We can draw encouragement from the fact that God loves us this much.
For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.John 3:16
"For God loved the world so much that he gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.
OPEN VERSE IN BIBLE (nlt)
(NIV)
We have the encouragement that God is always with us.
The faithful love of the Lord never ends! His mercies never cease. Great is his faithfulness; his mercies begin afresh each morning.Lamentations 3:22-23
The faithful love of the LORD never ends!* His mercies never cease. Great is his faithfulness; his mercies begin afresh each morning.
OPEN VERSE IN BIBLE (nlt)
(NLT)
Nothing can come between us and God.
For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.Romans 8:38-39
And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God's love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons,* neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow—not even the powers of hell can separate us from God's love. No power in the sky above or in the earth below—indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord.
OPEN VERSE IN BIBLE (nlt)
(NIV)
He gives us encouragement when the earth itself seems unstable.
God is our refuge and strength, always ready to help in times of trouble. So we will not fear when earthquakes come and the mountains crumble into the sea. Let the oceans roar and foam. Let the mountains tremble as the waters surge!Psalms 46:1-3
God is our refuge and strength, always ready to help in times of trouble. So we will not fear when earthquakes come and the mountains crumble into the sea. Let the oceans roar and foam. Let the mountains tremble as the waters surge! Interlude
OPEN VERSE IN BIBLE (nlt)
(NLT)
God provides for us when we’re under attack.
The name of the Lord is a strong fortress; the godly run to him and are safe.Proverbs 18:10
The name of the LORD is a strong fortress; the godly run to him and are safe.
OPEN VERSE IN BIBLE (nlt)
(NLT)
God is there to guide us, no matter our circumstances.
Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek His will in all you do, and He will show you which path to take.Proverbs 3:5-6
Trust in the LORD with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take.
OPEN VERSE IN BIBLE (nlt)
(NLT)
The Lord directs the steps of the godly. He delights in every detail of their lives. Though they stumble, they will never fall, for the Lord holds them by the hand.Psalms 37:23-24
The LORD directs the steps of the godly. He delights in every detail of their lives. Though they stumble, they will never fall, for the LORD holds them by the hand.
OPEN VERSE IN BIBLE (nlt)
(NLT)
We don’t have to be afraid because God is with us.
Don’t be afraid, for I am with you. Don’t be discouraged, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you. I will hold you up with my victorious right hand.Isaiah 41:10
Don't be afraid, for I am with you. Don't be discouraged, for I am your God.I will strengthen you and help you. I will hold you up with my victorious right hand.
OPEN VERSE IN BIBLE (nlt)
(NLT)
“The Lord your God is with you, the Mighty Warrior who saves. He will take great delight in you; in His love He will no longer rebuke you, but will rejoice over you with singing.”Zephaniah 3:17
For the LORD your God is living among you. He is a mighty savior.He will take delight in you with gladness. With his love, he will calm all your fears.* He will rejoice over you with joyful songs."
OPEN VERSE IN BIBLE (nlt)
(NIV)
God is there to help us with our burdens.
Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light.”Matthew 11:28-30
Then Jesus said, "Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light."
OPEN VERSE IN BIBLE (nlt)
(NLT)
God will fight for us.
The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still.”Exodus 14:14
The LORD himself will fight for you. Just stay calm."
OPEN VERSE IN BIBLE (nlt)
(NLT)
God will protect us when we are unjustly accused.
He will make your innocence radiate like the dawn, and the justice of your cause will shine like the noonday sun.Psalms 37:6
He will make your innocence radiate like the dawn, and the justice of your cause will shine like the noonday sun.
OPEN VERSE IN BIBLE (nlt)
(NLT).
Even during the darkest time, God reminds us He has a personal plan for each of us.
For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”Jeremiah 29:11
For I know the plans I have for you," says the LORD. "They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.
OPEN VERSE IN BIBLE (nlt)
(NIV)
We have God’s promise that He has things well in hand.
And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.Romans 8:28
And we know that God causes everything to work together* for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them.
OPEN VERSE IN BIBLE (nlt)
(NIV)
We are special to God.
But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.1 Peter 2:9-10
But you are not like that, for you are a chosen people. You are royal priests,* a holy nation, God's very own possession. As a result, you can show others the goodness of God, for he called you out of the darkness into his wonderful light. "Once you had no identity as a people; now you are God's people.Once you received no mercy; now you have received God's mercy."*
OPEN VERSE IN BIBLE (nlt)
(NIV)
Edie Melson—author, blogger, speaker— has penned numerous books, including While My Soldier Serves, a book of prayers for those with a loved one in the military. As a sought-after speaker, she’s encouraged and challenged audiences across the country and around the world. She and husband Kirk have been married 35 years and raised three sons. They live in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mtns in SC. Connect with her on her website, http://www.ediemelson.com/ and through Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.