Guided 365 Day Reflection Journal

Scripture For Grief, Recovery, & Joy for Week 9

This Weeks Scripture

Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.

Romans 5:3-5 ESV

Preparation For This Week

When preparing for the week ahead, think about the following: God’s Mercies are New Every Morning.

Food For Thought

Today's scripture says it right – suffering can produce endurance and faith, which leads to hope. Hope that doesn't let us down because God's love has already been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.

What does that mean? It means it's not always easy, but if you remember why you're doing what you're doing, that God has given us hope, endurance, and character through His love, then it won't be so hard. That's what He wants us to do – to trust Him and have faith in Him. Don't give up – what you sow today matters for how your future will look. Have faith in God. Have the courage to face what comes your way with the confidence that He is with you every step of the way!

What an incredible reminder! No matter what we face today, tomorrow, or this week – we can face it with the confidence that He is with us every step of the way and has given us the endurance and character to get through it!

Goals

As we start to wrap up the month of February, take a few moments to evaluate your progress on your bigger monthly goal. What are a few little things you can do in the next few days to complete your monthly goal?

You can accomplish anything you set your mind to without fear or discouragement!

Dig A Little Deeper

You may find week 9 in the Companion Devotional to be a great partner to this section.

Today's Scripture

By the sweat of your brow you will eat your food until you return to the ground, since from it you were taken; for dust you are and to dust you will return.

Genesis 3:19 NIV

Today's Guide

When preparing for today, think about the following: We Have All We Need to Live a Full Life, But We Need To Do Our Part.

Food For Thought

When things don't go quite according to plan, God gives us the opportunity for growth, forgiveness, and grace so that we can reset and start again. God never wants us to be stuck in a place of despair; He wants us to keep reaping what we have sowed until we return to Him. He is always with us, lifting us up, and when we stumble, He is there to help us get up and is cheering us on as we cross the finish line. In Him, we are given new life and hope for our future.

God has given us everything we need to live a life full of purpose and meaning. As God said in today’s scripture, we will have to work hard for what we want in life; the good news is He is right beside us, guiding our paths and providing the strength, courage, and perseverance we need to make what we have sowed a reality.

The beauty of today’s scripture is that it exists both as a reminder of our mortality in this world and as an assurance from God that He will always be with us. We can take comfort in knowing that this is not the end and that our journey here on Earth is only a small part of something bigger. Everything we experience, even death, has been designed to bring us closer to God's love and mercy. Though death may be inevitable, God still gives us the freedom to choose as He did that day in the garden. God offered Adam and Eve a choice between life and death; God still offers us that same choice today. We can choose to accept God's grace, or we can choose to live in the world with fear and doubt - both paths will take us to the same destination, but it is up to us which one we take.

Gratitude

What can you find that you are grateful for today? What are you grateful for that you are sowing today?

Are you struggling today? You may want to consider what you are sowing and with whom you are sowing it.

Today's Prayer

Lord, As I think about eternal life with You, I am reminded that my works will not lead me there. But it is in You that I have my life and my being. Without You, Lord, my life is meaningless. Amen