Topic: Small Steps Are Still Important Steps [RICK WARREN Devotional 18 JULY 2023]
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Small Steps Are Still Important Steps
BY RICK WARREN — JULY 18, 2023
FROM HOW TO GET THROUGH WHAT YOU’RE GOING THROUGH
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“Then David got up from the ground, washed himself, put on lotions, and changed his clothes. He went to the Tabernacle and worshiped the Lord. After that, he returned to the palace and was served food and ate.”
2 Samuel 12:20 (NLT)
Imagine you went into work one day at a job where you’ve dedicated 10 years of your life, and suddenly they tell you, “You’re fired. Sorry!”
You would be in shock! You would be paralyzed and wouldn’t be able to think what to do. That’s how most of us would react to an unexpected loss.
But even in the grief, shock, sorrow, sadness, and struggle of a loss, God wants to start you on a path of peace so that you can heal. The first step is surrender, and part of surrender is to do something productive.
Maybe it’s just a little step. And you only have to take one small step at a time!
The Bible describes King David’s step forward after his infant son had died: “Then David got up from the ground, washed himself, put on lotions, and changed his clothes. He went to the Tabernacle and worshiped the Lord. After that, he returned to the palace and was served food and ate” (2 Samuel 12:20 NLT).
Why did he go to the palace? He’s the king, and the palace is his place of productivity. The palace is where he works. He’s basically signaling that he’s going back to work.
Do you think that, one day after his baby died, David is over his grief? Of course not. You don’t ever get over grief; you get through it. David is still grieving, he’s still sad, and he was probably still overwhelmed. But he took one small step of returning home and nourishing his body.
When you have a major loss—someone just walked out of your life, something precious is taken from you, a dream has died, you get bad news from the doctor—you have to take a first step toward peace.
If you wait until you feel like taking that first step, then you’re not going to feel like it for a long, long time. You just have to move forward in faith.
You don’t have to stop mourning to start moving.
Talk It Over
- Where do you get the strength to take a step forward when you are grieving?
- If you are grieving a loss, what one step can you take today, even if it is small?
- Why is it important to remember that grief looks different for everyone, including how long it takes to move forward?
Have you taken your first step with Jesus?
God proved his goodness through his Son, Jesus Christ. The Bible says, “For God loved the world in this way: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life” (John 3:16 CSB).
Are you ready to trust God to fulfill his promise of eternal life? If so, start by praying this simple prayer: “Dear God, I believe Jesus Christ is your Son. I confess I have sinned, and I ask for your forgiveness. I believe that Jesus died to take away my sins and that you raised him to life. I want to trust Jesus as my Savior and follow him as Lord from this day forward. Guide my life and help me to do your will. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.”
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