I will lift up my eyes to the hills— From whence comes my help? 2 My help comes from the Lord, Who made heaven and earth.
3 He will not allow your foot to be moved; He who keeps you will not slumber. 4 Behold, He who keeps Israel Shall neither slumber nor sleep.
5 The Lord is your keeper; The Lord is your shade at your right hand. 6 The sun shall not strike you by day, Nor the moon by night.
7 The Lord shall preserve you from all evil; He shall preserve your soul. 8 The Lord shall preserve your going out and your coming in From this time forth, and even forevermore.
“The psalmist affirmed, ‘The LORD is your keeper; the LORD is your shade on your right hand. The sun shall not strike you by day, nor the moon by night” (Psalm 121:5–6).
“No matter what we face, day or night, the Lord stands over us as a protective shield. Through every trial and storm, God is our constant shelter and refuge (Psalm 46:1; 91:1; Proverbs 18:10). Our good and loving Lord will protect us from every evil (Psalm 121:7).”
“If a believer should ask you, ‘Where does my help come from?’ You can offer them this remarkable assurance: At all times, no matter where you go, and for as long as you live, the Bible declares, ‘Your help comes from the Lord!’ ” (Psalm 121:8).
Lord God, we thank you for giving us the Holy Scriptures that reveal Your overwhelming love for us and Your desire for us to put You first in our lives. We commit to living a consecrated life, dedicated to following Christ, our Savior, Redeemer, Protector, and Triumphant King who is coming soon. In faith, we ask this prayer in the Righteous Name of Jesus, Amen.
“And whatever you ask in My name, that I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask anything in My name, I will do it.” (John 14:13-14).
Although our spiritual journey is unique, every believer has experienced the disappointment of God saying, “No,” to our heartfelt prayers requesting the things we desire.
God immediately denies requests that He knows are guaranteed to prevent our spiritual growth, development, and transformation, which is required for Eternal Life.
Everything God does brings honor and glory to His Name; therefore, He does not bless us if we do not possess the spiritual maturity to focus on the Giver instead of the gift.
“But He was pierced for our transgressions; He was crushed for our iniquities; upon Him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with His wounds we are healed.” (Isaiah 53:5, ESV).
With love, God agreed to Jesus’ voluntary sacrifice to die on Calvary to save us from the penalty of sin, which is the final death. God’s ultimate goal has always been to save our souls.
Sadly, many Christians disagree with God’s greatest desire for us to live with Him throughout eternity in the New Heaven and New Earth.
Wait! Who would accept Christ as their personal Savior and not desire His promise to give us the reward of Eternal Life?
“For I know the plans and thoughts that I have for you,’ says the LORD, ‘plans for peace and well-being and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.’ ” (Jeremiah 29:11, Amplified Bible).
When we ask God to bless us with a specific request and His answer is No, many of us are upset, especially when we see others with an abundance of money and material possessions.
God’s future plan of giving us a Crown of Life is steadfast, yet it is conditional. From the time we awaken, with a prayer of faith, we seek God’s plans, asking for the spiritual strength to obey, persevere, and complete His plans.
“And He who sent Me is with Me. The Father has not left Me alone, for I always do those things that please Him.” (John 8:29). Jesus reveals that the character trait of faithful obedience is required to stay aligned with God’s Perfect Plans for our lives.
The Believer’s Struggle is not only against the daily External Opposition of temptations, but we also must fight against the never-ending Internal Conflict of our desires.
It is easier to desire financial and material abundance instead of living a Christ-centered, faith-based life of self-denial. Because we inherited sinful hearts, enough is never enough. In Jeremiah 17:9, God says, The human heart is never satisfied!
When God says, No, we often feel that He is not a Loving and Gracious God. Regardless, God reminds us that He will not change His decision.
“For My thoughts are not your thoughts, Nor are your ways My ways,’ says the Lord. ‘For as the heavens are higher than the earth, So are My ways higher than your ways, And My thoughts than your thoughts.” (Isaiah 55:8-9).
God does not perceive time as we perceive time; His Omniscient perspective of time is Eternal. Since He knows how long we will live, there is no reason for God to hurry up and bless us. Abraham was 100 years of age when Isaac was born.
There are 8 billion plus people on the planet Earth, and God knows every hardship, setback, disappointment, acts of obedience, and willful disobedience, along with every temptation, and victory we will experience in our lives from conception to birth to death.
