Problems or Opportunities??

I know, it's hard to believe when you are up to your eyeballs in a problem...that ANYTHING good could come out of it. I'm not above this same kind of thinking when a problem lasts longer than I expected, is getting worse or just seems to be getting the best of me.

We have to remember where to keep our focus, on Jesus and not the circumstances that seem to rage with every impossibility day and night. Problems are obnoxious. They demand our attention, they steal our peace, they trample our happiness and make us feel defeated before the battle has even begun.

So how the crapola can we survive the problems of life? We must adjust our vision to the promises of God that are available to us. This means that every problem is actually an opportunity to receive God's provision.

Remember what God is capable of, He took a handful of dirt and breathed life into...meet the first man, Adam. He made a human out of dust!

Jesus replied, "What is impossible with men is possible with God." Luke 18:27 (NIV)

We need to be reminded of this because in the humdrum of everyday life, we forget who God is. We think it's only up to us, that we are alone in solving the problem and that maybe even God has forgotten about us.

Well, I'm here to remind you that nothing gets by God. We may not be able to know why certain things happen, because God even tell us in Isaiah 55:9 "As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts"(NIV). But God loves you and He has a good plan for your life!

For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Jeremiah 29:11 (NIV)

What we must do in the problem, KEEP praying, KEEP asking God for His wisdom, for His favor and EXPECT Him to be at work on what is giving you such heart ache and trouble. And the most important thing that I have found that keeps my little sinking heart afloat is praising and thanking God WHILE STILL IN THE PROBLEM. You will not FEEL like praising God as sometimes it feels like your mouth is full of gravel and you can barely muster enough energy to get out of bed!

Nehemiah 8:10 "the joy of the LORD is your strength."

Psalm 98:4 Shout for joy to the LORD, all the earth, burst into jubilant song with music;

1 Thessalonians 5:19 pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.

CHOOSE to be joy filled. This is not easy, but I can attest the it does give us strength in areas that are fragile.

PUT on worship music, even if you can't sing along at first. Just allow the words of worship and praise to God fill your heart until you CAN SING!

DON'T leave God in those times. Instead, come closer to Him, pray and give Him every detail that burdens your heart, mind and body. Don't give up when you don't get an immediate change in circumstances. Often times, God does a lot of behind the scenes arranging before we get our breakthrough, answer or need.

And know that I am praying for you, that your needs are not only met but overflowing in abundance according the riches and glory in Jesus Christ!

LOTS of love,hot chocolate and 20 marshmallows,

CLC