scholar Edward Young explains what “former things” refers to:

Strictly speaking, the words former things refer to former heavens and earth.

Edward Young, The Book of Isaiah, Chapters 40–66, vol. 3 (Grand Rapids, MI: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co., 1972), 514. Affiliate link.

Edward Young, The Book of Isaiah, Chapters 40–66, vol. 3 (Grand Rapids, MI: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co., 1972), 514.

Those belonging to God are eternal beings. They won’t be part of the “former things” that are destroyed and pass from mind. And they’ll recognize loved ones in heaven.

The Bible Teaches Heaven’s Occupants Know Each Other

Other passages shed light on Isaiah 65:17 by showing us that heaven’s occupants retain their memories and recognize people.

Luke 24—After the Resurrection, Jesus Knew People

After Jesus’s resurrection, he recognized his followers and remembered what had happened to him on earth. Our resurrection bodies will be like his, so we can expect to recognize others as well.

Matthew 17:4—Peter Knew Who Moses and Elijah Were

And Peter said to Jesus, “Lord, it is good that we are here. If you wish, I will make three tents here, one for you and one for Moses and one for Elijah.”

Matthew 17:4

At Jesus’s transfiguration, Moses and Elijah appeared and talked to him. Peter knew who they were even though he’d never met them (Matthew 17:4). It stands to reason that we’ll know who others are then, even some whom we haven’t met.

Matthew 8:11—We’ll Know the Patriarchs

Many will come from east and west and recline at table with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven.

Matthew 8:11

Jesus said many will recline at table with these three men. Surely the three patriarchs will not be the only people anyone knows. If memories were erased, however, no one would know even these three.

Revelation 14:13—The Deeds of the Righteous Will Follow Them

And I heard a voice from heaven saying, “Write this: Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on.” “Blessed indeed,” says the Spirit, “that they may rest from their labors, for their deeds follow them!”

Revelation 14:13

The Spirit declares the deeds of those who die in the Lord will follow them. That would be impossible if no one remembers them.

Revelation 6:9-11—The Martyrs in Heaven Remember Their Lives

I saw under the altar the souls of those who had been slain for the word of God and for the witness they had borne. They cried out with a loud voice, “O Sovereign Lord, holy and true, how long before you will judge and avenge our blood on those who dwell on the earth?” Then they were each given a white robe and told to rest a little longer, until the number of their fellow servants and their brothers should be complete, who were to be killed as they themselves had been.

Revelation 6:9–11

Here, the martyrs in heaven remember their martyrdom and know that their deaths haven’t been avenged yet. If they remember their lives, they must remember people as well.

"Parable of the Rich Man and the Beggar Lazarus" showing people recognize others in heaven and hades
Codex Aureus Epternacensis (Golden Gospels), Illuminated Manuscript, c. 1035-1040 (Germanisches Nationalmuseum, Nuremberg). Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons.

Luke 16:22-23—Abraham Knows the Rich Man and Lazarus in Heaven

The poor man died and was carried by the angels to Abraham’s side. The rich man also died and was buried, and in Hades, being in torment, he lifted up his eyes and saw Abraham far off and Lazarus at his side.

Luke 16:22–23

In Jesus’s narrative, the spirit of the dead rich man recognizes Abraham and Lazarus. In verse 25, Abraham tells him to remember both his and Lazarus’s life on earth. This shows not only that people remember their lives in the afterlife, but Abraham knows details of others’ lives as well.

1 Thessalonians 4:13-14, 17—The Living Will Reunite with Dead Loved Ones

In 1 Thessalonians 4:13-14, Paul encourages those who are grieving over loved ones who have died by saying Jesus will bring their loved ones back with him when he returns.

But we do not want you to be uninformed, brothers, about those who are asleep, that you may not grieve as others do who have no hope. For since we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so, through Jesus, God will bring with him those who have fallen asleep.… Then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we will always be with the Lord.

1 Thessalonians 4:13-14, 17

“Those who have fallen asleep” are those who have already died. When Jesus returns, he’ll bring them with him. Then those who are still alive will be caught up together with those returning with Jesus. That’s the hope to which Paul says the grieving should cling. What hope would there be in reuniting if we didn’t recognize each other?

Knowledge Increases in Heaven

We won’t be stupider in heaven than we are now.

Attributed to George MacDonald

Memories won’t be erased, causing people to know less than they do now. Rather, knowledge will increase.

For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I have been fully known.

1 Corinthians 13:12

This doesn’t mean we’ll be omniscient like God. But it does mean we’ll truly know God, his love, and his goodness. We’ll know ourselves clearly too. Additionally, exhaustion, illnesses, and aging won’t limit our thinking. We won’t fool ourselves into believing falsehoods. Neither will we encounter liars. We’ll remember those we knew on this earth and recognize loved ones in heaven and the future earth.

We Will Remember Why Jesus Died for Us

If people’s memories are erased, they’d no longer know what Jesus had done for them. Where would be the gratitude for having been saved from sins? Who would praise God for the mighty things he worked in their lives?

In Luke 7:47, Jesus said that those who have had many sins forgiven love much, “but he who is forgiven little, loves little.” If memories were erased, all would be in the position of loving Jesus little because they wouldn’t know what they’ve been forgiven for.

We will retain the spiritual growth God’s worked in us so far. We’ll understand the good God worked through our sufferings. We will rejoice in salvation because we’ll remember it is a costly and gracious gift we don’t deserve.

Memories Will Not Cause Pain

We will experience God’s perfect love, complete forgiveness, and final justice. Alan Gomes explains:

In the eternal state we will so see things from God’s perspective that we will no longer remember our past hurts and pain as we experienced them, but will see all from the divine vantage point. We will remember that these hurts occurred, but they will no longer ring us pain but rather praise, as we contemplate how God has worked all for good (Rom. 8:28) and brought us “beauty for ashes” and “the oil of joy for mourning” (Isa. 61:3, KJV).

