Oh! Not another one Lord!

Ps:120:1

I took my troubles to the Lord

I cried out to Him and He answered my prayer.

Oh! Your troubles may look overwhelming. Your problems might look huge and unconquerable. You might seem puny before the huge wave that looks to devour you. Before the huge mountain that blocks your way.

Your strength seems to ebb away and your confidence melting into thin air. Because you do not seem to have a clue as to what to do. All your wisdom. All your assets and strongholds which you have gained over the vast experiences of your life seem to vanish off. Because whatever you try to do is not working. You literally are helpless not knowing what exactly to do.

The world seems to give you suggestions. But none of them seems to work for you. You do not seem to have strength to face the giant. But then one strength you have been provided. To take your trouble to the mighty God. You have been given the power to take it to the Lord. All you have to do is to take it and place it in His hands.

And if you boldly and confidently do it - He wouldn't either give you strength to overcome. He would equip you to scale over it. Or He would give you grace to suffer, to wait patiently. With the promise attached to it - And it will not subdue you. Slowly and steadily He will enable you to be not affected by it. Slowly and steadily you would overcome. And while in the process of deliverance you would have learnt something beautiful. May be a sin of yours. May be an attribute of God. But the process would be beautiful because you walk with Him.

Recently my son lost a badminton match with someone way younger to him. Today morning as he wakes up from the bed, this is what he had to tell me about it, "Appa, do you know, why I lost that match? Because I was proud. Because I thought I will easily win. "

God had to take him through a failure to teach him about the pride in his heart. Then I had to tell him, it was the Holy Spirit that taught him this truth because the Bible says, "God resists the proud and gives grace to the humble. "

Failures are definitely stepping stones to success. The world says, it motivates you to work hard and scale over that mountain the next time you face it. But the Word says, success is when you really meet your Saviour. When you put aside all your burdens and seek your Redeemer. All the hardships are means to bring you closer to God. Be it a life threatening disease, be it losing your job, be it uncertainty about your children's future. Whatever it is. Nothing is too hard for God to handle.

Job was a person who lost all his wealth and all his children on the same day. Can we even imagine that? In few days he is struck with a disgusting diseases with unbearable pain. To add on he has all the more reasons to go to depression because of the discouraging words of his dear wife and accusing words from his friends. But in all this Job did not sin.

Will God be confident in giving you troubles to face. One after the other if it keeps coming, means He desperatley wants to teach you more things.

Or is your ship smooth sailing?

When the torrents strike which seems to sink your boat. Remember one thing. TAKE IT TO THE LORD AND MAKE IT.

And whatever He has to offer would you gladly receive? Knowing full well that He is in control? Be it instant victory. Or process of healing and learning and coming closer to God through the dangerous looking way ahead.

Both are from God. And the best part of the story is this - He is with you in this.

Image credit: https://www.freepik.com/premium-ai-image/boat-ocean-is-sinking-storm_47206143.htm

Comments

Work hard, rather than hardly work

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Just love her

Husbands love your wives. Col:3:19 Is it that difficult. You are asked to just love. In fact it is much simpler than submitting and obeying. You don't create love. You feel love. You have loved her before. Passionately, selflessly. You found time for her. You cared for her. Where is your first love? You don't love her when all is well alone. When life is difficult. that is when you love. Whe she is indecisive, that is when you love. When she is confused, that is when you love. Do not be harsh with them (v:19). Be considerate (1Pet:3:7). Treat them with respect (1Pet:3:7). They are the weaker partner. You are strong - mentally, emotionally, physically, spiritually. You are the one to support. You are the one who cares. You are the one who provides. But heirs with you of the gracious gift - equal with you but weaker. So that nothing will hinder your prayers (1Pet:3:7b) Love her - emotionally, spiritually, mentally, in every aspect. Lord, fill me with your endless love...

Bear

Bear with each other. Col:3:13 Bear with each other means, adjust with each other. There might be unbearable circumstances created by incorrigible people. People who keep doing the same irritating inveterate things again and again. Keep bearing. Keep forgiving. Forgiving whatever grievances you may have against one another (v:13b) And over all these virtues, put on love which binds them all together in perfect unity (v:14) But what if you are not able to bear? If you are not able to forgive? If you are unable to love? Ask God to help you bear them; help you forgive them; help you love them There is no point in remembering their flaws and maintaining a strained relation Forgive. Choose to forgive. Tell yourself it is okay and deal with them lovingly. Pray for them Image credit: https://stock.adobe.com/search?k=hugging+teddy+bears

Myths, endless genealogies and meaningless talk

Some have wandered away from these and turned to meaningless talk. 1Tim:1:6 About false teachers - who want to be teachers of the law but they do not know what they are talking about or what they so confidently affirm (v:7). Equally true for the common man like me - a warning that God endorses, not to be involved in myths (v:3), endless genealogies (v:3) and meaningless talk (v:6). Guard your tongue. Interestingly in James where it talks about taming the tongue, the instruction is again to the teachers, that they would be judged more strictly. Why these unnecessary gossip? A gossip is always a gossip; no matter how hilarious it sounds, no matter how informative it looks. Why indulge in meaningless conversations? Let your words be filled with grace, bringing glory to the Almighty. Let it reflect His character. Let it be a source of encouragement to a wandering one who will be plucked out of the very gates of hell. Let it be a signpost for a backsliding one. Let it be filled ...

A quiet life

Make it your ambition to lead a quiet life. 1Thess:4:11 Being ambitious is to do something great in life. To do magnificent things. To achieve great goals. Paul's brotherly advise is to lead a quiet life and be ambitious to lead a quiet life. Doing great things will actually bring up the pride scale. If God brings it to your way, well and good. But desirous of being someone great in the world is a little bit dangerous. Be careful. Small is good. Little is good. Better a little with the fear of the Lord Thanq great wealth with turmoil. Pro:15:16. Image credit: https://www.vecteezy.com/free-photos/nature-window?page=95

Devote

Devote yourself to prayer, being watchful and thankful. Col:4:2 This is how prayers should be - watchful and thankful. Watchful for all the needs. Praying not just for you and your immediate needs. Praying for all. Then time won't be enough. Look at Epaphras (v:12-13). He is always wrestling in prayer for you, that you may stand firm in all the will of God, mature and fully assured. I vouch for him that he is working hard for you and for those at Laodecia and Hierapolis. How thin is your prayer list? Not just physically. Content wise. Even when you pray for others. what is it that you pray for them? Their physical needs are important. But their spiritual growth do you pray? Be thankful - God has been gracious to you - first of all, in plucking you from the very gates of hell. Secondly, every moment, there are only reasons to thank Him. How He has led you, how He has guided you, how He has protected you. It is worthwhile to take a break from your frantic running. Take y...

Never tire

And as for you, brothers never tire of doing what is right. 2Thess:3:13 Doing right might cost you. Might bring you loss. But never compromise. The Lord loves righteousness. And this is how we show our love to this righteous God. To pursue righteousness. Even in the smallest way. It might look infinitesimal. Especially in comparison to the consequence otherwise. You might lose your job. You might lose your precious relations. Your good will amongst your friend circle might be tarnished. But still never tire of doing what is right. Pursue righteousness.

The halfbaked Bard

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