“Why do people offer shortsighted counsel?”

A thought by Charles R. Swindall, from his book, What if…God Has Other Plans?: Finding Hope When Life Throws You the Unexpected (p. 44). Tyndale House Publishers, Inc.. Kindle Edition. (Click on the book title to go to Amazon.com to buy the book.)

That’s a good question, isn't it? Why?

Charles says, “Because they’re looking at life horizontally. They mean well. They want you to feel relief. They want you to be happy. That’s what prompts them to say what they say. But sometimes their words are erroneous and can add to your confusion and struggle.”

He goes on, “God’s Word helps you filter out things you have no business taking in. Long before you face the storm, I urge you to soak your mind and your heart in the Scriptures. Read those great truths that give you a theological foundation. Ask the Lord to provide you with a spirit of discernment so you can easily determine whether the advice you’re hearing is from the Lord or not. Then when you experience the gale-force winds of doubt and grief, your anchor will hold, firmly fixed on the bedrock of God’s unchanging faithfulness and rooted in the knowledge of His sovereign control.

“So, when you face a tragedy in your own life, let the tears flow. Grieve. You can’t get over grief until you’ve fully expressed it. You grieve with the full perspective that God is in control, meaning you grieve but not ‘like people who have no hope’ (1 Thessalonians 4:13). This can be true even in periods of devastating loss. Ultimately, you realize He has ordained this loss to accomplish His divine purpose for you and within you.”

And getting into God’s Word even when we are in this crisis is a good place to go, isn’t it?

Yes, yes!

Comments

“When you understand that life is a test, you realize that nothing is insignificant in your life.”

A thought by Rick Warren, (2012-10-23) from his book, The Purpose Driven Life: What on Earth Am I Here For? (Purpose Driven Life, The) (p. 57). Zondervan. Kindle Edition. To realize that from God’s perspective life is a test goes a long way in determining how you handle your life. It is important to see that in testing your character is both developed and revealed. Rick goes on to say that “even the smallest incident has significance for your character development. Every day is an important day, and every second is a growth opportunity to deepen your character, to demonstrate love, or to depend on God.” So there is a God purpose behind each situation in your life. Even the bad ones are there to strengthen you and develop you. You see those bad situations are really good ones because they are there for your good. I start each day with a reminder that God is good. Not every situation that is going to come in my day is good but because God is good He will use e

"Jesus comes in the midst of the torrent."

A thought by Max Lucado from his book, You Are Never Alone (p. 60). Thomas Nelson. Kindle Edition. (Click on the book title to go to Amazon to buy the book.) We all have storms in our lives, don't we? Max says, "No one gets through life scot-free. At one point or another the sky will darken, the winds will rage, and we will find ourselves in a modern-day version of the Galilean gusher." John 6:16–18 (NIV) says, "When evening came, his disciples went down to the lake, where they got into a boat and set off across the lake for Capernaum. By now it was dark, and Jesus had not yet joined them. A strong wind was blowing and the waters grew rough." Max goes on, "The hearts of the followers began to sink as their boat was certain to do. Their skin was soaked, throats hoarse, eyes wide. They searched the sky for a break in the clouds. They gripped the boat for fear of the waves. They screamed their prayers for help. But they heard nothing. "If only Jesu

“What areas of my personality, background, and physical appearance am I struggling to accept?”

A thought by Rick Warren, (2012-10-23) from his book, The Purpose Driven Life: What on Earth Am I Here For? (Purpose Driven Life, The) (p. 35). Zondervan. Kindle Edition. Rick posed this question at the end of his chapter, You Are Not an Accident. In this chapter he deals with the fact that God created you the way you are with a purpose. In other words you are not an accident. I am also reading the Apostle John’s view of Jesus and what He said and did while He was here on earth. In the beginning of Chapter 9 there is a story about a blind man. And the disciples who were with Him asked Him a good question, “Who sinned, this man or his parents that he was born blind? ” Have you ever asked the same thing about something in you that you don’t like? Like that characteristic is a curse or something. Society has set a standard that is not a standard of God. Remember, He created you and you are not an accident. Jesus did answer the question about the blind

Just Continue That Thought...

Search This Blog