Tag: Storms of life

What Is the Greatest Treasure of This Life?

Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ, Philippians 3:8

Throughout this journey of life, we meet with unexpected storms, rocky terrain, emotional upheavals, and trials that cause us to grow weary. At times we would despair of the weariness of heart and spirit, losing focus of the prize before us. Tears may stream down our face, we fall to the ground in despair and we wonder if there is any hope of joy. For most of us, our journey is an uphill climb; a race through boulders and rocks. We feel the struggle has left us bruised, bleeding and too exhausted to press on. We are overwhelmed with a deep, unrelenting weariness of heart and spirit that presses in. Continue reading “What Is the Greatest Treasure of This Life?”

How to Find Wisdom When Life Looms as Impossible

Daniel answered and said, Blessed be the name of God for ever and ever: for wisdom and might are his: And he changeth the times and the seasons: he removeth kings, and setteth up kings: he giveth wisdom unto the wise, and knowledge to them that know understanding: He revealeth the deep and secret things: he knoweth what is in the darkness, and the light dwelleth with him. I thank thee, and praise thee, O thou God of my fathers, who hast given me wisdom and might, and hast made known unto me now what we desired of thee: for thou hast now made known unto us the king’s matter. Daniel 2:20-23

 

King Nebuchadnezzar was having nightmares that awakened him with a sense of terror; yet, he could not remember the details. All he remembered was the terror they left behind deep within the core of his being. He called all of the sorcerers, the astrologers, and his most educated of men. Then, he asked that not only they interpret his dream; but, first they must recall his dream for him. Their reply was, “No man can do that! They would interpret the dream, but they could not discover the dream of another”. So the King was furious and decreed that all the wise men were to be killed. When Daniel heard of this he went to seek audience with the King and asked that he be given time to do what the others had not. Having been granted a day, Daniel hurried home and called his prayer warriors to join him.

Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah joined together in prayer.

That they would desire mercies of the God of heaven concerning this secret Daniel 2:18

Note this, they asked that God’s mercy reveal this dream to Daniel. They did not demand or declare it as some right; rather, they cried out for mercy.

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What Is Your Strength, Hope And Love Anchored To?

 

I will love thee, O Lord, my strength.The Lord is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust; my buckler, and the horn of my salvation, and my high tower.I will call upon the Lord, who is worthy to be praised (Psalm 18:1-3)

Once more we packed all that we had and left for Mexico. We could not sell the house nor the practice, though I had tried. We had to just walk away. Yet, Pete was filled with hope. He had trained in what at that time was very new—laparoscopic surgery. I made a huge effort to collect from the insurances the money owed us from the practice. From the accounts receivables we were able to secure enough to buy the equipment he would need to start a new practice in Pachuca, Hgo. Mexico. We would just start over, that was all. In Mexico, there were no opiates available and that would help Pete to stay free from the temptation to return to them.

anchored

But as is usually the case, life does not come with ease. Remember, Pete had gone through the treatment program for the addiction; but, the underlying mental illness had been left untreated. It was only a matter of time until once more, Pete was battling the thoughts within his own head. I do not pretend to understand fully what he or mom experience; but, both describe a “pain” inside their head. Not a headache—an emotional pain so great that is unbearable. And so the cycles continued of ecstatic highs followed by devastating depression. I was powerless to

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How to Face Life’s Greatest Trials with Peaceful Confidence

Our lives are filled with seasons of great trials. Sometimes those trials are short in their duration and other times they go on for years with little relief. Sometimes it is a tragic illness. At other times it is an unexpected turn of events that comes crashing in on our well planned out lives. Whatever the trial is and no matter how long that trial may be, we need to find a way to face that trial with confidence. How do we find peace in the midst of that trial so that our responses are wise and steady? How do we hold fast to our faith without falling deep into despair when our world falls apart? How do we keep facing devastating trials with hope within?

God is in the storms

Jesus was brought to trial before the chief priests first and then before the Roman authorities. He was mocked. He was questioned. They would slap Him and jeer asking that He tell them “who had touched Him.” As the night went on they beat Him severely, placed a crown of thorns on His head, spit in His face, placed Him in purple robes and presented Him to the very crowds that He had so lovingly served. This crowd who had even followed His every word a few days before now screamed “Crucify Him.” Although, He could have whispered one word and a legion of angels would have destroyed all these men; He calmly stood and softly spoke only a few words in response. Within those few words and the ones which came shortly before we can see the keys to facing any type of trial we too may face.

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How to Respond When Your Heart Is Heavily Burdened

How to Respond When Your Heart Is Heavily Burdened

As I lay there awake with the rustling of the wind outside and the rumbling sounds of thunder in the distance, I realized the true storm was the one inside my heart and mind. I cannot say why this restlessness of the soul; yet, there it was. So, finally I get up and head to my chair of prayer. I got out my Bible. Its pages are worn and have writings scribbled through the margins. Most of those scribbling written during moments just like this one. I reached out for my prayer journal to pray for family, friends, work, the nation and myself. Each page listed with scriptures to pray—a strategic battle plan against Satan’s attack. Yet, the only words that came from my lips were “Lord, I need you now.”

dawning light

SEASONS OF JOY AND SEASONS OF SORROWS COME TO ALL

This journey of life leads us through many seasons. Sometimes those seasons are filled with great joy, moments of strength, and wondrous answers to prayer. It would seem that we are floating on mountaintops high above all the trials and tribulations. Then there are those moments when our hearts are heavily burdened with great care and pain; although, nothing in particular has changed. After all, God is still on His throne. The truth of His promises have not changed. Yet, a heavy heart of despair leaves us wondering what is wrong. Sometimes, there is nothing to pinpoint as the triggering factor. No major catastrophe that has occurred. We feel a sense of loneliness as though we have lost our best friend. [bctt tweet=”When discouragement, loneliness, and despair creep into our hearts, our only hope is to seek God.”]

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