THE "STUFF"

Have you thanked Him?

Have you praised Him?

Have you made it your priority to agree and cooperate with Him today?

Have you taken that deep breath and listened for what He has for you today?

ARE YOU SEEKING?

1 Timothy 2:1 (The Message)

1-3The first thing I want you to do is pray. Pray every way you know how, for everyone you know.

 “Ok GOD, what is the point here?  I have been faithful, I am doing my part.  This “thing” is downright unsettling. What did I do to deserve this one?”

Ever feel that way?

Maybe you just pulled in the driveway after a long day and you can’t take another one like that one.

Maybe there was something that seemed like such a “sure thing” and then for an unknown reason falls apart.

Maybe it starts with a phone call or with a pink slip from out of the blue?

Life suddenly takes a weird left turn and you are left gasping, confused, and dazed.

We have all experienced moments like this; troubling times, unexpected changes and difficult trials.

The Bible even says to “expect them”.

James 1:2 (ERV)

2 My brothers and sisters, you will have many kinds of trouble.

It is how we “react” to them that matters.

Typically when STUFF happens to us we often want to focus on THE STUFF; who caused THE STUFF, why did THE STUFF happen, who is to blame for THE STUFF and who needs to pay for THE STUFF, right?

Yet instead we should pause to consider what GOD might be “doing” with “THE STUFF”.

Maybe the setback is designed to be a teachable moment.  Maybe the trial has been designed to awaken a need for change in our lives.

Yet often when we are caught off guard by a trial all we can seem to do is focus on the issue and begin begging GOD to remove it.

Even the Apostle Paul struggled with this so we are not alone.

2 Corinthians 12:7-9

…I was given a thorn in my flesh, a messenger from Satan to torment me and keep me from becoming proud.

8 Three different times I begged the Lord to take it away. 9 Each time he said, “My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.”

Truth is, we all are going to experience trials and unexpected troubles in life.  It is our response that matters.  We need to be like Paul and remember that WE HAVE ALL WE NEED to manage our way through the challenge!

GOD’S GRACE!  GOD’S POWER!

Therefore when we are faced with difficulties we shouldn’t spend all of our energy on the “circumstance”. We should instead tap into this GRACE and POWER that GOD promises and ask for the WISDOM to see our way through it!

For when we ask the Lord for wisdom…when we pray for wisdom…we are opening ourselves up to learn about God's overall purpose and plan for the trial.

James 1:3,4,12

…For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. 4 So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing…12 God blesses those who patiently endure testing and temptation. Afterward they will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him.

I love you all.

Freedom Church

Pastor GDelaney