Editor's note: Enjoy today's devotion from 100 Days to Dream Your Heart Out by Katy Fults.
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A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a broken spirit saps a person’s strength. — Proverbs 17:22 NLT
Prayer
Lord, I GET to live my life for You today and follow after my dreams! Thank You for the opportunity to live for You.
If you’ve ever gone on a backpacking trip, then you know how much goes into the planning part of it. You plan the course, you map routes, you prepare for the journey. You set your sights on the destination and everything you need to do to get there. You hit the final stretch and you anticipate the end of the journey. And when you finally get there, no matter how long the route is, you are proud of yourself for making it as far as you did.
But anyone who has backpacked knows it’s not always about the end. It’s also about the way there. The now. It’s about the scenery on the path, the mistakes you make on the way. It’s about figuring out the solution to unexpected problems that come up. It’s about pushing yourself no matter how hard that trip gets, pushing yourself through the hard places and rough paths. It’s about finishing the course you’ve set your sights on, even when you’re scared and even when it seems impossible.
Because with God, all things are possible.
“Go in peace,” the priest replied. “For the Lord is watching over your journey.” — Judges 18:6 NLT
For He orders His angels to protect you wherever you go. — Psalm 91:11 TLB
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He Is Holding You Close
We plan the way we want to live, but only God makes us able to live it. — Proverbs 16:9 The Message
Prayer
Jesus, with You all things are possible. Help me find You during the journey, not just at the destination.
Do you ever get into bed at the end of the day and think about everything that happened? The failures of the day are usually what captivate our minds as we wrestle with what we could have done differently if we had the chance to do it over. And if it was a really hard day, it can be difficult not to lose sleep or lie awake dwelling on mistakes.
Listen, God meets you in that place. He whispers in those moments, “You’re forgiven and free from these failures.” He knows your thoughts and He knows your heart and He’s not leaving you in that place. The hardships can make us feel weighed down, but God is gently saying, “I will carry that load for you.” He is holding you close, grabbing hold of your heart, and freeing your mind from the burdens you’re carrying.
And then He is giving you a fresh new day when you wake up—with no mistakes yet.
Find your hope here in Him.
You’re my place of quiet retreat; I wait for Your Word to renew me. — Psalm 119:114 The Message
But since we belong to the day, we must be serious and put the armor of faith and love on our chests, and put on a helmet of the hope of salvation. — 1 Thessalonians 5:8 HCSB
Excerpted with permission from 100 Days to Dream Your Heart Out by Katy Fults, copyright Katy Fults.
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Your Turn
God is with you on your journey, so you don’t have to be afraid if it feels impossible. Even when you mess up, He’s there with grace and forgiveness because He’s already paid the price. Take a deep breath in and give Him whatever burden you’re carrying. He loves you! ~ Devotionals Daily