Category Archives: Challenges & Difficulty

Standard

Posted by

Posted on

June 26, 2014

Posted under

Challenges & Difficulty, Trusting God

HE IS OUR STRENGTH

The Lord is my strength and my song; he has given me victory [Exodus 15:2a (NLT)]

Lord, help us remember that it is the experience and not the outcome that is your gift. We may not always be victorious but we are always blessed. We are enriched by every experience, not just the ones we enjoy! When we waver, help us remember that we are not the writers of our life’s script; you alone are the author. We may not like where we are at the moment, but thank you for giving us the strength to make it through anything.

Standard

Posted by

Posted on

June 23, 2014

Posted under

Challenges & Difficulty, Prayer, Trusting God

DISTRESS CALLS TO HEAVEN

Listen closely to my prayer, O Lord; hear my urgent cry. I will call to you whenever I’m in trouble, and you will answer me. [Psalm 86:6-7 (NLT)]

If there is a medical emergency, we’re supposed to call 911 and trust the first responders to know what to do. Yet, when we encounter a personal problem, we often hesitate to call on the best first responder: God. Thinking we can fix every problem on our own, we try our personal version of first aid to keep the relationship from fraying, the child from straying, and the finances from failing. It’s often not until we make a total mess of things that we do what we should have done first: call on God! Why is God our last resort when he should be our first call? Today, I choose to trust God and call on him first.

But in my distress I cried out to the Lord; yes, I prayed to my God for help. He heard me from his sanctuary; my cry to him reached his ears. [Psalm 18:6 (NLT)]

Standard

Posted by

Posted on

June 18, 2014

Posted under

Challenges & Difficulty, Patience & Perseverance, Wisdom & Guidance

WE CAN DO ALL THINGS THROUGH CHRIST

2014-6-18 2-crop

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

Standard

Posted by

Posted on

May 27, 2014

Posted under

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)]

 

Standard

Posted by

Posted on

May 20, 2014

Posted under

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]

Standard

Posted by

Posted on

May 16, 2014

Posted under

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)]