“The LORD is close to the brokenhearted; he rescues those whose spirits are crushed.” (Psalm 34:18 NLT)

God does not despise a broken spirit

“The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and a contrite heart, O God, You will not despise.” (Psalm 51:17)

God restores and heals the spirit

“For thus says the One who is high and lifted up, who inhabits eternity, whose name is Holy: "I dwell in a high and holy place, and with the oppressed and humble of spirit, to restore the spirit of the lowly and revive the heart of the contrite.” (Isa. 57:15)

“He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.” (Psalm 147:3)

A joyful heart is good medicine

“A joyful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.” (Prov. 17:22 ESV)

Therefore…

“Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and uphold me with a willing spirit.” (Psalm 51:12)

Quote:

“We want to avoid suffering, death, sin, ashes. But we live in a world crushed and broken and torn, a world God Himself visited to redeem. We receive his poured-out life, and being allowed the high privilege of suffering with Him, may then pour ourselves out for others.” - Elisabeth Elliot

“May you be strengthened with all power, according to his glorious might, for all endurance and patience with joy…” (Col. 1:11 ESV)

The incredible greatness of God’s power for us 

“I also pray that you will understand the incredible greatness of God’s power for us who believe him. This is the same mighty power that raised Christ from the dead and seated him in the place of honor at God’s right hand in the heavenly realms.” (Eph. 1:20 NLT)

Power comes through the Holy Spirit 

“But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” (Acts 1:8 ESV)

“For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.” (2 Tim. 1:7 ESV)

“For the kingdom of God does not consist in talk but in power.” (1 Cor. 4:20 ESV)

Therefore…

“And God raised the Lord and will also raise us up by his power.” (1 Cor. 6:14 ESV)

“Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us,” (Eph. 3:20 ESV)

“Grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord; seeing that His divine power has granted to us everything pertaining to life and godliness, through the true knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and excellence.” (2 Peter 1:2-3 NASB)

Quote:

“Many Christians estimate difficulty in the light of their own resources, and thus they attempt very little and they always fail. All giants have been weak men who did great things for God because they reckoned on His power and presence to be with them.” - Hudson Taylor

“The Lord makes firm the steps of the one who delights in him; though he may stumble, he will not fall, for the Lord upholds him with his hand.” (Psalms 37:23-24 NIV)

Everyone fails occasionally 

Failure is okay, if you don’t allow it to stop you, and you learn from it, and you grow stronger through it. The Bible makes it clear that when you fall you must get up again and make needed adjustments. 

Get back up 

“… This is what the Lord says: You know if a man falls down, he gets up again. And if a man goes the wrong way, he turns around and comes back.” (Jer. 8:4)

Get up repeatedly 

“The righteous may fall seven times but still get up, but the wicked will stumble into trouble.” (Prov. 24:16)

“Our enemies have no reason to gloat over us. We have fallen, but we will rise again. We are in darkness now, but the Lord will give us light.” (Micah 7:8)

God is with you so don’t fear

“The LORD is the one who is going ahead of you. He will be with you. He won’t abandon you or leave you. So don’t be afraid or terrified.” (Deut. 31:8)

“The wicked are crushed by disaster, but the godly have a refuge when they die.” (Prov. 14:32)

Therefore…

“He helps those who are in trouble; he lifts those who have fallen.” (Psalm 145:14) 

“It was good for me to be afflicted so that I could learn Your statutes.” (Psalm 119:71)

Quotes:

 “Those who have failed miserably are often the first to see God's formula for success.” - Erwin Lutzer

“A failure is not a loss. It’s a gain. You learn. You change. You grow.” - Anonymous 

“Jesus asked the boy’s father, “How long has he been like this?” “From childhood,” he answered. “It has often thrown him into fire or water to kill him. But if you can do anything, take pity on us and help us.” “‘If you can’?” said Jesus. “Everything is possible for one who believes.” Immediately the boy’s father exclaimed, “I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!” (Mark 9:21-24 NIV)

 In the above passage, Jesus asked the father of a demon possessed boy some questions.The desperate father used faithless words in response, saying, “If you can do anything.” And Jesus responded with, “If you can’?” ... “Everything is possible for one who believes.” Then the father exclaimed, “I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!” This father was feeling exactly like many of us do occasionally, when we feel insufficient in our faith. 

