When it is all just getting too hard!
How often do you wonder if its ever going to be possible in your life to not have troubles, difficulties, complex problems that arise and seemingly have hunted you down?
Yet, most of us seek a trouble-free life, with no ills or woes, just ‘nice’ days!
I believe the majority of people often think this way. They just long for a break in the bills, a day with no pain, relationships with no strife, a parking space close to the supermarket.
But the reality is that we as Christians are fully aware we now live in a fallen world. A world where sickness is common, violence is visible, selfishness is pandemic, and storms follow one after another.
As Christians how do we not get sucked into this vortex of bleakness, yet still live and experience difficult days?
There is a passage in the Bible that to me is like the release handle to the parachute to save us as we freefall in a fallen world. A passage of Scripture that offers to us safety rails, medicine for our mind and thoughts, and places us in the eye of every storm we find ourselves facing.
Phl 4:8 – Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things.
Whatsoever things are true (have the character of truth)…noble (worthy of reverence)…just (righteous) …pure….lovely…good report (attractive) ..virtue (excellence)… praiseworthy (a fit object of praise)….things that make the subject of careful reflection – literal Greek.
Paul says simply, think about your Saviour Jesus…ponder His love for you…His sacrifice for you….His passion for you and His unending care for you…!
The problem so often in our lives even as Christians is we lose our Lord in the fog of the trial or troubled thoughts we are experiencing.
It’s at these times we can open our Bibles and in the intimacy of our relationship with Him, as Pastor Marlon quoted Corrie Ten Boom last Sunday evening, “Don’t wrestle just nestle!”
This is the beauty and power of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, it’s not a formula, it’s not a system, it’s a Person.
I pray that when all seems too tough, and you are beginning to feel as though you are going under, call upon our Rescuer…and simply spend time in His presence – safe!