The Weekly Encourager – March 25, 2021 – Help My Unbelief!

So many of us are struggling during this time of pandemic with fear, anxiety, exasperation, anger, loneliness, grief, depression, a critical spirit, or boredom. Any of these emotions, unaddressed, can diminish our faith in an all-knowing, all-loving God. Just as good habits of sleep, exercise, time outdoors, and healthy food can help our state of mind, good habits of regular quiet devotional time with the Lord and participation in public worship can help our hearts.

Remember what the father of the deaf mute boy said to Jesus? “If you can do anything, have compassion on us and help us.” And Jesus said to him, “‘If you can’! All things are possible for one who believes.” Immediately the father of the child cried out and said, “I believe; help my unbelief!” And Jesus commanded the unclean spirit to come out of the boy. As He explained later to the disciples, “This kind cannot be driven out by anything but prayer.” Dear friends, take heart. Jesus loves you and intends your suffering for your good. Your heart is being quilted with stitches of love. Keep on praying!

A Better Resurrection

By Christina Rossetti

I have no wit, no words, no tears;

My heart within me like a stone

Is numb'd too much for hopes or fears;

Look right, look left, I dwell alone;

I lift mine eyes, but dimm'd with grief

No everlasting hills I see;

My life is in the falling leaf:

O Jesus, quicken me.

My life is like a faded leaf,

My harvest dwindled to a husk:

Truly my life is void and brief

And tedious in the barren dusk;

My life is like a frozen thing,

No bud nor greenness can I see:

Yet rise it shall—the sap of Spring;

O Jesus, rise in me.

My life is like a broken bowl,

A broken bowl that cannot hold

One drop of water for my soul

Or cordial in the searching cold;

Cast in the fire the perish'd thing;

Melt and remould it, till it be

A royal cup for Him, my King:

O Jesus, drink of me.

“Hear my cry, O God; attend unto my prayer. From the end of the earth will I cry unto Thee, when my heart is overwhelmed: lead me to the Rock that is higher than I.” - Psalm 61:1-2

Remember, it’s not IF He can, but YES He can!

God is faithful,
j