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 paperback
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, 302 Park St., Bensenville,
IL 60106 or from Amazon.com.
A free digital version of the book can be obtained by downloading Hope
for a New Day
A pdf file. Digital copy in PDF format can be bought for $2.99 at https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/28792
. This book is now available at e-book stores for various digital readers and
apps. Below are a few of the devotions. Knowing Christ 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 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. And it 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). January 2 The Value of Christ 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 he had Christ, he had everything. Compared to Christ, what you have lost
is dung, which is manure or doo-doo. The feeling of loss you have may be
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, you will
begin to understand His actual value. You may have lost your possessions
through tragedy, but they were temporary. Once you have Christ, you cannot lose
Him. Paul willingly gave up his things. He left family, home, social status and
friends for Christ. He realized Christ was worth it all. Do you understand the
value of Christ? January 3 Post 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 depression was that he just had a mountaintop experience. In 1 Kings 18,
Elijah defeated the prophets of Baal and saw a great miracle of God. Things
were very exciting. Then chapter 19 starts with a turn of events for the worst.
Sometimes depression sets in after a holiday. This may be from over-excitement
during the holidays or exhaustion. If you are on an emotional high, the only
way you can go is down. The down may not be all that down, but compared to the
high it seems very low.
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 depression by giving you something to look forward to.
Finding ways to be around other people after the holidays will help too. January 4 I Can Do It I can do all things through Christ
which strengtheneth me. (Philippians 4:13)
Paul said in the above verse that he could do all things through Christ.
When people go through traumatic experiences, they often lose confidence in
their abilities. They may start to feel or act helpless. This may result in a
dependence on others and a let others take care of me attitude. Remember Paul
said that I can do all things. Dependence on Christ is all right, but
remember, Christ will do it through you. This means you have to get off the
couch and out of the house to do what God has for you to do today. Wanting
others to do what Christ wants to do through you will rob you of Christ s miracle
in you. Do you doubt the promise of God in Philippians 4:13? Have you wrongly
placed your dependence on others? Remember God wants to do it through you. January 5 I m Loved 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 told his disciples that His heavenly Father
loved them as much as He loved Jesus. We have to go to verse 20 to find that
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 His Son. Many
times we are fooled into thinking that because Jesus is part of the trinity,
that the Father loves 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. January 6 Decision Making 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 as the mind is
distracted by the terrible events that took place. The above verse says to
trust in the Lord and to acknowledge Him. In making decisions you should ask,
What does God want me to do and what will glorify God? When making tough
decisions, make two lists: one of reasons why you should do it and the second
why you should not. After making your lists, compare them and circle the most
important items. Put checks by items that would glorify the Lord. Examining
these lists will help your decision to become clear. January 7 Fear of the Dark 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 David by night, he knew
that the night would be light around him. God keeps watch by night and
everything is as clear to Him at night as it is during the day, He is 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) 