Alan W. Gomes, 40 Questions About Heaven and Hell, 225. Affiliate link.

Alan W. Gomes, 40 Questions About Heaven and Hell, 225.

Additionally, everyone in heaven will have been made perfect (Hebrews 12:23). That means when we see people who sinned against us in this life, they’ll be cognizant of their error, fully repentant, and fully transformed. We’ll see the qualities God has worked in them. Our hearts will be tender towards them, just as they are now when we see someone God has totally transformed. After all, we’ll have fully forgiven those who’ve hurt us, we won’t fear they’ll repeat their actions, and we’ll be transformed too.

We’ll Continue to Grow in Knowledge

Angels are perfect, yet they grow in knowledge (1 Peter 1:12). Likewise, we’ll be made perfect (Hebrews 12:23), yet will be able to continue to learn.

Gomes distinguishes between perfect knowledge and exhaustive knowledge:

We can know something perfectly to the degree that we are capable of knowing it, without thereby knowing it exhaustively. Our knowledge may be “perfect” in the sense that it is fully true as far as it goes, without any admixture of error. Nevertheless, we may still be able to learn even more about the subject, or to develop an appreciation for it in new and different ways.

Alan W. Gomes, 40 Questions About Heaven and Hell, 223. Affiliate link.

Alan W. Gomes, 40 Questions About Heaven and Hell, 223.

We can continue to learn about God, others, and creation for eternity.

Conclusion

Take comfort: We will recognize loved ones in heaven. We’ll rejoice in their transformation and our own. With them we’ll enjoy the glorious new heavens and earth. We’ll be together forever.

Will We Recognize Loved Ones in Heaven? Share on X

Related Posts

Books You Might Like

Here are affiliate links to three books on heaven.

/4 Comments/by
, ,

Hades, Sheol, Hell, Heaven, Paradise and More

Ever get confused over words like Hades, Sheol, paradise, and New Jerusalem?

Let’s clear up the confusion and make sense of where people will spend the afterlife. We’ll look first at neutral names for the realm of the dead. Then we’ll dive into designations for the places we don’t want to go. Finally, we’ll tackle the titles for the spaces of bliss.

Words Describing the Realm of the Dead

These words can mean simply the realm of the dead; that is, the place where a person’s spirit resides until the resurrection. The following verse explains what happens when the physical body dies:

The dust returns to the earth as it was, and the spirit returns to God who gave it.

Ecclesiastes 12:7

The Jews thought this realm was a place where spirits awaited the resurrection of their bodies, with a separation between the spirits of the righteous and the spirits of the wicked. Unfortunately, some translations (such as the King James Version) translate the words below as “hell,” causing confusion as to whether the righteous and even Jesus tarried in hell.

Sheol

In the Old Testament, Sheol refers to the realm of the dead, death, grave, or depths.1

I shall ransom them from the power of Sheol; I shall redeem them from Death. O Death, where are your plagues? O Sheol, where is your sting?

Hosea 13:14

Abaddon

Abaddon means destruction or death. It’s often another name for the realm of the dead.2

Sheol and Abaddon lie open before the Lord; how much more the hearts of the children of man!

Proverbs 15:11

The word is used only once in the New Testament. There it’s the name of “the angel of the bottomless pit” (Revelation 9:11).

Hades

Hades is the realm of the dead in the New Testament. When the New Testament quotes the Old Testament, it translates Sheol as Hades.3

For you will not abandon my soul to Hades, or let your Holy One see corruption.

Acts 2:27
"Parable of the Rich Man and the Beggar Lazarus"
Codex Aureus Epternacensis (Golden Gospels), Illuminated Manuscript, c. 1035-1040 (Germanisches Nationalmuseum, Nuremberg). Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons.

Words Describing Places of Punishment

There are current places of punishment where the wicked abide until the Judgment. After the Judgment, residents move to the final place of punishment.

The Current State of Hell

Hades

Sometimes Hades refers more specifically to the current place of punishment within the realm of the dead. For example, in the Parable of the Rich Man and Lazarus, the rich man recognizes Abraham and Lazarus and asks Abraham to send Lazarus to him with water. But Abraham says there is a great chasm between the two parts of the realm of the dead that no one can traverse.

The poor man died and was carried by the angels to Abraham’s side. The rich man also died and was buried, and in Hades, being in torment, he lifted up his eyes and saw Abraham far off and Lazarus at his side.

Luke 16:22–23

At other times, Hades refers to the final state of hell.4

And you, Capernaum, will you be exalted to heaven? You will be brought down to Hades. For if the mighty works done in you had been done in Sodom, it would have remained until this day.

Matthew 11:23

The Current Place of Imprisonment

Some fallen angels are described as imprisoned.

Abyss

The abyss is a place of imprisonment for demons. (In Romans 10:7, however, it’s another name for the current realm of the dead. Terms sometimes overlap.)5

And they begged him not to command them to depart into the abyss.

Luke 8:31

Tartarus

Tartarus is used only once in the New Testament. Although it’s translated “hell,” it speaks of a place of imprisonment for fallen angels.6

For if God did not spare angels when they sinned, but cast them into hell [tartarus] and committed them to chains of gloomy darkness to be kept until the judgment.

2 Peter 2:4

The Final State of Hell

Unbelievers will come before the Judgment Seat in either their disembodied state or reunited with their old bodies (reanimated rather than resurrected in the full New Testament sense). They will be judged and then confined to an eternity away from God’s presence.7

Hell (Gehenna)

The name Gehenna comes from the Valley of Hinnom, where apostate Jews offered human sacrifices. Jesus equates it with the final state of hell. In the verse below, Gehenna is translated “hell.”8

“And if your eye causes you to sin, tear it out. It is better for you to enter the kingdom of God with one eye than with two eyes to be thrown into hell, ‘where their worm does not die and the fire is not quenched.’”

Mark 9:47–48

Lake of Fire

This is synonymous with hell. It’s the final abode of the devil, the fallen angels, unbelievers, Death, and Hades.9

And the devil who had deceived them was thrown into the lake of fire and sulfur where the beast and the false prophet were, and they will be tormented day and night forever and ever.

