Why am I discouraged? Why is my heart so sad? I will put my hope in God! I will praise him again–my Savior and my God!

~Psalm 42:5 NLT

After several days of cloudy, dreary, gray skies, the trees, horizon, and landscape seemed to blend together with no distinction between them. This is how my week was going inwardly as well.

I opened my Bible and read a verse that speaks of how I was feeling, “Deeper and deeper I sink into the mire. I can’t find a foothold. I am in deep water and floods overwhelm me” (Psalm 69:2 NLT). To amplify the gloom, my dog insisted she needed to go out immediately. Dreading the chilly wind, I hurried to get her to the backyard.

Then I saw it…

A beautiful bluebird perched on the fence, preening her feathers as if she had not a care. She was such a beauty that contrasted the gloom. I realized the Lord was encouraging me with this lovely surprise. The bluebird was like a breath of fresh air. I needed this gentle nudge from the Lord. I felt He was letting me know that some days will seem colorless and lifeless, but they aren’t because He has a plan that supersedes the gloom.

The lovely bird was there right when I needed it. He caused her to perch there.

Friend, we may experience moments of despair, just as David did when he was being pursued by King Saul and his army of three thousand, but he didn’t stay in that trial and neither do we (see 1Samuel 19-20). The Lord provides refreshing moments for our soul, and His timing is perfect.

When we find ourselves in a pit of despair, look up. Our heavenly Father already knows our needs. The moment we call on Him, He provides a foothold, and He reaches down to lift us out of the dark place. His love is abundant and available.

~Glenda Shouse, Contributing Author to Love Knots: Stories of Faith, Family, and Friendships

When we find ourselves in a pit of despair, look up. Our heavenly Father already knows our needs. The moment we call on Him, He provides a foothold, and He reaches down to lift us out of the dark place. His love is abundant and available. He promises us a good future. The psalmist David pens, “He has given me a new song to sing, a hymn of praise to our God. Many will see what he has done and be amazed. They will put their trust in the LORD” Psalm 40:3 NLT.

When we find ourselves in a pit of despair, look up. Our heavenly Father already knows our needs. #VineWords #GlendaShouse #FindingaFoothold Click To Tweet

To Whom do you turn when you are sinking in the pit of despair? Let it be the LORD Jesus Christ.

Father God, thank You for surprising me with loveliness and beauty at the precise moments I need a refreshing glimpse of who You are and the good Your plan You have for my life. You are a good Father, who rescues and equips me so I can encourage others. In Jesus Name, Amen.

Genre: Non-fiction

Copyright 2021: Finding a Foothold: Glenda Shouse: All Rights Reserved

Meet Our Contributor

GLENDA SHOUSE

Glenda Shouse is a devotion writer for VineWords: Devotions and More, and a contributing author to Love-Knots: Stories of Faith, Family, and Friendships (VineWords Publishing).

Glenda’s prayer shawl ministry, Three-Strand Cord, focuses on imparting hope to ladies going through difficult times. Each recipient is gifted with a hand-crocheted or knitted prayer shawl she has prayed over with each stitch.  When possible, Glenda delivers these shawls personally and prays with the recipients.

Those who know Glenda well are aware of her gifting as a prayer warrior. She is a powerhouse of prayer because of her close relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ.

She is published at Answers2Prayer, Christian Devotions Ministries, PresbyCan, The Upper Room, and other ministries.

In her spare time, Glenda enjoys her role as “Grammy” to her two grandsons. She also enjoys reading, crocheting, and knitting.

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