Thursday, July 1, 2010

Can’t Stand the Weather?

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.  –Romans 15:13 

Something the recent heat wave has reminded me of is that I do not think I could live in Florida.  No offense intended to anyone reading this from that great state, but I simply couldn’t take the heat.  Florida is a beautiful place to visit with its year-round sunshine, warm weather, and white sand beaches, but I feel truly blessed to reside among the mountains of southwest Virginia where I get to experience the seasons in all of their diversity.  The last few weeks have been unseasonably hot and have left a lot of us looking toward some milder days where the temperature dips down below 80 degrees.  The folks down in Florida might not see such a reading on the thermometer for a while.

There are forces in the world which are simply out of our control – such as the weather.  We can complain about it, allow it to ruin our frame of mind, allow it to make us miserable, and even shut ourselves away from it in the comfort of air-conditioned homes.  However, we can’t stop it if another string of blistering days stretch before us.  What we can do is make the best of it, right?  We can get out at least for a while during the day, early morning is perfect, and experience the therapeutic power of sunshine. Or we can enjoy some early morning or late afternoon outdoor exercise and feel the cleansing benefits of a good sweat. 

Some has said that when life hands you lemons make lemonade.  Well, when life hands you a heat wave go swimming.  Or drink a glass of cold lemonade in the shade with an old friend.  Either way, you’re not lying around complaining about how hot it is, but rather you’re seeking to do something productive.  While we can’t control the weather, we can trust the one who has the power to guide, strengthen, and empower us from day to day; the Lord Jesus Christ.  Whatever life throws at us we can rest assured that He will not change and He will not falter in His commitment to never leave us nor forsake us. 

Christ brings to the troubled soul a blessed peace that passes all understanding (Philippians 4:7).  Even we as are going through some dark and difficult valleys we do not have to live in defeat.  The Lord will shine His light before us and grant us peace as we traverse the difficult roads of life.  We don’t know when the tough times will come for we don’t know what the future holds.  But we do know who holds the future.  As long as we are walking with Christ our way will be secure, especially during the storms of life. 

The troubled soul finds peace and hope in the Lord.  Do not despair over those circumstances which are beyond our control.  Instead, trust the Lord, look to Him, and rejoice, for our lives are secure in Him – both now and for all eternity. 

Whatever the weather today, resolve to rise up and praise God for another day of life.  Help me Lord to make the best of it.

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