“Yet you do not know what tomorrow will bring—what your life will be! For you are like vapor that appears for a little while, then vanishes.” (James 4:14, CSB).
We can pray for and receive spiritual wisdom, but God tells us that we cannot look beyond today, so focus on the responsibilities and blessings of the given day. “Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.” (Matthew 6:34).
We feel slighted when God says “No,” because we have been deceived by Satan to think that we have the time and the right to pursue whatever makes us happy.
Signs of Living in the Last Days
In America, Religious Liberty and Freedom of Speech, two Constitutional Rights, are gradually being withdrawn. Many individuals have lost their employment for posting personal opinions regarding current global events on Social Media.
If the Christian Community began diligently studying the Bible, we would understand God’s refusal to give us what we are asking for. According to Matthew 24 and 2 Timothy 3, we learn that Bible Prophecies are rapidly being fulfilled, and we are currently living in the Last Days.
Although we do not know the exact time, those who are praying and preparing every day for Revelation 22:12, we recognize that Jesus, our Triumphant King, is coming sooner than we think.
“My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge.” (Hosea 4:6). We need Scriptural knowledge to fully understand our Heavenly Father’s Love and His desire to keep us from losing our spiritual focus, so the Holy Spirit can perform the work of Sanctification in our lives.
Misalignment with God’s Will and Plans
In 2016, I was employed as a Quality Nurse reviewing medical documentation for a national Home Healthcare Company. I imagined a very long career, possibly leading to retirement.
In my 8th month of employment, we received notification from the Corporate office that the branch would be relocated to a beautiful business park 45 minutes away from our current location.
I was very excited, but also realized that my high-mileage vehicle was not reliable for traveling 2.5 hours per day. Without praying for God’s approval, I went to the Nissan dealership and purchased a new vehicle.
God’s Warning Was Not Perceived!
Just before my purchase, I had a very interesting conversation with the office secretary. We became friends, and when I shared my plan to purchase a new vehicle, the answer she gave me was very disconcerting.
“Sonya, how do you know that everyone in this location will be relocated to the business park?” I simply did not respond because to me, it did not matter.
I rationalized that the office could not meet healthcare regulations without a quality nurse who reviewed and approved all medical documentation before submission for Medicare reimbursement.
Two months later, following our conversation, I met with the Director, who informed me that Corporate had made the decision to eliminate the position of all branch office Quality nurses. All quality reviews would be sourced to the Corporate office, which was located five hours from our branch office.
Because of my desire to have a new vehicle, I did not recognize that God was speaking to me through our office secretary, who was aware of the Corporate plan before the nursing staff was informed.
Sadly, three of the staff nurses were also unable to travel the additional distance, but were not eligible for unemployment because they were offered additional compensation to work from the new location, but could not travel due to school-age children.
Although I immediately found a 35-week contract assignment that paid well, I was not prepared for a change in my health status. I began to experience severe pain in both knees, which indicated the progression of my diagnosis of Osteoarthritis.
I can recall the shock of leaving my Orthopedic Doctor’s office with a mid-thigh to mid-calf brace on my left leg. Yet, from listening to the Doctor’s treatment plan, I knew my nursing career had ended. His recommendation to immediately apply for Social Security Disability [SSD] made me realize that we should never plan our lives according to our thoughts.
Because I did not pray for guidance before purchasing a new vehicle, instead of keeping my vehicle that was paid for, I was facing the consequences of making a decision outside of the will of God.
The new monthly note, along with sustaining the vehicle’s insurance and routine maintenance costs, consumed 100% of my unemployment compensation and was draining my savings.
Not only did the constant worry keep me mentally and spiritually drained, but the stress from not having internal peace also exacerbated my physical level of pain,
“And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:19).
God is still merciful and does not leave us stranded when we genuinely repent of our wrongdoing. Although there was a 3-year waiting list for SSD applications, God rerouted my disability packet to another state, and my disability was approved in a record time of two months.
Fast forward to 2025, and from studying the Bible, I have learned that the human heart never loses its desire to acquire material possessions [the non-essentials], but we must practice our God-given gift of self-control [2 Timothy 1:7] with the commitment to live a sacrificial, obedient life, holy and acceptable to God.
“God, reveal Your will to me and I will obey,” is the daily prayer of surrender that honors God’s Sovereignty, and is not an easy prayer! But to love God is to honor Him with faithful obedience, which reveals our desire to be aligned with His perfect will.
