Dear Lord And Savior Jesus Christ...

Dear Lord:

I want to thank you for what you have already done.  I am not going to wait until I see results or receive rewards, I am thanking you right now.  I am not going to wait until I feel better or things look better.  I am thanking you right now.

I am not going to wait until people say they are sorry or until they stop talking about me, I am thanking you right now.  I am not going to wait until the pain in my body disappears.  I am thanking you right now.  I am not going to wait until my financial situation improves, I am going to thank you right now.

I am not going to wait until the children are asleep and the house is quiet.  I am going to thank you right now.  I am not going to wait until I get promoted at work or until I get the job.  I am going to thank you right now.

I am not going to wait until I understand every experience in my life that has caused me pain or grief.  I am going to thank you right now.  I am not going to wait until the journey gets easier or the challenges are removed.  I am thanking you right now.

I am thanking you because I am alive.  I am thanking you because I made it through the day’s difficulties.  I am thanking you because I have walked around the obstacles.  I am thanking you because I have the ability and opportunity to do more and do better.  I am thanking you because you have not given up on me.

Thank you, Lord

Courage To Face Abuse

Psalm 34:4-18New International Version (NIV)

 4 I sought the Lord, and he answered me; he delivered me from all my fears. 5 Those who look to him are radiant; their faces are never covered with shame. 6 This poor man called, and the Lord heard him; he saved him out of all his troubles. 7 The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear him, and he delivers them. 8 Taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the one who takes refuge in him. 9 Fear the Lord, you his holy people, for those who fear him lack nothing. 10 The lions may grow weak and hungry, but those who seek the Lord lack no good thing. 11 Come, my children, listen to me; I will teach you the fear of the Lord. 12 Whoever of you loves life and desires to see many good days, 13 keep your tongue from evil and your lips from telling lies. 14 Turn from evil and do good; seek peace and pursue it.

Abuse Victim
You are not alone; many others have gone through abuse similar to what you have experienced.  You may be find it hard to express your feelings about your situation--This is quite common.  But it is important for you to get past this.  You need to learn to express yourself in a healthy way and realize your God-given value as a person.  We encourage you to find a pastor or Christian counselor (or perhaps a mature Christian friend of the same sex) whom you feel you can trust and begin to talk what you are going through.  You do not "deserve" the treatment you have experienced; God does not want you to be a victim.  He wants to give you courage to deal rightly with your situation.  Though your abuser may blame you and justify his or her actions against your, the abuse is not your fault, and it must stop.  Pray for the courage to be decisive and firm.  the actions your abuser is taking against you are illegal and could even lead to imprisonment.