NorthStar Community Daily Devotional

Having Heart In A Sometimes Heartless World Day 77 - Week At A Glance Scripture focus: Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. James 1:2-4 NIV What we studied this week, said in a little different way. Cravings are a symptom of a misfiring mid-brain. A broken pleasure center in the brain results in an inability to think clearly and propels us into survival mode which is the result of several factors, including stress. Community is a vital resource in the healing process. When maladaptive coping strategies, prolonged exposure to stress and perhaps a genetic vulnerability come together, they can create the perfect storm of addiction. Helpless and hopeless people sometimes look like the hopeless causes that they believe themselves to be - but hold on. There is more to the story. Although it is true that the seed of potential sometimes gets stolen from us, or falls on ground too hard to nourish its potential, or seems to be received only to be choked out by more stress and the passionate pursuit of cravings, take heart. God has made a way to restore the hopeless and helpless. We can never know whose going to find themselves the blessed recipients of a transformed heart; those that do become, through perseverance, good and noble people, who bear much fruit. Big dreams and epic adventures await those who have receptive hearts. A big dream is sometimes served up in lasagna pans, children's activities, hot coffee, heated rooms, comfortable chairs, good listeners and willing helpers. This completes the first seventy seven steps of your 365 step journey; I pray you are nearer to God as a result of the steps you've taken this week. Recommended reading: Numbers 26 in the morning; Psalm 60 in the evening Click "Comments" Below to Join the Discussion Scroll down to the Archive Section to View Previous Devotionals.