Running Through the Storm: Finding Strength in Jesus
I stand before you today to talk about my personal journey with Jesus and why I choose to stay focused on Him. As I continue to train myself to become more like Jesus, I am constantly aware of my emotions and my ability to control them.
For over thirty years, I struggled with severe depression and tried everything from medication to therapy to find peace and happiness. But it wasn't until I fully committed my life to Jesus that I finally found the peace and happiness I had been searching for.
Before I found Jesus, I was miserable. I would complain about everything, from my in-laws not accepting me, to feeling trapped as a full-time mom. I would even blame Him for the hardships I faced, like my miscarriage or financial difficulties. But I soon realized that complaining and blaming only led me deeper into my depression.
With Jesus, I found the ability to let go of my worries and trust in God's plan for my life. I no longer chase the love and approval of others, only to be disappointed. Instead, I learned to praise Him, even in the midst of pain and hurt. This has allowed me to run through the storm and into the light, where my peace and joy reside.
I want to encourage all of you to give your worries and fears to Jesus. He will fill the void in your heart and bring you the peace and happiness you desire. He will bring the right people into your life who will love you for who you are, not who they want you to be. And most importantly, He will give you the strength to follow your heart and live your dreams, without letting the devil use the world to distract you.
It's important to remember that as humans, we are not perfect and will sometimes lose focus on Jesus. But the good news is, there is always a way to get back on track and re-center ourselves on Him.
Here are some tips for when you feel like you've lost focus on Jesus:
Pray: Take some time to talk to God and ask for His guidance and strength to help you refocus on Him.
Read the Bible: Spend some time reading and studying the word of God. This will help you to deepen your relationship with Him and gain a better understanding of His will for your life.
Surround yourself with positive influences: Seek out positive, uplifting people who will encourage you in your faith and keep you accountable to your commitment to Jesus.
Serve others: Serving others is a great way to get your focus off of yourself and onto Jesus. When we serve others, we are serving Him.
Take a break: Sometimes, we just need a break from the distractions of life to refocus on what's important. Take a day or two to disconnect and spend some quiet time with God.
In order to train ourselves to focus on hearing God's voice when no one else is around, here are some tips:
Spend quiet time with God: Set aside time each day to be quiet and listen for God's voice. This can be in the form of prayer, meditation, or just quiet reflection.
Practice discernment: Discernment is the ability to distinguish between God's voice and the voices of the world. As you spend more time with God, you will become more attuned to His voice and better able to discern it from the other voices in your life.
Keep a journal: Write down your thoughts and experiences as you seek to hear God's voice. This will help you to reflect on your journey and see how God has been speaking to you.
Be open: Be open to God's leading and be willing to follow where He leads, even if it's not what you expect or want.
Remember, focusing on Jesus and hearing His voice is a journey that requires effort and intentionality. But the rewards are immeasurable, as you will experience a deeper sense of peace, purpose, and fulfillment in your life.
So today, I encourage you to take the steps necessary to refocus on Jesus and train yourself to hear His voice, even when no one else is around.
