Keep your head up

> 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 hate a
> monster like Bin Laden, who laughs at the tragedy he has accomplished.
>
> 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 ifs
> 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…
>