These are the words I would repeat, and repeat, and repeat . . .

We all have crosses to bear, right?  And what might they be:

1. loss of a job
2. loss of a loved one
3. harassing coworkers
4. too many bills/financial burdens
5. harassing family
6. no family

I was feeling really down the other day.  I was crying and praying and channel surfing and this song came on the radio by a new group (Sidewalk Prophets):

Three in the morning, and I'm still awake
So I picked up a pen and a page
And I started writing just what I'd say
If we were face to face I'd tell you just what you mean to me
Tell you these simple truths

Be strong in the Lord
And never give up hope
You're gonna do great things
I already know God's got His hand on You
So don't live life in fear
Forgive and forget
But don't forget why you're here
Take your time and pray
These are the words I would say

Last time we spoke you said you were hurting
And I felt your pain in my heart
I want to tell you that I keep on praying
That love will find you where you are
I know 'cause I've already been there
So please hear these simple truths

Be strong in the Lord
And never give up hope
You're gonna do great things
I already know God's got His hand on You
So don't live life in fear
Forgive and forget
But don't forget why you're here
Take your time and pray
These are the words I would say

Say from one simple life to another I will say
Come find peace in the Father

Be strong in the Lord
And never give up hope
You're gonna do great things
I already know God's got His hand on You
So don't live life in fear
Forgive and forget
But don't forget why you're here
Take your time and pray
And thank God for each day
His love will find a way
These are the words I would say 

I really started crying then!  Be strong in the Lord and never give up hope!   Oh, did I hear Him this morning and suddenly felt calmer.  I kept repeating this to myself and kept praying.

I have a friend that has been learning  from the sermons "Renew your mind", and she shared this:

You talk about how frustrating it is to be constantly undermined and accused (and it IS very frustrating).   You have really taken to heart  Isaiah's passage from chapter 54:

¹³ All your children will be taught by the LORD,  and great will be their peace.  ¹⁴ In righteousness you will be established: Tyranny will be far from you;  you will have nothing to fear.  Terror will be far removed;    it will not come near you.   ¹⁵ If anyone does attack you, it will not be my doing;   whoever attacks you will surrender to you.    ¹⁶ “See, it is I who created the blacksmith  who fans the coals into flame  and forges a weapon fit for its work.   And it is I who have created the destroyer to wreak havoc;   ¹⁷ no weapon forged against you will prevail,  and you will refute every tongue that accuses you.   This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD,   and this is their vindication from me,”  declares the LORD.  

"No weapon forged against you will prevail.”   We have the favor of God who smiles on us, from the stray beam of sunshine landing on us from a cloudy sky, to the unexpected connection of a kindred soul on our travels, to the provisions and inclinations of haphazard people to be good to us when we know all people struggle to do anything good in the natural world.

The applause of heaven is ours along with the certainty of our prayers.