Five Minute Friday – Relief

by | Apr 9, 2015 | Five Minute Friday

Fridays roll around quickly, don’t they?

Tonight I again join the Five Minute Friday #fmfparty group of writing for five minutes on a one-word prompt. Truly, I enjoy Thursday nights with this group of amazing people. Even on my phone, on they way home from a chilly and wet soccer game. Oh the memories in that!

Won’t you join us? You don’t need to be concerned about grammar or punctuation or anything like that. Just writing. Free, pure, beautiful. We share and encourage at Kate Motaung’s. If you don’t have a blog, feel free to use the comment section below to write your five minutes. I’d love for you to join the fun!

This week’s word:

–RELIEF–

 

Go.

I’m up to my eyeballs in work this week.

Seriously.

I don’t think I’ve ever experienced a week like this. Ever. A huge deadline looms in the distance. A larger-than-life project consumes my days. I’m doing all I can to stay focused, and to keep away distractions.

This is something I can’t do on my own. So I’ve asked for help.

Psalm 121 1-2

I lift up my eyes to the mountains–

where does my help come from?

My help comes from the Lord,

the Maker of heaven and earth.

Psalm 121:1-2

I’m praying for God to equip me. To guide me. To give me wisdom and words. To stretch my time. To keep a good and hopeful attitude. And to glorify Him.

And it blesses me to know others are praying for me.

In times of deadlines, and projects, and stressful situations, and larger-than-life responsibilities, there’s relief in knowing God is with us. There’s relief in knowing we aren’t alone. There’s relief in being the beneficiary of the intercessions of others.

There’s also relief in knowing the deadline is near, and soon it’ll all be behind me!

Oh, what a glorious day that’ll be next week!

But until then, I’m working and appreciating the relief from the One who generously provides it when we call out for help. May we each be reminded of this glorious relief!

Stop.

 

God is with you today, my friend. There’s such relief in that truth!

Blessings,

Julie

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22 Comments

  1. Mollie Hardman

    Oh sweet Julie! I pray that the rest of this time goes smoothly for you and that you can find some “relief” from the weight and urgency of it all sooner than later. Love this reminder of where to focus my eyes when these times roll around, and they always do. Have a blessed week friend!

    Reply
    • Julie Lefebure

      Mollie, thank you so much for your kind and encouraging words. I need to keep my eyes fixed on Him, and Him only during this stressful time. It’ll all be behind me soon. It’s a joy to journey alongside others who understand, like you. Blessings, friend!

      Reply
  2. Dara Shultz

    Been battling illness while trying to take care of a sick baby and two other kiddos–needed this message today! Thank you. 🙂

    Reply
    • Julie Lefebure

      Dara, that is some tough stuff. Praying for you and your family today. Hang in there. God’s got you! Trust in His relief. Blessings for a speedy recovery!

      Reply
  3. Karen Brown

    Julie- Praise God that He is with us during these stressful times! I love this attitude: “I’m working and appreciating the relief from the One who generously provides it when we call out for help.” Amen! Thanks for another encouraging message. I love stopping by your place. Peace, friend.

    Reply
    • Julie Lefebure

      Hi Karen! It’s a gift to have you here. May God bless you as you bless and encourage others so well! May the week ahead be one blessing after another for you! Much love.

      Reply
  4. Verona

    Great message for us Julie. It is sometimes a challenge to stay focused on God and the hope I have in Him with circumstances. it is a great feeling when I praise Him in the midst of challenges, it takes my mind off of me. Blessings… 🙂

    Reply
    • Julie Lefebure

      Praise takes my mind off me. Thank you for that truth today, Verona! I needed that. Bless you today and every day, my friend!

      Reply
  5. Tara

    Yes Jesus is such glorious relief. I love Psalm 121. It reminds me of when I was in college sbd our theatre department did the Diary of Anne Frank. I remember a particular scene shere Anne and her family are praying that Psalm together. I’ll pray your deadline comes fast and you are relieved as you finish your project.

    Reply
    • Julie Lefebure

      Thank you, Tara. I appreciate your prayers so much. You are a gift to me, and so are your words! I’ll be praying for you as well. Thanks for stopping in!

      Reply
  6. Liz

    Oh yes, I pray ALL THE TIME for God to stretch my days! And here’s to trusting that relief will continue to come in the busyness!

    Reply
    • Julie Lefebure

      Amen, Liz! I’m trusting Him in that. May your week be blessed and stretched!

      Reply
  7. Rachel Q

    I’ve had weeks like that as well. It’s just punching out the list one by one hoping you get to the bottom soon! 🙂 Praying you accomplish all that you need to and that you find times of relief through your times of pushing through! Thanks for your words of encouragement

    Reply
    • Julie Lefebure

      Thank you for your prayers, Rachel. I am grateful for each one. I’m slowly working down the long list of work duties. I’ll get to the bottom soon. Thank YOU for your words of encouragement! Bless you!

      Reply
  8. Grace

    YES… When I remember each day in the midst of my chaos that God is with me, I feel relieved and strengthened to do better. Thank for sharing.
    Linking from FMF.

