Strugglin'

• Where do you turn when, for no particular reason, you're just having a hard time "getting going" or making sense of things?
• What do you do when you have feelings of self-doubt, can't see the glass as half full, and can only remember recent failures instead of successes?
• To whom do you go to when you think you know exactly what people will say in response to your struggle?
• Finally, what happens when the sermon you just preach, though ringing true for you all the previous week, is falling on your deaf ears the day after?

Well, it's time to turn to the One who is ALWAYS present, ALWAYS hears my feeble prayers, ALWAYS can empathize with what I'm going through, and can ALWAYS be depended on 100%.  It's time to take God at His word as He says to me, "Trust Me."  Two simple words which tests, more than anything else, the ability of the person to TRUST, rather than the ability of God to be trusted.

Let's take the God-given truths of JOY and PEACE and receive them as gifts.  Let's do that straight from His Word and truly take Him at His word:

Always be full of joy in the Lord. I say it again—rejoice!  Let everyone see that you are considerate in all you do. Remember, the Lord is coming soon.  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. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.                        - Philippians 4:4-7 (New Living Translation)

Why can I be full of joy in the midst of even the strugglin'?  By recognizing the nearness of His return, which puts things in perspective, and motivates me to be considerate, gentle, and understanding to those around me.

How can I obtain peace when things are not peaceful?  Instead of worrying, or being anxious, I need to pray about everything.  In thankfulness for all He's done and all He is, I simply lay it all out to Him.  THEN, Scripture says, "you will experience God's peace." Not after you've solved all your "issues."  Not after learning how to ignore the bad stuff.  Not after getting over it.  Rather, learning to literally place it all in the hands of God and trusting that, because of the work of Jesus Christ, He's truly got your back.

"Trust Me," God says to you and me.  Stop and hear Him say that to you today.  He's literally across the breakfast table from you or sitting next to you on your couch or sitting in a chair beside your bed looking at you in the eyes and saying, "Trust Me."  What does that look like?  What does it motivate you to do, or not do, or say, or not say?

Thank Him for His trustworthiness, His power, and His intense love for you.