Therefore we do not lose heart

"The LORD is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit."

This verse from Psalm 34 has always been a favorite of mine. It's one of those verses that I figured was a comfort to people who needed it. Not me, of course. I am never brokenhearted or crushed in spirit! I am self-confident and optimistic and upbeat.

Wrong. That's what I thought. But, lately, I have become quite chummy with the "crushed in spirit" part. I just didn't know that was what it was. I have been feeling overwhelmed and discouraged at my job. I feel buried under a load that just keeps growing, with no end in sight. As my old boss liked to say "I'm covered up!"

Then, at Moms in Touch this week we read this verse. I was the one who typed it out and put it on our paper. But, it wasn't until we read it out loud in prayer that it hit me. That's me! I'm crushed in spirit! And the Lord is close to me; it says it right there in black and white!

Why is it that we so often think the scriptures are for someone else? They are mine to claim, too. I may have realized that just in time this week.

Reflecting on that reminded me of a another favorite passage in 2 Corinthians 4 that I hadn't visited in awhile:

"We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed.

Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal."

All the promises in the Book are mine!