Well, I have asked myself on several occasions over the past few weeks. What is happening on earth right now? I’m asking that same thing. However, I’m choosing to give thanks in everything.
Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. (1 Thessalonians 5:18). There are only so many things going around us today. But, use the time to be creative and to return to God through reading, praying, fasting and finding peace in those relationships that have been taken for granted.
I’m sure we all have things we can do at home during this time of chaos and concern over our nation and through our cities. I’m specifically using my time to redefine life and what it holds for the future.
For some, this can be hard to do when our days and schedules are usually filled with meeting daily demands. However, the days ahead should give us nothing but time to revamp some things that are dead and need to be revived again.
Tonight, was quite special after my prayer time and dinner. I was led to take a hot bubble bath. It was the best leading of the Lord yet.
Oh Boy!
As I relaxed, I begin singing my favorite songs of worship. All of a sudden. There was a peaceful quietness that entered my space. I knew it was the presence of God. He came to sit in the midst of my praise. (Sidenote: I don’t sing that well.)
During that moment, all I could do was raise my hands to give thanks. I laid back and submerged my body underwater and looked towards the window as it was dusk dark. Then, I begin to reminisce over God’s goodness. I never wanted to leave that place or His presence.
Hindsight, when I got in the tub tonight, my heart was heavy. I’m sure you’ve experienced that same feeling.
Because our lives can become so overwhelming, daunting, and hard. We can easily get discouraged, frustrated, and burned out by circumstances or relationships that are beyond our control. It’s during these times we should turn away from those challenges and turn toward Christ. When we turn to Him, that’s when God can enter our space and sit amid our situations to give us the peace we are seeking in troubled overwhelming times.
What if we all divided to trust God with our broken and wounded hearts, then He could bring healing, restoration and the wholeness we need during times of heaviness. God sees us beyond where we are; he sees us as who he created us to be.
Sometimes when we feel we done have all the answers. God still reminds us that He is God. He is still in complete control of our lives through all that we’re going through. What we’re going through is changing us, renewing our strength and creating wholeness in Jesus Christ.
“Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus” (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18, NIV).
When we remember that God is in control of lives and we are not our own, our Savior gives us the strength we need when we are weak and comforts us in all our times of need.
During times of heaviness, we get so caught up with what we don’t have and fussy about our daily routines changing. We forget that things could be so much worse. Take a moment to think about how your situation could be so much worse right now.
Moreover, we have all problems that seem insurmountable and we wonder–how is God going to use this situation for my good. If we’re not confident that God is going to bring us through our situation, worrying will continually see the problem. But, we need to tell our problems where they stand with God. Be confident! God is working in your life, every single one of you in ways you don’t see and you don’t understand. Just lift up your hands and say…”Lord! I thank you for working in my life right now.” And, I’m expecting something good to come out of this.
God is with you. Just because you have a problem it doesn’t mean that God has abandoned you. Every time you find yourself worrying, say, “I don’t know what I’m going to do, but God knows what He’s going to do.” And, that’s when you’re moving over into the miracle realm with God. Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us, (Ephesians 3:20)
So, return to your testimonies about what God has already brought you through. You have been in some things and some places that no one would have ever thought that you would have recovered. God is no respecter of person. His promises are not for an elite few–they are for us. He is still with you, taking care of your situation.
Be patient through the problem. He’s going to give you the strength and the ability to go through those problems. I know none of us like the going-through part. Afflictions and suffering have been appointed by God as instruments He uses to make us more holy, to make us more like Jesus. They remind us that we are weak and we must not rely on ourselves, but on Jesus. They remind us that this world is not our home, but that we are only passing through toward our real home, which is in heaven.
In conclusion, distract yourself from the pain and focus on the promises of God instead of ”what on earth is going on?” Complaining will only complicate the situation in your life. Lose yourself in the things that bring joy to the Lord and to yourself. Whatever you are magnifying in your life will only get bigger. Don’t focus your time and energy on that. During your time of pain, magnify the Lord through praise and worship, serving the church and the community, through Bible study and by simply doing life with others. You will soon discover that your situation is worth going through as you’ve learned that others are encountering something too.
Life is still worth living!
