Jesus Always Shows Up

It's another dreary, cold day where I live. When I woke up this morning I was depressed. But I'm determined not to stay there. My goal is to keep my eyes focused on Jesus and I'm going to stick to it.

My devotional today had this verse, "In the multitude of my thoughts within me, Thy comforts delight my soul", Psalm 94:19. KJV

I grew up self-conscious, wanting to be invisible, thinking everyone was criticizing me and talking about me behind my back, never feeling like I fit in; and I still battle with this. Who better to understand how I feel than Jesus? He knows how it feels to be criticized and talked about, shunned even, and despised.

I am still not comfortable in social situations, with women who are more put together and more accomplished than I am. I compare myself and always find myself lacking. Jesus, who could have come in power and great glory, instead came to be born in a lowly stable, in a feed trough, announcing His birth to shepherds who were not well thought of in His culture. So that we could all identify with Him, no matter what we lack.

And He loves me unconditionally. He loved me before I cleaned up my act. He accepted me when I was nothing but a puddled up mess. It doesn't matter that life dealt me a crooked hand, that I was abused at an early age, that I carried a terrible secret, that I grew up an only child and always felt so alone. I am loved! I am loved by Jesus! And Jesus has promised to never leave me or forsake me.

When I am depressed, the best thing for me to do is get out my Bible and start reading. Jesus always shows up and brings comfort to my soul. "Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light", Matthew 11:28-29. NLT