When we are in trouble

[arunangelo]

When we are in trouble
When the storms of earthly misfortunes destroy our stability and security, and there is no one to help us, we feel very alone and helpless. Even our prayers and meditations seem to become sterile and fruitless. Our cries seem like, they go unheard and our faith begins to crumble. Even our friends begin to say, “Why doesn’t God help him”. However, this is the time when our heart can find victory in God; because, this is the time when we are most likely to become humble and surrender our will to him. This allows us to accept God’s help; and turn our life around. We should, therefore, seize this opportunity by surrendering our will totally to God. This means that we are open to whatever God asks of us; and at all time live for God, by focusing our attention on the needs of others, rather than our own. Furthermore, we must keep this resolve alive in our heart by constantly meditating on God's love for us. We must accept the fact that, if the world and everyone in it fails us, God will never fail us; because in his infinite love, he sacrificed his life for us.

 

[com7fy8]

we are open to whatever God asks of us

It is wise in a time of trouble to answer to God, rather than try to get Him to answer to us.

focusing our attention on the needs of others

We can use our experience to help us to feel for others and understand what they are going through. I think this is what Jesus was doing, as our High Priest > by going through things we go through >

"For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin." (Hebrew 4:15)

Jesus left Heaven itself, partly in order to go through things we go through, here on earth, so that now Jesus as our Groom can feel for us and minister to us His grace which had Him doing so well.

This is included in the priesthood function of our High Priest Jesus. Like Jesus, we can use things we go through, in order to help us also to feel for others and minister to them God's grace which blesses us to do well. And, by doing this, we are functioning in the priesthood of Jesus! Here is an example of a scripture which says how God has us doing this >

"Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God." (2 Corinthians 1:3-4)

So, we get comforted by God, not only for our own selves, but so we can love others by ministering God's own comfort to them; so we are all-loving in how we handle troubles. And, by the way, I note how it says we can comfort people who are "in any trouble" > with God, we have the ability to understand people and help anyone in "any" problem, I think this means. We, then, can use . . . take advantage of . . . our problems. We can use them for God's all-loving purpose.

Joseph did this > Genesis 37-50. His brothers sold him into slavery and he got put in jail because he was falsely accused by his master's wife who said he tried to rape her, when in fact she tried to seduce him and out of spite accused him of trying to rape her.

But being in prison was part of God's arrangement for Joseph to meet Pharaoh of Egypt, and tell him there would be seven years of famine. Then God used Joseph to take over the resources of Egypt in order to save many lives during a great famine. He even rescued those brothers and their families and reconciled with them. So, instead of only trying to use God to solve his own problems, Joseph did things to love many people. This is because God is all-loving; so how He handles our problems will be with His all-loving results

So, what can work is if I am in an impossible situation, ask God, "What do You want to do with me?" And submit to how He rules me in His peace > Colossians 3:15 >

"And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body; and be thankful." (Colossians 3:15)

And discover how His peace has me seeing things, and what He personally guides me to do in this peace, while He takes care of people and things >

"casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you." (1 Peter 5:7)

 

[Tolworth John]

When the storms of earthly misfortunes destroy our stability and security

Have you ever been in that situation?
Turned up for work and told 'Go home, there is no work' and not know whether you will be paid?
Had to take a loved one suddenly to A&E and seen them taken into intensive care within moments of arriving?
Had that phone call 'X' has been in an accident and is in hospital?

Known the feeling of being punched in the stomach, of the bottom falling out of your world,got literally not known where to turn because the fear is so great?

When life is like thecabove platitudes about trusting God are like used toilet paper, worthless.

That is when one learns whether one's onactually means anything as one determines to trust God, despite the evidence.
It really hurts to trust God in these situations, yet strangely, somehow that faith is rewarded, one gets through each moment.
Night comes and one does manage to sleep.
In the morning as memory slams yesterday into one life, one decides to trust God and again somehow one gets through each awful moment.

This is often a moment by moment decision. It does not get any easier.

Sometimes one's worded fears are realised.

We ALL live in the light of Romans 8:28
ALL things. Yes ALL, now reread what I wrote at the start that list of things which are part of the ALL things, that work together for GOOD of those who are called according to His purpose.

Reread that list again they are part of life, part of all that God will give us, are you prepared.