By Jim Miller
Gray, Maine
Sometimes life seems to be just to much and we become overwhelmed with things that we really can't control. Nothing anyone says seems to help and we just seem to sink deeper into feelings of what is left for us to do that means anything. Both men and women fall into this at some point in life and it is like we just want to throw our hands up and say I give up.
When this happens I can't help but remember the old poem about footprints in the sand and that maybe this is just one of those times Jesus will carry me through and there will be only one set of those footprints on that beach. We have all had these times in our lives and I believe this is when we really need to understand that Christ our Savior came to this earth and gave His live the we might be saved and have life eternal with Him and God the Father when this live is finished.
What a sacrifice was made for us and oh, what love God has for us. Times like this should bring to our minds that we have many precious promises in Gods word and one of them is found in the book of Hebrews…… Heb 13:5 Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee. Heb 13:6 So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me.
Sometimes it is hard not to let the temptation of feeling sorry for ourselves over take us. Yet we can know that we will make it through the hard or sad times if we but turn to God and remember the words written in Colossians………. 1Co_10:13 There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it. As alone as we may feel at the time someone, somewhere has gone through the same thing. We just need to be looking for the way of escape that God has provided.
When speaking to His apostles in John 16 Christ said this in verse 27……. Joh 14:27 Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid. Yes this was stated after He told them the comforter would come and put them in remembrance of all things but the statement I believe applies to us too. We have comfort via the Holy Spirit through Gods word today and that same peace is ours also.
We need to understand that we can choose to continue to feel sorry for ourselves or we can choose to overcome those feeling knowing God is there with us and that our real strength comes from Him and His word.
The Psalmist wrote this and I am sure we all remember………… Psa 23:1 A Psalm of David. The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. Psa 23:2 He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters. Psa 23:3 He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake. Psa 23:4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. Psa 23:5 Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. Psa 23:6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever.
Friends we all have times of sorrow in our lives. We all have times when we want to ask why or get so frustrated that we just want to give up. Sadly some do give up and lose sight of the prize yet to come and lose their way and allow Satan to take from them the gift of Gods love and mercy. Friends do not let this happen to you, yes your going to face these times in your life but face them knowing that God through the temptations and trials of this life will strengthen you through those trials and temptations.
Try to remember what John recorded in Revelations for us. Rev_2:7 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the midst of the paradise of God.
How great a gift there is for us. How great a love God has for us. Php 4:4 Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice. Php 4:5 Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand. Php 4:6 Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. Php 4:7 And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Php 4:8 Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. Php 4:9 Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you.
