When,
over a lifetime, we lose so many people, pets, homes, job and important items
that we hold dear, we sometimes feel discouraged, overwhelmed, depressed and
hopeless. We compare our life with Job and feel a kinship with this dear Saint
of God.
People
often come to us with remedies for our troubles, and they give us advice about
what they perceive as possible short-comings in our life. They believe that if
we just had enough faith, then our life would turn around in our favor.
This
is just not true. However, if we realize that God is still at work for us, in
us, and through us during the deep, dark valleys, just as He is on our mountain
top experiences, then our attitude, thoughts, emotions, and behavior often
change to more positive ones, in spite of our horrid circumstances remaining
the same (Philippians 4:8).
Sometimes,
we want specific results, and we get discouraged when they do not happen.
However, God is still meeting our immediate needs, sharing little
"hugs" with us throughout the day, and letting His face shine on us
to bring us comfort, encouragement, peace and joy in the middle of our storms (Numbers
6:25-26).
At
times, we do not hear God or see Him at work, because we take our focus off Him
and put it on our troubles instead (Isaiah 26:3; Hebrews 12:2). Jesus promises
us trials in this life, but He already overcame similar situations, and He
abides within us (John 16:33).
In
our greatest troubles and darkest hours, we are never truly alone. Our supposed
friends may reject us, Satan may belittle us and attempt to discourage us, but
we have a friend in Jesus (Matthew 26:36-46). We find comfort in God's Word,
help through His Spirit's guidance, and strength from the presence of His
Trinity within us.
Prayer:
Father
God, through Your Word, we always find comfort, direction, support and
challenges, which sustain us with victory through life's hardships. You always
lift us up in our times of need, ease our suffering in our afflictions, and
bring us healing in our infirmities. During His time on this sin-filled globe, Your
Son knew similar suffering as we do now.
He
committed no sin, and often we do not sin either; but life has a way of
weighing us down. Jesus had His union with You to comfort Him, except for His
nine hours on Calvary's cross where He died to pay our sin debt for each one of
us. Help us to trust in You alone during both our trials and our temptations.
Thought
for the Day:
Health,
financial prosperity, believing that human values are God's will for us, and
expecting God's intervention in our life are not signs of God's favor any more
than trials and tribulation are a sign of God's disapproval of us; in this
world tribulations is part of life, and we find our comfort in God alone.
