Let's face it!  Things don't always work out the way you think they will.  People disappoint you, jobs move out of town, loved ones die, and you sometimes wonder if there is a God at all.  Yes, I said it.  You can admit your doubt, as long as you don't make that your 'final answer'.  God knows how you feel.  He sees that you don't understand some of the things that have happened in your life. I can't pretend to be able to explain it all.  But I get my Peace from knowing that God knows everything and He has a Master Plan.  Although He never causes bad things to happen to us, He sees all, and will help you get back onto the original path He had for you before He even created the earth.

If you've heard about Joseph and the many-colored coat, you know that Joseph had big dreams and visions, and right after that he was sold into slavery by his own family and later went to prison for something he didn't do.  Talk about being discouraged!  But that was not the end of the story.  He came out victorious, and his family honored him.  At first they were afraid he would be revengeful, but he forgave them because he realized as is quoted in Genesis 50:19-21 "But Joseph said to them, 'Don't be afraid.  Am I in the place of God?  You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives.  So then, don't be afraid.  I will provide for you and your children'.  And he reassured them and spoke kindly to them."

To encourage means to 'pour courage' into you, and only God can do that.  He uses other faith-filled people, His Word (the Bible) and your conversations with Him (prayer) to take the emptiness of your life and pour His new Life into you until you are overflowing.  He will bring you restoration.  Why not let Him start now?  Stepping Stones Restoration Ministry is here to help you.

Let's talk to God - "Lord, I am truly discouraged.  It doesn't seem like anything good has happened in my life for a long time.  I have heard that Jesus loves me, but sometimes it's hard to believe.  Please help me to trust you again, and to know that you will repair the broken places in my life.  Pour courage into me until I am filled up.  Let me be able to say to the devil and those who hurt me, 'you intended to harm me, but God intended it for good.'  Amen"

Words that will encourage you - Ephesians 1:3-8, Zephaniah 3:14-20, Psalm 10,
Joseph's story in the book of Genesis, chapters 37-50.

Anger shows itself in many ways - bitterness, envy, disappointment, physical aggressiveness, and depression to name a few.  Many times our anger is justified; someone has hurt us or we didn't get a deserved job promotion.  Sometimes we turn our anger toward those who participate in activities that we find offensive.  Generally, our anger has its root in our attempts to preserve one of three areas - 1) our worth; 2) our needs; or 3) our convictions.  A person who belittles us threatens our worth.  A person who steals from us may keep us from getting our needs met, and a person who participates in activities that we find offensive may violate our strong convictions.

Anger is normal - anger is expected but anger doesn't have to get the best of you.  God knows all, and although He doesn't say revenge is wrong, He does say that revenge belongs to HIM and HIM alone.  The Bible says it is okay to get angry but not to sin as a result.  If you have been belittled, God knows that and He knows what position at work is best for you.  He also is heartbroken to see lives that are destroyed each day.  We don't know when or how or where, but we know He will take care of those situations for us.  It is really a matter of trust and turning the situation over to the loving care of God.  Stepping Stones Restoration Ministry can help you.  Let's talk to God about this, then visit the "ISSUES" page and click on 'ANGER" for further encouragement.

"God, I admit it.  I am very angry.  I've been so angry for so long I don't even know when or how it started.  I don't like feeling this way.  It is keeping me from moving on with my life like you intended.  Please help me to forgive those who have hurt me, knowing that You will take care of the situation.  I realize that my responsibility is to do this, and I confess that I have sinned by taking your place in judgment.  Thank you for teaching me about forgiveness.  I realize now that is the key to being released from this anger that has been eating me up.  Thank you, Lord, for Freedom.  Amen."

