Category Archives: Challenges & Difficulty

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June 18, 2014

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Challenges & Difficulty, Patience & Perseverance, Wisdom & Guidance

WE CAN DO ALL THINGS THROUGH CHRIST

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In every way we’re troubled, but we aren’t crushed by our trouble. We’re frustrated, but we don’t give up. [2 Corinthians 4:8 (GW)]

Lord, give us the wisdom to know when we just need to push our way through or even climb over the obstacles in our lives and give us the strength to do it. Please Lord, also give us the wisdom to know when it simply makes more sense to find our way around life’s obstacles. Give us the fortitude and willingness to try Plan B, and when that doesn’t work to try Plan C or even D. Thank you for your guidance, strength and encouragement. With you, all things are, indeed, possible!

The key to life is how well you deal with Plan B. [Stephen Dias]

I can do everything through Christ who strengthens me. [Philippians 4:13 (GW)]

2014-6-18

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May 27, 2014

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Challenges & Difficulty

The Perfect Storm

One day he and his disciples got in a boat. “Let’s cross the lake,” he said. And off they went. It was smooth sailing, and he fell asleep. A terrific storm came up suddenly on the lake. Water poured in, and they were about to capsize. They woke Jesus: “Master, Master, we’re going to drown!” [Luke 8:22-24a (MSG)]

Our lives become chaotic and difficult with the diagnosis of a chronic or life-threatening disease, the loss of a job, a loved one’s death, or a car accident. When a family member sinks into depression or addiction, when unexpected and overwhelming expenses occur, when a marriage fails or the weather destroys our homes, life takes a terrible turn. If we have to face only one crisis (or even two) at a time, we usually manage to muddle through with faith, prayer and God’s guidance. Sometimes, however, our lives go from bad to catastrophic when those troubles combine. Through no fault of our own, chronic misfortune plagues us and we find ourselves in the midst of a perfect storm of adversity. Like the disciples, we’re certain that we’ll sink in the troubled waters.

Father, at times it seems as if our lives are going to capsize and we’ll drown in our troubles. Calm us when the storm hits; forgive our lack of faith when we try to bail ourselves out instead of turning to you. Help us trust that you will strengthen us while you quiet the storm. Reassure us that if our boats capsize, you’ll teach us to swim!

Getting to his feet, he told the wind, “Silence!” and the waves, “Quiet down!” They did it. The lake became smooth as glass. Then he said to his disciples, “Why can’t you trust me?” Luke 8:24b-25a (MSG)]

 

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May 20, 2014

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Challenges & Difficulty, God's Plan, God's Promises

What Does Tomorrow Bring?

Only I can tell you the future before it even happens. Everything I plan will come to pass, for I do whatever I wish. [Isaiah 46:10 (NLT)]

If we could see everything that was to happen in the future, not just the joy and triumphs, but the sorrow and defeats as well, would we ever get out of bed in the morning? God doesn’t just see tomorrow or next week; he sees the whole picture. I, for one, am glad that it’s God and not me who knows what that future holds. If we had known about the grief and pain or the betrayal, heartbreak, and disappointment of our lives would we ever have loved, committed, cared, taken a risk or strived? Looking back, however, I wouldn’t trade any moment of my life for someone else’s; any of the pain I endured was worth it.

Lord, when I feel bogged down by the challenges of this day and the next, help me trust you with my future.

Our suffering is not worthy the name of suffering. When I consider my crosses, tribulations, and temptations, I shame myself almost to death, thinking what are they in comparison of the sufferings of my blessed Savior Christ Jesus. [Martin Luther]

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May 16, 2014

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Challenges & Difficulty, Trusting God

Is God Taking a Coffee Break?

What’s going on here? Is God out to lunch? Nobody’s tending the store. The wicked get by with everything; they have it made, piling up riches. I’ve been stupid to play by the rules; what has it gotten me? A long run of bad luck, that’s what – a slap in the face every time I walk out the door. [Psalm 73:11-14 MSG]

Does it sometimes seem as if God’s blessings are for everyone else? The good life seems to happen to other people and not to us. We ask God, “Where is my reward? Why me? What did I do to deserve this trouble? Why do the wicked get rewarded when you dump trouble on me?” The rich get richer while the poor get poorer and good things happen to bad people while bad things happen to the good ones. Where is the justice?

If  life sometimes seems unfair, that’s because it is! This is one of those puzzles that never seems to have an acceptable explanation. Like the Psalmist, we need to take God’s hand, trust in Him and realize that He is truly all we really need. The good fortune of the wicked is only temporary, our reward is eternal.

