I think I am pretty safe in saying that we all encounter trouble in our lives at one point or another. It may be the death of someone close to us - parent, spouse, child or friend. It may be serious illness. It may be divorce. It may be that we experience more than one of these things, potentially at the same time. How do we handle this incredible stress in our lives? Well, we will do one of two things: we will either run to God, or run away from Him. We will either learn to trust His promises more, and lean into Him for strength, or we start to doubt His compassion, His love, and possibly even His very existence.
Paul talks of this very subject when he wrote his second letter to the Church in Corinth:
You let the distress bring you to God, not drive you from him. The result was all gain, no loss.
Distress that drives us to God does that. It turns us around. It gets us back in the way of salvation. We never regret that kind of pain. But those who let distress drive them away from God are full of regrets, end up on a deathbed of regrets.
And now, isn't it wonderful all the ways in which this distress has goaded you closer to God? You're more alive, more concerned, more sensitive, more reverent, more human, more passionate, more responsible.
2 Corinthians 7:9-11 (The Message paraphrase)
So we can choose to live a life full of regrets, or we can be more alive, more human and more passionate. No brainer, right? If only it were that easy. I know it isn't. But more and more I choose to pitch my tent in His encampment. But I occasionally still scoot over to the enemy side to see if things are any better over there. They aren't, by a long shot. And regrets? I always regret going.
Whatever you are enduring in your life right now - run to God. It is all gain and no loss.
Amazing Grace and Eternal Peace to you,
Bruce
O Lord, grant me to greet the coming day in peace.
Help me in all things to rely upon thy holy will.
In every hour of the day reveal thy will to me.
Bless my dealings with all who surround me.
Teach me to treat all that comes to me throughout the day with peace of soul, and with the firm conviction that thy will governs all.
In all my deeds and words guide my thoughts and feelings.
In unforeseen events, let me not forget that all are sent by thee.
Teach me to act firmly and wisely, without embittering and embarrassing others.
Give me strength to bear the fatigue of the coming day and all that it shall bring.
Direct my will, teach me to pray, pray thou thyself in me. Amen.
Metropolitan Philaret of Moscow (1782–1867)
 | Bruce MacPherson macpherson@celtic.ca / Blog: The Celtic Christian / Home: 613.489.4174 Cell: 613.720.0821 You are receiving this email because you have requested it or I felt you would be interested in this material. If you would like to be removed from this email list, please do not hesitate to contact me at the above email address. Likewise, if you know of someone else who you believe would appreciate receiving these messages, please let me know. |
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