October 1, 2021 – Click here to listen
The Bible tells us quite a bit about tough times and how we should endure them. The Bible teaches that we should actually be happy when we endure hard times, as it builds our character. It is very hard for most of us to do though. Just as it is difficult not to be discouraged by the whats going on in the world.
We do not really know why God allows tough times to enter our lives. I suspect one reason is to encourage some of us to draw closer to God. Sometimes it takes tough times, indeed even very tough times, to wake us up and make us realize that we cannot make it alone. We need God’s steady hand to help guide us get through this tough, evil world. The Bible states that if we draw near to God, He will draw near to us. There you have it, the perfect prescription for the pain of tough times.
God can discern who is sincere and who is not. If we will get on our knees and sincerely ask God to come into our life and to give us the strength, wisdom and clarity of thought to guide us through the crisis that we face, He will do so. He has promised it, and He will deliver, but WE have to ask Him, He will not take the first step. Read the Bible carefully here, we must first “draw near” Him and the He will draw near to us.
I also believe that we should concentrate our energy and efforts on the cure, not the malady. It is nothing but a waste of time to wallow in self pity, and/or to worry. We should spend that time on finding a way to work our way out of the bad and into the good times. Time wasted on worry or feeling sorry for ourselves is strictly time wasted. Through the years I have relayed the following poem in WFTD several times. I never get tired of reading it during tough times.
DON’T QUIT
When things go wrong , as they sometimes will,
When the road you’re trudging seems all uphill,
When the funds are low and the debts are high,
And you want to smile, but you have to sigh,
When care is pressing you down a bit . . .
Rest if you must, but don’t you quit.
When you are worried and full of doubt,
Just remember that success is failure turned inside out.
So stick to the fight when you’re hardest hit,
It’s when things seem worst that you must not quit.
James 4:8
Draw near to God and He will
draw near to you . . .
Have a great day and go to church this Sunday!