Revelation 20:10

In this next passage, “the dead” refers to humans.

And the sea gave up the dead who were in it, Death and Hades gave up the dead who were in them, and they were judged, each one of them, according to what they had done. Then Death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. This is the second death, the lake of fire. And if anyone’s name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire.

Revelation 20:13–15

Death and Hades will have served their purpose, and so will enter hell.10

Words Describing Places of Comfort

When the physical bodies of saints die, their spirits go to a place of comfort within the realm of the dead. It goes by several names, including heaven. But the word heaven has five meanings in the Bible, three of which are unrelated to a place of comfort. Let’s look at these first.

Meanings of the Word “Heaven” Unrelated to Places of Comfort

Sky

In Jewish writings, the sky is called heaven or the first heaven.

Then he prayed again, and heaven gave rain, and the earth bore its fruit.

James 5:18

Physical Cosmos

The physical cosmos is called heaven or the second heaven. It contains the stars and planets.

In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth.

Genesis 1:1

Figure of Speech for “God”

Heaven is often used as a substitution for “God” (a figure of speech known as metonymy). Thus, “kingdom of heaven” is synonymous with “kingdom of God.”

“Was the baptism of John from heaven or from man? Answer me.”

Mark 11:30

Sometimes kingdom of heaven refers to God’s current rule in believers’ hearts on earth.11

Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a net that was thrown into the sea and gathered fish of every kind.

Matthew 13:47

With those meanings of heaven out of the way, let’s turn to words describing the current place of comfort.

The Current State of Heaven

Heaven, Third Heaven

The fourth meaning of the word heaven is the unseen spiritual realm where God’s throne and celestial beings reside. This is sometimes called the third heaven.

I know a man in Christ who fourteen years ago was caught up to the third heaven—whether in the body or out of the body I do not know, God knows.

2 Corinthians 12:2

Paradise

Paradise is synonymous with third heaven, as can be seen by the verse following the last quoted.

And I know that this man was caught up into paradise—whether in the body or out of the body I do not know, God knows

2 Corinthians 12:3

Jesus told the thief on the cross that he would take him to paradise that day (Luke 23:43).

Abraham’s Bosom

In the Parable of the Rich Man and Lazarus, angels carry Lazarus’s spirit to Abraham’s side (or bosom). This is synonymous with paradise and third heaven. A great chasm exists between the current state of hell and the current state of heaven such that no one can cross from one to the other (Luke 16:26).

The poor man died and was carried by the angels to Abraham’s side.

Luke 16:22–23

At Home with the Lord

Paul describes the current place of comfort as being away from the body but at home with Jesus.

So we are always of good courage. We know that while we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord, for we walk by faith, not by sight. Yes, we are of good courage, and we would rather be away from the body and at home with the Lord.

2 Corinthians 5:6–8

The Book of Revelation shows the current place of comfort as being in God’s presence. John writes:

After this I looked, and behold, a door standing open in heaven! And the first voice, which I had heard speaking to me like a trumpet, said, “Come up here, and I will show you what must take place after this.” At once I was in the Spirit, and behold, a throne stood in heaven, with one seated on the throne.

Revelation 4:1-2

While in the current state of heaven, John sees this:

I saw under the altar the souls of those who had been slain for the word of God and for the witness they had borne.

Revelation 6:9

The Final State of Heaven

God will resurrect the bodies of the spirits of those whose names are written in the Book of Life. The resurrected bodies will be glorious, immortal, and powerful. God will create new heavens and earth or renew the current heavens and earth. Then believers will dwell with the Lamb and God in the new heavens and earth.

Heaven

The fifth meaning of the word heaven is the final dwelling place of those who worship God. It is where believers receive their inheritance and rewards.

Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal.

Matthew 6:19–20

Heavenly Country

Hebrews calls our final abode a better, heavenly country.

But as it is, they desire a better country, that is, a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared for them a city.

Hebrews 11:16

New Heaven and Earth, Holy City, New Jerusalem

The book of Revelation expands on believers’ final dwelling place as being in the new heaven and earth.

Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more. And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God. He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.”

Revelation 21:1–4

Scholars differ as to whether the new Jerusalem refers to a place, a people, or both.12

In Summary

So there it is. Sheol and Hades are the main names in the Bible for the realm of the dead. Sometimes Hades describes the part of the realm of the dead where the wicked reside, known as the current state of hell, and sometimes it’s synonymous with the final state of hell. The final state of hell is called both hell and the lake of fire. The current state of heaven is called heaven, Paradise, and Abraham’s Bosom. The final state of heaven is called heaven, the new heaven and earth, the Holy City, and (perhaps) the new Jerusalem.

Hades, Sheol, Hell, Heaven, Paradise and More Explained Share on X

Books You Might Like

These are affiliate links for which I receive a small commission at no cost to you.

Related Posts

/1 Comment/by

4 Great Reasons to be Grateful This Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving is just around the corner, and it’s a day many people ponder reasons to be grateful. But how do you give thanks when life hurts?

Moreover, Philippians 4:4 tells us to “Rejoice in the Lord always.” It’s one thing to rejoice in the things we’re glad the Lord has done. But how do we take rejoicing to the next level—rejoicing in the midst of suffering?

This is important for several reasons.

  1. Philippians 4:4 tells us to rejoice always.
  2. Being grateful stops the grumbling and complaining that the Bible warns us against (Philippians 2:14).
  3. The very act of rejoicing plants joy in us.
  4. Being grateful reminds us of God’s past good care and that brings peace over knowing his good care will continue.

For example, in January, my husband Clay was diagnosed with stage 4 cancer. We immediately began praying Philippians 4:4-7 together daily—sometimes twice a day.

Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice. Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand; do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Philippians 4:4–7

We’d recite “Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice.” Then we’d take turns rejoicing in the Lord before continuing to recite and pray the rest of the passage. Being grateful before presenting our requests calmed our hearts. While we no longer pray this passage together daily, we each continue to pray it when disappointment derails our peace.

