Rejoice

Rejoice in the Lord always.  I will say it again: Rejoice!  Let your gentleness be evident to all.  The Lord is near.  Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.  And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.   Philippians 4: 4-7

the cold black night

quietly closes in,

the pain steadily intensifies,

blinding and overwhelming,

becoming more than I think

my spirit can possibly bear,

hope slowly fades,

rage fills my mind and heart,

bitterness and anger grow,

until it feels as though

I am about to burst;

the enemy silently waits,

ready for the final kill;

then You reach out

across the long, lonely miles,

using unsuspecting and

unexpected messengers,

gently reminding me You are near,

softly speaking words of encouragement,

renewing my faltering spirit,

providing new found courage,

making it possible to rise once again;

the pain begins to dissolve,

the darkness turns to light,

hope comes flooding in like a mighty river,

Your blessed peace surrounds me

like a well worn blanket,

the enemy retreats,

back into the blackness

from which it came;

once more You have delivered me

from unseen traps and snares,

once more You have brought hope

where there was none to be found,

once more You have saved me

through Your never ending mercy and grace;

I will rejoice in You,

I will declare Your wondrous love,

I will praise Your holy name,

forever.

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