Pulling my injured foot from a salt bath, I noticed a perfect image of my footprint resting on the bottom of the black metal pot. Not trusting what I was seeing, I reached down to stir the water. To my surprise, the faint impression of my foot would fade in and out, disappearing and reappearing with the water’s movement and the light’s reflection.

Still marveling at the molecular interaction, the Lord interjected, “I crafted your DNA and set your genetic code to form your individual blueprint. You are My created masterpiece. I know the unique pattern of your footprint, every ridge on your fingerprint, and the curves of your face. You have been set apart for My purposes.”

“I marvel at Your love, while humbled that You created me to be unique. What purpose do you have for me, Lord?” I asked.

“You are made in My image.” the Lord answered. “Specifically crafted to reflect your Maker for the world to witness. Those beautiful feet of yours were made to carry My peace and good tidings to others. But there will be a day when I will receive unto Myself your last breath, ushering you into My presence where I have a mansion prepared for you. I was joyful in My creation of you, but I also delight in bringing you home to Me.”

“May I be found faithful in the purposes You have for me, Lord. Enable my feet to always carry Your message of love and peace while reflecting Your image to the world.”

John 1:1-5, 4:13,14:2-3; Psalm 139:14; Galatians 1:15-16; Romans 10:15; Genesis 2:7; Hebrews 1:1-4; Romans 11:36; Ecclesiastes 3:2; 2 Corinthians 5:8; Psalm 116:15

I am questioning my abilities as this trial keeps unfolding, Lord. It feels as though I am missing the mark at every turn, falling short of my expectations, becoming a judge in my own court of self-condemnation.

“What do you see?” asked Jesus, sitting on His throne. The question ushered my mind into overdrive, quickly identifying certain failures, some real and some perceived, each one looking back at me with contempt.

My thoughts were interrupted when Jesus declared, “I delivered Myself unto death, freeing you from all condemnation. You belong to Me. Yes, maybe your offences are many, but My grace is greater and abounds. Through Me, the only true Judge, you have been justified to live abundantly. Do you really want to reject My free gift of Grace and put yourself back under bondage?”

“No, Lord. I do not.” I said with a sigh, stepping down from my imaginary judge’s bench.

“Place all your transgressions in this container at my feet.” said Jesus as He was reaching down to open the lid on the box. I noticed it was stained with His blood and written across the top was the word Refined.

Placing my guilt-laden sins inside the chest, the Lord said, “This container belongs to Me and the contents are Mine. Do not attempt to take back what now belongs to Me. Sin will deceitfully hold you captive, forcing you to yield to its ways, causing spiritual death. But I have freed you from its power and made you alive unto God. When there is a new offence, place it in My hands, making room in your heart for what is pure. Walk in the newness of life to which you have been called.”

“Thank you for Your great compassion, Lord. For it is You who has blotted out my transgressions, washing away all my iniquity and cleansing me from my sin. Cause me to always call upon You out of a pure heart, Lord, enabling me to see You.”

Comforted by Romans 4:25, 5:4-20, 6:4-23, 7:6-23, 8:1 & 15; Galatians 4:3; John 3:17; 1 John 1:7; Matthew 5:8; Psalm 51:1-2; Psalm 75:7; 1 Corinthians 6:20

I feel trapped between yesterday and tomorrow, trying to make sense of today. On one hand, life is painfully slow but on the other it is barreling toward an ending that appears to be inevitable, casting me into an eerie time warp.

“Time lies within My hand.” declared the Lord. Moving toward the windows overlooking the forest, He continued, “In the beginning, I laid the foundations of the earth and created the heavens. I have always been in existence, but human interpretation of time is measured by the cycles of My sun, moon, and stars. Your duration and destiny falls within My plan.”

“Every day brings such a struggle. It all seems unproductive; just going through the motions, with no beneficial outcome in sight.” I said with a hint of hopelessness in my voice.

Jesus took my hand in His. Waiting for our eyes to meet, He said, “Nothing is wasted, My dear. There is a time to every purpose and your present suffering cannot be compared with the glory that will be revealed in you. I formed your spirit and prepare a place for you in My Kingdom. Humble yourself under My hand and love wisely for your set time to rejoice will come.”

“You sit enthroned forever and my soul praises You, Lord Jesus. I rejoice in Your Righteousness and trust in Your faithfulness to complete what You have started in me.”

Comforted by Genesis 1; Psalm 102:13, 25; Zechariah 12:1; Matthew 25:34; 1 Peter 5:6; Romans 8:18; Ephesians 5:16; Ecclesiastes 3:1; Proverbs 31:25

I am covered in dirt as I comb through the rubble of my life, seeking to find any familiar remnant from the crumbled walls of normalcy. Wiping my eyes, I catch a glimmer of something shiny buried under the wreckage.

Reaching down and brushing away the dust, I discover a lovely trinket, unknown to me. A little bewildered, I whisper to myself, “I wonder where this came from?”

“I placed it there.” said the Lord. “It is My hidden treasure just for you: beauty in exchange for ashes.”

I felt the worth of the possession rise in my heart, becoming invaluable to me. Looking around the room for a container to keep the item safe my thoughts were interrupted by the Lord.

“I created a special storage place for your treasures, My dear. It is your heart. I will fill the treasure chest of those who love me but be attentive to what you store inside. Your treasures and your heart are linked together. Wherever one is, you will find the other. I have set you as the ruler over your treasury; preserve the treasures that I give you and release the ransom of this world. Be wise with what you store in the secret place of your heart.”

