Topic: Worship Includes Trusting God With Your Feelings [RICK WARREN Devotional 17 March 2020]
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A Special Message from Pastor Rick on the Coronavirus
Before we get to today’s devotional, I want to address the uncertainty associated with the coronavirus. We simply don’t know what the future holds. But one thing you don’t want to be uncertain about is your salvation. Today is the day to step across the line and make a commitment to Christ.
If you’re ready to do that, pray: “Jesus Christ, I ask you to come into my life and save me. I know I have sinned and that I can’t save myself. I need you to be my Savior. I want to know you and learn to trust you. Please help me in your name. Amen.”
If you just prayed to accept Jesus, please email me at Rick@PastorRick.com and let me know about it. I’d like to send you some free materials to help you start your journey with Jesus.
Defeating Fear During the Virus Crisis
Health officials continue to offer common sense steps to contain, reduce, and prevent new infections of the coronavirus. But what should be our spiritual response to this pandemic? How can our hope in Christ remain firm as we walk through this dark valley?
I have a special message for you that includes reminders that God is always with you, to focus on what is unchanging, and that God can use you to minister to others even in this crisis. Please plan to listen to my 2-part message: “Defeating Fear During the Virus Crisis” March 17th and 18th on Daily Hope at PastorRick.com.
We already know in advance that this virus will not last. It’s a valley that we will walk through, and we’re going to walk through it together.
“Job stood up, tore his robe in grief, and shaved his head. Then he fell to the ground and worshiped.”
Job 1:20 (GW)When you were a kid, did you ever say, “Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me?” If you’ve grown out of childhood, you know that’s just not true.
We’re wounded by words and so many other things. When life’s wounds are deep, it can be hard to know how to heal.
Job in the Bible was wounded in just about every way, but he found healing by worshiping—and you can, too.
Job was wise, good, and very wealthy. He was a husband and father. But in one day, he lost almost everything. He lost his wealth, all of his children, and then his health to a very painful disease.
He was wounded in virtually every way you can be. Yet he worshiped God instead of becoming bitter. And, in the end, God restored and even doubled all he had lost.
Job 36:15-16 says, “Hard times and trouble are God’s way of getting our attention!And at this very moment, God deeply desires to lead you from trouble and to spread your table with your favorite food” (CEV).
Whenever you are wounded, God is waiting to turn the situation around. He wants to help you grow through it and bless you.
The most important time for you to worship is when your heart is breaking. Your darkest hour is when you most need to turn to God and let him help you.
The first way to worship when you are wounded is grieving. Tell God exactly how you feel. Trusting him with your feelings is worship.
That’s what Job did: “Job stood up, tore his robe in grief, and shaved his head. Then he fell to the ground and worshiped” (Job 1:20 GW).
God didn’t make your body to swallow negative emotions. If you do that, one day you’ll be like a soda bottle that’s been shaken, and you’ll explode.
Instead of suppressing your emotions, express your emotions to God. He’s not afraid of them. In fact, he has emotions, too. The Bible talks about God feeling love, anger, jealousy, and grief. God can handle your feelings.
“Cry out in the night . . . Pour out your heart like water in prayer to the Lord” (Lamentations 2:19 NCV).
- How have you responded in the past when you’ve been wounded?
- What has resulted from that kind of response?
- What wound in your life still hasn’t healed? Begin taking time today to grieve. Tell God exactly how you feel.