Words that will encourage you - Proverbs 3:5-6, Psalm 95, Nehemiah 8:10, Psalm 2:11-12, 
Luke 6:27-28, Romans 12:19

Think of the process of healing a broken leg.  Since it's hard to see broken bones with the naked eye, an x-ray is taken so a doctor can pinpoint the exact point of the break.  Sometimes more than one place is broken.  Once the area is identified, the bone has to be reset, or put back the way it was originally.  But the bone is not strong enough to stay in that position on its own yet, so a hard cast is wrapped around the area to hold it in place until the bone heals and is strong enough to support its own weight again.  The bone has then been restored to its original usefulness.

That's how we, as humans, have to treat the brokenness in our lives.  Broken hearts (divorce), broken dreams (death of a loved one), broken spirit (depression), broken trust (sexual abuse) are often hidden beneath the surface.  You may try to hide the brokenness, but God, the great Physician, can see inside and pinpoint the exact places that need healing.  He will reset the broken places one by one, and will be there as a hard 'cast' wrapped around you until you can stand again.  Then, as you take His hand, He will keep you steady until you can run  in His Name and fulfill the divine plan He has for you.  He, alone, knows how to lead you to restoration and the fullness of the 'original usefulness' He has for you.  

Let's talk to God: "Lord, I've heard that you're the Great Physician.  You alone know where the broken places are in my heart and soul.  I ask that you search deep inside, identify the hurts, and protect me as I learn to crawl again, until I walk and then run this race that you have for me.  I know you won't let me fall.  I know you are a loving and patient Father who will hold my hand throughout my life.  Thank you, Jesus, for dying for my sins and taking the wounds on your back so I may be healed.  Amen."

Words that will encourage you - Ephesians 1:3-8, Jeremiah 29:11-13, Isaiah 60:1-4

If you were to cut your finger with a knife while preparing dinner, what would you do?  If you're like most people, you'd rinse your hand in cold water to clean off the blood, put pressure on it to stop the bleeding, then cover it with a bandage.  After changing the bandage 2 or 3 times over the next day or so, you would probably remove it all together, exposing it to the air and light, allowing it to heal.  But what happens when you are wounded by the words or actions of other people?  More than likely your tendency would be to hide the wound, trying to 'take your mind off it' until it (hopefully) disappears.  But just like a flesh wound won't heal by ignoring it, a soul would won't either.  The wound needs to be cleaned off and bandaged until it's time to expose it to the air and light for healing.  Otherwise, the would will get dirty, infected and cause you more pain over the course of time.

The biggest obstacle that keeps you from healing from a wound is unforgiveness.  Think you've forgiven all who have hurt you?  Try this test.  Think of a person who has hurt you badly, then imagine that person walking into the room and coming towards you.  Do you feel a knot in your stomach?  That could be a sign of unforgiveness.  Although many times you may feel you are "paying back" people who hurt you by cutting them out of your life, many times it is you who ends up in misery.  Yes, the truth is, you may hold unforgiveness in your heart for many years and the other person goes on to have a wonderful life never thinking about how they hurt you.  Unforgiveness is a cancer that starts out as anger over the immediate hurt and ages into bitterness.  This happens over a period of time as the original wound becomes dirtier and infected, spreading until it affects not only your relationship with the person who hurt you, but others around you as well.  Stepping Stones Restoration Ministry can help you with unforgiveness.  Let's pray, then visit the "ISSUES" page and click on "UNFORGIVENESS" for further encouragement.

Let's talk to the Lord:  "Jesus, I believe you understand this kind of wound.  You were hurt by the words and actions of others, even to the point of being betrayed unto death by a 'friend' who was close to you.  Yet, even though they were 100% wrong, you forgave them anyway.  I am hurting now, too, Lord, and I am deeply wounded from years of abuse against me.  I need a hug, Lord, and I am asking you to hold me and let me know that you will never hurt me or wound me.  You will only bind up my wounds and restore me.  Thank you for being a big, big God, even in the small things.  Amen."

