(Wow. I didn't plan to write this, but it must be the Holy Spirit; someone our there needs this. So I'm being obedient, to help you. Also, in helping you, I help myself. It's a win-win, and God thought of it first!)

Things can get really weird in life, for so many reasons. Working to live the victorious Christian life can add even more challenges, and sometimes, it can seem like you're in a fog, or even worse. The feeling of being stuck "between a rock and a hard place" is something almost every human has experienced.

Certainly, the Israelites led by Moses felt it at the edge of the Red Sea, with the Egyptians racing toward them, to kill them. But our awesome God (and I only use "awesome" for Him!) made a way--where there seemed to be no way.

He is a faithful Father, and a loving, good Father. He takes us by the hand and leads us to our best life--if we let Him. Psalm 23 in the Amplified Classic Version really brings this home: (I have underlined specific phrases about how He leads us, but it's all good!)

Psalm 23 -- A Psalm of David.

1 The Lord is my Shepherd [to feed, guide, and shield me], I shall not lack. 2 He makes me lie down in [fresh, tender] green pastures; He leads me beside the still and restful waters. 3 He refreshes and restores my life (my self); He leads me in the paths of righteousness [uprightness and right standing with Him—not for my earning it, but] for His name’s sake. 4 Yes, though I walk through the [deep, sunless] valley of the shadow of death, I will fear or dread no evil, for You are with me; Your rod [to protect] and Your staff [to guide], they comfort me. 5 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my [brimming] cup runs over. 6 Surely or  only goodness, mercy, and unfailing love shall follow me all the days of my life, and through the length of my days the house of the Lord [and His presence] shall be my dwelling place.

This is something you have to learn to do, but it sure does work: Look at the Word. Jesus is the living Word (John 1).

Here's a secret: Just like you take vitamins or eat or work out (or, preferably, all three!) daily, you need to ingest (read, listen to, or watch; or all three!) Scriptures from the Bible (the Word of God) daily.

When you read or listen to the Word, you are strengthening your spirit, which should be the strongest part of your three-part (spirit, soul, body) life. You may not like working out or taking vitamins or eating healthy, but you do it because you understand the benefit.

There is even more benefit from reading or listening to (or both!) the Word of God every day! It will strengthen you for the hard times. The more you realize that the Word is the Answer;  the final Authority, the unchanging Rock in this crazy, volatile world.

If you don't know where to start, read the Psalms. David, who started as a shepherd and became king many years later, pours out all of his emotions--the good, the excellent, the adoring, the bad, the ugly, the uglier!--to the LORD. It's all there.

Here's another secret: If the version of the Bible you're reading doesn't seem to be speaking to you, then get another. I grew up on the King James, and it's beautiful in some places. However, when I found the New International Version (NIV) and Amplified Classic (AMPC), they really increased my understanding.  Also, The Passion Translation is excellent. The Message and Living Bibles are good paraphrases.

If you can't find a good printed Bible, then get online! You can even have some versions of the Word read to you by the computer! There are so many versions of the Bible--including in various language--that you really do not have an excuse.

God has made Himself available to you, in every way He possbily can.

On top of that, you can go get quiet somewhere and ask Him to speak to you, and He will.  It may not be immediately. But He is faithful!

He may choose to speak to you through a person, or a worship song, or even a secular song. He may speak to you through nature, or media. He is God and He can do what He wants.

What He wants to do most of all, though, is draw you to a close relationship with you, and give you the best life possible!

God wants you to get to know Him and how much He loves you! Praise Him, He is much more gracious than many people think He is! His patience is truly awesome, and He Who created you believes in you and has wonderful plans for you (Jeremiah 29:11 and Ephesians 2:10)!

If you feel so pressured or down that you feel weaker than you remember, you can always try this: "Help, God!"

I have used that one more than once. Let me assure you that He is faithful, and He will answer.  It may be different than you think, but choose to trust the good God Who knows everything about you, including every word on your tongue before you speak it--and He will even help you choose to trust Him!

Through books, courses, presentations, service, prayer, worship, and more, Tonja and her husband live to exalt God. Her series for girls, P.O.W.E.R. GIRL ADVENTURES, is now out (books I-V), along with LEGACY; YOUR HOLY HEALTH: VISIONS OF THE KING, and more. See the "River Rain Creative" YT channel.