strivingtogrow
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- Dec 20, 2008
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The post below is intended to be an encouragment for you this holiday season as its easy to lose perspective, especially in these troubled economic times. This post takes a look at some passages and stories from the Bible which may encourage you and help you get a fresh perspective. Jesus in the reason for the season! When you look at your circumstances through God's eyes, you may discover a fresh new joy and hope. The post is below:
It's easy to get uptight about the holidays, especially if finances are limited. You want to please everyone and get all those important people things they like and have your tree up early. There's alot of things to do. We have no tree, yet, and we're not sure, yet, about how much we'll have to give...But God reminded me that when Jesus was born, all he had was a modest manger in a little stable. Imagine how Mary and Joseph felt. It looked like they had nothing, but God brought their baby, Jesus, gifts supernaturally through the Magi which he brought from afar (Matthew 2:11). God is always good to us. God encouraged them by bringing shepards to spread the word about who Jesus really was, the Savior of the world! Their humble circumstances paled in comparison to the extradinary thing God was doing in their life, and their focus was entirely on Jesus. What an honor that God chose them to raise Jesus! They were just ordinary, humble people with good hearts and enough faith to believe God and trust him. It says in Luke 2:19 that Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. Imagine what it was like for Joseph to be engaged to a woman who was already pregnant! What people might have thought! He had to really trust God and obey him as he could have had her stoned! (Deuteronomy 22:20).Then I think of what it must have been like for her to have to travel to Egypt through the desert with her baby knowing King Herod was after him to kill him! That couldn't have been too comfortable an experience, yet I'm sure she trusted God enough to do exactly what He said, "Get up and escape to Egypt," and to know that things were going to be Ok (Matthew 2:13). God can bring about such glory through the most modest and most meager of circumstances. God reminded me, "If you have me, you have everything... I am not found in this world. I am not limited by this world. I can do anything and nothing is impossible through me!" Through these thoughts God shifts my focus back on Him, and I think how lucky I am to have a savior who can give me peace and joy in any circumstance. The best part is that nothing, NOTHING, can take that away from me.
The best part about being in modest circumstances, or any circumstance which could be deemed negative in which you are absolutely forced to depend on God is, He has a chance to prove how faithful and good He is. He has a chance to do things supernaturally, and he usually does! Then it's really exciting! Also, the more trials you go through the more time you have to readjust your attitude and learn that God does really love you and is going to take care of you, so worry and fear becomes less and less and peace and joy grow more and more, that is if you decide to accept your situation, trust God, and let him teach you and lead you through it and out it His way. If you fight it and try to do things your own way, and don't trust God, you end up miserable and scared. Usually, you can't see tthe good until after the trial is over, but if you're a Christian and you think back, you'll see all these things to be true. Also, you'll see that the more you trust God and do what He says, the easier it is to get through your trials. Obedience does play a key factor in your level of joy and peace, though. I discovered that to be true.
God does allow us to go through some things which may seem awful in our eyes and may even be quite painful. The bible is full of examples of that, like Joseph, Paul, and Job. You can make a choice to be bitter about it, or you can make the choice to grow, to endure, and to trust in God-as he will give you the strength to get through the trial. And He will secretly encourage you and show you glimpses of his love even in the midst of your circumstances if your eyes our on Him! He will also work all the bad things for the good (Romans 8:28). If you really believe what He says is true (the promises of God) you will hold out and stay encouraged. In all the examples in the Bible God made it up to them in the end and they were blessed beyond measure (whether in their lifetime or up in heaven). And God's spirit was with them and his love was being lavished on them at all times, regardless of their circumstances. Again, the glory of God in your life has a way of making the pain of negative circumstances pale in comparison. It is more than enough all by itself.
Sometimes God lets us go through an experience which seems dismal, hopeless, and impossible, just so he can show off his glory and power. Two examples come to mind from the Bible, but I know there are many others. I was just reading Judges (Chapter 6) today, and the story of Gideon. He was living in an oppressive time under King Midian who invaded their country, destroyed all their crops and livestock, and impoverished the Israelites for 7 years, until they finially cried out to God for help. This time the oppression happened as a result of sin (the Israelites had worshipped other Gods), but sometimes bad things happen to us by no fault of our own, like in Job. Gidean, however was a Godly man, suffering because of the sins of others. The angel of the Lord appeared to him one day and said, "The Lord is with you, mighty warrior" (Judges 6:12), and he asked, "But sir, if the Lord is with us, why has all this happened to us?" That phrase struck me. How often do we ask God, "Why?"
