Problems are inevitable

I wish I didn’t have problems. I don’t like hard. I’d rather laugh and be happy. I especially don’t savor the dark days of discouragement. But, troubles are part of life and the more we embrace that, the quicker we can be on the road to learning what Scripture says in dealing with the pain of our current situations.

If you don’t believe me, then just look at the words of Jesus in the gospel of John:

“I have told you these things so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” John 16:33

Jesus was being “real” about life in this world. He was letting his hearers know that as long as they were in this world, they would have troubles. Troubles are part and parcel of human life. Interesting that he said they would have PEACE in knowing that. He didn’t tell them to scare them, he told them to give them peace. Interesting.

Like most things in the gospels, what Jesus taught always seems upside down to what we are comfortable with. We live in a world that encourages us to grab the best, be happy at all costs, look out for #1 etc…. But Jesus taught that we would go through hard times, troubling times and that His death has overcome the pain and suffering of this world. I guess for me….my mind isn’t always focused enough on the bigger picture, the eternal reality that Jesus Christ has overcome the things of this world, and that someday I will be with him.  Instead I focus on hurt feelings, aches and pains, financial struggle….you know, those real things that make up the month. Thoughts of eternity often seem cliche, out of reach and unable to touch my current reality. I wonder why the truth of living as ones who overcome, ones who live with eternal focus, has gotten so watered down?

Are you going through any troubling things right now?

Remember, focus is a key to how you will live until your problem is resolved. We want to be happy but in the meantime, we must learn to turn our cares over to the one who cares.

Problems are inevitable. Living overwhelmed is optional. Walking around in defeat is a choice we make. That’s right, if you are overwhelmed don’t blame your problem, step back and realize that you have chosen to be overwhelmed because Jesus gives us the option of trusting Him and finding real-life peace.To have peace we must be intentional about our focal point. Much like a woman in labor has a focal point to help her deal with the pain, we must have a focal point as we walk through the pain of trials in our own lives. Scripture teaches that Jesus, His faithfulness, His will, His power, His love for us…is to be our focal point.

“You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in you, all hose thoughts are fixed on you! Trust in the LORD always, for the Lord God is the eternal ROCK. Isa 26: 3-4 NLT

“Depend on GOD and keep at it, because in the Lord God you have a sure thing.” Isa 26:4 The Message

True confession: I have been living overwhelmed. I am not proud of it, it’s just been my reality. I have to face the fact that it’s been my choice…ouch…that sounds so icky, so not faith-like. But I am humbly coming to grips with the truth that if I continue to live upset by my circumstances, I have chosen that discouragement and that path. So today as God’s word confronts my heart and  penetrates my mind, I once again make a new choice to agree with Scripture that sometimes life is hard, and problems are inevitable….but living overwhelmed is optional! I can be an overcomer in Christ Jesus and so can you!

Jesus is calling us out of our flesh comfort zone into a place of living as those who overcome because of HIM. So let’s put on those big girl panties of faith and love, and march on into all that God has for us today.

Take on the day, focused on Jesus.

In Him,

Debbie