Pray, Wait, and Obey!
God’s Love never changes. And His answers of No are not punitive, but demonstrate His immense love for us. We should never compare ourselves to others, often wondering why God is blessing them, but not us. Many believers step outside of God’s will by blessing themselves [like I did]; not every material acquisition is a gift from God
When God says “No,” our response should be, “Thank you, God for loving and protecting me from the future consequences that are impossible for me to anticipate.”
“Every good thing given and every perfect gift is from above; it comes down from the Father of lights [the Creator and Sustainer of the heavens], in whom there is no variation [no rising or setting] or shadow cast by His turning [for He is perfect and never changes].” (James 1:17, Amplified Bible). Yes and Amen!
Bible Study: James 1, Revelation chapters 21-22.
Lord God, we thank You for being a Loving and Protective Heavenly Father who knows every temptation we will endure in our lives. Lord, please give us the strength and the courage to overcome the internal conflict in our hearts of choosing loyalty and obedience to Your plans versus pursuing our desires without Your Divine blessing. In faith, we accept Your perfect will for our lives. We love You, thank You, and ask this prayer in the Worthy Name of Jesus, Amen.
“I have loved you with an everlasting love…” No other love can compete with God’s love. We do not have to earn His love. Even when we stray by following our own thoughts, He still loves us.
In times of correction and hardships, we may not feel loved, but our Heavenly Father has an Eternal plan of a Forever Life living with Him where abundant Agape love will permeate the New Heaven and New Earth.
So, He uses trials and hardships to chisel away the inherited stubbornness and selfishness in our hearts that threatens to destroy His perfect plans.
God blessed us with the Holy Sabbath to receive a much-needed 24 hours of rest, and a time in which, we receive spiritual renewal, and mental, emotional, and physical restoration.
The Sabbath is a God-given gift. We place the cares of our lives into His hands, and intentionally redirect our focus to God, our Father by worshiping Him with love, reverence, honor, and adoration.
Lord God, we thank You for Your love and Your beautiful gift of the seventh-day Sabbath. We look forward to the time when we will worship with You and the angels from Sabbath to Sabbath. We ask this prayer in the Worthy Name of Jesus, Amen.
“Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me. 2 In My Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. 3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also.” (John 14:1-3).
Our world is in chaos. The unprecedented global events indicate the progressive loss of our Religious Liberty. Yes, Bible Prophecy is rapidly being fulfilled.
Study Matthew 24, [Jesus answering the disciple’s questions about the signs of the End Times], and Revelation chapters I9-22.
“But mark this: There will be [perilous] terrible times in the last days. 2 People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, 3 without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, 4 treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God— 5 having a form of godliness but denying its power. Have nothing to do with such people.” (2 Timothy 3:1-5, NIV).
In 2025, we are the generations living in the Perilous Times, which the Apostle Paul warned us about in 2 Timothy 3. Yes, it is time for Christian Believers to Separate Ourselves from sin in all forms.
“Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride of life—is not from the Father but is from the world. And the world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever.” (1 John 1:15-17, ESV).
Unless we are witnessing, we have no reason to socialize with unbelievers. From hanging out with unbelievers, and participating in their secular activities, it is the Christian who changes, not the unbeliever.
Sanctification requires us to cooperate daily with the Holy Spirit who transforms our mind, character, and personality into the likeness of Christ when we strive to live righteously. Let go of every habit and practice that does not honor and revere God.
Every day, Pray for God’s Guidance and ask Jesus for the Divine strength to overcome temptations, and to stand down your heart’s desires. In Jesus’ Strength, we will be one of the number of people standing on the Sea of Glass. Peace and Blessings.
Bible Study: Revelation chapters 19-22
Lord God, we worship and honor You because You are God. We thank You for the Holy Scriptures, which identify Satan’s various covert deceptions, masterminded to separate us from our Shepherd, Jesus Christ. Lord, we ask for Spiritual strength, wisdom, and the discernment to recognize and overcome the temptations of success, prosperity, and a life of ease.
“And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:19, ESV).
“So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the pagans [unbelievers] run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them.” (Matthew 6:31-32, NIV).
The primary reason we are discouraged and disappointed is because we do not believe that God loves and cares for us, especially during tough times.
“These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33).
