Over this past week, we’ve looked at Psalm 139, a psalm that reminds us how much God loves and cares for us. Making a copy of that psalm and posting it somewhere we can read it when we’re feeling anxious and alone can help. Today, I want to finish up this week with other verses that help us face whatever comes our way.
Sometimes we face difficult things. Jesus’ brother, James, gives us some advice when life gets tough.
“Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles of any kind come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. 3 For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. 4 So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing.
5 If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and he will give it to you. He will not rebuke you for asking.” (James 1: 1 – 5)
Isn’t that an incredible piece of advice? Consider it joy when you’re having a challenging time? Really? And yet, when we are going through difficult times, we do learn a lot. We can pray and ask God for wisdom, and he has promised to give it to us. Sometimes it’s an idea that suddenly pops into your head; sometimes, a friend gives you some excellent advice. When I look back over my life, I found that God helped me through tough times and it did make me stronger, wiser. At the exact moment, it was hard. Looking back I realized it did help me grow.
“Trust in the LORD with all your heart;
do not depend on your own understanding.
6 Seek his will in all you do,
and he will show you which path to take. (Proverbs 3: 5 – 6)
That is another piece of advice from God. Really seek God’s will in whatever we face. Reading our Bibles on a daily basis helps us know what God considers to be right. How do we approach situations that are making us angry? How do we deal with friends who have hurt us? How do we figure out what school program to take, what job to take – all those decisions that come in our lives? Look at those situations and think about what God would say or do.
“Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. 7 Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4: 6 – 7)
Pray! Start learning to pray throughout your day. Prayers don’t need to be long and wordy. Just tell God what is bothering you, what you are worried about. Thank him for his love and care. You will discover that God does give you peace as you talk with him.
“Three different times I begged the Lord to take it away. 9 Each time he said, “My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.” So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me. 10 That’s why I take pleasure in my weaknesses, and in the insults, hardships, persecutions, and troubles that I suffer for Christ. For when I am weak, then I am strong.” (2 Corinthians 12: 8 – 10)
Now those are difficult verses to take in. The Apostle Paul talks about all the hard things he faced during his ministry. Sometimes we face problems that don’t go away. You could have a health problem that really disrupts your life, and the doctors can’t seem to find a solution. Your job drives you crazy, but there doesn’t seem to be any solution that still brings you a decent salary. Whatever that problem is that won’t go away, Paul tells you to accept that tough situation because in your weakness, you will be strong. Think and pray about that burden in your life. Ask God for strength to face it every day.
“And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise. 9 Keep putting into practice all you learned and received from me—everything you heard from me and saw me doing. Then the God of peace will be with you.” (Philippians 4: 8)
There is a positive end to our devotions today. Start making a list of all the things God has done for you. (“Keep putting into practice all you learned and received from me.”) When you get bogged down with worries or stress, think positively. (“Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise.”)
Read over Psalm 139. Know that God loves and cares for you every second, every day, every week, every year …
I love you, LORD;
you are my strength.
2 The LORD is my rock, my fortress, and my savior;
my God is my rock, in whom I find protection.
He is my shield, the power that saves me,
and my place of safety. (Psalm 18: 1 – 2)
Our song for today is Good Good Father by Chris Tomlin.