Black Rock Seventh-day Adventist Church

Regardless of how dark the future may appear to you right now, remember, God will never abandon you. It's In the Bible, II Corinthians 4:8-9 TLB, "We are pressed on every side by troubles, but not crushed and broken. We are perplexed because we don't know why things happen as they do, but we don't give up and quit. We are hunted down, but God never abandons us. We get knocked down, but we get up again and keep going."

You are of great value to God. It's In the Bible, Luke 12:6-7, TLB. "What is the price of five sparrows? A couple of pennies? Not much more than that. Yet God does not forget a single one of them. And he knows the number of hairs on your head! Never fear, you are far more valuable to Him than a whole flock of sparrows."

God cares about you and is thinking of you constantly. It's In the Bible, Psalm 139:17-18, TLB. "How precious it is, Lord, to realize that you are thinking about me constantly! I can't even count how many times a day your thoughts turn towards me. And when I waken in the morning, you are still thinking of me!"

You have been promised a marvelous future. It's In the Bible, Jeremiah 29:11, TLB. "For I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord. They are plans for good and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope."

Jesus will help you when your burdens are too heavy to bear. It's In the Bible, Psalm 55:22, NKJV. "Cast your burden on the Lord, and He shall sustain you;" Matthew 11:28-30, KJV says, "Come unto Me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you, and learn of Me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your soul. For My yoke is easy, and My burden is light."

You are not alone in thinking about wanting to die. Several men in the Bible felt the same way. It's in the Bible, Numbers 11:14-15, RSV. Moses said, "I am not able to carry all this people alone, the burden is too heavy for me. If thou wilt deal thus with me, kill me at once, if I find favor in thy sight, that I may not see my wretchedness." An event in the story of Elijah is recorded in I Kings 19:3-4, NRSV. "Then he was afraid; he got up and fled for his life…But he himself went a day's journey into the wilderness, and came and sat down under a solitary broom tree. He asked that he might die: "It is enough; now, O Lord, take away my life, for I am no better than my ancestors."

If you feel overcome with fear, God will help you, It's In the Bible, Isaiah 41:10, NKJV "Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am Your God. I will strengthen you, yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand." Joshua 1:9, TLB says, "Yes, be bold and strong! Banish fear and doubt! For remember, the Lord your God is with you wherever you go."

God will never forsake you even if everyone else has. It's In the Bible, Psalm 9:10, NIV. "Those who know your name will trust in You, for you, Lord, have never forsaken those who seek You.." Psalms 46:1-3, TLB says, "God is our refuge and strength, a tested help in times of trouble. And so we need not fear even if the world blows up, and the mountains crumble into the sea. Let the oceans roar and foam; let the mountains tremble!"

God offers you peace of heart and mind. It's In the Bible, John 14:27, NKJV "Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid." Isaiah 26:3, NKJV says, "You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in You." John 16:33 says, "I have told you all this so that you will have peace of heart and mind. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows; but cheer up, for I have overcome the world."

With God's help, keep your heart and mind focused on positive thoughts, It's In the Bible, Philippians 4:8, "And now, brothers [and sisters], as I close this letter let me say this one more thing: Fix your thoughts on what is true and good and right. Think about things that are pure and lovely, and dwell on the fine, good things in others. Think about all you can praise God for and be glad about."