But what can we rejoice in when confronting dreaded news?

Here are four reasons to be grateful no matter what season of life you’re experiencing.

1) Be Grateful for Answered Prayers

Glorify the Lord with me;
        let us exalt his name together.
I sought the Lord, and he answered me;
        he delivered me from all my fears.

Psalm 34:3-4

The book of Psalms has many thanksgiving songs that praise God for answered prayers, giving us examples to follow. Additionally, Jesus showed that he expects God’s people to praise God for answered prayers (Luke 17:17-18). Indeed, we can rejoice spontaneously as we see prayers answered. We can also rejoice deliberately by writing down our requests so we can later review them to mark those that God has answered and give thanks.

Indeed, just this morning I turned to where I’d written my prayer request, “Let insurance authorize liver radiation,” and wrote in the column next to it, “Yes! We got the approval on 10/31.”

2) Be Grateful for God’s Daily Provision

Sing to the Lord with grateful praise;
        make music to our God on the harp.
He covers the sky with clouds;
        he supplies the earth with rain
        and makes grass grow on the hills.
He provides food for the cattle
        and for the young ravens when they call.

Psalm 147:7-9

We can rejoice in every need that God meets: paychecks, gifts, meals, clothing, housing, and healing. We can rejoice in every delight: family, friends, bird songs, sunsets, flowers, and rain. We can rejoice that God gives us everything we have, including our strength, intelligence, and knowledge. We can start a habit of rejoicing in the Lord for every blessing the moment it arrives.

When the weather permits, I walk after lunch and pray. I rejoice in the weather that permits walking, in the blue flowers tumbling from a neighbor’s tree, and in the Anna’s hummingbirds flitting among its branches.

3) Be Grateful for Faith Purifiers

In all this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. These have come so that the proven genuineness of your faith—of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed.

1 Peter 1:6-7

Sometimes God answers our prayers “No.” Sometimes we go through heartbreaking loss. But even in those times, we can rejoice because we know God is good and he will work good out of our current difficulties (Romans 8:28). When we face trials, we can rejoice that they prove our faith genuine, they purify our faith and motives, and they will bring us praise, glory, and honor when we go before Jesus at the end of times.

When we face difficulty, we can rejoice that God is building our character. When embarrassed, we can thank God for developing in us humility. In weakness, we can rejoice that God will either strengthen us or be our strength. Character lasts forever; difficulties do not.

Discovering Joy in Philippians

4) Be Grateful for God’s Eternal Promises

Praise the Lord, my soul;
        all my inmost being, praise his holy name.
Praise the Lord, my soul,
        and forget not all his benefits—
who forgives all your sins
        and heals all your diseases,
who redeems your life from the pit
        and crowns you with love and compassion,
who satisfies your desires with good things
        so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.

Psalm 103:1-5

This psalm reminds us, “Forget not all his benefits.” Forgetting God’s benefits makes us impatient, unfruitful, faithless, and fearful. It discourages. And forgetting makes us grumble and argue, like the Israelites in the desert.

Instead, we can remember and rejoice in God’s benefits, including his eternal promises. We can rejoice in his promise to forgive (1 John 1:9). When we recover from illness, we can give thanks for health and for our future imperishable body (1 Corinthians 15:42). Redemption is something for which we can always be grateful: he’s adopted us as his own and he promises eternal life. We can rejoice that he crowns us with love and compassion, and that he satisfies our desires with good things. We can give thanks that he will reward us for our faithful service.

In all circumstances, we can rejoice that one day God will resurrect our bodies and take us to a new heaven and earth (Revelation 21:1). We will reign with him in his kingdom. And there will be no more mourning, crying, or pain (21:4). This life of hardship ends, but the next life of glory is eternal.

Next Step

Get started today by giving thanks for something in each of these categories. Download this handy prayer guide to remind you of four great reasons to be grateful: Reasons to Be Grateful Prayer Guide.

This article was adapted from Discovering Joy in Philippians. This is an affiliate link for which I receive a commission at no cost to you.

4 Great Reasons to be Grateful This Thanksgiving Share on X

Related Posts

Books You Might Like

/0 Comments/by
,

Create a Truth Journal to Find Hope in Crisis

“This is almost certainly metastasized cancer,” our GP told my husband Clay. “We’re not talking cure here. We’re talking quality of life and length of life.” The words sliced like a knife through my chest.

A week later, an oncologist confirmed stage 4 cancer.

We responded the way we’ve learned through the years: first, by praying, giving thanks out loud to God, and asking God for help; and second, by each creating a Truth Journal.

What a Truth Journal Is

What we call a Truth Journal consists of four things: truths, remembrances, Scriptures, and prayers. Clay keeps his in a Word document and has a separate page for each. He changes the font color of anything related to eternity to purple, the color of royalty. Whenever he updates it, he prints a new copy.

I have a tab in the back of my daily planner labeled “TRUTHS.” This section has pages with these titles:

  • TRUTHS
  • REMEMBRANCES
  • SCRIPTURE
  • PRAYERS

The titles are in green ink because in my Bible, I underline God’s blessings in green. I placed a gold flower sticker next to the titles because gold reminds me that Jesus is King and sovereign, and flowers remind me of Jesus’s words, “unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit” (John 12:24).

When we wake up sad or hear something that shakes us, we get out our truth journals and read through them. Sometimes item 3 will be just what we need. Other times it’s item 12. It’s important to regularly add to the journal and to keep it handy.

Previously I wrote about using a Truth Journal to combat doubts (“Does God love me?”) and false beliefs (“God let _____ happen so he must not care about me”). I’ll provide a link to that at the end of this post. Here, I’ll explain how to use a Truth Journal to find hope in time of crisis, such as a health crisis or loss of a loved one.

Let’s begin by looking at the four parts of a Truth Journal.