 Faith is confidence

 “Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.” (Heb. 11:1 NIV)

 We live by faith

 “For we live by faith, not by sight.” (2 Cor. 5:7 NIV)

 It is impossible to please God without faith

 “And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.” (Heb. 11:6 NIV)

 Faith is tested

“Because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance.“ (James 1:3 NIV)

Faith involves your heart and mouth

“For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved.” (Rom. 10:10 NIV)

Therefore…

“I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love.” (Eph. 3:16-17 NIV)

Quote:

“God-glorifying faith is a future-oriented confidence in God’s integrity and power and wisdom to follow through on all His promises.” - John Piper, Future Grace

“Be strong, and let your heart take courage, all you who wait for the Lord.” (Psalm 31:24 ESV)

You can do all things through His strength

“I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. I can do all things through him who strengthens me.” (Phil. 4:12-13 ESV)

Remember, God is with you wherever you go

“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” (Josh. 1:9 ESV)

God, who began a good work in you will bring it to completion

“And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.” (Phil. 1:6 ESV)

Therefore…

“Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer.” (Rom. 12:12 ESV)

“And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.” (Gal. 6:9 ESV)

“More than that, we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope.” (Rom. 5:3-4)

Quotes:

“Never, ever ever ever ever give up.” – Winston Churchill

“Never give up, for that is just the place and time that the tide will turn.” - Harriet Beecher Stowe

“I desire then that in every place the men should pray, lifting holy hands without anger or quarreling.” (1 Tim. 2:8 ESV)

Jesus’ Teaching on Prayer

“Pray then like this: ‘Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name. Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.’” (Matt. 6:9-13 ESV)

When you pray, believe

“Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.” (Mark 11:24 ESV)

The prayer of a righteous person has great power

“Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working.” (James 5:16 ESV)

What to pray for

“First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way. This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.” (1 Tim. 2:1-4 ESV)

Continue to pray and watch with thanksgiving 

“Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving.” (Col. 4:2 ESV)

Therefore…

“If my people who are called by my name humble themselves, and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land.” (2 Chron. 7:14 ESV)

“When the righteous cry for help, the Lord hears and delivers them out of all their troubles.” (Psalm 34:17 ESV)

Quote:

“When the devil sees a man or woman who really believes in prayer, who knows how to pray, and who really does pray, and, above all, when he sees a whole church on its face before God in prayer, he trembles as much as he ever did, for he knows that his day in that church or community is at an end.” - R.A. Torrey

“A heart at peace gives life to the body, but envy rots the bones.” (Prov. 14:30 NIV)

Jealousy is earthly, unspiritual and demonic

“But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast and be false to the truth. This is not the wisdom that comes down from above, but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic.” (James 3:14-15 ESV)

Jealousy and envy are works of the flesh  

“For you are still of the flesh. For while there is jealousy and strife among you, are you not of the flesh and behaving only in a human way?” (1 Cor. 3:3 ESV)

Jealousy leads to every vile practice

“For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every vile practice.” (James 3:16 ESV)

A severe warning that includes  Jealousy and envy 

“Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.” (Gal. 5:19-21 ESV)

Therefore.. 

“Set me as a seal upon your heart, as a seal upon your arm, for love is strong as death, jealousy is fierce as the grave. Its flashes are flashes of fire, the very flame of the Lord.” (SOS 8:6 ESV)

“Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant” (1 Cor. 13:4ESV)

Quotes:

“When there are dissensions, and jealousies, and evil speakings among professors of religion, then there is great need of a revival. These things show that Christians have got far from God, and it is time to think earnestly of a revival.” - Charles Finney

“Envy shoots at others and wounds itself.” - English proverb

“Elijah was afraid and ran for his life. When he came to Beersheba in Judah, he left his servant there, while he himself went a day’s journey into the wilderness. He came to a broom bush, sat down under it and prayed that he might die. ‘I have had enough, LORD’, he said. ‘Take my life; I am no better than my ancestors.’” (1 Kings 19:3-4 NIV)

