Journaling

When you get discouraged turn away from the circumstances and turn to God in prayer. Ask Him for the answers you seek. Read special scriptures you have received in days past. Turn off the television and turn on Christian music. Call a prayer partner and ask for specific prayer for this day. If you are keeping a journal, look back at all that God has done for you. If you haven't been journaling, start now. Your journal, which need be only a notebook, can become the friend with whom you share your victories and your hurts. AND I do NOT mean an online journal.

If you say, yes, but I don't like to journal.  Honest, I am not your typical journal-keeper, but I had to keep one.  I would get so discouraged; I would get so hurt. BUT I knew it was just the enemy trying to come in and make me want to give up.  My journals are something that were private, raw, and real.  Being a rollercoaster of emotion when I had to actually TALK to Josh or deal with him made me realize that I had to WRITE it down or I would ruin any attempt at Josh's return home being peaceful.  If I shared my feelings with everyone no one would want to ever see him again.  If I shared all of it, my children would have hated their father.  So, I am not saying I never struggled, but I believed that he would home ONE day.  If I had written everything that happened between us during those 4 months Josh would have never felt safe enough to come home. 

Having the testimonies and the struggles written down have allowed me to write some of the things you have already read. When God does a complete healing it's amazing what things He helps remove from our memories. I happen to have a computer database memory file, and I have had to ask the Lord to take those things that hurt so badly and move them to the recycle bin.  Many things I don't even remember until I read the journals.  God is so good.

Remember, the enemy will turn up the heat when your miracle is about to happen. Expect the Lord to help you in this day of discouragement, for we know He will.

"Hear my prayer, O Lord; listen to my cry for mercy. In the day of my trouble, I will call to you, for you will answer me." Psalm 86:6-7