Words that will encourage you - Matthew 6:14-15, Romans 12:19

Depression.  That's a hard one.  If you're already a Christian, it's even hard to admit that you're depressed because the Bible says to "Count it all JOY" when we are going through the storms of life.  So you're afraid to tell anyone, fearing that you will appear to be less than 'spiritual'.  When you are depressed, nothing seems right.  You don't want to laugh, be around other people, work or even play.  It's so hard to look past the current darkness that seems to envelop you totally.  It is true that some depression is chemical, and it's not our place to say that you should not go to a doctor that can help.  You should not be ashamed to seek help, as God has given doctor's wisdom to handle situations like this.

Spiritually speaking, one thing that occurred to me may help you.  I was going on a plane trip once, and when we took off from the runway, we were surrounded by ominous dark clouds and heavy rain.  But we ascended steadily for the next few minutes - upward, upward.  Finally, after a few minutes in the air, a wonderful thing happened.  The plane broke through the dark clouds, and suddenly we were surrounded by bright sunlight and scattered white fluffy clouds.  The dark covering of clouds that had hindered our view was now beneath us and we found out that the sun was there all along!  It was magnificent.

When you are depressed, the devil, our enemy makes sure all you see if the darkness and rain.  As long as he can keep you in that condition, you will forget that right on the other side of those dark clouds the SON (Jesus Christ) is still there - brilliant as ever.  So take heart, the darkest hour is just before the dawn.

Let's talk to God - "Father, you know how I am feeling.  You know the circumstances that are forming this dark cloud around me.  I feel overwhelmed.  I understand the story about the plane, and I need you to take me to higher heights in my soul so I can soar above the darkness. I know the Son, Jesus Christ, is on the other side of this storm and I am seeking His Face.  I know that Christ died for me so that I could be free from this depression.  Lead me into the light of Your Love, where I will find Joy beyond words.  Thank You, Lord, for loving me unconditionally.  Amen".

Words that will encourage you - Psalm 30:15, Jeremiah 31:13, Romans 8:28, Isaiah 49:13, 
Psalm 95:1, Psalm 100:2

"I'm being punished for all the bad things I've done. That is why everything is going wrong in my life.  I'll never be able to be happy because 'what goes around comes around', and I'm being repaid for my past sins.  It's just karma."  Is that how you feel?  Well, that is understandable, but it is not the way God thinks.  It is true that you reap what you sow, and in your life there will be natural consequences for certain actions.  For example, if you drink excessively, it may cost you your job.  But does that mean you will never be able to hold down a job again in your life?  Of course not.  God is just waiting for you to acknowledge your sin and ask for forgiveness.  And once you do that, you are cleansed of that sin immediately!  Now, that does not necessarily mean that you will get the same job back (although with God anything is possible), but it also does not mean that you will never work again.  When you confess your sin, God throws it into the sea of forgetfulness, and will never bring it back up to you again.  You can go boldly to His throne of Grace and ask for His guidance for the strength to stop drinking, and a new job.  He will guide you, step by step, day by day, hour by hour, even minute by minute, if necessary.

If God has forgiven me, why do I still feel guilty?  God forgives you the instant you repent, and ask for forgiveness.  Repent means to turn away from.  You cannot play God for a fool; He knows if you ask for forgiveness with the intention in your heart to commit the same sin again.  If you sincerely desire to stop sinning in a particular area, he will forgive you.  Yes, even if you  slip and commit the same offense again.  There is no limit to God's mercy, it reaches to the heavens and is new every morning.  "Because of the Lord's great love we are not consumed, for His compassions never fail.  They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness".

Let me give you a little 'study' on the difference between conviction and condemnation.  The Bible says that God convicts to (for the purpose of and ending at) repentance.  That guilty feeling you have after gossiping, or taking drugs (hey, sin is sin) is conviction from the Lord.  As you grow more and more, you will get that prompting inside that will remind you that you need to get things right with God.  Again, as you go to God and admit your wrong-doing and vow not to do that thing again (repent), you will have been convicted to repentance and you are forgiven.  The end.  Condemnation, in contrast, does not come from God.  It comes from our enemy - the devil.  The scriptures say that Jesus did not come to earth with the purpose of bringing condemnation into the world, but with the desire that through Him all would be Saved (John 3:17).  However, the enemy wants to condemn you to death.  He  comes to steal your peace, kill your future and destroy your relationship with God (God will not keep throwing your forgiven sin in your face).  He says that mercy triumphs over judgment and that He will restore you.