God let those things happen even though Gideon was good and faithful to God just so God could raise up Gidean to save Israel from the Midianites. God would use him to deliver the nation! What glory and honor! Gideon felt inadequate for the job, "How can I save Israel? My clan is the weakest in Manasseh and I am the least in my family," (Judges 6:15.) However he trusted God, followed what he said to do (even when God said to get rid of some of his army because he had too many people), and God helped him to defeat all the Midianites with only 300 men! (the Midianites on camels were as numerous as the sands on a seashore and as far as the eye could see-Judges 7:7; 7:22-25). God caused the Midianites to fight against eachother. God did it that way so He could get the glory. Israel was then able to enjoy peace for 40 years (even though they went right back to sinning and even Gideon let greed get the better of him-Judges 8:22-27). God still used him, though, and blessed him. God's goodness amazes me.
The other example was how God let the Israelites be surrounded by the Egyptians in their exodus from Egypt after being oppressed by Pharoah for 400 years in Exodus 14. They were finally freed and leaving Egypt under the lead of Moses, only they reached a place where they were stuck and surrounded with Pharoah's army about to overtake them. To them it looked like it was all over and they were so negative, "Why did you bring us here to die?" (Exodus 14:11). It seemed like an impossible situation, because they had no place left to go in their eyes, but yet God had Moses part the Red sea so they could cross. The entire Egyptian army followed them into the passageway and was drowned when God had Moses send the waters back again-after all the Israelites were across and on safe land. God specifically allowed them to be surrounded and in the impossible situation so He could show off his power, that nothing is impossible for Him! It's worth reading if you haven't read it.
Whenever I'm faced with a difficult situation or an impossible situation or even a hardship that seems to go on for a long time, I ponder these things-all the examples in the Bible of how God did the impossible and brought blessings, of how good and faithful God is, and it is encouraging. I remember, "Don't go by what you see. God can do anything at any time. There is no lack in God. I have more than enough. God will provide for me everything I need. And even if God choses to let me be in an uncomfortable situation for awhile He knows what he is doing (Isaiah 55:8). He has a plan, and it is for the good, to bless me, and give me an abundant life (John 10:10)." When I look back and remember how he took care of me in my last difficult situation then I become less anxious in the present one. Then I think, "I see. God's going to teach me to trust him in every situation." Reaching that place of security and faith is worth all the trials. I'm not saying I'm there, yet-where I want to be in faith-but I'm alot further along than I used to be. That's why Paul says to rejoice in your trials and tribulation, because ultimately it leads to perseverence, character, and hope (Romans 5:3.) And hope leads to joy. Isn't that what we all want? The secret to joy and happiness is often paradoxical because it means to be content (and not anxious) in every situation (Phillipians 4:12).
I just want to remind everyone about the reason for the season. If you have God you have everything. Rejoice and give Him thanks because He is your savior, your rescuer, your redeemer, and because he makes all things work for the good for those who love him (Romans 8:28). Look up to Him and let him touch you, heal your heart, and give you joy and peace this holiday season!
It's easy to get uptight about the holidays, especially if finances are limited. You want to please everyone and get all those important people things they like and have your tree up early. There's alot of things to do. We have no tree, yet, and we're not sure, yet, about how much we'll have to give...But God reminded me that when Jesus was born, all he had was a modest manger in a little stable. Imagine how Mary and Joseph felt. It looked like they had nothing, but God brought their baby, Jesus, gifts supernaturally through the Magi which he brought from afar (Matthew 2:11). God is always good to us. God encouraged them by bringing shepards to spread the word about who Jesus really was, the Savior of the world! Their humble circumstances paled in comparison to the extradinary thing God was doing in their life, and their focus was entirely on Jesus. What an honor that God chose them to raise Jesus! They were just ordinary, humble people with good hearts and enough faith to believe God and trust him. It says in Luke 2:19 that Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. Imagine what it was like for Joseph to be engaged to a woman who was already pregnant! What people might have thought! He had to really trust God and obey him as he could have had her stoned! (Deuteronomy 22:20).Then I think of what it must have been like for her to have to travel to Egypt through the desert with her baby knowing King Herod was after him to kill him! That couldn't have been too comfortable an experience, yet I'm sure she trusted God enough to do exactly what He said, "Get up and escape to Egypt," and to know that things were going to be Ok (Matthew 2:13). God can bring about such glory through the most modest and most meager of circumstances. God reminded me, "If you have me, you have everything... I am not found in this world. I am not limited by this world. I can do anything and nothing is impossible through me!" Through these thoughts God shifts my focus back on Him, and I think how lucky I am to have a savior who can give me peace and joy in any circumstance. The best part is that nothing, NOTHING, can take that away from me.
The best part about being in modest circumstances, or any circumstance which could be deemed negative in which you are absolutely forced to depend on God is, He has a chance to prove how faithful and good He is. He has a chance to do things supernaturally, and he usually does! Then it's really exciting! Also, the more trials you go through the more time you have to readjust your attitude and learn that God does really love you and is going to take care of you, so worry and fear becomes less and less and peace and joy grow more and more, that is if you decide to accept your situation, trust God, and let him teach you and lead you through it and out it His way. If you fight it and try to do things your own way, and don't trust God, you end up miserable and scared. Usually, you can't see tthe good until after the trial is over, but if you're a Christian and you think back, you'll see all these things to be true. Also, you'll see that the more you trust God and do what He says, the easier it is to get through your trials. Obedience does play a key factor in your level of joy and peace, though. I discovered that to be true.
