Words of Comfort for Women

By Carolyn Larsen

When we get out of bed in the morning, we don't know what the day ahead holds. It could be routine. It could be amazing. It could be devastating. No matter what each day holds, one of the biggest influences on the direction our days take is our own attitude. We can live in fear, worry, and anxiety, or we can choose to live with purpose, trusting God in every circumstance.

Compact and concise, Carolyn Larsen's Words of Comfort for Women and Words of Hope for Women each offer you 90 inspiring devotional readings that will help you remember God's presence in your days and see your world from a positive perspective. These short, to-the-point readings illuminate God's promises and show you just how they apply to your everyday life. Beautifully designed, these devotionals are the perfect gift for a friend--and for yourself.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Baker Publishing Group
• Release date: Oct 15, 2019
• ISBN: 9781493419517

Carolyn Larsen

Carolyn Larsen is the bestselling author of more than 50 books for children and adults. She has been a speaker for women's events and classes around the world, bringing scriptural messages filled with humor and tenderness.

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© 2019 by Carolyn Larsen

Published by Revell

a division of Baker Publishing Group

PO Box 6287, Grand Rapids, MI 49516-6287

www.revellbooks.com

Ebook edition created 2019

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means—for example, electronic, photocopy, recording—without the prior written permission of the publisher. The only exception is brief quotations in printed reviews.

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data is on file at the Library of Congress, Washington, DC.

ISBN 978-1-4934-1951-7

Scripture quotations are from the Holy Bible, New International Version®. NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide. www.zondervan.com. The NIV and New International Version are trademarks registered in the United States Patent and Trademark Office by Biblica, Inc.™

Contents

Cover

Half Title Page

Title Page

Copyright Page

1. Never Alone

2. When You’re Weary

3. One Step at a Time

4. Where Does Comfort Come From?

5. Where’s Your God Place?

6. Remember

7. Focused Thoughts

8. Living on a Hamster Wheel

9. God Cares

10. The Reason for Grace

11. Share the Burden

12. Run to the Comforter

13. A Safe Place for You

14. Nothing Surprises God

15. No Elevator Speech Needed

16. Pass It On!

17. Check Your DNA

18. Stop, Pray, Wait

19. Honest Trust

20. Jesus Wins!

21. Covered in Prayer

22. Your Strong Anchor

23. Faith Lessons in the Dark

24. Share Your Story

25. Pursued!

26. Strength Together!

27. A Safe Place

28. Work in Progress

29. The Wisdom You Need

30. Greatest Love

31. Never Shaken

32. A Lighted Path

33. Stop the Noise

34. Cut the String!

35. Growing Up

36. Deal with Today

37. Trusting in Prayer

38. Surviving the Fire

39. Parenting Struggles

40. God’s Goals for You

41. Dependable Trust

42. Your Song

43. This Is Love

44. Forever Love

45. The Reason to Go On

46. Promise for Eternity

47. Comfort of the Spirit

48. God’s Daily Goodness

49. In Training

50. Keep Doing What You Do

51. He Forgives and Restores

52. No Man Is an Island

53. Shout Your Gratitude

54. Humble Yourself

55. Worry, Worry, Worry

56. Protection in Troubled Times

57. God’s Unchanging Word

58. Money, Money, Money!

59. True Success

60. No Bragging

61. Private Conversation

62. Always Good

63. Training Manual

64. One Step Forward . . .

65. Confidence in God

66. Red Rover!

67. Really Living

68. Go Forward with Confidence

69. No Longer Alienated

70. God’s Comforter

71. Living a Godly Life

72. Keeping Focus

73. Strength in Numbers

74. No Pain, No Gain

75. Calling to God

76. Real Wisdom

77. Jesus Came in Love

78. Discipline Time

79. What’s Your Job?

80. Real Peace

81. Do Love

82. Completely Clean

83. The Blessings of Today

84. Wonderful You

85. Vine and Branches

86. Love Deeply

87. Pay It Forward

88. What Love Does

89. Build a Team

90. Love Your Enemies

About the Author

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1

Never Alone

So do not fear, for I am with you;

do not be dismayed, for I am your God.

I will strengthen you and help you;

I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.

ISAIAH 41:10

Fear, defeat, and hopelessness can make you feel alone. It may seem like no one understands how constant and oppressing your emotions are. Ugh. If only someone really got it and would just be with you. They might not be able to solve your problem, but you wouldn’t feel so alone if someone was with you. A friend’s presence would be such a comfort.

Here’s some great news—you’re not alone. Ever. God promised to be with you all the time. Not only that, he also promised to give you the strength to make it through all you’re dealing with. He doesn’t just show up when you have a problem; he’s with you all the time. That means nothing takes him by surprise. So, when life gets messy and you feel like you can’t hold on, keep putting one foot in front of the other. One day you’ll realize that things are better. You’ll realize that you made it because God was quietly walking beside you, and each time you needed a boost of strength, energy, or hope, he gave it. Each time you needed a spiritual hug or pat on the back, he gave it. His presence brings comfort, strength, hope, and perseverance just when you need it.

2

When You’re Weary

Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.

MATTHEW 11:28

You know what Scripture says . . . the ways that God instructs you to live in obedience to him and in community with others. Sure, you know. You do try to obey what Scripture teaches. But face it . . . living the Christian life is not a one and done thing. It’s a journey. That means there are days of excellent success and days when you stumble. The longer you follow God, the more discouraged you feel when you fail to be obedient. After all, you don’t want to disappoint God, and of course, you’re trying your best. Your heart’s desire is to truly live for him so that you become more and more like Christ.

What’s God’s response to your failures? Does he give up on you? Not at all! God understands the temptations and struggles you face. He knows that Satan constantly tempts you to turn away from God. He knows you need an oasis in the desert of temptation, and he offers himself as a place of comfort and rest. He invites you to come to him, so tell him what you’re struggling against. Give it to him, and trust him to get you through it.

3

One Step at a Time

Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.

COLOSSIANS 3:2

Worry, pray, worry, stress, worry, obsess, pray, stress . . . you know the cycle. Your mind locks onto something, and you can’t think about anything else. So you worry, stress, and pray, then go right back to worrying and stressing. Why doesn’t God do something? That’s the million-dollar question. Is he paying attention? Yes. Doesn’t he care about what’s going on? Yes. Why doesn’t he fix things? He will.

Recently a mother