Our mothers provide hugs when we need them. They help us carry heavy loads and know what to say when we need comfort.
McGraw remembers seeing his single mom trying to figure out how to pay bills late at night. Her recipe helped him win over his wife. He remembers how loving and strong she was.
Moms are a precious pearl of creation and deserving of our honor.
We find 2 timely reminders about God in Ya Heard by Thomas Rhett.
God hears our prayers. They are not just bouncing off the ceiling, but he really is paying attention. God may not answer the way we think he will, but he does answer us.
God cares about us. He cares about the small aspects of our lives as much as he does the large aspects. We should talk with him about all aspects of life.
“It’s about the people that you love and the places that you saw. Finding peace in the chaos, and beauty in the flaws.”
What are we running after? What are we trying to achieve? Are we always comparing ourselves to the neighbor next door? Beauty in the Flaws by Sophia Scott reminds us it is not the amount of money we make or the status we gain that matters.
The people and places we impact matter. The peace we can find matters. If we spend all our time chasing after money and prestige, we will find ourselves longing for more.
The Bible says Solomon was the wisest person to ever live, and he pursued the meaning of life. He pursued it within money, prestige, hard work, and partying. At the end of the pursuit, he writes these words.
“That’s the whole story. Here, now, is my conclusion: fear God and obey his commands for this is everyone’s duty,” Solomon writes in Ecclesiastes 12:13.
We may be facing many challenges. The world may be facing many challenges, and the answer can be found in the Lord.
2 Chronicles 7:14 states, “If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from Heaven, and I forgive their sin and will heal their land.”
Lazarus was a good brother and great friend. He was close to his siblings and friends, but suddenly one day, he was not there. He had passed away.
His sisters were filled with grief. Their pain was real; their hearts hurt as their tears flowed. Lazarus’ friends, including Jesus, were saddened. Jesus wept. Their pain was real; their hearts also hurt as tears flowed.
As they were hurting, Jesus offered hope.
Jesus says in John 11:25, “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live even though they die.”
The hope offered to Lazarus’ family and friends was as real as the pain. It was a hope in the fact they were not saying “goodbye,” rather “see you later.”
The pain of losing someone close to us is hard. Grief is real, and our hearts hurt as our tears flow. It may be losing a spouse, parent, sibling, or friend causing the pain. For Chris Young, it was losing his best friend Adam.
This loss was part of the inspiration for Young’s song Drowning. The lyrics remind us grief is real, and it comes in waves. The song also reminds us we have hope of seeing our loved ones again. You may be drowning today, but you can have hope in the reality it is not “goodbye,” but “see you later.”
Jesus said, “I am the resurrection and the life. Anyone who believes in me will live even though he dies.” John 11 records Jesus calling Lazarus from the grave shortly after saying these words. Mary and Martha were able to see Lazarus again. Jesus himself went into the tomb but came back out. He reigns over death.
Though losing someone is hard, it does not have to be “goodbye” we say. We only have to say, “see you later.”
The chorus challenges us to shine brightly. “In a world full of hate, be a light. When you do someone wrong, make it right. In a world full of hate, be a light.” We were born to shine; the song reminds us.
Jesus says in Matthew 5, “You are the light of the world, like a city on a hilltop that cannot be hidden. No one lights a lamp then puts it under a basket. Instead, a lamp is placed on a stand, where it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see so that everyone will praise your heavenly father.”
In an unsettled and crazy time, we can be a light. We can check on our neighbors who are most at risk to see if they need anything from the store. We can be courteous to cashiers and those stocking shelves. We can offer encouragement to our neighbors who are anxious about the days ahead. We were born to shine, so we should shine brightly.
“This song is about being a light in a dark place. Being an encouragement to people,” Rhett Said. “I hope this song puts a smile on your face in this crazy, crazy time.”
A portion of the proceeds from the song will help those impacted by the COVID19 pandemic.
“If you’re going through hell, keep on going. Don’t slow down. If you’re scared, don’t show it. You might get out before the devil even knows you’re there.”
Songs have a way of encouraging us in the darkest, weirdest moments of life. The Lord uses lyrics to drive encouragement right into our hearts.
If you’re going through a hard time, keep on moving. Don’t slow down. Unfortunately, hard times are a part of life. Difficulties have a way of creeping into life. Fortunately, they only last for a season, and it is a season the Lord is with us. We can keep moving during those times with the confidence the Lord is our shelter and refuge.
We may be scared, but the Lord says we can take courage because he is with us.
“Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes,” encourages Ephesians 6:10-11.
The chorus reminds us to always be humble and kind. You and I have goals to achieve, dreams to realize, and purposes to fulfill. This takes a great deal of work on our part, but when the goal is achieved, dream realized, and purpose fulfilled, we need to remember to stay humble and kind. We may have worked hard, but without the Lord’s help, we would not be successful.
The song also reminds us a grudge can weigh us down. It’s hard, but we should work to forgive and not hold a grudge. Always be humble and kind.
The song gives us a challenge for which to strive. A lifestyle of humility and kindness is the best way to live.
Song lyrics can present the Lord’s message to us in a melody which goes straight to the heart. We are reminded of timeless truth which can change our outlook and attitude.
We are reminded of our blessings. “It sure ain’t hard to count your blessings,” the chorus says. An inventory of our blessings won’t fit on one hand or even two. Thinking about our blessings helps us see we have an abundance. A comprehensive list of our blessings can move us from discouraged to encouraged.
The old hymn Count Your Blessings suggests we name them one by one.
“When upon life’s billows you are tempest tossed,
When you are discouraged, thinking all is lost,
Count your many blessings. Name them one by one,
And it will surprise you what the Lord hath done.
Count your blessings. Name them one by one.
Count your blessings. See what God hath done.
Count your blessings. Name them one by one,
And it will surprise you what the Lord hath done.”
It is not hard to count your blessings. Every good and perfect gift has come from the Lord above. Share how the Lord has blessed you in the comments below.
“This is my temporary home. It’s not where I belong.”
Music is a messenger for the Lord’s message, and the message is often absorbed by the listener without realizing it. The message is interwoven in lyrics which capture our attention and grab our hearts. Temporary Home, by Carrie Underwood, is a powerful deliverer of the Lord’s message.
The song reminds us where we are now is only a temporary home. It is not a permanent stop; we’re passing through on the way to our permanent home.
2 Corinthians 5:1 says, “For we know that if the earthly tent we live in is destroyed, we have a building from God, an eternal house in Heaven not built by human hands.”
This verse helps you and I realize we are not home. Notice we are living in the temporary, a tent, now, and it will be replaced with the permanent, a building, in the future. What we experience now is only temporary.
2 Corinthians 5 continues, “For while we are in this tent, we groan and are burdened because we do not wish to be unclothed but clothed instead with our Heavenly dwelling. So that what is mortal may be swallowed up by life.”
This is our temporary home. It’s not where we belong. Our permanent home, the one where we belong, will be in the future. We can look forward to it.
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Get Encouraged 