Bible and the Brain: A Devotional for Tbi SurvivorsSample

Memory Verse: Psalm 49:15 - But God will rescue me from the power of death.

So we've reached the end of the plan, but the journey and responsibility within will continue. We each have a mind. Whether your mind has been through minor or major changes, it serves a purpose—funny fact: God knows what we're going to do before we do it. When I started to remind myself of that, I began living with a new perspective. He knows what's in our hearts because of the choices we make. If I wanted God to clean out all of the mess, trauma, unforgiveness, disappointment, sadness, depression, and anxiety, I had to care about my choices.

Some choices are more complex than others, but we all have the free will and power to choose. Sure it's a struggle in the beginning, and for some of us, a lifelong battle with addictions, drinking, clubbing, lust/sex, gossiping, anger/holding grudges, jealousy, being unkind, pride, envy, gluttony, greed, laziness.

We have ALL been found guilty, but through accepting Jesus as our Lord and Savior, we are forgiven, and He has redeemed us from the penalty of death we deserved. Funny thing? There's nothing overly religious about it. It's a gift we receive when we humble ourselves and ask Him to come into our lives and make those changes. Like a physical recovery process, we acknowledge that we can't do it alone.

Psalms 73:26 (CEV) My body and mind may fail, but you are my strength and my choice forever.

Bottom Line: You're still here. Death is not the end of this life; we should care about the next one. You need wisdom and people around you to help you make wise decisions that won't lead you there early. Ask God to help you not to make decisions based on emotions, and don't do life alone. Ask Jesus to save you and to be your friend. He sticks closer than a brother and will bring people into your life who build you up and help carry you when you are weak. Lastly, find a local church community to help keep you accountable, allow you to pour what you've learned into others, and give back.

Don't give up. You've already come this far. There is more beyond this moment. Someone out there needs you to fulfill your purpose because your purpose is like the Lyft (ride-sharing service) to their destiny.

Prayer:Dear Friend, I pray for peace over your life and that you will be the vehicle to help others fulfill their destiny. Though trials will come, I pray that you will not lose heart. I pray you will find strength and purpose all around you and that the right individuals will be placed in your life to help you finish the race.

In Jesus' name,

Amen.