THIS I call to mind

Just thinking of my troubles

and my lonely wandering

makes me miserable.

That's all I ever think about,

and I am depressed.

Lamentations 3:19-20 cev

•

I rehearse it over and over—

my troubles

my complaints

the worries run circles.

Darkness falls.

Yes, it is bad.

It is all I see.

I am sinking.

But there's one other thing I remember,
   and remembering, I keep a grip on hope: 

Lamentations 3:21 msg

In the midst of the 

whirling of my mind

I stop and choose to 

look up.

•

The LORD's kindness never fails!

   If He had not been merciful,

   we would have been destroyed. 

 The LORD can always be trusted

   to show mercy each morning.

    Deep in my heart I say,

   "The LORD is all I need;

   I can depend on him!"

Lamentations 3:22-24 cev 

Shhhh! Quiet down, you crazy thoughts!

Remember what is true!

God proves to be good to the man who passionately waits,
   to the woman who diligently seeks.
It's a good thing to quietly hope,
   quietly hope for help from God.
It's a good thing when you're young
   to stick it out through the hard times.

When life is heavy and hard to take,
   go off by yourself. Enter the silence.
Bow in prayer. Don't ask questions:
   Wait for hope to appear.
Don't run from trouble. Take it full-face.
   The "worst" is never the worst. 

Lamentations 3:25-30 msg

Instead, we should think

   about the way we are living,

   and turn back to the LORD.

   When we lift our hands

   in prayer to God in heaven,

   we should offer him our hearts 

Lamentations 3:40-41 cev

From the bottom of the pit,

I prayed to you, LORD.

I begged you to listen.

"Help!" I shouted. "Save me!"

You answered my prayer

and came when I was in need.

   You told me, "Don't worry!"

You rescued me

and saved my life.

You saw them abuse me, LORD,

so make things right.

Lamentations 3:55-59 cev