25May16

Lamentations 3:22-24 ESV
The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. "The Lord is my portion," says my soul, "therefore I will hope in him."

It is amazing how we carry things with us through life. Grudges, hurts, pain, heartache... these things that steal the joy from us before we even step foot out of our bed. They destroy relationships before we even start. They leave you feeling bitter and hollow on the inside. When I was in high school I would wake up super early in the morning so that I could get to the school early for my extra-curriculars and then stay late for practices and rehearsals. Every morning I knew that I had a ton of stuff to accomplish before I could rest and I thought that my entire future hinged on how I would do each and every day. It made me sick. Literally. The first thing I would do in the morning is walk over to the toilet and barf. Once I had that out of my system I would move through my day. I carried my stress from day to day without ever finding that rest, love, mercy, faithfulness, or new beginning. It made me sick and it will make you sick.

Maybe not physically sick but, when we carry these things through life day to day, without ever finding that peace with God in our spirit, it embitters us. It starts to rot us from the inside. But, God wants to refresh you. This morning. Right now. He says that His love and mercy are new EVERY morning! We don't have to carry them with us! Take a moment right now and close your eyes. Breathe in the peace of God and ask Him to bring to you a fresh wind of love and mercy this morning. He's good for it.