Good Morning,

Self-imposed worry causes horrible physical symptoms and depression when you forget to release your worries in prayer. God’s peace will protect your heart and mind when we release our worries in prayer and choose to rest in the care, wisdom, and faithfulness of God. David in Psalm 37:4-5 reminds us to “Delight yourself also in the Lord, and He shall give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to the Lord, trust also in Him, and He shall bring it to pass”.

When prayer becomes the place where fear is exchanged for trust and gratitude, it helps you remember that God is already present in what you are facing. God’s presence is the source of all joy. And if you want more joy in your life, spend more time with God, and that spirit of heaviness that has been hanging over you will lift as God changes your attitude and perspective. The truth is, God is completely committed to caring for you and will provide what you need.

The smallest to the biggest trial can be navigated with peace and joy when you are walking in faith and certain of God’s impeccable faithfulness. God’s faithfulness is faultless and never fails. And when the Lord is with you, there is no need to wear yourself out, trying to meet your responsibilities and commitments in your own strength. Finding more joy in the hard places involves drawing near to God as you are, with a willing heart, listening and ready to receive God’s unfailing love. When our hope is truly in God, when our faith is firm in His nature and promises, it will shape our day-to-day lives and will give us peace in times of trial, enabling us to endure every earthly hardship with a unique joy.

Thank you for your financial contributions to support the church’s work. Please continue to mail your checks to Payne Chapel A.M.E. Church, 2701 Lee St, Houston, Texas 77026, or use Givelify.com (Payne Chapel A.M.E. Church—Houston, Texas).

Finally, I want to leave you with this thought for meditation:  “To one who has faith, no explanation is necessary. To one without faith, no explanation is possible.” —Thomas Aquinas.

Always Pray.

Pastor Kevin L. Bullock, Sr.