Sometimes before we get to the good news we have to hear some not so good news. Truth is not always pleasant, but it has the power to set us free if we respond correctly. Letโs take a look at our lives for few moments.
Someone said, God loves us the way we are, but He loves us too much to leave us the way we are.
Many people I meet today are not overly happy or satisfied with their lives. There is something about themselves they donโt like and would like to change if they only thought they could.
But change always comes at a great price. Such a great price that few are willing to pay it. And until the pain of our circumstances is greater than the pain we would experience in order to change, we will never change.
But what is it that so often provides the impetuous to change? It is SUFFERING, DIFFICULTY, PAIN, PROBLEMS, HARDSHIP, TRIALS and TRIBULATIONSโฆ.
No one wants to hear this but it seems to have proven it-self over and over again.
James 1:2-3 โWhen all kinds of trials and temptations crowd into your life, donโt resent them or try to run from them like they were intruders; rather welcome them as friends. Realize they serve to produce in you the quality of life and endurance that you really desire and need.โ
He continues to write about how often our lives and character is formed by difficulties. So if you want to change you can expect difficult circumstances and problems to pop up from time.
Basically you need some difficulty or problems in your life in order to change. How many either have a problem or know were you can get one?
We donโt need help in finding problems, they seem to show up quite often with us looking for them, but we do need help in responding correctly to the problem(s).
It is our response that brings about the change
God knows, WHO you are, WHERE you are and WHAT you are going through. Remember God does not exist just to get you and me out of our difficult circumstances. In fact He orchestrates some of the things we go through. WHY! He loves you too much to leave us the way we are and this seems to be the only way we will change.
THREE THINGS I WOULD LIKE FOR YOU TO REMEMBER: These three things can become you motto for life.
1. Life is Hardโฆ
2. Jesus is Lordโฆ
3. I will Rejoiceโฆ
LIFE IS HARD.
I really donโt need to tell you that life sometimes becomes very difficult. The going gets rough. There are heartaches, disappointments, failures, troubles, sorrows and discouragements enough for everyone. And this is not just a phenomenon of our time. It has always been true.
Jesus said, โIn this world you will have tribulation but be of good cheer for I have overcome the world.โ
I love Martina McBrideโs song entitled. โAnywayโ
1st stanza. You can spend your whole life building, something from nothing โOne storm can come and blow it all away โ BUILD IT ANYWAY
2nd stanza. You can chase a dream that seems so out of reach โ And you know it might not ever come your way โ DREAM IT ANYWAY
CHORUS; God is GREAT, but sometimes life ainโt GOOD โ When I pray โ it doesnโt always turn out the way I think it should. But I do it ANYWAY โ I do it ANYWAY.
The fact that troubles come is not especially significant; TROUBLE IS INEVITALBE. It comes to everyone. What is SIGNIFICANT IS FOUND IN WHAT WE DO ABOUT THEM.
In facing our difficulties and heavy burdens it is extremely helpful to notice what some of the men and women of the Bible said and did in time of trouble.
JOB
No one faced greater troubles than Job, it would seem. Suddenly and without warning messengers came to announce that his 10 children had been killed and all his assets were gone and he was bankrupt.
Then Job fell down upon the ground, and worshipped; and he said, โNaked came I out of my motherโs womb, and naked shall I return: The Lord gives and the enemy often takes away, but blessed be the name of the Lord. (Job 1:20-22). He went on to say, โThough he slay me, yet will I trust him.โ (Job 13:15).
DAVID
David was another who faced certain difficult times. He lost a baby boy. His daughter was raped. One of his sons betrayed him.
In Psalm 55 wrote, โl am overcome by my trouble โฆ O that I had wings like a dove. I would fly away and be at rest; yes, I would wander afar.โ And then he came to this beautiful conclusion, โCast your burden on the Lord, and he will sustain you.โ (Psalm 55: 2, 4, 6, 7, 22).
Psalm 61:1 โFrom the ends of the earth I cry out to you, when my heart is overwhelmed lead me to the rock that is higher than I.โ
PAUL
In the New Testament no one seems to have had more difficulty than Paul. In II Corinthians 11:23-27 Iโve worked much harder, been jailed more often, beaten up more times than I can count, and at deathโs door time after time. Iโve been flogged five times with the Jewsโ thirty-nine lashes, beaten by Roman rods three times, pummeled with rocks once. Iโve been shipwrecked three times, and immersed in the open sea for a night and a day. In hard traveling year in and year out, Iโve had to ford rivers, fend off robbers, struggle with friends, struggle with foes. Iโve been at risk in the city, at risk in the country, endangered by desert sun and sea storm, and betrayed by those I thought were my brothers. Iโve known drudgery and hard labor, many a long and lonely night without sleep, many a missed meal, blasted by the cold, naked to the weather. THE MESSAGE
2 Corinthians 4:8-10 Weโve been surrounded and battered by troubles, but weโre not demoralized; weโre not sure what to do, but we know that God knows what to do; weโve been spiritually terrorized, but God hasnโt left our side; weโve been thrown down, but we havenโt broken.
JESUS IS LORD
Whatever youโre going through God knows. He is fully aware. Jesus as Lord of heaven and earth and even Lord of our lives he will never abandon you. You may be abandoned or forsaken at times, but the truth is He is with us always even to the end
Sometimes we are so over whelmed we donโt recognize Him and possibly forget to call His name and ask Him for help.
Remember, everything that is over your head is under His feet. And any and everything that is under His feet has no right to remain over your head.
I WILL REJOICE
Suffering is inevitable โ Misery is a choice โ Therefore, I WILL REJOICE! So make it your choice to rejoice, now and for all times and in all circumstances.
โRejoice in the Lord always and again I say rejoice. Philippians 4:4
By Ron Corzine-roncorzine.com