Good morning! Yesterday, I had the unexpected pleasure of attending a compassion fatigue workshop. The workshop was well designed and informative. It offered tools to effectively recognize and address the challenges of individuals who are in reoccurring stress situations or in places of employment or in their lives where they extend help to people (e.g., family, friends, employees, people they serve, etc.), but either do not have time to refresh and restore their energy or lives because they are in the midst of putting out fires or caring for others needs before they care for their own. Given the impact that it made on the attendees in the room, I definitely plan to offer the workshop in the fall at our next Refresh, Restore and Renew event for volunteers and staff of the dependent living facilities that we partner with.

However, let me put this into context for today’s reading. Today, we will continue reading 1 Peter chapter 5 where Peter is reminding us that God has called us and that in time he will restore us. Join me as we read verses 10 through 11.

¹⁰ In his kindness God called you to share in his eternal glory by means of Christ Jesus. So after you have suffered a little while, he will restore, support, and strengthen you, and he will place you on a firm foundation. ¹¹ All power to him forever! Amen.” – 1 Peter 5:10-11 NLT

Sisters and brothers, we have been reading for several weeks on our life in Christ Jesus. We have learned what it means to be a Christian (follower of Christ), we have addressed our attitudes, behaviors and hearts as Christians and we learned that being a Christian and choosing to do good comes with rewards, but also times of suffering.

If you have been a Christian for awhile you know that suffering is inevitable, but even if you chose not to be a Christian suffering is also inevitable. The only difference between the two is that for the Christian, God is with us through it all. We have hope that only comes through Christ Jesus’ death on the cross, victory over death and his ressurection, and Him being seated at the right hand of the Father with all authority over heaven and in the earth. I don’t know about you, but I rather spend my life knowing no matter what comes my way, the Lord is always with me in life and in death – for all eternity.

Sisters and brothers, suffering is temporal but our faith and hope in Christ is eternal. Let me further encourage you to let the Lord restore you mentally, physically, emotionally, and spiritually. Allow Him to be your peace in the midst of the storm.

Take a minute out of your day (today), just 60 seconds and write down Lord, in the midst of everything around me, I will trust you. Help me to ________(fill in the blank) (e.g., Lord, help me to experience your peace today.)

Let the Lord be your firm foundation today and everday.

Father God, in the name of Jesus we want to thank you for the peace that only you can provide. Lord, thank you for your love and mercy toward us. Lord, help us to remember the hope that we have in Christ Jesus. Lord, help us to see your goodness in the earth and do likewise. Lord, when we are overwhelmed strengthen us and lead us in a way that fulfills your purpose for our lives. Direct us and help us to find time to sit at your feet and rest. Lord, during that time refresh our spirit and renew our lives in you. Lord, help us as we serve our sisters and brothers in the faith, our families, communities, churches and people we work with or see. Equip us to lead, strengthen and encourage one another. Lord, keep us humble and pure in heart as we glorify you in all that we do. Lord, we pray for the missionaries who are in the mission fields around the world. We ask that you refresh their spirits, touch their ministries (spiritually and financially), protect them from the plots of the enemy and give them peace. Lord, we pray for staff and volunteers at shelters, transitional living facilities, recovery homes and human trafficking recovery homes. Lord replenish their souls and minds. Refresh their hearts and and give them the strength and resiliency that they need to continue the work that they do in Your name. Lord, help us to live a life in Christ that brings a resemblance of heaven here on earth. In Jesus name, amen.

Keep praying! Keep trusting! Keep pursuing the Lord!

Our next event is: Saturday, July 27, 2019

We will have guest speakers and singers. Lunch is included. Space is limited. The deadline to purchase your ticket is Sunday, July 7, 2019. Tickets will not be sold at the door. Buy your ticket online at:

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/2019-long-beach-womens-retreat-rise-up-daughters-tickets-59622249754

Event location: Reef Restaurant, 800 Harbor Scenic Dr, Long Beach, Ca

Event time: 9:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.

Additionally, Mary E. White Ministries is asking for volunteers and coordinators. If you are interested, please send Mary an email at contactus@maryewhiteministries.com.

Do you have a prayer request? We would love to pray for you. Send your prayer request to:

prayerrequest@maryewhiteministries.com 

Photo credit: Erica Rodriguez

Bible Reference: http://www.biblegateway.com

Copyright© 2019 Mary E. White Ministries