God is our refuge and strength, a very present
help in trouble. 2 Therefore will not we fear, though
the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst
of the sea; 3 Though the waters
thereof roar and be troubled, though the mountains shake with the swelling
thereof. Selah. –Psalm 46:1-3
Have you ever had a day so filled with stress
you wondered how you would get through it? If so you are in good
company, for most of us can relate to such struggles. I was watching
news video the other night of the aftermath of the recent hurricane
on the east coast and I was trying to get my mind around how difficult
it would be to rebuild after such destruction. The images showed
rubble strewn everywhere, homes knocked off their foundations, and shocked
looking people rummaging through the debris that had once been their
lives. As I watched this, my heart went out to them and I pray
those affected will somehow be able to move forward. I also considered
how these images are illustrative of life and how problems, stress,
crises, and daily frustrations can leave us shell-shocked and exhausted.
The good news is that we have a divine resource in
God, who the Bible says is a present help in trouble. If we allow
bitterness to set in we quickly dismiss such a thought. In our
anger and frustration we are tempted to either lash out at God or deny
Him altogether for allowing such destruction and problems to come about
in the first place. Indeed, we live in a troubled world filled
with evil. The age-old question of why God allows suffering continues
to haunt many people. Unless we can by faith trust God and move
forward toward a brighter day promised in God’s Word we will end up
consumed by anger. The result is sorrow compounded by an inability
to move forward. Countless people remain stranded in a no-man’s
land of unhappiness, unable to grow personally and experience the joy
the Lord intends for us to have.
“Joy?” you say. “How can I have joy in
the middle of all these problems I am facing?” The answer rests
in Jesus Christ. Jesus came so we might have life, peace, hope,
and strength in the midst of our struggles. Problems and difficulties
are not going to go away in this life, yet we can experience true joy
even in our darkest days. Joy comes in knowing the Lord is with
us, He has a plan, God has not abandoned us, and there is hope for a
better day. Faith in Christ has an energizing affect upon us as
we daily walk with Lord. We are no longer facing the storms of
life in our strength, but rather we are facing the trials of life in the
power God provides. This spiritual power is available to all who
by faith believe on the Lord.
Whatever you are facing today, know that the Lord
has a plan, He will give strength, and you can come through stronger
and able to face whatever lies ahead.
Keep looking up, do not give up, and do not surrender
to hopelessness.
There is hope, for the Lord has promised.
Through Christ we overcome the tallest mountain.
Through Christ we stand when we feel like giving
up.
In Jesus we rise up and take hold of the abundant
life He has promised.
God bless you today.
