"Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others."
Philippians‬ ‭2:3-4‬

Proper Healing From Pain:
"The Blueprint to Proper Healing - Part 1"

I happened to come across a powerful account in 2 Samuel 12 after I had committed to the healing process and it was a game changer for me. In this deeply sorrowful account, King David has just lost the son his wife Bathsheba had given birth to. He lost the son because of the sins he had committed, both in having an affair with Bathsheba and then having her husband killed to cover up the scandal. So on top of having the weight of guilt from such devastating sin, he loses his precious child.

Most would say that losing a child is by far one of the hardest things a person could go though. Maybe you are personally experiencing such grief now, which is why you find yourself in this reading plan. The loss of someone we love is hard to manage.

What David did after his child died is remarkable and truly an example for us in our healing process. Scripture shows that the first thing David did was worship God. In fact, it's such a hard act to comprehend that David is questioned for doing it. So why did he? Because David understands he can't change what happened, but he can choose how to respond. David knew that above all else, God was good no matter the season and that the focus must be on Him, not on the circumstances.

As I poured over these words in my season of grief, I asked myself an important question. If David could worship in his grief of losing a child, couldn't I worship at the ruins of a relationship? Shouldn't my appropriate response be to seek after God with all my heart, even out of the depths of my pain? So I worshipped and found that as I did, the grief lifted and comfort abounded.

As hard as it might feel to be thankful, it's necessary. In fact, as soon as you're done reading this I hope you will turn on some worship music, begin seeking God and worship the One who has saved you from an eternity of constant sorrow.

"David noticed that his attendants were whispering among themselves, and he realized the child was dead. "Is the child dead?" he asked. "Yes," they replied, "he is dead." Then David got up from the ground. After he had washed, put on lotions and changed his clothes, he went into the house of the Lord and worshiped. Then he went to his own house, and at his request they served him food, and he ate."
‭‭2 Samuel‬ ‭12:19-20‬ ‭

Experiencing Hope and Healing In A Fallen World:
GRATITUDE

Have you noticed? It's easy for people to be cynical. Some folks even slip into pessimism when they're trying to be positive – like being happy for sunshine, but complaining that it'll rain tomorrow. It's hard to have joy when the glass is always half-empty. But we can turn that around by choosing to be grateful. I don't mean brief moments here and there where we acknowledge good things in life. I'm talking about living a life of gratitude to the Lord.

Gratefulness is not merely an emotion we feel; it's a choice we make to recognize God's goodness in our lives. This is especially important considering the struggles life can present to all of us. The fact is we may have to search for reasons to be grateful. Perhaps we're having trouble at work. We can still be grateful we have a job. Or maybe our child is making poor decisions. Our disappointment may be warranted, but we can still be thankful they're healthy and safe at that moment.

Gratitude is not merely thankfulness when everything is going right. After all, life is rarely like that. No, gratitude is understanding we live in a world corrupted by sin, yet choosing to see the presence of God in the midst of those troubles. That can be tough because the smallest blessings are often the hardest to notice. But they're also what give our lives its richness and meaning.

For a daily dose of encouragement and perspective, check out Jim Daly's blog, Daly Focus, at JimDalyBlog.com.

"Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good. His love endures forever."
‭‭Psalm‬ ‭136:1‬ ‭

Breaking Free From Depression:
What Is Clinical Depression?

In 2008 the stock market crashed. Thousands of people watched as their financial portfolios circled down the drain. According to the British Medical Journal, nearly 5,000 people committed suicide as a result of their loss.

Why? The Bible tells us we live in a fallen world. We contribute to the brokenness of the world with our own sin, and we feel the effects when others sin. We feel the pressure to fit in, to measure up, and to please our parents, teachers, bosses, and friends. Sometimes it only takes a small push to make us feel like our lives are spinning out of control, leading to depression. Not surprisingly, the World Health Organization tells us depression is the leading cause of disability worldwide and the 2nd leading cause of death for 15-29 year olds.

You may have heard the term clinical depression before. Clinical depression is a more severe form of depression. This occurs when temporary episodes of sadness become more intense and persistent.

How do you tell the difference between clinical depression and ordinary moodiness? Below, you'll see some signs of depression. If you are experiencing five of these sypmtoms for longer than two weeks, you may be experiencing depression:

An irritable, sad, empty or cranky mood, belief that life is hopeless or meaningless.
Loss of interest in hobbies or activities that used to be enjoyed or difficulty finding pleasure in life.
Changes in appetite, significant weight gain or loss.
Excessive late-night activities, too much or too little sleep, trouble getting up in the morning.
Physical agitation or slowness, pacing back and forth and/or excessive, or repetitive behaviors.
Loss of energy, social withdrawal, withdrawal from usual activities, or boredom.
Making critical comments about yourself, or overly sensitive to rejection. Often feeling worthless or guilt.
Poor performance in school or work or frequent absences. Trouble concentrating or thinking.
Thinking about death or suicide, giving away favorite belongings, comments like "You're better off without me."
There are other types of depression such as seasonal, postpartum, and bipolar depression. For those of you suffering from depression, there's hope! God's Word teaches us how to be victorious over our feelings and experience freedom from sin's hold.

"So I say, "My splendor is gone and all that I had hoped from the Lord." I remember my affliction and my wandering, the bitterness and the gall. I well remember them, and my soul is downcast within me. Yet this I call to mind and therefore I have hope: Because of the Lord ʼs great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. I say to myself, "The Lord is my portion; therefore I will wait for him." The Lord is good to those whose hope is in him, to the one who seeks him; it is good to wait quietly for the salvation of the Lord. It is good for a man to bear the yoke while he is young. Let him sit alone in silence, for the Lord has laid it on him. Let him bury his face in the dust— there may yet be hope."
‭‭Lamentations‬ ‭3:18-29‬ ‭

"Have mercy on me, O God, according to your unfailing love; according to your great compassion blot out my transgressions. Wash away all my iniquity and cleanse me from my sin. For I know my transgressions, and my sin is always before me. Against you, you only, have I sinned and done what is evil in your sight; so you are right in your verdict and justified when you judge. Surely I was sinful at birth, sinful from the time my mother conceived me. Yet you desired faithfulness even in the womb; you taught me wisdom in that secret place. Cleanse me with hyssop, and I will be clean; wash me, and I will be whiter than snow. Let me hear joy and gladness; let the bones you have crushed rejoice. Hide your face from my sins and blot out all my iniquity. Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. Do not cast me from your presence or take your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me. Then I will teach transgressors your ways, so that sinners will turn back to you. Deliver me from the guilt of bloodshed, O God, you who are God my Savior, and my tongue will sing of your righteousness. Open my lips, Lord, and my mouth will declare your praise. You do not delight in sacrifice, or I would bring it; you do not take pleasure in burnt offerings. My sacrifice, O God, is a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart you, God, will not despise."
‭‭Psalm‬ ‭51:1-17‬ ‭