Adversity

Sometimes some of the most encouraging words in the English language are, "This, too, shall pass." We may feel that some adversity has pitched a tent in our yard and set up a permanent campground there, that it has come to say forever, but it will eventually move on our of our lives. How do we know that? Because God has given us this promise in Psa. 34:19, "A righteous man may have many troubles, but the Lord delivers him from them all."

If I am facing, or trying to endure, an unpleasant situation, it helps me to project my thoughts to the time it will be over, to the joys of the future, to all the wonderful things that God has prepared for us. It also helps to enjoy as many of God's gifts in the present as I can and to thank Him and praise Him for each one.

Heavenly Father, thank You that You will lead us through each season of adversity and bring us out on the side of joy. Thank You for the special serendipidies of pleasure that You give us even during our most difficult times. Amen.

Life's Little Frustrations

If you do your housework

It hardly ever shows.

But if one day you let it go

Then everybody knows!

Life's Little Frustrations

I get my life all neatly arranged,

Then something new happens and everything's changed.

I may be rigid and inflexible, but

I'd much rather stay in my comfortable rut!

Fret Not

Psa. 37:1a, KJ, "Fret not...", NIV, "Do not fret...."

I've been fretting off and on this week. I know better.

A Christian psychologist named Henry Brandt said he knew a man who received the same traffic ticket 39 times. Actually the man got the ticket only once, but he fretted about it 38 more times and became upset and angry again every time.

Dr. Brandt also said we mentally put our problems into our pockets until we have a little spare time. Then we bring them out, mull over them, and stew and fret and worry about them. When our time runs out, we put them back in our pockets, keeping them handy for whenever another opportunity to fret arises.

Why should we not fret? First, fretting does not improve our situation. Matt. 6:27 NIV, "Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?" Second, fretting displeases God. My friend Howard Ball says it's impossible to worry and trust at the same time, and Heb. 11:6 tells us that it's impossible for us to please God without faith. Third, fretting steals our joy. Heb. 11:1 The Message, "The fundamental fact of existence is that this trust in God, this faith, is the firm foundation under every thing that makes life worth living.

God has given us the antidote fro fretting in His Word. Psa. 37:3a, "Trust in the Lord, and do good." Phil. 4:6 the Message, "Don't fret or worry. Instead of worrying, pray. Let petitions and praises shape your worries into prayers, letting God know your concerns." Phil. 4:7 tells us the wonderful result of turning our worry list into a prayer list, "And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus."

Heavenly Father, today I choose to trust rather than fret. I choose Your peace and joy. Amen.

Values

Two weeks ago my son-in-law, Mat, was throwing a football to his son, Luke. When Luke missed a pass, Mat gave him a pep talk about catching the ball at all costs, even if he had to break a leg to do it. Luke got fired up to catch the next pass and said, "O.K., Dad, throw me a low one." Mat replied, "I can't do that. You might get grass stains on your shorts." Naturally I had to say, "Oh, it's all right for him to break a leg, but he mustn't get grass stains on his shorts." Mat chuckled and said, "I believe that's your next devotional."

One man imagined that someone would go into a store at night and switch around all the price tags, so a boat might cost $5.00 and a hammer might be $200.00. The values of everything would be changed. That's pretty much what has happened in our society. The values of many commodities have shifted during the years. At one time we valued the things God values--God Himself above all else, kindness, love, peace, integrity, church, family--you get the idea. Today all too many people value the things the world values instead--money, power, fame, beauty, etc. Heb. 11:26 says of Moses, "He regarded disgrace for the sake of Christ as of greater value than the treasures of Egypt, because he was looking ahead to his reward." Our eternal treasures are stored in heaven in safe keeping for us.

Wonder who switched the price tags in our society? Can we teach our children and grandchildren to value the true treasures of God more than the superficial things the world has to offer?