    Reply
    • Julie Lefebure

      Thanks for visiting, Grace! That makes all the difference, doesn’t it. Bless you in the week ahead!

      Reply
  9. Tiffany Parry

    “There’s relief in being the beneficiary of the intercessions of others.” These words really hit home for me. I’m usually a go-it-alone girl, but lately the Lord has been encouraging me to let others walk beside me – especially in prayer. He’s been asking me why I’m robbing myself of that power – in your words, that relief. Praying for you and that the work eases and the relief is real. Thank you for sharing, Julie and great partying beside you on twitter last night too. 🙂 Hugs, friend!

    Reply
    • Julie Lefebure

      Hi Tiffany! Thank you for your words. I’m glad you’re allowing others to walk beside you in prayer on your journey. We can’t do this alone. I’ll be lifting you in prayer as well. Twitter was fun Thursday night, even if I was trying to do it all on my phone. 🙂 Thanks for your prayers as well!!

      Reply
  10. Susan Shipe

    Blessed relief it is to know others are praying for you! #FMF

    Reply
    • Julie Lefebure

      Yes, Susan. What a blessing it is. Thanks for stopping in!

      Reply
  11. Amy P Boyd

    Yes, Such relief in the truth that He is always with me.

    Reply

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Julie Lefebure
Psalm 121 1-2
You are more than you think you are!
I woke in awe today because in those first eye-opening moments, I pondered the truth of Easter. 

Jesus defeated death... for me. For me.

Why? How? All the things I've done, said, thought... I am undeserving of this kind of gift.

But I guess that's the point, isn't it? If I deserved it, it wouldn't mean as much as it does today. He rose from the grave because I didn't deserve it. He rose from the grave, so someday I will, too. In the meantime, because I believe in this truth, I get to live in the hope of eternal life with Him. Forever. 

What a hope. What a love. What a Savior.

#amen #hopeinJesus #resurrection #iaminawe #thankyouJesus
Ever missed your exit because your brain took its own detour?

Yeah, same. In fact, this was me last week!

Here’s your reminder to slow down, be present, and take the right exit—on the road and in life. 

Life is too important to live it distracted. 

I'm @julielefebure, Abundant Life Mentor, and I'm here to help you live the life you were designed to live. Come along for more!

#staypresent #reallife #abundantlife #taketherightexit #encouragement
✨️We're beginning this study in 3 days!✨️

If you've been thinking of joining us online, today's a great day to get yourself registered!

What is your biggest life distraction lately?

Your phone? 🤳
Your past? 🤦‍♀️
The future? 📅
Your own thoughts? 🤔

Ready to put it all behind you??

Our next online session of the Right Now Matters Bible Study begins Monday, 4/21, at 7 PM, on Zoom for 5 weeks. You'll learn how to overcome these annoying distractions and live the abundant life you were designed to live.

It's free to attend, but you'll want the books Right Now Matters and the Right Now Matters Bible Study. Details and registration are @julielefebure. Or comment STUDY, and I'll send them your way.

It's going to be a transformative and fun time together!

#Biblestudy #rightnowmattersbiblestudy #joinus #undistractedliving #abundantlife
Today's the day we draw a line in the sand and say,
Aren't you grateful that God never gets distracted? 🙋‍♀️

He's always willing to help us when we do.

Don't try to battle today's distractions on your own. Ask God to help you overcome them. 

This is a secret to living an abundant life. 🙇‍♀️

#abundantlife #overcomedistractions #reallife #seekGod #Godwillhelpyou
Am I the only one?

Distraction doesn’t always show up loud and obvious.
Sometimes it’s subtle.
Convenient.
Even well-intentioned.

But here’s the truth:
if the enemy of our souls can't destroy us—he will do all he can to distract us.

Let’s return.
Refocus.
Reopen the Word.
God’s not mad at us—we’re just one “Jesus, I am back” away from real connection.

#reallifefaith #refocus #distractiondetour #abundantlifestartsnow #iamback
Distractions are just annoyances in life, right? They are that, but are so much more.🚨

We live in a world of distraction, so naturally, we will be enticed by the distractions of this world. Distractions aren't just aren't annoyances, however, but they are actually keeping us from living the abundant life God has for us. 🤦‍♀️

Living distracted affects everything we do and how we live, including our relationships, our peace, and our ability to hear God's voice clearly. They are causing us to miss priceless moments happening right in front of us every single day. 🙋‍♀️

When we are distracted, we almost become like the seed sown among thorns in Matthew 13:22, where distractions choke out the life of the Word in us. We become stagnant and ineffective in our faith and life. Here's what it says,
Funny how fast we can go from focus to full-on Googling the most random things, right?

Let this be your gentle reminder—you don’t have to chase every thought that pops into your head.

Some things can wait.
Some tabs don’t need to be opened.
And no, you don’t need to reorganize your junk drawer right now.

Let’s choose presence over distraction today. (But also… yes, penguins do have knees.)

Listen to episode 193 of the Encouragement for Real Life Podcast for more. 

#abundantlife #staypresent #distractedbuttrying #reallifefaith
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