Every Tear Is Treasured
You number my wanderings; put my tears into your bottle; are they not in Your book?
Psalm 56:8 NKJV

The following is something I found in a book called Checklist for Life for Women.

A heavy heart is a load greater than you can carry alone. When your days are dark with disappointment, God understands your sorrow. He does not read you a lecture or tell you to be more cheerful. He has carried your grief and borne your sorrow. He knows your weakness and helps you.

Life has its troubles and trials. No one is immune from suffering. Sadness is a part of life. God doesn't say you won't have sorrow, but He does say that He will be with you in your sorrow and comfort you in your grief.

Perhaps you are struggling with a disappointment. A relationship has been broken and you rehearse the things you regret over and over in your mind. Or you lost your job and you have to reinvent your life while you try to pay the bills. Perhaps illness has curtailed your ability to do the things you love. You may be sad from the loss of a loved one. If you are a mother who has lost her child, there is no grief quite so deep and dark. You may be widowed or divorced, coping with loneliness and an empty heart. Though you pretend to feel positive, all you really want to do is have a good cry. God is with you in all your sorrows.

Learn to comfort yourself and allow God to comfort you. Here are some simple ways to cope during times of stress and sadness.

Take care of your health. Get some physical exercise and eat as well as you can. Make sure you get plenty of rest if at all possible.

Take a break away from the problem or trouble. Sometimes it is possible to get so focused on sadness that you can forget to look at the larger picture. Read a good book. Take a walk or go see a movie. Buy fresh flowers. Pet a puppy or hold a baby. Getting fresh perspective helps you cope with sadness.

Ask for help. In times of sadness, it's too easy to isolate yourself just when you need people the most. Take tea with a friend. Go to church and worship with others. Meet with your pastor, chaplain, or counselor. Hugs and affection support your body as well as your emotions.

Nurture your spirit thorough meditation, Bible reading and prayer.

Know that God is with you in your times of sadness. He promises to never leave you or forsake you. He treasures all of your tears.

I WILL...

...Remember that God is with me in my sadness.
...Trust that God will comfort me in times of sorrow.
...Understand that tears are one way God helps you heal.
...Commit myself to taking care of my heath even when I feel too sad to care.
...Rest in God's care.
...Look for the small blessings that surround me even when I am sad.

THINGS TO DO...

t Make an appointment to get together with an understanding friend for a time of prayer, comfort, and encouragement.
t List twenty things you are thankful for today.
t Memorize Romans 8:28

t Take a nap the next time you are feeling overwhelmed.
t Make an appointment to speak to a pastor or counselor.

THINGS TO REMEMBER...

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, The Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God.
2 Corinthians 1:3-4

I will be glad and rejoice in Your mercy, for You have considered my trouble; You have known my soul in adversities.
Psalm 31:7

Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.
Hebrews 4:16

This is my comfort in my affliction, for Your Word has given me life.
Psalm 119:50

He shall call upon Me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him and honor him.
Psalm 91: 15

My flesh and my heart faileth; but God is the strength of my heart, and my portion forever.
Psalm 73:26

I want to personally thank each of you for your support of Scrapbook Eden. I am grateful with all my heart! I also want to thank each of you who have prayed for my dad during his illness. I am so pleased to report that he does not have cancer as the doctor's suspected. He is still dealing with some health issues, but I am believing that God will continue to do a work in his life. Thank you all again. May the Lord richly bless you with His grace, mercy, peace and love.

Your Friend, Melinda