Words of Hope During COVID-19
Simon Tam, director of marketing for The Upper Room daily devotional guide, discusses how making music and writing keep him grounded. Daily practicing compassion and gratitude helps him to find joy—even in the midst of pain and uncertainty.
Today’s Reflection
We are all invited to become vulnerable, to take off our Superman and Superwoman capes, and to allow God to meet us in our deepest need. The simplest definition of the healing ministry of the Christian gospel is this: Jesus Christ meets us at the point of our deepest need.
—Trevor Hudson and Stephen D. Bryant, Companions in Christ: The Way of Transforming Discipleship (Upper Room Books, 2006)
Today’s Question
What healing would you experience by allowing God to meet your need? Join the conversation.
Today’s Scripture
My God will meet your every need out of his riches in the glory that is found in Christ Jesus.
—Philippians 4:19 (CEB)
Prayer for the Week
Lord, meet me where I am.
Submit your prayer to The Upper Room.
Something More
How do we stay centered in the midst of fears, grief, and stress? Here are some resources to help you keep—or create—spiritual wellness and wholeness in these anxious times.
Lectionary Readings
(Courtesy of Vanderbilt Divinity Library)
Looking for lectionary-based resources? Learn more about The Upper Room Disciplines.
4 Comments
The healing which He would provide, perhaps not the healing I would request or find most satisfying – but a sufficient healing. My small group is finishing up II Corinthians…and chapter 12 was last week. Paul speaks of his weakness…but mentions that God’s grace is sufficient. And I kinda got stuck, not in a bad way, on that word – sufficient. Am I, can I be satisfied with “mere” sufficiency. It seems so un-American, so ant-cultural. And, as I meditated on it and then discussed it with my group – it all boils down to contentment. Can I be content in God’s sovereignty, His permissive providence? Sometimes – I am ashamed of my answer. Father – help my unbelief…draw me closer…”nearer, nearer, nearer blessed Lord, to thy precious, bleeding side”.
April – while dad and I were walking along a walking/bike path which runs beside a canal yesterday – I noticed the first goose family of the year. As you said…little fuzzy heads…there they were. I commented to dad – it seems early, usually it is not until around the beginning of May. Then I chuckled – oh it is almost the beginning of May. Easy to seem stuck in a time warp…some days it is a struggle to know which day of the week it is, let alone where we are in the month. The sun came out beautifully yesterday afternoon – following the walk I mowed my lawn and worked on eradicating the dandelions. Need to fertilize soon. It is supposed to be relatively mild again today – dad and I may try to golf. His shoulder has been bothering him, or we would have been out much sooner. If we do get out, it will be very helpful to spend several hours outside. The isolation continues to take a toll on him.
One of those hard for me to answer questions today. I am thankful that God knows and understands me better than anyone and because of that I think my needs are, must be, sufficiently met. Somehow God’s sufficient exceeds human understanding.
Two great days, Thursday and Friday. Was outdoors on a walk in the piney-oak Maine woods, beside a full flowing river, abandoned Maine Central railroad tracks, and a beaver pond, had very tasty pizza one day and the next a very lively 1 1/2 hour ZOOM breakfast, some rearranging of wall hangings, a mail ready to send really was a joy,
Continued prayers for all of you, an end to the pandemic, and the well being of God’s creation. Thank You, Lord.
There is so mucch in me that needs His healing. Deep wounds from a lifetime of pain. I understand and for the most part accept the concept of His strength being sufficient. My Reynaud’s is one area in which I accept that fewer and less severe wounds are far bettwer from than past winters and this is sufficient.
Prayers for Jilll and Larry, may they enjoy time outside together even if just walking and talking. The time now is a strange creature. I, too, have had trouble with keeping track of the days. Are you still holding “class?’ I know you speak of office hours but not of formal instruction.
Prayers fior Robert and his rewarding travels and time in nature. May he stay safe and healthy and remain grounded in nature and connected to family and friends.
Prayers for Ally and David, may David be settled in the rehab facility and may Ally enjoy the daily Facetime allowed now.
Prayers for April, Andrea, BJ, Lou and Rick, may they and their families be safe and healthy.
Megan and I will go to the grocery store today, which fills me with trepidation each and every time. We wear our mandated masks and even wear disposable gloves, but still the constant worry. On the news they did say that food packaging is not a source of infection.
Prayers and blessings and good health dear UR
I have always had a hard time admitting I need help. To need healing means I don’t have it all together, that I’m not a spiritual giant. But I do have a festering wound that doesn’t heal because I have difficulty forgiving a couple of people in my past. I realize I have nurtured these grudges to maturity and I have a hard time letting them go. I make feeble attempts to them to God and then snatch them back. God can provide complete healing, but I must let God do it.
Thank you so much for your prayers for David and me and for your kind affirmations. David arrived at rehab facility yesterday and had his first day of therapy. He’s pretty exhausted. More details tomorrow. I’m exhausted too. Be blessed.
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