There are a lot of people who are suffering in our world today. The economy has touched everyone, divorce hits good families, and cancer attacks at any time. There are reasons to feel hopeless, but is that the answer?
This morning I read that a father took the lives of his five children, wife and himself because they had both lost their jobs and there was no hope. I opened up my e-mail to find two messages regarding women who have been diagnosed with cancer. This week our family lost a dear friend, and a Godly woman, to cancer. Two weeks ago we said good-bye to our friend Lee, and now in the same church, we will say good-bye on Saturday to Carol Wallace.
Does it all seem overwhelming and dark sometimes? For the man who killed his family, he felt that there was not even one glimmer of hope. He did not realize that God says there is always hope. He apparently thought he had to handle his situation all by himself. A mistake we all make quite often. We try to cover up our faults, blame others for misusing our money, or pretend that everything is fine because of pride. We begin to think that God must be unhappy with us, or that our situation is bigger than Him. Satan wants us to believe that there is no hope and that God has abandoned us.
The only answer to hopelessness is finding hope in God. When we tell ourselves that things are bad and will never get better, we limit God. When we focus on the negative, it will continue to get bad. Don't you feel worse when you are burdened with a problem? When we believe God's promises and refuse to let the enemy lie to us, then there is hope.
Find rest, O my soul, in God alone; my hope comes from Him. He alone is my rock and my salvation, He is my fortress, I will not be shaken. My salvation and my honor depend on God. He is my mighty rock, my refuge. Trust in Him at all times, O people; pour out your hearts to Him, for God is our refuge. Psalm 62:5-8
This is a promise! It is a statement from our almighty God, your creator. There is no "out clause." A promise is a promise. God never breaks His promises. What is scary sometimes is that what God considers important is different than what we consider important. Some think that their job, house, car, boat, clothes, etc... is important. God may not put those things high on His priority list. He wants you, and I, to rely completely on Him and put our relationship with Him first. Sometimes we don't offer out our hand for Him to grab onto until we are desperate. He wants us to come to Him with everything, even before you get desperate! Then when things look bad, you have established a relationship with God and you know you can trust Him in any situation.
It is truly my fervent prayer for everyone that you will keep God's promises in your heart so that during these hard times, you can be assured that there is a God who cares. He is a breath away, and wants the best for you.
God Bless,
Sandy
