Sophie King

I'm Tay! I blog about lifestyle, faith, beauty, and mental health.

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Faith

Ezra-Nehemiah: Hopeful & Disappointed

November 12, 2020

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I woke up at the beginning of November feeling all sorts of feelings. Anxious, annoyed, hopeful, tired, lonely, excited…it was quite the confusing mix. Hopeful because it was no longer October, and tired because our world is hurting. Anxious because people are fighting all over. Annoyed because I desire peace, love, & healing. Lonely because we are all going through this together, but none of us know how to comfort one another. It’s like everyone this year has been in fight or flight. Some people are triggered in their PTSD and some are experiencing suffering for the first time.

So… I decided to go back to a place of quiet and stillness and listen to God. I then woke up and had this immense peace & hope the other day.

It’s interesting though because when I saw the devotional Bible Project video for Ezra & Nehemiah I listened and watched it pretty amazed at how hopeful/disappointing it was. Such a contradiction almost or a let down after nearly finishing the Bible Project video, but then it points out the need to keep reading. I talked with my mom about this video and she had said she felt this hope that she couldn’t quite place other than it was after she was reading the Bible and saw this devotional video.

So I watched it and it talks about how the books begin with this hope and then it ends in disappointment. So how can this really give hope? Because we see that the fulfilment of the hope they had is still to come. And it shows that the book points to the same message from Jeremiah 31 and Ezekiel 36 which is the need for a transformation and new heart for the people. It says, “The book ends with a downer, yes, but it forces you to keep reading to see what God will do to fulfill His promises.”

Anyways- highly recommend the Biblical Story Line Bible Project plan on Youversion. It’s really good.

I have also been reading Suffer Strong and it has been so good. I have cried, laughed, highlighted, and written about it.

It’s been raining a lot this week and I went outside to see the changing leaves and then saw all the pink petaled flowers fell off the bush. So of course I had to take a photo with all the pink 🙂

I have been feeling really good, hopeful, and thankful. Being reminded that the words and kindness I speak can make an impact. Currently, social media noise is trying to point out the wrongs in one another and it’s highlighting in my heart and mind how much more I need to reflect my own thoughts, words, and actions towards others. I’ve caught myself typing responses to people’s posts that I don’t agree with…but why? I have to focus on growing and fixing my heart issues right now. I am someone who fights for Truth, who wants justice and righteousness. I want and need a balance of my words to be in the spirit and not in the flesh.

So I say all this not to trigger or concern others but to encourage us to all sit back, go to Truth, and fill our hearts and minds with a balance from the Spirit and kindness.

Righteous anger is not bad, but when that anger becomes unrighteous it’s bitter, rude, demeaning, degrading, and does all involved harm. The one speaking and the one receiving.

I am excited to share more soon about the Holidays coming up and I am so thankful for you. I truly appreciate the friendships I’ve made through blogging and I’m so thankful that this is a place of love, encouragement, and those who follow a long are deeply impactful in my life.

Thanks for reading,

Tay Ruth

  1. Miranda Gates says:

    Amen!! Thank you Tay! Your words are so true and encouraging! Thank you for speaking life! I believe that this message is SO important for everyone to hear especially with the times we are in! Thank you for listening to the Lord and sharing what He has been laying on your heart! You are a light for Christ! Lots of love! 💕

  2. Miranda Gates says:

    Thank you Tay! I was so encouraged by your words! This message is so very important and is so true! Being kind and sharing God’s love is so important and brings glory to God! You are such an encouragement to me and you speak words of life. Thank you for listening to the Lord and sharing His word. You are such a light for Christ! Many blessings sweet friend! 🙂

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I'm Tay! I blog about lifestyle, faith, beauty, and mental health.

get to know me

55 Journal Prompts

free download!

Categories

faith

lifestyle

beauty

relationships

Popular

on the blog

click here

How He Asked