Power-filled Positive Living—Chapter 19C—Faith, Strength, and Hope in the Cross of Christ
This world, this earthly journey at times will break our hearts. There are moments in which the pain and sorrow is so great, rising in our chest that we think we cannot take another breath. We are so wearied by the constant turmoil, heartache, and desperation that surrounds us. How do we take another step forward, even a tiny step; when, there is no strength to go on? How does a mother’s or a father’s heart find a tiny sparkle of hope when they know their child is hurting? We so wish we could do something, anything to make their pain go away; and, alas our hands are tied it seems. We pray until we have no words left to say, silence fills the room and everything seems a loss. How do we find that mustard seed faith to move the mountain before us, when we are so laden with pain, guilt, or despair? That seed of faith that tiny ray of hope, and those whispers of joy can only come from God. It is God who, “hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son…16 For by him (Jesus Christ) were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him: 17 And he is before all things, and by him all things consist”(are held together) Colossians 1.
You see, I can tell you there is a hope and a joy that rises out of the ashes of all your shattered dreams; because, I have been crushed by the weight of this world over and over again. Too often at the end of the day, I fall to my knees and cling to the rock of my salvation; only to then in the morning awaken to a renewed strength, a miraculous joy, and a peace of knowing, my Father has the answer to my desperate question. Suddenly, I realize; He alone needs to know the answer and I can trust Him.
Each time when life seems too hard, I am reminded of these three things.
- My Heavenly Father is bigger and stronger than I can even imagine. Too often, we are incapable of recognizing how really Big God is. He created the heavens and earth by speaking. Imagine with one breath all the stars were in place. “8 The grass withereth, the flower fadeth: but the word of our God shall stand for ever…Behold your God! 10 Behold, the Lord God will come with strong hand, and his arm shall rule for him: behold, his reward is with him, and his work before him. 11 He shall feed his flock like a shepherd: he shall gather the lambs with his arm, and carry them in his bosom, and shall gently lead those that are with young. 12 Who hath measured the waters in the hollow of his hand, and meted out heaven with the span, and comprehended the dust of the earth in a measure, and weighed the mountains in scales, and the hills in a balance? 13 Who hath directed the Spirit of the Lord, or being his counsellor hath taught him? 14 With whom took he counsel, and who instructed him, and taught him in the path of judgment, and taught him knowledge, and shewed to him the way of understanding? 15 Behold, the nations are as a drop of a bucket, and are counted as the small dust of the balance: behold, he taketh up the isles as a very little thing…18 To whom then will ye liken God? Or what likeness will ye compare unto him? (Isaiah 40)
- My Heavenly Father has promised to be my strength. “28 Hast thou not known? Hast thou not heard, that the everlasting God, the Lord, the Creator of the ends of the earth, fainteth not, neither is weary? There is no searching of his understanding. 29 He giveth power to the faint; and to them that have no might he increaseth strength. 30 Even the youths shall faint and be weary, and the young men shall utterly fall: 31 But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint” (Isaiah 40).
- My Heavenly Father loves me with an everlasting love. “For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life” (John 3:16). This wasn’t an afterthought, or an “oops now what do I do”. This was God’s plan before He created Adam—look at the center of the whirlpool galaxy and you see that. Then, take a look at the laminin molecule –the protein molecules that holds man’s organs and cells together; and tell me God didn’t have a plan of love for me to bring me joy in Christ. He did, and I can trust that plan.
So when the weight of this world’s trials seem too heavy for you to bear, remember God is bigger than you can ever imagine, He has promised to be your strength, and He has loved you from eternity past. He was willing to endure the agony of the cross, for the joy of one day calling you, Child. “let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,2 Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God” (Hebrews 12)
Sing along with this song How Great Is Our God
The artist that drew the picture “A Broken and Contrite Heart” featured on my header is Ronald Barba. Please go to his website ( http://www.barba-art.com) for information regarding obtaining copies or to commission him to create a masterpiece for you. Feel free to email him at Ron@Barba-Art.com to discuss any art projects and to discuss pricing.
©2015 Effie Darlene Barba
Disclosure of Material Connection: I have not received any compensation for writing this post. I have no material connection to the brands, products, or services that I have mentioned. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.