Comfort in Difficult Times

It is inevitable that  there will be times we are confronted with disappointment, loss and emotional pain . It is just part of life. Fortunately our Lord is very aware of our griefs and sorrows and He has provided a way to deal with them. 

Isaiah 41:10
¹⁰ Fear not, for I am with you;
Be not dismayed, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you,
Yes, I will help you,
I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.’

 A while back, a friend and former Pastor of mine wrote a book called "Endings and Beginnings". He wrote it 10 years after his wife passed away ending her long struggle with cancer. 

He had a unique way of handling His grief. Instead of stepping back from leading the thousands in his congregation he went to the Word of God. 

Isaiah 40:31
³¹ But those who wait on the LORD
Shall renew their strength;
They shall mount up with wings like eagles,
They shall run and not be weary,
They shall walk and not faint.

This was the scripture the Lord gave him.  He latched onto it and began to study. 

He found that one of the meanings of the word "wait" is  to "bind together" or to "gather". So instead of stepping back he found himself in every church service he could, not as a pastor or speaker, but as a member of the Body. Instead of taking a break to mourn he continued in ministry. He gathered together with the Body of Christ and found comfort in the Spirit and in fellowship. The people around him didn't really understand but he found healing for his soul in the Presence of God. 

I think there is a lesson for all of us in that example. I have always admired him for his commitment to the Word of God and obedience to the Spirit.  In a similar situation I hope I would stay as sensitive to the Spirit and allow Him to direct my path just as the prophet Isaiah said. The Presence of God is the healing balm for us body, soul and spirit. 

2 Corinthians 1:3-5
³ Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort,  ⁴ who comforts us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. ⁵ For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also abounds through Christ. 

God does not want us to go through pain but He made a provision for it because He knew we would. He gave us the Spirit as a comforter and paid the price for our sickness, grief and pain. He gave us peace that passes understanding and, if we allow Him to, He will use our experiences to help others. 

One of the most important things to do when we are struggling is to get outside of ourselves and focus on the job that God gave us. Preach the Gospel, heal the sick, cast out demons and raise the dead. When we give comfort to another we are comforted ourselves. When we pray for someone else to be healed we receive healing ourselves and when we speak to a mountain to be moved in someone else's life we receive mountain moving power in our own life. 

Psalms 56:8-9
⁸ You number my wanderings;
Put my tears into Your bottle;
Are they not in Your book?
⁹ When I cry out to You,
Then my enemies will turn back;
This I know, because God is for me. 

Always be confident that God is with you in challenging times. He collects your tears in a bottle and puts them in His book. Seek Him and you will find Him.

If you would like to read about my friend's experience with grief you can find His book:

Endings and Beginnings by Charles Nieman on Amazon.com 

Finishing Strong

This morning at church, our Pastor, Dave Minton, gave a very effective message on finishing the year strong so we can start the New Year well. Our theme for the next year is "A Year of Spiritual Growth: A Year in the Word. 

 

It's easy to think of finishing strong as an element of our lives overall sometimes we take things in too big of chunks and then get bogged down and discouraged.  As I see it, God has given us each day as a seed that can be sown toward the calling He has set before us. As we seek Him, He brings wisdom, direction and fruit in our lives.

 

Every year we hear of significant leaders who have passed away and it seems the world is a little poorer for their passing. Pres. Jimmy Carter just went home to be with the Lord at 100 years of age. There will be many memories and many opinions expressed but now, because he knew the Lord Jesus he is engulfed in the loving arms of God and welcomed by his beloved Rosalynn. 

 

The great leaders of our faith have also left a great void in the Body of Christ. Billy Graham, Oral Roberts, Kenneth E. Hagin, T. L. Osborn, and more each had a significant impact on millions over a lifetime of service to God.  I felt a particular pain of loss with the home-going of Jerry Savelle earlier this year. It's easy to compare our own seemingly insignificant life to those generals of the faith but we need to realize that the calling on each of us is just as significant to God as any of the others. 

 

We all have times when we feel insignificant and even useless, but the truth is that we all have a circle of influence. We all know people who are affected by our lives even if we don't realize it. It's not always building a university, or starting a worldwide ministry.  It's mostly giving an encouraging word, praying with someone in need, lending a hand when it's needed, or giving a blanket to someone who is cold.  In Matt. 25:31-46 Jesus tells us that when we help each other it is the same as helping Him.  When we act in kindness to others, we are honoring God and fulfilling our purpose. 

Eph. 1:4-5 says: 

...just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love,

 5 having predestined us to adoption as sons by Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will...

We were each chosen before the foundation of the world to serve and love God.  Jesus paid the price to redeem us from a destiny that dictated failure and separation from God.  We are all chosen to do a specific work in a specific time.  

Eph 4:16 

 ...from whom the whole body, joined and knit together by what every joint supplies, according to the effective working by which every part does its share, causes growth of the body for the edifying of itself in love.

Each of us has a mission to accomplish in this life, a piece of the puzzle to add. Without us the Body of Christ, and the world, suffers.  God needs us. Regardless of your background or how you came to be in this life, even if you've "messed up" your entire life, God needs you.  

 

I am the fifth of five children in my family.  When my Mother became pregnant with me it had been 7 years since her youngest was born. I was not planned.  However, I was not a mistake.  My parents may not have planned me but I am sure that God did.  My Mom always made sure I knew that she viewed me as a blessing.  I was there as a stabilizing factor in her life during some very difficult times.  She said that she had responsibility and couldn’t just fall apart when things got rough.  God knew what she needed at that time, I also know that I have had some influence on those around me.  I believe God put me on this earth for a purpose.  That purpose is not yet fulfilled so I continue to seek God for His direction and wisdom. I believe my best days are ahead of me. After all, I just published my first book!

We each can live in hope. Rom. 11:29  says that “the gifts and calling of God are irrevocable”  He has instilled in each of us on this earth giftings, abilities, talents, and a specific call to service that He will not take away.  If we will submit ourselves to Him, and His purpose for our life, He will renew those giftings and calling.

It’s important for us to each realize that living from day to day is not guaranteed.  The only thing we can control is right now. If I plant the seed of submission to whatever God asks me to do today, however small it may be, I will see the fruit of that seed in further direction, the blessing of God on my life, and lives changed around me.   

 

I will finish strong.