Tired, hungry and afraid 

In the above passage we read how Elijah was afraid and felt sorry for himself and he complained to God about his situation. He had just received a death threat from Jezebel and ran away in fear. This fearful self-pity reaction was from the same man who had just called fire down from heaven and destroyed all Jezebel’s false prophets. It seems very odd that he was now fearfully complaining about a threat from the queen. And, besides, if he really wanted to die, he could have let Jezebel carry out her threat. Simply put, he was just feeling sorry for himself. Something else was going on in Elijah’s life to cause him to behave out of his normal character. We do learn some answers as we read more of the story: “Then he lay down under the bush and fell asleep. All at once an angel touched him and said, ‘Get up and eat.’ He looked around, and there by his head was some bread baked over hot coals, and a jar of water. He ate and drank and then lay down again.” (1 Kings 19:5-6 NIV). So, there you have it, Elijah was hungry, tired and weak. He just needed food and rest to get his strength back up. He did do the right thing by talking to God about how he felt. And God heard his cry and helped him. 

“So he got up and ate and drank, and the food gave him enough strength to travel forty days and forty nights to Mount Sinai, the mountain of God.” (1 Kings 19:8 NLT)

And, remember this…

“Wait on the Lord; be of good courage, and He shall strengthen your heart; wait I say on the Lord!” (Psalms 27:14)

“The Lord God is my strength; He will make my feet like deer’s feet, and He will make me walk on my high hills.” (Hab. 3:19)

“He remembered us in our weakness. His faithful love endures forever. He saved us from our enemies. His faithful love endures forever. He gives food to every living thing. His faithful love endures forever. Give thanks to the God of heaven. His faithful love endures forever.” (Psalms 136:23-26 NLT)

Therefore…

“Hear my prayer, Lord; let my cry for help come to you. Do not hide your face from me when I am in distress. Turn your ear to me; when I call, answer me quickly.” (Psalm 102:1-2 NIV)

“The Lord is my Light and my Salvation, whom shall I fear? The Lord is the strength of my life, of whom shall I be afraid?” (Psalms 27:1)

Quote:

“As Christians we should never feel sorry for ourselves. The moment we do so, we lose our energy, we lose the will to fight and the will to live, and are paralyzed.” -  Martyn Lloyd-Jones

“For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. And there will be famines, pestilences, and earthquakes in various places. All these are the beginning of sorrows.” (Matt. 24:7-8)

Pestilence: A contagious or infectious epidemic disease that is virulent and devastating. 

The Bible has a lot to say about diseases and pestilence coming upon people. History records many instances of them. They come and go. In the above passage pestilence is listed among the signs of the end times. There are instances in Scripture where pestilence came upon people as a result of their sin and disobedience. Sometimes it is as an attack from the enemy called the snare of the fowler.

What to do when it happens

“Surely He shall deliver you from the snare of the fowler and from the perilous pestilence.” (Psalm 91:3)

“‘If disaster comes upon us—sword, judgment, pestilence, or famine—we will stand before this temple and in Your presence (for Your name is in this temple), and cry out to You in our affliction, and You will hear and save.’” (2 Chron. 20:9)

Therefore…

“Come, let us return to the Lord; for he has torn us, that he may heal us; he has struck us down, and he will bind us up.” (Hosea 6:1 ESV)

“Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits, who forgives all your iniquity, who heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the pit, who crowns you with steadfast love and mercy…” (Psalms 103:2-4 ESV)

“Saying, “If you will diligently listen to the voice of the Lord your God, and do that which is right in his eyes, and give ear to his commandments and keep all his statutes, I will put none of the diseases on you that I put on the Egyptians, for I am the Lord, your healer.” (Exo. 15:26 ESV)

“He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed.” (1 Peter 2:24 ESV)

“But for you who fear my name, the sun of righteousness shall rise with healing in its wings. You shall go out leaping like calves from the stall.” (Mal. 4:2) 

Quote:

 “How sweet the name of Jesus sounds, in a believer's ear! It soothes his sorrows, heals his wounds, and drives away his fear.” - John Newton