Hard Times

2 Corinthians 1:3-7 (Good News Translation)

³ Let us give thanks to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the merciful Father, the God from whom all help comes!⁴ He helps us in all our troubles, so that we are able to help others who have all kinds of troubles, using the same help that we ourselves have received from God.⁵ Just as we have a share in Christ's many sufferings, so also through Christ we share in God's great help.⁶ If we suffer, it is for your help and salvation; if we are helped, then you too are helped and given the strength to endure with patience the same sufferings that we also endure.⁷ So our hope in you is never shaken; we know that just as you share in our sufferings, you also share in the help we receive.

Why is it we think if we are a Christian it means we won’t have hard times, struggle, or experience sadness in our lives?  I find myself in the hardest time of my life and I have had more sad days then I would like to think about.  I am currently separated from my husband, my two year old niece has brain cancer, and I worry about how all of this will affect my twin girls.  My life is far from easy or happy right now, yet as I draw closer to my Savior I am overwhelmed with peace, joy and freedom!  I can’t even begin to express in words how it feels exactly.  I find myself joyful!  I can tell you that I spend my days looking forward to being in God’s Word, singing in my kitchen songs of praise, and feeling over whelmed by the peace I have during this storm.  

Psalm 29:11 (Good News Translation)

¹¹ The LORD gives strength to his people; the LORD blesses his people with peace.

Isaiah 41:13 (Good News Translation)

¹³ I am the Lord your God; I strengthen you and tell you, Do not be afraid; I will help you. 

I am not saying that God is a genie in a bottle and will solve all my problems like I want Him to.  Because I do not know if my marriage will work out, I do not know if my niece will survive brain cancer, and I do not know what affect all of this will have on my girls.  What I know is that I have a Savior who is willing to comfort me IF I seek Him.  See God gave me free will and I can do whatever I want; however, that can come at a price.  If I make the choice to not follow His ways, then I will suffer the consequences of my own will.  How many times have you asked your child not to do something that you know will cause them harm only to have them do it anyways?  Do you love them less because they didn’t listen? Did you remind them of what you said because you didn’t want them to get hurt?  Our Father loves us no matter what!  Our consequences are gentle reminders of what He tells us not to do for our own good.  He is the Creator and this is His story,

Isaiah 41:4 (Good News Translation)

⁴ Who was it that made this happen? Who has determined the course of history?  I, the Lord, was there at the beginning, and I, the Lord, will be there at the end.

When I make the choice to seek Him, be obedient to His word, and live my daily life only to be pleasing to Him, then and only then will I experience the peace He promises me.  It is a choice I have to actively make daily.  It is similar to deciding to eat healthier or exercise.  It is an active choice and there are benefits, but when you stop old habits come back.  The same is true about seeking God and being in His word.  When I stop seeking Him and being in His word, then my old selfish, bad choice making self comes back.  I am a mess without God!  

Matthew 22:37-38 (Good News Translation)

³⁷ Jesus answered, Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.³⁸ This is the greatest and the most important commandment.

So today even though I found myself sad thinking about my precious niece and missing my husband, I took comfort in the overwhelming peace I felt.  I am grateful God is ALWAYS willing to meet me where I am emotionally, physically, and spiritually.  I am thankful I do not have to be perfect for Him to love me.  

Colossians 1:13-14

³ He rescued us from the power of darkness and brought us safe into the kingdom of his dear Son,¹⁴ by whom we are set free, that is, our sins are forgiven.

You Invite Me In - Meredith Andrews

http://www.godtube.com/watch/?v=JC22FCNU