We all go through problems. We face difficult circumstances and tough situations. It's not hard to become overwhelmed by the stresses of life. To cope with our anxieties we often turn to media, family members, friends, addictions, or we can hold it to ourselves in hopes that we can derive at an appropriate solution for our problem. When we overly focus on our problems, sins, fears and failures, we feel discouraged, defeated, hopeless, exhausted, frustrated, confused, empty, depressed and lonely.
\/ read move \/
Instead of keeping our eyes on all our problems, we should fix our eyes on Christ. Trying to fix our problems on our own is definitely not the right solution. We may think we're in control, but then we come to realize that everything is in God's hands. In faith we are to trust God with our past, present and future. We are to trust in His sovereignty. Immanuel or Emmanuel both mean God with us. Being with Him involves relying on Him. We are to retreat to Him as our hiding place and fortress. In Him we find rest, restoration, peace and love. Finding a community of believers who also offer acceptance, warmth and understanding is also very important. Depending on God and turning to those who offer compassion is the first step to healing. We are not meant to carry these heavy burdens on our own. God may not cure our deep scars immediately, but He will remedy the pains of our heart. He may not restore broken bonds or our losses, but will comfort us with His love.
Holding on to all our problems, not being able to let go of our failures, not forgiving ourselves and trying to accomplish everything on our own is not trusting in His grace. If we just stop, pause, and wait upon Him and invite Him into our situation, then He surrounds, engulfs, empowers and consumes us with His love. Walking and living with God and His people will lead to the fruits of the Spirit. We are not meant to tackle all these obstacles on our own, because when we do we get burnt out. Trust on God for every step, depend on your brothers and sisters in Christ.
I watched a few sermons on singleness. Sometimes being single can be lonely and quite depressing. The solution isn't to just get married. Yes it would problem help, but the matter is something deeper. We are to connect with the body of believers in fellowship. In the Bible, it wasn't turning to spouses but to your siblings for help. Brothers and sisters meant a lot more then, then it does today. We are to share our lives with each other and treat God's people perhaps even closer than our own family. We are to minister, serve and give ourselves to another. If we aren't willing to welcome a nonbeliever into God's family, we have no right to be preaching the gospel. It's never just been a relationship between God and an individual. A relationship with God includes a new family of the church body. Do we truly see our brothers and sisters in Christ as family? Do we open ourselves to the ministry of others?
No comments:
Post a Comment