Problems are OK even serious ones

Lately I have been besieged by numerous aggravating problems. Problems, problems, problems, it is enough to make one scream sometimes. I get so tired of dealing with problems that I often feel like just quitting or running away.

Unfortunately it is not that easy. I cannot just give up and quit and have my problems go away; I will undoubtedly elude one problem only to encounter another wherever I am. Nor can I run away from my problems; it would be like running away from life, because the Bible teaches that we will always have problems in this life. (“Our days will be short and full of trouble”.)

There is a phenomenon in life that I call the downward spiral. When serious problems come, they do not come one at a time, but instead seem to come in waves and the combined effect of not one just problem, but problem after problem after problem has the combined effect of pulling us down down – down like we are caught in a downward spiral of water sucking us ever deeper down a drain. If dealing with the first problem is not enough, just wait there is more. They just seem to heap themselves on top of each other. Mentally this is draining’ and depressing. When in this state we are surly and stressed and often we create more problems just because of our state of mind.

What to do? The other morning I was walking out to my car in the darkness and freezing cold, (which in itself is depressing as I hate cold weather). I had the weight of the world’ on my shoulders and was mulling over all of the serious problems that I had on my plate when suddenly I heard a bird singing. I thought, “How odd for a bird to be singing in the pitch black dark in a parking deck in the middle of Atlanta Georgia”. It was such a lovely sound. I mean this was not a little chirp or two, this bird was singing at the top of his lungs. It reminded me of being in the woods just as daylight begins to appear while sitting on a deer stand. As the sun comes up, the forest begins to come alive with birds singing like crazy and squirrels romping around. It is a glorious feeling and I’m sure that everyone who has ever experienced it can relate.

At that moment in that cold parking deck, I felt the warm presence of God surrounding me and it was an indescribable feeling of peace and tranquility that descended upon me. I realized at that moment that I am not alone in my daily struggles and even though sin has temporarily separated me from God, He has not abandoned me and I am not fighting this world and its worldly problems all alone.

When you are tired of the fight and ready to throw in the towel watch and listen. You might hear a bird happily chattering and singing to you, or see a beautiful flower, or intently gaze upon a setting sun, but if you will just look around you will realize that God is right there with you, and you are not fighting your battles alone. Jesus said that we should rest in Him. My sentiments to that command: Gladly!

I still have my problems facing me, but now they do not seem so serious now and it is far easier dealing with them knowing that Jesus is right there with me. (By the way, thanks for listening this morning)

Matt. 11:28
Come to me all you who labor
and are heavy laden, and I will give
you rest.