“All the treasures of wisdom and knowledge are hidden in You, Lord Jesus. Give me a clean heart so when I pour out its contents before You, the bounty is found pleasing in Your sight.”

Comforted by Isaiah 61:3; Isaiah 45:3; 1 Chronicles 26:22; Matthew 6:20-21; Proverbs 8:21; Psalm 62:8; Colossians 2:3

My days are filled with unforeseen surprises, Lord. The kind of events that are never pleasant and are often carrying the message “but what if.” A message packed with an invisible force of temptation, taunting me to succumb to the uncertainty, all under the disguise of another mislaid dream. I feel lost in the middle of an unending cycle of desperation.

“There are no surprises with Me.” said the Lord. “I am the beginning and the ending of all things, seen and unseen. I also occupy the middle. Nothing exists without Me because I hold all things together.”

“I am not holding together very well, Lord. How does my anguish fit into Your perfect cycle of existence?” I asked.

“There is a battle at midpoint, where you reside.” said the Lord. “But I have gone before you and will cause My Goodness to pass in front of you. Stand on The Rock as I fight for you, so you can witness My Glory in the center of your despair. I am perfecting you. Yield to My creative work: do not resist it nor try to speed it up.”

“Cause me to humbly fall into Your redemptive work, Lord God. Give me eyes to see Your Glory and Goodness in the middle of my battle. You are my Rock, Lord, and I will take refuge in You.”

Comforted by Revelation 1:8; Colossians 1:16; Exodus 33:18-21; James 1:4; Psalm 94:22; Romans 8:28

Dawn is breaking and doubts start rising on the horizon of my heart. My spirit lifts with the possibility of a miracle emerging with a new day, but my soul is hiding a secret hope that my hard service might be completed.

“I will lower the height of the mountain.” said the Lord. “And raise the depth of the valley, but you will still need to make the climb. The ascent will be difficult, but I will help you reach the peak. You will find that I have smoothed the rugged ground so you can withstand the hardship.”

Burdened with shame, I cried, “I want to be convinced that You will fulfill what You have promised, Lord. But my heart struggles to believe at times. My life experiences tip the scales in the opposite direction, making me struggle to see where You are working in the mess of my life. Please help my unbelief, Lord.”

The Lord moved closer, drawn to my humble brokenness, “My Words will never pass away and they are completely reliable; you will do well to pay attention to them. Cry out to Me from your desert and I will gather you into My arms. When you are approaching the summit and cannot press on, I will carry you close to My heart until we reach the mountaintop together. Remember My Words, for My mouth has spoken it.”

“You are the Shepherd & Overseer of my soul, Lord. I will trust You as I scale the mountain. Direct me to Your Words and help me claim them with confidence. For You have spoken them, Lord.”

Comforted by Isaiah 40:1-5, 11   Matthew 24:35   Psalm 34:18   1 Peter 2:25

I am clutching Your promises in my hand, Lord. They are the only thing pushing me forward into tomorrow. My soul and the wellness of my heart lie in Your palms.

The Lord’s hands enclosed around mine, gently moving my clenched fists over my heart. “Hold tight to My promises while waiting for their fulfillment. Keep them hidden deep inside your heart so they can take root.”

Staring into His kind face, I replied, “The uncertainty of this battle makes me anxious for the future, concerned for what it holds for me, Lord.”

“Your struggle tugs at My heart, but those difficulties will allow Me to work within a seemingly impossible situation. There has to be unfortunate things in life to contrast the good I will bring from it. Trust Me with your future and everything that unfolds until that day arrives.”

Holding me in His arms as I sobbed, the Lord said, “Be confident of My Words and rest in My hope: wait patiently for what you do not yet have. None of My Words will ever fail, My dear child. Remain close to Me and I will strengthen your heart. Remember, I always see you and hear you.”

“Intercede for me in my weakness, Lord. Strengthen my resolve. Lead me to special people who will encourage and assist me with nurturing the promises to which I am holding in my heart. May I be found worthy of Your trust, Lord, as I wait for the fulfillment of the Words You have spoken to me.”

Comforted by Romans 8:24-25, 28   Psalm 33:18   Psalm 31:24

As I breathe in the night air and watch the skies turn to midnight blue, the starry hosts ready themselves for their nightly performance. At the sound of Your voice, as You call each star by name, the curtain is pulled back and they enter the stage for all to witness. Not one of them is missing, for they are contained by Your great power and mighty strength, Lord.

But as I exhale and take in my very next breath, my attention falls from the spans of glory to my circumstances, taking my thoughts from beauty to beast.

“My constellations tell a story for all to hear and observe.” said the Lord. “You are in My theatre spotlight for audience observation. I know the plot is tragic and unwelcomed, but I am setting the scene to display My intervention in your life. Collaborate with Me: ready yourself and listen for My voice when I call your name. Come forth center stage and shine for Me.”

“Yes, Lord. Ready my ears, for when You call my name. May I come forth shining like a star in the canopy of Your heavenly tent. You are the Creator of the ends of the earth possessing great Power and mighty Strength. I trust You to contain my circumstances and sustain me throughout this battle. Thank you for Your unfailing love.”

Comforted by Isaiah 40:26