Truth Journal Section 1: Truths

These are personalized statements based on Scripture. When I previously wrote about Truth Journals, I suggested co-mingling truth statements and Scriptures. But Clay’s Scripture list was long and he ended up adding page breaks before and after it. After I made a mistake copying a longer passage, I decided to redo my Truths page and attach his list onto a separate Scripture page.

Truths page in Truth Journal
Truths page in Truth Journal

In my Bible I underline what we should do in blue, so I list truth statements in blue to remind me I must act on these truths.

Here’s a sample of what’s in our lists.

Clay’s List

  • The Lord is all-powerful, and He loves us.
  • Unless we die suddenly, everyone is going to have to go through this (“but such as is common to man,” 1 Corinthians 10:13).
  • We know that the Lord intends for us to suffer and that He expects us to handle it well.
  • Hardship is necessary for our spiritual growth and is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory.
  • The Lord is helping us not love this present world.
  • We don’t know the future—I could be healed—maybe forever—who knows what drugs will come up?
  • The Lord has brought us medical professionals to help us.
  • The Lord will take care of both of us no matter what.
  • The Lord will provide for Jean E., no matter what.
  • He is disciplining us not to look to the wind but to look at Jesus.
  • This is an opportunity for us to glorify the Lord.
  • No matter what happens, we will enjoy each other for eternity.

Jean’s List

Most of Clay’s are also in mine. Here are a few extras.

  • Everyone has to face suffering, death, and dying. Jesus shows us how to face it.
  • God has always worked good from the hard things that have happened. He won’t stop now.
  • The Lord worked great good out of Clay’s first bout with bone cancer.
  • We know people who have survived metastasized cancer for years.

As we realize more truths, we add to our lists.

Truth Journal Section 2: Remembrances

In my February newsletter, I wrote about how last summer, I was praying while walking when I saw a strange sight: a crow with white feathers in his wings. I snapped a few photos of him hopping among pine branches and headed home to get Clay. The pics were too fuzzy to see the white feathers, and the bird was gone by the time we got down to where I’d seen it. Clay teased that I must be making it up. (He didn’t mean it.)

With Wingtip, God answered prayer better than I asked

The next day as I headed out for my walk, I asked God to show me the crow again so I could call Clay and have him join me. But I didn’t see him during the one-mile walk. I came in through the back door and was telling Clay how I’d prayed to see the crow so he could see it, when I glanced out the window. There the bird was, perched on our fence! He stayed long enough for us to get good photos, then flew into the grapevine, giving us a chance to record him flying. When he flies, his white wingtips sparkle. I named him Wingtip.

What an amazing answer that was better than what I asked for! Instead of me finding Wingtip and calling Clay to quickly come see, God brought Wingtip to Clay.

Scripture tells us it’s essential to remember answered prayers like this.

So I have a section called REMEMBRANCES in which I’ve written these two verses:

I remember the days of old; I meditate on all that you have done; I ponder the work of your hands.

Psalm 143:5

My mouth will tell of your righteous acts, of your deeds of salvation all the day, for their number is past my knowledge.

Psalm 71:15

I have a two-column list of blessings God’s given us and prayers he’s answered in providential ways. I listed as many wonderful things God has done for us as I can remember as well as the ways God brought good out of past sufferings. That raises my confidence that God will work similarly in this circumstance. While I list just a word or phrase that reminds me of what God has done, Clay writes mostly sentences and uses one column. He entitles his Remembrances section “Remember how God has done amazing things for us—Thank You, Father!”

For both of us, “Wingtip” resides near the top of our remembrances. It assures us that even though God has said no to some of our prayers about Clay recently, he has good reason for it. He will give an answer that I expect to be better than what I asked for.

Truth Journal Section 3: Scripture

Both of us started writing beneficial Scriptures when we were young Christians in high school. This habit has greatly helped our spiritual growth. Prior to this week, I mingled verses with truth statements. But as I mentioned, I messed up a verse I was copying and decided to print Clay’s list and attach it to a separate page in my journal with washi tape (tape that can be lifted and reapplied). In an upcoming blog, I plan to list these comforting verses.

Our Scripture lists go on for pages. Here are a few favorites for finding hope in crises.

Favorite Verses for Truth Journals

I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.

John 16:33

Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.

Romans 5:3–5

So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal.

2 Corinthians 4:16–18

The one who conquers, I will grant him to sit with me on my throne, as I also conquered and sat down with my Father on his throne. He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.

Revelation 3:21-22

A Note on Conquering

Clay emphasizes the word conquer (Greek nike) in the Revelation passages because it’s what we need to do when we suffer. Nike in other versions is also translated “overcome” or “victorious” and is where Nike tennis shoes gets its name. We need to keep the faith by honoring God through every hardship, disease, persecution, and even to our own deaths. When we do that, we conquer and we will inherit the kingdom.  

Truth Journal Section 4: Prayers

The first time Clay had cancer 19 years ago, I made the mistake of praying over every possible future I could think of. I thought praying over each to the point of peace would fill me with lasting peace. But it didn’t. Instead, I’d pray to the point of peace about one possible future only to have another possibility disrupt my peace.

My prayer section is labeled “PRAYERS” and begins with Philippians 4:4-7 broken into lines that I can pray. We’ve both memorized it so we can pray it aloud often. One of us will recite part of the verse and then both of us will pray according to what it says.

Philippians 4:4–7

Prayers page in Truth Journal

Here’s an example of how we might pray, with the Scripture in bold and our prayers in italics:

  • Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice.
    • Lord, we rejoice that this is the path you’ve set before us. We rejoice that the brain MRI showed no cancer. We rejoice in how you sent Wingtip to encourage us in how you answer prayers in better ways than we even ask. We rejoice [here we go through as many things from the Remembrances section as we can remember].
  • Let your forbearance be known to all.
    • Father, help us to forbear in this situation and to show others the forbearance you give us.
  • The Lord is at hand.
    • Lord Jesus, thank you that you are at hand, that you are right here with us now.
  • Do not be anxious about anything.
    • Father, forgive me for being anxious about the results taking so long. Help me not to be anxious, for you have this in your hand.
  • But in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.
    • Lord, help the lab to correctly identify the molecular profile, and let it be one that is more easily treatable.
  • And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Psalm 71

Psalm 71’s theme is continual hope and it’s my favorite prayer for building hope. I plan to add a prayer based on Psalm 71 once we have the oncologist’s prognosis.

