Hope for a New Day by Todd and Susan Cook is a daily devotional book written with those who have gone through traumatic experiences in mind. There is a devotion for every day of the year. Those who have gone through abuse and rape will be especially helped. This book will help with thoughts of hopelessness, fear, depression, unforgiveness, and self-understanding. These devotions are designed to keep your focus on God and on your healing from the effects of trauma, rather than on your despair and your problems. Though targeted toward survivors of abuse, everyone can benefit from this devotional book. 165 pages.
The book may be ordered by sending a check for $11.99 (which includes shipping)
to Todd R. Cook at the following address. Todd R. Cook,
Below are a few of the devotions.
January 1
Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ, (Philippians 3:8)
The Apostle Paul calls the knowledge of God excellent. Many people would like to know great or famous people. They may even want to brag about who they know. Did you know you can know the Creator and Sustainer of all things? That knowledge starts by trusting Jesus Christ, who died on the cross for your sin, to be your Savior. That knowledge grows by study. The knowledge matures by spending quality time with the Savior in prayer and in His Word. Make a resolution or goal that you are going to get to know Christ better this year. Resolve to spend time with Him every day. Communication is a key to a relationship. Spend time talking to Him (prayer) and listening to Him (reading your Bible).
Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ, (Philippians 3:8)
Possibly you feel as if you have already lost everything and that you have nothing left. Paul considered finding Christ worth the loss of all things. When Paul had Christ, he had everything. Compared to Christ what you have lost is dung, which is manure or dodo. Possibly the feeling of loss you have is because you place too much value on the things you lost or not enough value on Christ. What is important to you? When you make Christ most important to you, you will begin to understand His actual value. The things you lost were temporary anyway. Once you have Christ, you cannot lose Him. You may have lost your possessions by tragedy. Paul willingly gave up his things. He left family, home, social status and friends for Christ. Paul realized Christ was worth it all. Do you understand the value of Christ?
But he himself went a day's journey into the wilderness, and came and sat down under a juniper tree: and he requested for himself that he might die; and said, It is enough; now, O LORD, take away my life; for I am not better than my fathers. (1 Kings 19:4)
Elijah was so depressed he asked to die. One of the contributing factors in his wanting to die was that he just had a mountain top experience. In 1 Kings 18, Elijah defeated the prophets of Baal and saw a great miracle of God. Things were very exciting. Chapter 19 starts with a big turn of events for the worst. Sometimes after a holiday, depression can set in. This may be from an exciting time during the holidays. If you are on an emotional high, which way is the only way you can go? The down may not be all that down, but compared to the high it seems down.
Being aware that life is going to return back to normal after the holidays will help take away the blues. Making plans for after the holidays will help you avoid the blues by giving you something to look forward to. Finding ways to be around other people after the holidays will help too.
I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me. (Philippians 4:13)
Paul said in Phil.
I in them, and thou in me, that they may be made perfect in one; and that the world may know that thou hast sent me, and hast loved them, as thou hast loved me. (John 17:23)
This verse is part of a prayer by Jesus shortly before He was crucified. At the end of this verse, Jesus stated that His heavenly Father loved them as much as He loved Jesus. We have to go to verse twenty to find who the “them” refers to. The “them” refers to all believers. This means that if you believe on Jesus as your Savior, the Heavenly Father loves you as much as He loves Jesus. Many times we are fooled into thinking that because Jesus is part of the trinity that the Father would love Jesus more than us. Since Jesus stated that the Father loves us as much as He loves Jesus, it has to be true. God also has an infinite source of love by which to love you.
Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths. (Proverbs 3:5-6)
Trauma makes everyday decision making more difficult. The mind seems to always be distracted by the terrible events that took place. The verse says to be trusting in the Lord and to be acknowledging Him. In making decisions you should ask, “What does God want me to do and what will glorify God?” In tough decisions make a list of reasons why you should do it and another list of reasons why you should not do something. After making your lists compare the two lists. Circle the most important items on the lists. Put checks by items that would glorify the Lord. By examining the lists, your decision may become clear.
If I say, Surely the darkness shall cover me; even the night shall be light about me. Yea, the darkness hideth not from thee; but the night shineth as the day: the darkness and the light are both alike to thee. (Psalms 139:11-12)
To God the night is the same as the light. When the sounds of the night and the nightmares come, there is no reason to fear. Because God was there watching over him by night, David could know that the night would be light around him. God keeps watch by night. Because everything is as clear to God at night as it is during the day, He can be a good watchman during the night. Psalms 4:8 says, “I will both lay me down in peace, and sleep: for thou, LORD, only makest me dwell in safety.” Lie down and get a good night’s sleep. Let God watch over you.
Email: Todd R. Cook
Hope for the Brokenhearted: Biblical Solutions for Survivors of Abuse and Rape by Todd R. Cook (a book)