Words that will encourage you - 1 John1:9, Lamentations 3:22-23, John 10:10, John 3:16-17, James 4:7, 
and my PERSONAL favorite in this case Revelation 20:10 (read it aloud to the devil!)

Have you ever seen someone tuning a stringed instrument such as a guitar?  The musician turned the peg tighter and tighter, looking for the right tone for each string.  If you're like me, you may wince while watching that process, afraid that the string may be wound so tightly that it will be too stressed, snap and break.  But the fingers and ears of the skillful musician are trained to know just how much it needs to be stretched or relaxed to get the right tone out of that string so that it blends in with the rest of the chord and makes beautiful music.

Sometimes we feel like that string - stretched to the limit, thinking at any moment we'll snap from being over stretched and stressed by the many problems in our lives.  We're afraid we'll break, be rendered useless and, consequently, be thrown away.  But just as the musician knows how to get the best use out of a string without breaking it, God knows just how much tension you can take.  He, alone, can give you peace and fine-tune you into the beautiful instrument you were created to be.  Let Stepping Stones Restoration Ministry help you to find peace.

Let's talk to God:  "Lord, you know the stress I'm under.  I want to trust you but I'm not sure how.  Please help me to lay my burdens at the feet of Jesus.  He died to set me free from all types of disease, and that includes the dis-ease of stress.  I trust you, Lord, and I want to be obedient to you so I can be fine-tuned into an instrument of Peace to show others how you can change lives.  Thank you, Lord."

Words that will encourage you - John 14:27, John 16:33, 1 John 4:4, Romans 8:6

Let's think about that broken down wall again.  After years of being pummeled by the ravages of such challenges as addiction, divorce, incarceration, abortion, etc., you may feel that your walls have been destroyed beyond repair.  As a result, it may seem that everything you touch gets destroyed.  Your hurt and discouragement causes you to attempt to rebuild by putting up your own walls to protect yourself.  Unfortunately, the self-made walls often come across to others as anger, bitterness, fear and combativeness. People don't understand that behind those walls is a wounded spirit afraid to be vulnerable and trust again.  The fact is, sometimes the whole wall has to come down and be totally rebuilt.  Patching it with suspicion and self-pity won't help.  Ask God to help you.  He's just waiting for you to ask.

God wants the wall to be rebuilt, but He wants to do the construction!  He is the architect of your whole life.  After all, He's the one who created you just the way you were born - whether you are black, white, brown, red or yellow, wanted or unwanted by your parents, born into a rich or poor family, short, tall - all those things! He knew just what He was doing when He chose your parents, even if you don't know them.  And He has seen all the hurt.  So it only makes sense to ask God to rebuild your surroundings by taking you from a destructive cycle to a constructive life in Christ.  

Let's talk to God:  "God, I've been told that you're my Heavenly Father and you want me to have an abundant life.  Right now, I don't see the purpose and plan for my life.  I've been hurt and I've caused hurt.  I need to be remodeled from the ground up.  Help me, Lord, to tear down the broken walls and the walls I've built myself.  Soften my hardened heart and help me to trust you even if I can't trust anyone else right now.  Please share your plan for the construction you're going to do.  Show me the fortified wall you're going to build around me - not one to keep other people out, but to protect me against my only true enemy - satan, who wants to steal from, kill and destroy me.  Thank you Heavenly Father, for not giving up on me and for caring enough, despite my past, to restore me back to the original plan for my life. In Jesus' name.  Amen."

Words that will encourage you - Jeremiah 29:11, Romans 8:28, 2 Corinthians 5:17, 
Romans 6:4, Isaiah 61:1-4