I heard a term used this week that really resonated in my soul, both in my long career as a Nurse, and personally. The term was anticipatory grief. I’ve seen this in couples where one of the spouse was dying of cancer. I’ve seen it in Alzheimer Units I’ve managed when the patient can no longer recognize their loved ones and the ravages of the disease process are quickly taking everything else. I experienced it myself that day the Cardiologist told my husband to go home and put his affairs in order. Anticipatory grief is waiting for the other shoe to fall…it’s attempting to prepare for the unknown, not knowing what that is, or what it will even look like. Anticipatory grief will make you hit the Pause button…everything stops…everything is on hold. For a time there is no future…there is no hope…you go into combat mode just to survive. But we can’t stay in combat mode forever…the stress is too overwhelming. We are creatures that need hope to survive…what ever the face of hope is. ” One day at a time” , isn’t just a saying…it’s way to manage anticipatory grief, and the future, whatever it will be.
Category: Daily Inspirational Devotional
Romans 13:8 ” Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another, for he who loves his fellowman has fulfilled the law.”
The Greek word for “fellowman” is quite interesting. On one hand, it means others or another person similar to yourself. But it can also mean someone who is different, diverse, or even foreign to you. Regardless of who they are or what walk of life they come from, we are to love them all as Christ does.
Psalm 66:20 ” Praise be to God, who has not rejected my prayer or withheld His love from me.”
The Lord will never dismiss your prayer as too trivial to listen to. He will never turn His face away when you call out to Him. His mercy and kindness He will never hold back from a sincere, heartfelt prayer.
Psalm 66: 18-19 ” If I cherished sin in my heart, the Lord would not have listened; but God surely listened and heard my voice in prayer.”
When we allow our inner nature to choose, it always heads toward trouble…which leads to wickedness…which leads to emptiness…emptiness of body, mind, and spirit. Anytime we let our flesh choose which idol to worship…it’s never the Lord.
Psalm 66:17 ” I cried out to Him with my mouth; His praise was on my tongue.”
Take a moment today to proclaim your appreciation to the Lord. Exalt and glorify the miraculous things He has done in your life. Give honor and praise to the Lord for all the things He has taken you out of. Praise the name of the Lord, for He is good…and His goodness will never fail.”
Psalm 66:16 ” Come and listen all you who fear God; let me tell you what He has done for me.”
When the Lord does something wonderful in your life… don’t keep it to yourself…share it with others. Our faith will be built up from hearing about it, and your faith will be built up even more each time you share. We all need to be testifying about God’s goodness and creative activity in our lives.
II Corinthians 1: 22 ” He anointed us, set His seal of ownership on us, and put His Spirit in our hearts as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come.”
Do you know how much God loves you? He loves you so much, that He has stamped His name on your heart… and you are now His forever and ever. No person or thing can ever take you away from Him. That Holy stamp is indelible, unchangeable, and eternal.
Ephesians 1:17 ” I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know Him better.”
We should all be asking for these…Divine knowledge, moral insight, and Holy inspiration. Praying daily, we should be desiring not only of more awareness of the Lord, but to have divine understanding and discernment of that newly illuminated perception of Him.
Zechariah 7:13 ” When I called, they did not listen; so when they called, I would not listen, says the Lord Almighty.”
Listening doesn’t go just one way. When God speaks, we need to be listening…hearing His voice, and understanding clearly His message for us…and then heeding it. We can’t choose to keep ignoring His promptings, and then assume He’ll be there when we get ourselves in trouble.
Isaiah 8:13 ” The Lord Almighty is the one you are to regard as holy, He is the one you are to fear, He is the one you are to dread.”
There is only one all-powerful King…one Mightiest Warrior. The Lord God is His name. Acknowledge His holiness…stand in awe of His power…for there is no other like Him. The Lord requires all honor and reverence before Him, for He is our God.
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