Get Your Music on Amazon!
Get Your Music - and everything else - on Amazon! All purchases made on Amazon through this link earn a commission for Jesusfreakhideout.com!

JFH Devotionals by J.M. Farro


Reaching Out in Times of Trial


"As soon as Jesus heard the news, He went off by Himself in a boat to a remote area to be alone. But the crowds heard where He was headed and followed by land from many villages. A vast crowd was there as He stepped from the boat, and He had compassion on them and healed their sick." - Matthew 14:13-14 NLT

Recently, I went through some very difficult times that threatened to overwhelm me physically and emotionally. I must admit that there were moments when I had that "lay down and die" attitude. If it weren't for God impressing upon me some very definite strategies for getting through these times, I don't know how I would have made it at all. As always, I was clinging to God and His Word. I was praying constantly and standing on His promises of hope. But I still felt myself slipping into a pit of despair. Then the Lord directed me to "get busy." Doing little tasks around the house helped me somewhat, but what really made the difference was getting busy reaching out to others. On purpose, I began looking for ways to be a blessing to those around me. Suddenly, it was easier to keep my mind off of myself and my own problems. It proved to be some of the best medicine for me.

When we're going through hard times, it's tempting to want to keep ourselves on our minds all the time. And that's one of Satan's most effective weapons against us. But if we will purposefully get our minds off of ourselves and onto others, we will experience the freedom and healing that we need most during these times. God wants to be our Problem Solver. He doesn't want us preoccupied with trying to solve our own problems. He'd rather have us concentrate on helping others solve THEIR problems. As we reach out to others, God will reach out to us.

Matthew records that when Jesus heard the news of John the Baptist's death, He went off by Himself to be alone. But the Savior obviously didn't dwell on His grief for very long because He was soon reaching out to others with compassion. (Matthew 14:13-14) We, too, need to reach out to others with the love of God when we're hurting. Focusing on our wounds will only pull us deeper into a pit of despair. But setting our minds and hearts on blessing those around us will lift us above our circumstances and position us to receive relief and reward from the Lord!

Prayer: Lord, the next time I'm going through a trial, help me to resist focusing on my own troubles and pain. Instead, show me how to reach out to others with Your love and compassion. Make me sensitive to the needs of people around me who are hurting. Thank You that as I get busy helping others with their problems, You'll get busy helping me with mine!

- J. M. Farro

 

go to main Devotionals page
go to Devotionals archive

 

 

                 
Check out JFH's Lloyd in his first-ever childrens book!

Search JFH



This Friday, March 14, 2025
ALBUMS
Shout Praises Kids! Español Buen Dios [Integrity]
UPPERROOM 1350 (Live) [Capitol CMG]

SINGLES
1K Phew All I Need - Single [Reach]
Anchor Hymns Walk With Me/How Precious Your Presence (feat. Caroline Cobb, Sarah Kroger, and Stefan Cashwell) - Single [Integrity]
AZ Christlike Greater Works - Single [Syntax]
Big Daddy Weave Let It Begin - Single [Curb]
Blanca This Won't Take My Praise (feat. Taylor Hill) - Single [Curb]
Jekalyn Carr Don't Faint - Single [WayNorth]
Clemency Whole Heart - Single (independent)
Coqui only Idol - Multi Single [DREAM]
Just Cordell Wait - Single (independent)
Adriel Cruz We're Not Alone - Single [Syntax]
Grace Graber, Daniel Spriggs My Favorite Part - Single (independent)
Illustrate, Procyse Mask Off (Daniel DeGree Remix) - Single [Polished Arrow]
Knaladeus Your Love - Single [Syntax]
LO CLOUD Stars Align - Single (independent)
Newsboys How Many Times (oh how You love me) - Single [Capitol CMG]
Blessing Offor Lift Me Up - Single [Capitol CMG]
Nate Parrish Small - Single (independent)
Josiah Queen Yesterday is Dead - Single [Capitol CMG]
Emmy Rose Tend (Live) - Single [Bethel]
Tedashii Heavy Heart - Single [Reach]
Todd Tilghman Holy Place - Single [StowTown]
Brandon Watson Too Far Gone - Single (independent)

Next Friday, March 21, 2025
ALBUMS
Kayla Berry Soar - Single (independent)
Diatheke ...And The Word Was God [Rottweiler]
Ellie Holcomb Sing: Spring Songs [Capitol CMG]
Jesus Culture Worthy of Hallelujah (Live) [Capitol CMG]
Tauren Wells Let The Church Sing - EP [Capitol CMG]

SINGLES
Pat Boone ONE - Voices for Tanzania - Single [Lamb & Lions]
Faith Worship Arts The Lifter (Live) - Single [DREAM Worship]
Life.Church Worship Christ In Me - Single (independent)
Seph Schlueter Turn It To Praise - Single [Provident]



For all release dates, click here!
 

Check out the newest JFH Metal compilation - FREE!
Get JFH's 13th free indie compilation now!
Check out depositphotos for royalty free images