“Don’t be afraid, for I am with you. Don’t be discouraged, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you. I will hold you up with my victorious right hand.” – Isaiah 41:10 (NLT)
Life can be filled with all kinds of surprises – some good, some not so good. And the surprises can be life altering in both good and bad. The timing is unexpected, and the circumstances can be delightfully welcome, or devastating. How do we handle both good and bad? – there is only one correct answer for that – there is no “multiple choice” responses – the only answer is “God.”
There are times when I feel too numb to “feel anything” and begin to wonder if I’ve somehow lost my sense of ability to react to emotions – good or otherwise. But that is a component of life that many will encounter. It’s the invariable ups and downs and all arounds of LIFE.
But during all of these moments, and sensations or lack thereof – the only One that gets me through the cycle of life – is LIFE itself – which is to say my LORD and Savior.
- Times are unsettled. Our LORD is anything but – He is constant.
- Times can be chaotic. Our LORD is anything but- He is Peace.
- Times can be scary. Our LORD is anything but – He is soothing.
- Times can be painful. Our LORD is anything but – He is painless.
It’s okay to feel three dimensional – or one dimensional, after all we are humans. Within our flesh bodies come cascades of varying degrees of emotions and events that we react to. But it’s so much better with a person of faith than those who have no baseline or hope or trust or love or God. I’ve seen both sides of the coin, especially in my past career working in the nursing home industry. First, as the social worker, then as the Administrator of our nursing home. And I’ve seen all sides of humans, behavior and otherwise. The good sides. The bad sides. The beautiful sides. And the ugly sides. And I tell you this with full certainty – those with faith were able to withstand all sides of life including those surprises, both good and bad.
For those who didn’t believe, well they languished in an abysmal vortex of nothingness. They were seemingly waiting for “nothing” and didn’t care about “anything.” All hope gone, perishing and clinging to a vapor and mist of existence.
I write this not to depress my readers, but to bring comfort and uplift those of faith to even greater heights if possible. And to those readers who are here for the first time, perhaps to elevate their circumstances and let them wonder what “Christ is all about.” Perhaps to pick up a Bible and read. Or to reach out to someone and ask questions about life with God in it. A friend, a pastor, a teacher – a neighbor – anyone who follows the LORD and knows Him intimately can bring about a current of understanding and knowledge of how GREAT He is!
LIFE is a moving phenomenon. It keeps going irrespective of our circumstances, and it revolves around a 24-hour cycle. – Within those hours we can be devoted to a God that loves us more than we could ever possibly begin to fathom or imagine. And trust Him to guide us. And love Him because of who He is and what He does and continues to do for us, 24/7, non-stop.
Are you a follower? Have you reached out to Him today no matter what you are going through? Of course, He sees and knows, you and your heart – but He wants to hear it from you directly.
Go to Him – it really makes Life – LIFE!
“LORD, thank You for Your Presence in our lives, for Your continuous show of love, and for Your Word, Your promises, and for the blood of Christ, we are ever faithful, ever grateful, and love You now and always, in Jesus name, Amen.
- Proverbs 3:5-6 (NLT) – “Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take.”
- Psalm 56:3-4 (NLT) “But when I am afraid, I will put my trust in you. I praise God for what he has promised. I trust in God, so why should I be afraid? What can mere mortals do to me?”
- Philippians 4:6-7 (NLT) “Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand.
- Deuteronomy 31:6 (NLT) “So be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid and do not panic before them. For the Lord your God will personally go ahead of you. He will neither fail you nor abandon you.”
