Some wise advice from a young friend

Last weekend Jubal and I had the privilege of travelling to VA and spend some time with my folks. While I was there I met with a dear dear friend that I have known for a long time and I would do anything for her. We had not seen each other in a little over a year but we have the kind of friendship where we just pick up where we left off. Not going into much detail, she is going through a lot of hard stuff. She is a few years younger than me but I always learn so much when I am with her. Her maturity is far beyond her years to say the least. As we were sitting on her couch, she was sharing some things that God is teaching her through her earthly pain. One thing she told me was no matter what, don't believe the lies that Satan throws at us on a daily basis. But dive into the Truth of Christ and hang onto it. Don't let go even though it gets painful sometimes. This life is a learning process and God is using it to help us get to know Him better.
This advice is really settling in my heart. I think so many times that I let things bring me down, big or small, and I focus on the hurt that it brings me. Instead, it takes a lot of courage to rise above and hold onto the truth of God's word and His unconditional love. One powerful way to practice this is to memorize verses in the Bible and make them a part of your everyday life. Recite it, meditate on it, and believe it. It has the power to set us free from so much bondage. It may not always make our circumstances better but I know it helps our perspectives become eternal instead of temporary. I want to close with a passage that has been so dear to me in recent days and I hope it encourages you as well. It's from Psalm 25:1-7.

" To you, O Lord, I lift up my soul; in you I trust, O my God.

Do not let me be put to shame, nor let my enemies triumph over me.

No one whose hope is in you will ever be put to shame,

But they will be put to shame who are treacherous without excuse.

Show me your ways, O Lord,

Teach me your paths;

Guide me in your truth and teach me,

for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long.

Remember, O Lord, your great mercy and love,

for they are from old.

Remember not the sins of my youth and my rebellious ways;

according to your love remember me,

For you are good, O Lord."