What's going on y'all? Hopefully everyone is doing great, having success, climbing the ladder, and feeling God's love and blessings on their everyday life. But if not, if you feel like you've just been bombarded with bad luck and can't seem to buy a break....well, maybe this message is just for you. To you who are struggling I say this... You are loved. Maybe you've been demoted at work, or worse. Maybe an injury has sidelined you, or loved one has left home. Maybe the world just seems like its crashing down on you as you read this letter. Maybe I'm describing you or someone you know. But then again, maybe you're prospering, taking the world by the horns. Maybe you feel like your life can't get any better. Then I'm happy for you, but don't forget who put you there. In my own personal experience I have found that my relationship with God is at its peak when things aren't going great, because I realize I need help so I call on God. But when things are going good I tend to lose ground spiritually. I think that is me telling me that "i'm great, I did this or I did that." So, before long I am humbled and back to square one. This morning a friend of mine sent me a quote by Teddy Roosevelt that I think applies here. He said "There will be those who will always moan and complain about where they are. Many times through their sarcasm they put others down as they try to elevate themselves. I say forget that rubbish. Do what you can, with what you have, where you are! Humanity must remember: almost everything comes from almost nothing! Do something, I say, and do it now!" Wow. Strong words. But let me tell you exactly why these words are so true. Satan. Satan wants us to feel sorry for ourselves when things don't go as we planned. Satan wants us to hang our heads and pout the rest of our lives. Satan wants us to fail, and when we do, he wants us to drag others down in the process. When I tore my elbow this spring training Satan wanted me to complain, and whine, and cry, and make everyone feel sorry for me. But, you know what God wanted me to do? God wanted me to grow from this. He wanted me to be a light in a dark world. He wanted me stay excited about life, and the opportunities that this injury allowed me. He wanted me to have an impact for His kingdom, and I cant do that pouting. God wants all of us to have an impact where we are right now. So things aren't going great. Satan says feel sorry for yourself. Well I say, and I think God says, feel sorry for Satan. Because we are created in Gods image. And my image of God is strong. My God empowers me. My God is the reason for success and the reason that I will dig myself out of any hole that I am put into. So, ask yourselves this question... In whatever situation you are in right now... What can you do? How can you impact your life, others lives, and Gods kingdom? We can all do something, right now, right where we are.
Before I go, I just want to quote one of my favorite songs out right now. I think it goes great with this message and shows why we can't give up on this life we've been granted. We are never alone, and the One who is with us trumps EVERYTHING else. The following is the chorus in Chris Tomlin's "Our God"...
Into the darkness you shine out of the ashes we rise there's no one like you none like You!
Our God is greater, our God is stronger, God you are higher than any other.
Our God is Healer, Awesome in Power, Our God! Our God!
Our God is greater, our God is stronger, God you are higher than any other.
Our God is Healer, Awesome in Power, Our God! Our God!
And if our God is for us, then who could ever stop us.
And if our God is with us, then what could stand against.
And if our God is for us, then who could ever stop us.
And if our God is with us, then what could stand against.
What could stand against.
With God.... no one can stop us,
-adam w.
3 comments:
Thanks for the encouraging post, Waino!! When things are going tough Satan really wants us to give in to worldly things to give us comfort, but to get true comfort in this world we have to turn to God! If we sit around feeling sorry for whatever has happened in our life, God can't give us his blessings. How can God give his blessings to christians when they are doing nothing for Him? When we cry and feel sorry for ourselves we give pleasure to Satan, becouse we aren't doing anything for God. Don't give in to Satan, yes sometimes it might seem easy to quite, but in the long run if you keep going God will bless you!! :)
Wow! You are blessed in more ways than one Waino. Great post. I was recently in one of those tough spots. I hit rock bottom in my walk with God. Just when I felt like I had no faith left at all, when I was ready to give up on God I happened to watch Lee Strobel's "Case for Faith". God works in mysterious ways. I was ready to give up on Him, but He never gives up on any of His children!
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