TOUGH STRETCHES

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?

1 Timothy 2:1 (The Message)

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

…our great power is from God, not from ourselves. 

We are pressed on every side by troubles, but we are not crushed. We are perplexed, but not driven to despair. We are hunted down, but never abandoned by God. We get knocked down, but we are not destroyed. 2 Corinthians 4:7-9 (ESV)

We are right?

Pressed on and down from every side some days?

Troubled often at every turn?

Confused?

We sometimes feel the intense pressure of being on the grid, in the soup, or under the gun?

We get beaten down?  Or maybe feel beaten up?

Paul described what to remember during those tough stretches when he was sharing with the folks in Corinth; a stretch not unlike one that you perhaps are experiencing right now.  A stretch of CHALLENGE.  A stretch of nothing but confusion.  A stretch that by every right could leave even the most optimistic a little pessimistic or maybe even depressed.

But Paul doesn’t just lament the challenge but rather REMINDS at the START of that little passage that OUR GREAT POWER to deal with all of it comes from GOD and not ourselves.  

So IN SPITE of being PRESSED by TROUBLE we will not be overwhelmed because of GOD!

IN SPITE of the confusion GOD WILL CLEAR the fog and WILL bring clarity! The Spirit of life in Christ, like a strong wind, has magnificently cleared the air – Romans 8:2 (MSG)

IN SPITE of the PRESSURE, GOD will not allow it to crush us, we will be able to stand, we will endure.  IN SPITE of days or even weeks of lonely or abandoned feelings and perceptions, GOD’S faithfulness always remains! God assured us, “I’ll never let you down, never walk off and leave you,” – Hebrews 13:5 (MSG)

IN SPITE of being knocked down, GOD’S power is plenty to get you back up! I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will UPHOLD you with my righteous right hand. – Isaiah 41:10 (ESV)

As you may be surmising from the last couple of ORH entries, I have been feeling a bit like Paul describes of late.  But regardless, I am resolving to remain optimistic because GOD has promised me HIS power to deal with all of it! And as Churchill once surmised, “an optimist sees the opportunity in every difficulty.”

So it is time to find some opportunities in the difficulties.

How about you today?

Feeling a little like Paul described; a little like me?

Pressed? Confused? Lonely?

Don’t rely on your own POWER!  Instead REST assured in the POWER that has already been ISSUED to you; GOD’S.  And with it comes the providence needed, the provision needed, the direction needed, the clarity needed, and the hope needed!!!

The Lord’s Instruction is perfect, reviving one’s very being.

The Lord’s laws are faithful, making naive people wise.

Psalm 19:7 (CED)

Especially for the tough stretches!

I love you all

Opportunities for Hope