God does allow us to go through some things which may seem awful in our eyes and may even be quite painful. The bible is full of examples of that, like Joseph, Paul, and Job. You can make a choice to be bitter about it, or you can make the choice to grow, to endure, and to trust in God-as he will give you the strength to get through the trial. And He will secretly encourage you and show you glimpses of his love even in the midst of your circumstances if your eyes our on Him! He will also work all the bad things for the good (Romans 8:28). If you really believe what He says is true (the promises of God) you will hold out and stay encouraged. In all the examples in the Bible God made it up to them in the end and they were blessed beyond measure (whether in their lifetime or up in heaven). And God's spirit was with them and his love was being lavished on them at all times, regardless of their circumstances. Again, the glory of God in your life has a way of making the pain of negative circumstances pale in comparison. It is more than enough all by itself.
Sometimes God lets us go through an experience which seems dismal, hopeless, and impossible, just so he can show off his glory and power. Two examples come to mind from the Bible, but I know there are many others. I was just reading Judges (Chapter 6) today, and the story of Gideon. He was living in an oppressive time under King Midian who invaded their country, destroyed all their crops and livestock, and impoverished the Israelites for 7 years, until they finially cried out to God for help. This time the oppression happened as a result of sin (the Israelites had worshipped other Gods), but sometimes bad things happen to us by no fault of our own, like in Job. Gidean, however was a Godly man, suffering because of the sins of others. The angel of the Lord appeared to him one day and said, "The Lord is with you, mighty warrior" (Judges 6:12), and he asked, "But sir, if the Lord is with us, why has all this happened to us?" That phrase struck me. How often do we ask God, "Why?"
God let those things happen even though Gideon was good and faithful to God just so God could raise up Gidean to save Israel from the Midianites. God would use him to deliver the nation! What glory and honor! Gideon felt inadequate for the job, "How can I save Israel? My clan is the weakest in Manasseh and I am the least in my family," (Judges 6:15.) However he trusted God, followed what he said to do (even when God said to get rid of some of his army because he had too many people), and God helped him to defeat all the Midianites with only 300 men! (the Midianites on camels were as numerous as the sands on a seashore and as far as the eye could see-Judges 7:7; 7:22-25). God caused the Midianites to fight against eachother. God did it that way so He could get the glory. Israel was then able to enjoy peace for 40 years (even though they went right back to sinning and even Gideon let greed get the better of him-Judges 8:22-27). God still used him, though, and blessed him. God's goodness amazes me.
The other example was how God let the Israelites be surrounded by the Egyptians in their exodus from Egypt after being oppressed by Pharoah for 400 years in Exodus 14. They were finally freed and leaving Egypt under the lead of Moses, only they reached a place where they were stuck and surrounded with Pharoah's army about to overtake them. To them it looked like it was all over and they were so negative, "Why did you bring us here to die?" (Exodus 14:11). It seemed like an impossible situation, because they had no place left to go in their eyes, but yet God had Moses part the Red sea so they could cross. The entire Egyptian army followed them into the passageway and was drowned when God had Moses send the waters back again-after all the Israelites were across and on safe land. God specifically allowed them to be surrounded and in the impossible situation so He could show off his power, that nothing is impossible for Him! It's worth reading if you haven't read it.
Whenever I'm faced with a difficult situation or an impossible situation or even a hardship that seems to go on for a long time, I ponder these things-all the examples in the Bible of how God did the impossible and brought blessings, of how good and faithful God is, and it is encouraging. I remember, "Don't go by what you see. God can do anything at any time. There is no lack in God. I have more than enough. God will provide for me everything I need. And even if God choses to let me be in an uncomfortable situation for awhile He knows what he is doing (Isaiah 55:8). He has a plan, and it is for the good, to bless me, and give me an abundant life (John 10:10)." When I look back and remember how he took care of me in my last difficult situation then I become less anxious in the present one. Then I think, "I see. God's going to teach me to trust him in every situation." Reaching that place of security and faith is worth all the trials. I'm not saying I'm there, yet-where I want to be in faith-but I'm alot further along than I used to be. That's why Paul says to rejoice in your trials and tribulation, because ultimately it leads to perseverence, character, and hope (Romans 5:3.) And hope leads to joy. Isn't that what we all want? The secret to joy and happiness is often paradoxical because it means to be content (and not anxious) in every situation (Phillipians 4:12).
I just want to remind everyone about the reason for the season. If you have God you have everything. Rejoice and give Him thanks because He is your savior, your rescuer, your redeemer, and because he makes all things work for the good for those who love him (Romans 8:28). Look up to Him and let him touch you, heal your heart, and give you joy and peace this holiday season!
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