Yes, the spiritual journey is one of trials and challenges, yet, Jesus promises to never leave us or forsake us. The Bible contains God’s promises, which reveal His desire to take care of us.
We know that God gave His only Son, Jesus Christ to redeem us from sin, but if we do not have Biblical [and experiential] knowledge of God’s Loving Character and His promises then we feel alone and abandoned.
Secondly, we do not understand the impact of sin on the human heart.
God’s Explains: “The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it?” (Jeremiah 17:9, NIV).
Because we inherited sinful hearts, it is easier for us to place our faith in human knowledge and abilities than to surrender, and faithfully obey God.
“My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge.” (Hosea 4:6). The lack of spiritual knowledge and wisdom produces a devastating Domino Effect in the life of a believer.
“But why do you call Me ‘Lord, Lord,’ and not do the things which I say?” (Luke 6:46).
Jesus, God, the Son, created the angels, humanity, and all animal and plant life. Yet, of all the living creatures, only humanity disobeys His Authority, even the oceans, rivers, and seas stay within their appointed boundaries.
Believers who love God do not intentionally disobey Him, but without prayerfully asking God every day to reveal His will for our lives means that we are living according to our desires instead of God’s Perfect Plans.
Without studying the Scriptures, Satan, our enemy deceives us into believing that because of God’s Grace, our disobedience is tolerated by God.
“…but each person is tempted when they are dragged away by their own evil desire and enticed. Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death.” (James 1:14-15, NIV).
Sin is powerful! Because following our own desires drags us away from God, when adversity arises that human effort cannot resolve, we have no other options, but to react with the emotions of discouragement and disappointment.
“For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.” (Jeremiah 29:11).
“Look, I am Yahweh, the God of all flesh. Is anything too difficult for Me?” (Jeremiah 32:27, HCS Bible).
Believers who diligently seek God through daily prayer and studying the Bible, learn God’s Loving and Righteous Character, and gain knowledge of His Divine Intervention in the life of the righteous for over 6,000 years.
As a result, when challenges, obstacles, and adversities arise, we place all of our faith in God because we believe that God is Who He says He is, and He is faithful in keeping His promises to help us.
The Struggle Is Real, But Jesus Promises Us Victory!
Because of my self-reliance, for most of my life, I suffered with roller coaster emotions. When all was well, I was happy, when it wasn’t, I was discouraged and disappointed.
My breakthrough came while listening to a sermon on the importance of using our faith to trust and obey God, which is only possible through our commitment to seek God through the daily personal worship of praying and studying the Holy Scriptures.
Now, instead of worrying or responding with emotions, I use my faith to pray and ask God for His Divine help.
“I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with unfailing kindness.” (Jeremiah 31:3, NIV).
You are loved by God. Every day, use your faith to surrender, seek God’s plans, and obey His will.
Despite our external hardships, knowing God’s Loving Character and His promises allows us to live with courage and confidence, even when facing tough challenges.
By living a life of surrender and faithful obedience, we invite Christ to lead us, and He rewards us with His gift of Divine Peace.
“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” (John 14:27, NIV).
Bible Study: Romans 5:6-11
Lord God, we confess and repent of our sins of self-reliance, and disobedience. We desire to reconcile with Jesus, and accept Him as our Shepherd. We are willing to follow His plans for our lives. Lord, we ask for the direction and guidance of the Holy Spirit, and today, we commit ourselves to live a life of surrender and faithful obedience. We ask this prayer in the Worthy Name of Jesus Christ, Amen.
The quote by Mary Carver reminds us to always reflect on God’s faithfulness even when times are tough.
We cannot give ourselves the beautiful joy and peace that comes from receiving the love, care, and abundant blessings from our Heavenly Father.
“Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes?…”
“Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they?” (Matthew 6:25-26).
Remembering our past and present victories keeps our faith strong. Begin your day with a Prayer of Gratitude. Every day, Thank God for 10 things and you will never be discouraged. Our Heavenly Father Loves Us and is always Faithful. Yes and Amen!
“The Lord is good to those who wait for Him, To the soul who seeks Him. It is good that one should hope and wait quietly For the salvation of the Lord.” (Lamentations 3:25-26).
Lord God, we just want to say Thank You for Your love and the many blessings, we receive without asking. Lord, we love You. Thank You for Your never-ending faithfulness, grace, mercies, and protection, which reminds us that we are highly valued by You. In faith and gratitude, we pray, in the Loving Name of Jesus, Amen.