When I was beleaguered and bitter, totally consumed by envy, I was totally ignorant, a dumb ox in your very presence. I’m still in your presence, but you’ve taken my hand. You wisely and tenderly lead me, and then you bless me. You’re all I want in heaven! You’re all I want on earth! When my skin sags and my bones get brittle, God is rock-firm and faithful. Look! Those who left you are falling apart! Deserters, they’ll never be heard from again. But I’m in the very presence of God – oh, how refreshing it is! I’ve made Lord God my home. God, I’m telling the world what you do! [Psalm 73:21-28 (MSG)]

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May 7, 2014

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Challenges & Difficulty, Fear & Doubt, Prayer, Trusting God

Trusting Him

For the Kingdom of God is not just a lot of talk; it is living by God’s power. [1 Corinthians 4:20 (NLT)]

Last week, I had a meltdown in the grocery store. I stood in an aisle and quietly cried. The tears had absolutely nothing to do with the frustration of not finding what I wanted in a strange store; they had everything to do with not trusting God. I’d made the mistake many of us Christians do of “talking the talk” but not “walking the walk.” I speak and write a great deal about trusting God but I’m nowhere near as good about giving up control and truly putting myself and those I care for into his loving hands!

Let me back up a bit. In the space of a few days, my husband went from the onset of symptoms to tests and diagnosis to a finding that surgery is necessary. Scheduled later today, the surgery is microscopic and the prognosis is excellent. Nevertheless, this puts a “monkey wrench” into our plans for the next month or so. As we left the doctor’s office last Thursday, we started planning and rescheduling and reorganizing our lives. We said all the right things about having faith and trusting God and even thanked Him for good medical care. But, I mistook acting calm and trusting for being calm and trusting. As I got busy rewriting our calendars and making new arrangements, I forgot the most important thing: prayer! Oh, I’d said my usual prayers and even added my husband to my prayer list but I hadn’t really talked with God about my fears and all of the “what ifs” that were racing around in the back of my mind. That’s what the tears were about in the middle of the store. I finally had to admit that while I could take charge of changing appointments on our calendar, I couldn’t take charge of my husband’s health and the future. I had to truly turn it all over to God and trust him fully with our tomorrows.

O Lord, thank you for the challenges of life and the lessons they bring. Forgive us when we act like we’re the ones in charge. We hand you all our worries and fears, trusting that you will enable us to handle whatever the future brings.

Perhaps what our Father would have us learn is that worry is not for Him to take away, but for us to give up. [From “Vital Signs” by Kathy Herman]

But I am trusting you, O Lord, saying, “You are my God!” My future is in your hands. [Psalm 31:14-15a (NLT)]

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May 2, 2014

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Challenges & Difficulty, Family, Friends & Fellowship, Nature

Accepting Help

accepting helpListen to my pleading, Lord! Be merciful and send the help I need. [Psalm 27:7 (TLB)]

There it was, smack dab in the middle of the road: a Florida softshell turtle. Since softshells rarely leave the water except to bask in the sun at water’s edge, I think this one was on her way to dig a nest and drop her eggs. Unfortunately, every time a car came along, she tucked herself back into her shell. Just about the time she felt confident enough to stick out her neck, along would come another car and she’d retreat again into her shell. At that rate, I knew it was highly unlikely that she’d make it across the road before becoming road-kill. Florida softshells are big and can be aggressive; this one was about two feet long and probably weighed forty-five pounds. My concern was that, if I tried to pick her up, I’d end up dropping her before getting her to safety, especially if she got feisty about being carried. The best I could do was caution the oncoming cars to swerve around her. Fortunately, a landscaper stopped, reached in his truck to get a shovel, gently scooped her up, and carried her into the bushes.

What did I learn from all of this? First, if we ever want to get somewhere, we’ve got to stick out our necks. Second, sometimes we have to accept a little help to get where we need to go.

Lord, we are often more willing to offer a helping hand to others than to accept the hand that offers help to us. Please guide us to know when we are able tough it out on our own and when we need some aid. Keep us from hiding in shells to conceal our vulnerability. Don’t ever let us be too proud to ask for help; keep us from rebuffing assistance when it is offered. Thank you for the help you send that comes from friends and strangers.

Be brave enough to accept the help of others. [Melba Cosgrove]

Pride goes before destruction and haughtiness before a fall. [Proverbs 16:18 (TLB)]