Category Archives: Challenges & Difficulty

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March 12, 2014

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Challenges & Difficulty, God's Grace & Love

He’s Not Complaining

But Jesus answered, “Stop complaining to each other.” [John 6:43 (NCV)]

When life doesn’t go the way we think it should, we often complain, “It’s not fair!” Yet, we never seem to complain about unfairness when we are the ones with the good fortune and others, perhaps more deserving, have been slighted. Our complaints place the focus on us instead of on God, where it should be.

Let’s face it; if anyone has reason for complaint, it is our heavenly Father. Mankind rebelled against Him at the first opportunity and continues to do so today. When God blessed the Israelites with freedom, they wanted to return to slavery at the first sign of trouble. When He blessed them with manna, they wanted meat. When Jesus fed the 5,000 with a few loaves of bread and fish, there were probably some people who complained that He’d forgotten the dessert! We’re a stubborn, bad-tempered and argumentative people. Moreover, God’s only son, a man totally free of sin, was sacrificed to pay for our sins. If anything was undeserved, it was that dark day when Christ died for us. Yet, I don’t hear God complaining. Do you?

He has not punished us as our sins should be punished; he has not repaid us for the evil we have done. [Psalm 103:10 (NCV)]

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February 9, 2014

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Attitudes & Behavior, Challenges & Difficulty, Thanks & Praise

Gratitude is Possible

Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus. [1 Thessalonians 5:18 (NLT)]

I just viewed a commercial that showed an amazing family. They lost their son in the shootings at Columbine and, since that tragedy, the mother has suffered a heart attack and the father has been on dialysis. The mother spoke about taking what has been given, learning from it and becoming a better person because of it. She ended by saying, “That’s why I feel we’re blessed.” Talk about gratitude! I have no idea what was being advertised, but that ad certainly put my petty complaints into perspective. If that family can still experience gratitude, we, too, can be “thankful in all circumstances”!

Father, it’s so easy to see you in the beauty and joys of life: rainbows and flowers, healing and birth, love and laughter. Open our eyes to your presence in all aspects of life, even the ugly and sad: storms and destruction, illness and heartbreak, tears and even death. Give us the ability to see the good that can come from heartbreak and tragedy; help us count our blessings and not our pain.

Let your roots grow down into him, and let your lives be built on him. Then your faith will grow strong in the truth you were taught, and you will overflow with thankfulness. [Colossians 2:7 (NLT)]

 

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January 14, 2014

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Challenges & Difficulty, God's Promises

There Will Be Trouble

I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world. [John 16:33 (NLT)]

He doesn’t say we “might” have troubles; we will, indeed have difficulties. But take heart, we are never alone.

God has not promised skies always blue,
Flower-strewn pathways all our lives through;
God has not promised sun without rain,
Joy without sorrow, peace without pain.
But God has promised strength for the day,
Rest for the labor, light for the way.
Grace for the trials, help from above,
Unfailing sympathy, undying love.
[Annie Johnson Flint]

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December 17, 2013

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Challenges & Difficulty, Faith & Hope, Prayer

Lord, Help!

“Lord, help!” they cried in their trouble, and he saved them from their distress. He calmed the storm to a whisper and stilled the waves. What a blessing was that stillness as he brought them safely into harbor! [Psalm 107: 28-30 (NLT)]

Why do we so readily call upon God to help us find our lost keys or to ease traffic so we can get to an appointment on time, and not immediately turn in prayer to Him when there is an illness, a troubled relationship, or a family crises? Are we afraid he can’t handle the really big stuff? This is the God who parted the Red Sea and fed 5000 with a few morsels of food. All we need to do is cry, “Lord, help!”

He is close to all who call on him sincerely. He fulfills the desires of those who reverence and trust him; he hears their cries for help and rescues them. [1 Chronicles 29:18-19 (TLB)]

I do not know much about God and prayer, but I have come to believe, over the past twenty-five years, that there’s something to be said about keeping prayer simple. Help. Thanks. Wow.   [Anne Lamott, from “Help, Thanks, Wow: The Three Essential Prayers”]

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December 6, 2013

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Challenges & Difficulty, Love & Works, Prayer

Intercession – (Prayer part 5)

Then they cried to the Lord in their trouble, and he delivered them from their distress. He led them by a straight way till they reached a city to dwell in. Let them thank the Lord for his steadfast love, for his wondrous works to the children of man! For he satisfies the longing soul, and the hungry soul he fills with good things. [Psalm 107:6-9 (ESV)]

Merciful Lord, we offer this prayer for those who are overwhelmed by their life’s difficulties. Take pity on them and heal their troubled souls. Encourage and empower them as they struggle with their problems. Reassure them of your unwavering love and renew their faith so they know you are with them at all times and in all places.

The Lord is close to the brokenhearted; he rescues those whose spirits are crushed. [Psalm 34:18 (NLT)

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November 10, 2013

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Attitudes & Behavior, Challenges & Difficulty, God's Promises

Spiritual Muscle Building

These trials will show that your faith is genuine. It is being tested as fire tests and purifies gold—though your faith is far more precious than mere gold. So when your faith remains strong through many trials, it will bring you much praise and glory and honor on the day when Jesus Christ is revealed to the whole world. [1 Peter 1:7 (NLT)]

Comfort and serenity are wonderful (and I prefer them), but tranquility doesn’t help us mature into the people God wants us to be. Difficulties are His way of building our spiritual muscles. It’s in times of hardship, adversity and pain that the qualities of honor, integrity and courage develop. Lord, may we have thankful hearts and willing spirits, not just in times of plenty and peace, but in times of pain and hardship, as well.

Character cannot be developed in ease and quiet. Only through trial and suffering is the soul strengthened. [Helen Keller]