THE UPPER ROOM ROOM DAILY DEVOTIONAL
The Upper Room Daily Devotional 5th April 2023, Wednesday Message. As you study today’s devotional, remember this; “Work hard so you can present yourself to God and receive his approval. Be a good worker, one who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly explains the word of truth.” 2 Timothy 2:15 (NLT)
In Your Hands
Michael Albanese (New York, USA)
TODAY’S READING
Psalm 116:1-7
KEY VERSE: Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. – Proverbs 3:5 (NIV)
The Upper Room Daily Devotional 5th April 2023 MESSAGE
When my wife was diagnosed with an aggressive form of dementia, we were devastated. I watched helplessly as our 27 years of marriage slowly disappeared from her memory. I struggled to make sense of the deep sorrow, frustration, and anger I felt. I wanted to know why.
I laid my heart bare to God. I prayed honestly, openly, and sometimes angrily as I expressed my frustration and my desire for answers. I prayed through tears, pleading with God to heal my beloved wife and to remove my burden of being a full-time caregiver while working a full-time job.
One morning, when it felt like my prayers were going nowhere, I was able to slow down and quiet my mind enough to hear God’s message. I needed to pray not for understanding but for faith. I needed to look not for answers but for the courage to trust in God. I began to pray for God’s presence in my life and in my heart, and I have grown closer to God than I have ever been.
I know God is working for good (see Rom. 8:28). Sometimes I can’t see the good, but I know God is faithful and will guide me through this. I don’t have the answers, but I have been richly blessed by God’s presence, which gives me the strength to cope with the tragedy of my wife’s illness.
TODAY’S PRAYER
Loving God, give us the courage to place all things into your hands, to submit our will to yours, with an abundant faith in your promises. Amen.
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
I can trust God even when I don’t have full understanding.
PRAYER FOCUS
Spouses of people with dementia
The Upper Room is a daily devotional magazine published in more than 30 languages and 100 countries around the world. The daily meditations are written by readers of the magazine and others interested in sharing their faith experiences through writing—both laity and clergy, published authors and new writers. Read More
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