Showing posts with label strength in difficult times. Show all posts
Showing posts with label strength in difficult times. Show all posts

Sunday, November 3, 2013

Inner Turmoil Can Make Us Better

20100508 - camping - GEDC1958 - Road Closed si...
 - Road Closed sign riddled with bullets -
 (Photo credit: Rev. Xanatos Satanicos Bombasticos (ClintJCL))
How long must I wrestle with my thoughts
    and day after day have sorrow in my heart?
    How long will my enemy triumph over me?

Psalm 13:2

New International Version (NIV)


       How often do you wish life would be easier?  Sure, it sounds nice to never have a problem in the world.  If we could just rest easy knowing that we would never have any financial worries, that everyone would always think we were wonderful, and that sickness would never befall us.  It's a wonderful dream, but it is only a dream.  It's not gonna happen.

         Even the richest, the most powerful, and the most beautiful people have those times when their confidence falters.   Many of the greatest have eventually fallen.  After all we are all only human.   And blessings are relative.  We may envy the talents or possessions of another, but we may also not see what turmoil dwells within those who appear to be abundantly blessed.

         The truth is that we are each blessed in our own way and even our hardships may be viewed as blessings.    Real strength comes through surviving the ordeals that we encounter in our lives.  It is we ourselves who turn ant hills into mountains and stones in the road into insurmountable obstacles.  If we struggle with demons that we ourselves have created then we must conquer them or how can we expect to conquer the real demons of this world?

          We should not let sin, self-defeating thoughts, or internal conflict beat us into submission.  That's what Satan wants us to do.  We don't have to surrender to weakness or feelings of powerlessness.  We have an advocate in our Almighty Creator.  He wants us to succeed.  Troubles that we face may be unpleasant, but getting past them will make us bigger, stronger, and better in every way.

And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; and perseverance, character; and character, hope.

Romans 5:3-4

New King James Version (NKJV)

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Tuesday, April 23, 2013

Trials and Tribulations ( #atozchallenge )

English: Old Step Leading to Church on the Hil...
English: Old Step Leading to Church on the Hill Steps in need of repair, leading to Holy Trinity Washington, Known locally as the Church on the Hill. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)


        Don't be misled into believing that accepting Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior means that all your troubles are over.  A life given over to God will not guarantee health and wealth.  Things may turn out just fine for you, but also be prepared for difficult times.

         Sickness, financial problems, and disasters can fall upon God's children just as they can fall upon the unsaved.  Hardships can come to us all, but our faith can help our outlook and sense of hope for the future.  God has not guaranteed heaven here on Earth.   Your investment in God's kingdom is rewarded after you've paid into your account with what you've done while on Earth.

         Jesus told us that we could expect trouble in our lives (John 16:33), but He would carry us through.  Some followers of Jesus have suffered horribly for their convictions, but they have a far greater reward ahead.  Better to live in eternity with God, then to have a brief time of riches and pleasure while on Earth then spend forever in darkness separated from God's glory.

         If you are rolling in riches today and lose it all tomorrow you will be sorrowful.   But if you have God in your life, whatever earthly things are taken from you will still leave you with God.  And if you have God, then you have everything.

 If you would like to know more about a true life change in a positive direction, then please read Take the Next Step. 


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Sunday, February 5, 2012

Look to Him for Help

Worry or PrayerWorry or Prayer (Photo credit: Leonard John Matthews)

Those who look to Him for help will be radiant with joy; 
      no shadow of shame will darken their faces.


Psalm 34:5

New Living Translation (NLT)

        Many of us have reason to feel sad, afraid, or disappointed about the state of our lives--or at least we think we do.   There is no reason to feel ashamed of struggling through difficult times.  Perhaps the way things are for us now is the consequence of bad decision making in our past or just plain bad breaks that came our way.  It's all a dark shadowy presence that is behind us.  Now is the time to let what has happened yesterday fall behind us.

         When we are moving ahead we are in the natural order of things.  For us time is a linear progression.  Time does not stand still and what has happened in the past is finished and can't be changed.  We can shape a positive future if we stay focused on the right things.   

So do not fear, for I am with you;
   do not be dismayed, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you and help you;
   I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.

Isaiah 41:10

New International Version (NIV)



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