Prayer Requests and Answers

We both have a spot for prayer requests and answers. Clay entitles his “Recent Opportunities to Trust God.” I have mine on a separate page with two columns labeled “Prayer Requests” and “Answers.”

Conclusion

If you’re going through a crisis, try creating a Truth Journal and reading it often. Arrange it any way that works best for you, just as Clay and I have. It’ll calm fears and help you face crises with hope.

Downloadable Truth Journal

The Joy Super Bonus Bundle has a downloadable Truth journal that you can print.

Related Posts

  •  Fight Fear with Truth: This explains how to create a Truth Journal for combatting doubts and false beliefs.

Books You Might Like

/2 Comments/by
, ,

We Will Not Fear

“We will not fear,” the Psalms tell us. Yet these are difficult times. My girlfriend just texted me for prayer—her sister has surgery today for breast cancer, but their widowed mother can’t visit because she’s at high risk for coronavirus. My brother-in-law has an inoperable brain tumor, and out-of-state family can no longer visit. At the same time, his ability to use technology is fading. Additionally, my husband is losing his job for reasons unrelated to COVID-19, but so are millions of others due to shelter-in-place mandates.

So what is our hope during a worldwide crisis? How do we not fear?

Psalm 46 tells us.

We Will Not Fear

God is our refuge and strength
        an ever-present help in trouble
Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way
        and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea,
though its waters roar and foam
        and the mountains quake with their surging.
(Psalm 46:1-3)

Nestled in the first three verses are reasons to reject fear even when the earth gives way to a virus’s ravages.

We Will Not Fear Because God Is Our Refuge

We can go to our heavenly Father whenever danger nears. The psalms often describe God as a rock of refuge—a mountainous rock covered in caves and clefts that conceal us from risk. While we take refuge in homes from COVID-19, let us also take refuge in our God.

We will not fear. Image of Meteora, Greece by Stathis floros / CC BY-SA (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0)
Meteora rock formations in Greece. By Stathis floros / CC BY-SA (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0)

We Will Not Fear Because God Is Our Strength

The apostle Paul says God’s “power is made perfect in weakness” (2 Corinthians 12:9). For when we’re weak but rely on God, then we are strong. He knows our days and he’s counted the hairs on our heads.

We Will Not Fear Because God Is an Ever-Present Help in Trouble

His presence is with us. His Holy Spirit is in us. He will never leave us or forsake us (Hebrews 13:5).

Because God is our refuge, our strength, and our ever-present help, we can choose to not fear.

We Will Not Fear Because the City of God Awaits

There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God,
        the holy habitation of the Most High.
God is in the midst of her; she shall not be moved;
        God will help her when morning dawns.
The nations rage, the kingdoms totter;
        he utters his voice, the earth melts.
(Psalm 46:4-6)

Earth’s Jerusalem is often called the city of God. But that Jerusalem has no river. What city of God does this speak of then?

This holy habitation is the heavenly Jerusalem of which the earthly city was but a type: “You have come to Mount Zion and to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem… and to Jesus” (Hebrews 12:22,24). In the new heavens and earth, the river of life flows from the throne of God through the city’s center (Revelation 22:1-2). And the tree of life grows on its banks.

We Will Not Fear Because God Appoints Our Time

Humans lost access to the tree of life at the fall, leaving death to reign. But Jesus died and rose again to open the way to eternal life for all who believe in him.

We will not fear. Tower of Refuge image by Gregory J. Kingsley.
Tower of Refuge on St. Mary’s Isle by Gregory J. Kingsley (licensed under Creative Commons Share Alike https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0)

Each of us has an appointed time to die (Hebrews 9:27). Indeed, doctors have told some of us that our day is near. The rest of us await such notice with eyes averted in the hope that it’s still far off. But the new virus’s spread reminds us that our time comes, perhaps even soon.

But coronavirus can’t change our assigned time to die. Either it’s our moment or it’s not. Does that mean we should act foolishly? Of course not! Rather, reckless behavior merely suggests that our preset time may be close.

Yet death is not our end. It is our new beginning.

We Will Not Fear Because We Know Our Future

Here on earth, nations rage and kingdoms totter. The cursed earth spews pestilence and plague. The sea roars in devastating power. But a day comes when God “utters his voice” and “the earth melts” (Psalm 46:6). “The heavens will be set on fire and dissolved” (2 Peter 3:12).

But that is not cause for despair, for “we are waiting for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells” (2 Peter 3:13). We are coming to the holy city of God that “shall not be moved” within which flows “a river whose streams make glad the city of God” (Psalm 46:4,5). There those who belong to the Lamb will see God’s face and dwell with him forever more.

That is why we must heed these words: “set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth” (Colossians 3:2). Yes, we have an appointed time to die—but death for the Christian merely means moving into the presence of God.

We Will Not Fear Because the Lord Is with Us

The LORD of hosts is with us;
        the God of Jacob is our fortress. Selah
(Psalm 46:7,11)

Psalm 46’s refrain says the One who commands angelic armies is with us. Not only that, but he is our fortress. Picture tall towers and walls too high to scale. Hosts of angels and an impenetrable fortress convey this message: We are safe. And indeed we are, for “According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you” (1 Peter 1:3-4).

Imperishable, undefiled, and unfading. Selah. Pause and ponder.

