Life bombards us with circumstances beyond our
control. Each time we find a place of rest, something or someone beyond our influence
interrupts our serenity.
We often believe that we have to maintain power over
every aspect of our life in order to remain safe. Sometimes, we respond to
adversity by fighting back or by grumbling and complaining.
In resorting to this negative behavior, we actually
lose our peace altogether (1 Corinthians 2:5). Worry takes our mind off the
here and now, and keeps it either as a prisoner of the past or trapped in an
imagined, and improbable future.
Psychiatrists say worry can also cause anxiety,
apathy, headaches, decreases in our immune system, increases in blood pressure,
insomnia, and even bad habits such as grinding teeth and biting nails.
When our heart is in anguish within us, when the
terrors of death assault us, when we are trembling with fears that attack us,
and when the horrors of life overwhelm us, we want to run far away and hide.
We want to snuggle under our covers and sleep our
life away. We wish we had wings like a dove, so that we could fly away and be
at rest. We long for a place of shelter far from the tempest of issues and
emotions that are currently storming our life (Psalm 55:4-8).
Since it is often impractical to hide, sleep or fly
away, we can patiently accept each circumstance as a new challenge to our faith,
and an exciting adventure planned for us by our precious Lord.
God’s power manifests in our weakest moments. We
can actually boast about how weak we are; because then, instead of showing off
our own power and abilities, we live as a demonstration of Christ's power from
within us (2 Corinthians 12:9).
We can follow Paul’s example and learn to be
content in whatever state in which we find our self (Philippians 4:11-13). As
we dwell in this secret place of the Most High, He will lead us, guide us and
make all things work out for our good (Romans 8:28).
God is always with us, working on our behalf. He is
all we need. We all have our individual idiosyncrasies, hang-ups and flaws. God
loves us regardless of our brokenness and fears (Romans 5:8). He uses them for His glory (2
Corinthians 12:10).
The less we have, the more we depend upon God (2
Corinthians 3:5-6). If we draw our security from the Son Himself, instead of
some weak reflection, which the world offers us, our inner rest will last for
eternity.
Prayer:
Father God, we may experience discomfort now and
then from a fiery trial, a disappointing loss or a daunting challenge; but we
will always have Your Sonshine, which never fades away. When we trust in You,
we will never experience the depression of hopes dashed against the cold
reality of a fading life.
We will rest in the solid constancy of Your
never-changing Son, because You never fail us nor forsakes us (Hebrews 13:5-8).
Jesus constantly makes intercession to You for us during every moment of our
life (Hebrews 7:25; Romans 8:34). Satan may bombard us with doubt and anxiety;
but if we look to You for our salvation, Your perfect love will cast out all of
our fear (1 John 4:18).
Thought for the Day:
Difficulties come in life, but when we are weak,
then Christ in us is strong for us; He is constant, and always shares His love
and wisdom with us regardless of our circumstances.
