“Telling people that God loves them is good theology. Showing people that you love them is what transforms the world.” – Jim Palmer
We need each other. Whatever our identity or life circumstances, we are not meant to navigate life alone. God is love. We need to look for people who know God and are willing to share that love. In the continuum of human experience, some of us are in seasons of great need, while others are ready to step in and give more than they receive. Please explore the links to resources below.
What is love? Paul, a well-known and devoted follower of Jesus, lived what love is. This is how he defined it:
“Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails.” 1 Corinthians 13:1-8
Look for love, and don’t give up until you find it. No matter what life is like for you right now, there is always, always, always hope. Jesus loves you, and people who truly know him will love you too. And hopefully, you will learn to love yourself.
The resources below are organized by life problems and needs. You can find the songs on YouTube and buy inexpensive copies of the books from Amazon. If a quote has the name of a book followed by a “number:number” it is from the Christian Bible, either the Old or New Testament.
Identity
You were created in the heart and mind of God. Embrace and celebrate what is unique and wonderful about your identity, gifts and future!
- “Wonderfully Made”– Ellie Holcomb
- “Masterpiece” – Danny Gokey
Unconditional Love
“Oh, the overwhelming, never ending, reckless love of God . . .” Cory Asbury
- “Reckless Love” – Cory Asbury
- “How He Loves” – David Crowder Band
Hope
“Mercy rattled the chains of a captive heart.” Unknown
- “The Healing has Begun”– Matthew West
- “You Raise Me Up”– Josh Groban
Faith
“Faith is the bird that feels the light and sings when the dawn is still dark.” Rabindranath Tagore
- “That’s what faith can do”-Kutless
- “We Believe”– Newsboys
Courage
“If you can’t fly, then run, if you can’t run, then walk, if you can’t walk, then crawl, but whatever you do, you have to keep moving forward.” Martin Luther King Jr.
- “Fear is a Liar” – Zach Williams
- “No Longer Slaves to Fear” – Jonathan David and Melissa Helser
Joy
“May the God of Hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him.” Romans 15:13
- “Old Church Choir” – Zach Williams
- “Live with Abandon” – Newsboys
Loneliness
“Loneliness and the feeling of being unwanted is the most terrible poverty.” Mother Teresa
- “I Am Not Alone” – Kari Jobe
- “Just Be Held” – Casting Crowns
Grief
“He (Jesus) is despised and rejected, a man of sorrows, acquainted with grief.” Isaiah 53:3
- “I Can Only Imagine” – MercyMe
- “Sovereign Over Us” – Aaron Keyes
Recovery from sexual abuse
It was not your fault. You are not alone. You are loved. There is hope.
- “Ask Me” – Amy Grant
- “Healing Begins” –Tenth Avenue North
- “What Love Really Means” – JJ Heller
Forgiveness
“As far as the east is from the west, so far does He remove our sins from us.” Psalm 103:12
- “Grace Wins” – Matthew West
- “Forgiven” – David Crowder
New Beginnings
“Behold, I am making all things new.” Revelations 21:5
- “Broken Things” – Matthew West
- “Tell Your Heart to Beat Again” – Danny Gokey