We Will Be Still and Know that God Is God

Come, behold the works of the LORD,
        how he has brought desolations on the earth.
He makes wars cease to the end of the earth;
        he breaks the bow and shatters the spear;
        he burns the chariots with fire.
“Be still, and know that I am God.
        I will be exalted among the nations,
I will be exalted in the earth!”
(Psalm 46:8-10)

Remembering that the LORD of hosts is with us and that he is our fortress encourages us to turn our eyes to grander things. Yes, God cursed the earth bringing desolation. But he is also ushering us into this age’s finish when he will end all wars and judge all people. Then he will bring those who belong to him to the new heavens and earth where death is no more.

God himself says, “Be still, and know that I am God.” When fear assails us, this is what we do. We turn to him, still ourselves, and repeat these words from him. We can do it because God has told us the end of our story. We will be with him, and he will be exalted. He is God.

We Will Remember the Lord Is with Us

The LORD of hosts is with us;
        the God of Jacob is our fortress. Selah
(Psalm 46:7,11)

Again, he is with us even now, and he is our fortress. Selah. Pause, ponder, and pray. Hear his words: “Be still, and know that I am God.”

A Prayer

A prayer based on Psalm 46.

God is our refuge and strength,
            a very present help in trouble.
Therefore we will not fear though pandemic fills the earth,
            though world economies plunge into the heart of the sea,
though media roar and foam,
            and people tremble at the news.
There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God,
            the holy habitation of the Most High.
God is in the midst of her; she shall not be moved;
            God will help her when morning dawns.
The nations rage, the kingdoms totter;
            he utters his voice, the earth melts.
The LORD of hosts is with us;
            the God of Jacob is our fortress.
Come, behold the works of the LORD,
            the heavens and earth are stored up for fire.
He will make war cease to the end of the earth;
            he will break all weapons of war;
            he will destroy the subs, silos, and tanks.
He will bring us to his holy habitation.
“Be still, and know that I am God,
            I will be exalted among the nations,
            I will be exalted in the earth.”
The LORD of hosts is with us;
            the God of Jacob is our fortress.
God himself says, “Be still, and know that I am God.” When fear assails us, this is what we do. Share on X

Related Posts

Books You Might Like

These books are especially good for difficult times. The links are affiliate links, meaning I receive a tiny commission if you use them to buy a book at no extra cost to you.

/2 Comments/by
,

14 Verses That Will Give You Peace

Need peace? Here are 14 verses to help. Adapted from Discovering Joy in Philippians.

Assurance of Salvation

It’s common for new Christians to doubt their salvation, but these verses can bring peace.

But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God.

John 1:12
John 1:12 gives peace by assuring us of salvation

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.  For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.

John 3:16-17

Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life. He does not come into judgment, but has passed from death to life.

John 5:24

Assurance of Forgiveness

Here are verses to repeat after going to our heavenly Father to confess sin.

Come now, let us reason together, says the LORD: though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red like crimson, they shall become like wool.

Isaiah 1:18

If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

1 John 1:9

Doubt

When we face doubts, these verses can help bring peace.

We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ,

2 Corinthians 10:5

Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding.

Proverbs 3:5

Temptation

These peace-giving verses help when we face temptation.

No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.

1 Corinthians 10:13

Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.

Matthew 5:6

Discouragement

We all face discouraging times. These verses can bring peace to discouraged hearts.

Peace verses
Philippians 1:6 is a verse that gives peace when we’re discouraged

And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.

Philippians 1:6

For it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure.

Philippians 2:13

No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Romans 8:37-39

Fear

Here are verses that calm us when fears disturb our peace.

Casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you.

1 Peter 5:7

Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have, for he has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.”

Hebrews 13:5

Click to Tweet

14 Verses That Will Give You Peace Share on X

Related Posts

Books You Might Like

These are affiliate links.

/1 Comment/by
, , ,

Christians Need the Bible’s Big Picture

I took oil painting lessons from my mother-in-law, Rae, who was a former Disney artist. (The painting displayed in this post is her work. Sadly, we lost my paintings in a move.) Each week she critiqued my progress and told me what to work on next. One week I added complementary under layers to my canvas. Because the butter leaf green background needed red for depth, I squirted red ochre onto my palette and swirled it with dabs of other pigments. The odors of linseed oil and turpentine permeated the air as I leaned close to my aluminum easel so I could meticulously merge the muddy maroon into the mossy background.

Close up of painting by Rae Jones shows big picture versus detail
Close-up of Rae’s painting shows colors used in sky

As I carefully brushed and delicately blended, my husband walked in the door, stopped, and declared, “You gave the painting measles!”

“No, I didn’t,” I said, frowning. “It’s depth.”

“Come over here and look at it,” he said, laughing.

None too pleased over his lack of appreciation for my artistic enhancements, I walked over to where he stood and looked back at the painting. Sure enough: measles. What up close looked like subtle gradations of color, at a distance looked like leopard skin.

When I took my polka dotted canvas to Rae, she showed me how to meld undertones by standing back to see what the painting as a whole needed, coming in close for precise brush strokes, and then stepping back again to view the overall affect. It didn’t take long before the reds and greens not only looked as if they belonged together, but showed they needed each other for depth and balance.

The Need for Big Picture Bible Studies

Discovering Jesus in the OT cover
Discovering Jesus in the Old Testament

Reading the Bible is like painting a picture in our minds and souls. While it’s important to come in close to study passages and books, it’s also important to step back and see how the individual parts explain and deepen our understanding of the whole. Then we can see how all the parts of the Bible belong together and how they need each other for depth and balance—for the whole picture.

In the Bible studies I write with Pam Farrel and Karla Dornacher, the book Discovering Jesus in the Old Testament gives the big picture. Every chapter starts with Genesis and ends with Revelation as it displays an aspect of what the Old Testament promises, prophecies, and types tell us about Jesus. For instance, the chapter “Jesus the King Forever” starts with God’s mandate to humankind to reign over the earth, looks at God’s promise to King David of a descendant whose throne will last forever, sees how the prophets say David was a type of a future righteous King who will reign forever, notices what the New Testament says about Jesus fulfilling these OT passages, and rejoices in what is to come: Jesus reigns forever and humankind reigns under him in the new heavens and earth.