“To everything there is a season, A time for every purpose under heaven.” (Ecclesiastes 3:1).
“I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart [Be courageous]; I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33).
The Spiritual Purpose of Hardships: Christ sees us as His sheep who have individual needs, and He guides us according to the spiritual transformation required for each of us to have a righteous character necessary to receive our reward of Eternal Life.
“Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, ‘Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.’ ” (Hebrews 13:5, NIV).
Unfortunately 99% of our goals are usually materialistic ones. But our desires for prosperity and success always create opposition to God’s Sovereign Plans for our lives.
“Discouragement is also the Emotional Response to Placing too Much Value on Future.” We were created to live happy and healthy lives, which is not possible when we worry about the future.
Bible Study: Matthew 6:25-34: “Do Not Worry About Tomorrow”
In Matthew 6, Jesus tells us not to be concerned about tomorrow, which has a literal meaning of the next day, and the future. Neither tomorrow, or the future is promised to us. Live for today!
Jesus, our Heavenly Provider promised to give us the daily provisions necessary to sustain a healthy and happy life. The only futuristic goal we should prepare for is Jesus’ Second Coming [Revelation 22:12].
“Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.” (Romans 12:2, NIV).
Because we inherited hearts that drive us to pursue what we want, Believers stand at the “Crossroads of Decision-making” when God fails to give us what we desire.
The Crossroads: Either we will choose to follow and obey God’s answer of “No, or Not Now,” or we will separate ourselves from God by pursuing our desires without His Divine Approval.
“See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are.” (1 John 3:1, ESV).
To clarify, God loves us and He does not want us to live miserable lives, still, He is doing everything possible to give us Eternal Life. Never forget, we are greatly loved by God!
Why do we strive against God’s will? Because we are impacted by our environment that promotes the worldview of Greed Over Need, we feel unloved and dissatisfied when God does not fulfill our desires.
I am sharing the following Notes on a Sermon by Pastor D. Snell: “Fighting Through Seasons of Discouragement [and Disappointment],” which gives Believers like you and me Spiritual Solutions to follow and obey God while navigating through be emotions of Discouragement and Disappointment.
“Discouragement can be like quicksand. Fight and stand down your natural responses so that you don’t make a bad situation worse.”
1. Don’t make big decisions. Do not make any decisions while you are in a state of mind of discouragement. Pray and wait for God to answer your prayer. Let God provide clarity. 2. Do not compare your life with someone else’s life. Redirect your focus to God, not to yourself, or other people. 3. Don’t Complain! Face the problems, but complaining will become a substitute for praying. Never let your complaining become stronger than your Prayer life. 4. Stop waiting on the circumstance to change, or end. We have no control over when our circumstances or seasons will change. 5. Change your attitude, your outlook and your focus. [Trust God Sovereignty! Know that He is making the best decisions for your life]. 6. Stop waiting on outward validation and encouragement. David encouraged himself in the Lord. (1 Samuel 30:6). 7. Be selective about the company you keep. If friends or family cannot pray with you, do not share your personal feelings with them. (Luke 9:28). Jesus took Peter, James, and John, the most faithful disciples. 8. Guard the words you receive, and guard the words you express. David asked himself, “Why are you downcast, oh my soul? Why the unease within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet Praise Him, My Savior and my God. (Psalm 42:11). 9. Ask yourself, “Who is in control?”
God has given us music which penetrates the mind, body, and soul. Listen to Praise and Worship music. Sing! Study the Bible, and direct yourself to praise God!”
Faith, Trust, Prayer, and Bible Study invites the Holy Spirit to empower us to Fight Through A Season of Disappointment and Discouragement.
Every day, make the commitment to pray, and put yourself in God’s hands by giving up self-reliance. Turn to God for guidance. Ask for strength! Be patient and wait! Peace and Blessings.
Lord God, we admit that our faith and trust in You has been very unstable, and we ask for forgiveness for doubting your Love, and questioning Your Sovereign Authority. We realize that You love us. We made the decision to follow Jesus, and we will use our faith to trust and obey Your Perfect Plans. We pray for strength, and to hear Your Voice as we travel through this journey of life. We love You, and ask this prayer in the Righteous Name of Jesus, Amen.
Steps 2 Success with Spiritual Solutions 
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