Two weeks ago, I talked about making lemon-aid out of life’s lemons; when unforeseen storms come out of nowhere, challenges we can’t prepare for blindside us, and now many uncertainties regarding the future. How are we to survive?
It begins with an attitude that God is in the present as well as the future. No matter how bleak the situation or hopeless, God is with us shedding His light in us and knowing He will never leave us nor forsake us.
Do you feel weak and unable to take one more step forward? That’s when God reveals His strength and we can do more than we thought possible. God isn’t here to prevent problems or shield us from pain, but rather to see us through the pain and unexpected problems and traumas. John 16:33 “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”
At times it may feel like God has abandoned us, or that nothing matters, or life is not worth living. God promises never to leave us or forsake us. (Hebrew 13:5) Life and activities do matter as they affect our recovery and the lives of others; life is worth living as we and others can see God’s hand at work at least in the long term. Job is one whose suffering and discouragement caused him to wish he had never been born. But to evaluated his life requires looking at the whole picture and not just a snapshot of his pain and suffering.
As a Christian our faith means clinging to God through Jesus Christ in spite of our circumstances; following Him when we can’t see Him and being faithful to Him when we don’t feel like it. James 1:2-3 Consider it pure joy, my brothers whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. It is a process to put this into practice. It doesn’t say your response will be immediate, we must feel the pain and grief first before considering it a joy. It is our attitude that plays an important role in how we regard adversity as something to welcome. Instead of focusing on all the negatives and how your life is ruined you can choose to acknowledge that this is not what I planned or expected, but it is here. Yes, the road ahead may be difficult, but how can I make the best of it; don’t deny the pain, hurt or frustration, but ask; “What can I learn from this? How can I grow? Where is God in this?”
Pr. Bob Snitzer
By the Way: Today Confirmation 4:30
Sunday 7, 9:00 Morning worship and Holy Communion.
Sermon: The Church on Earth and Heaven Rev. 7:2-17
10:15 Sunday school for all ages.
1:00 Filling boxes for OCC
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