The Need for Close-up Bible Studies

Discovering Joy in Philippians
Discovering Joy in Philippians

Just as Rae taught me to come in close when painting detail, so we do best when we alternate stepping back for the big picture and moving in for the detail in studying the Bible. That’s why we also write books that move in close, too. For instance, Discovering Joy in Philippians looks with great detail at the apostle Paul’s letter to the Philippians. It starts in Acts with Paul preaching the gospel in Philippi and being thrown in prison. But we see that wonderful things happen when he and Silas sing praises to God. Then the Discovering book delves deeply into Philippians and all Paul says about discovering joy in any circumstance.

Discovering Hope in the Psalms is a close-up look, too. It examines ten psalms about the hopes God’s people share. These psalms show us how to pray in a way that helps our hope in God soar, even–or especially–when we encounter disappointment or evil. The psalms point us to the One who gives us hope for now and eternity.

What Are You Looking For?

If you haven’t studied the Bible’s big picture for some time, consider Discovering Jesus in the Old Testament. If you’ve recently finished a big picture study, one of our close-up studies may be a fit for you.

If you haven't studied the Bible's big picture for some time, consider "Discovering Jesus in the Old Testament." Share on X
Discovering Hope in the Psalms

Related Posts

Books You Might Like

Here are Amazon affiliate links. You can also find the books at ChristianBook.com, Barnes & Noble, and your local bookstores.

/1 Comment/by
,

Rip Off Joy-Killing False Beliefs!

One morning I tried and tried to twist open the pump top of a new shampoo bottle, but couldn’t do it. I called Clay over to help. When he couldn’t open it either, he looked more closely and discovered transparent shrink-wrap covering the pump. Once he removed the shrink-wrap, opening the pump was a breeze.

Especially in my early years as a Christian, I’d try to understand and apply a scripture, but I’d fail because an invisible shrink-wrap of false beliefs got in my way. These false beliefs killed joy in God’s promises and care. I needed to peel off those false beliefs to get to the Bible’s truths. Thankfully, the Holy Spirit is great at revealing and unpeeling false beliefs.

Over the years, I’ve discovered five ways to peel away false beliefs.

1) Believe Scripture Over Feelings

Although I’d made Jesus Lord of my life and I’d confessed my sins, at first, I didn’t feel forgiven. But my feelings contradicted 1 John 1:9: “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.” The belief that my feelings were more reliable than Scripture was a false belief shrink-wrapped around the verse. I needed to place my faith in Scripture, not my feelings. As I did so, my feelings followed my faith.

Bill Bright, the founder of CRU, put it this way:

Let us call the train engine “fact”—the fact of God’s promises found in His Word. The fuel car we will call “faith”—your trust in God and His Word. The caboose we will call “feelings.”

As fuel flows into the engine, the train runs. It would be futile and, of course, ridiculous to attempt to pull the train by the caboose. In the same way you, as a Christian, should not depend upon feelings or emotion [to] live a Spirit-filled life. Rather, God wants you to simply place your faith in his trustworthiness and the promises of His Word.

Feelings are like the caboose—they are important but are designed to follow a life of faith and obedience.

Bill Bright, “Experiencing the Adventure“
The belief that my feelings were more reliable than Scripture was a false belief shrink-wrapped around the verse. Share on X

2) Meditate on Scripture

Once Clay removed the shrink-wrap from my shampoo bottle and twisted it open, I had to pump it many times to draw the shampoo into the spout so it would flow. Likewise, when we’ve removed a false belief, we may need to repeat the truth we want to take its place many times until it flows freely in our lives.

In Joshua 1:8, God says to meditate on Scripture “day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it.” Biblical meditation includes saying the words aloud and thinking about them so we understand and apply them. When I find a verse with a message I need, I underline it in my Bible with brightly colored pens. I read it daily or post a copy of it on my computer screen.

3) Illustrate Scripture

Studies show that people learn better from words and pictures than from words alone.[i] That’s a great excuse to use colored pens to draw symbols and sketch stick figures in my Bible’s narrow margins. Sometimes I embroider and cross-stitch favorite verses. Artist Karla Dornacher illustrates verses in a wide-margin Bible and creates cards and wall-hangings.

Embroider Scripture to overcome false beliefs
Psalms 30 & 73

4) Act Out Scripture

Here’s a fun way to absorb a new truth: Act it out. For instance, when I realized that God forgave all my sin, joy bubbled over in me. But later I doubted whether forgiveness meant acceptance. That doubt stole my joy. One day my then boyfriend Clay asked a group of us to try an exercise: List sins on a sheet of toilet paper, write 1 John 1:9 in red across the list, shred the paper into a toilet, and flush the paper to visualize our sins being washed away. That simple action eradicated my doubts. Thereafter when I confessed sins and doubt appeared, I visualized the flushed water washing them away. It made me smile and thanksgiving replaced doubt.

5) Create a Truth Journal

Most if not all of us grow up believing lies of some sort: “You’re only valuable if…”; “You’ll always be a failure”; “No one will ever believe you”; “You’re nothing but trash”; “You can’t be happy without a spouse.” Yuck. Additionally, crises such as health scares can bombard us with new fears.

Some lies and fears are like shrink-wrap we can’t get a fingernail under to remove. When that happens, I create a truth journal. In a notebook or journal, I list truths, numbering each one. I add comforting scriptures as I find them. I sketch rough pictures that encapsulate ideas.

I don’t write any lies, fears, or doubts because they’ve already had too much play in my mind. I avoid “positive thinking” statements that may not be true.

I read the truth journal first thing in the morning, last thing at night, and any time between that I want more peace. The truths break the shrink-wrap free.

Discovering Joy in Philippians

Adapted from Discovering Joy in Philippians

Related Posts

[i] John Medina, Brain Rules: 12 Principles for Surviving and Thriving at Work, Home and School, 2nd ed. (Seattle: Pear Press, 2014), 175.

/8 Comments/by