Monday, April 21, 2008

365 Times...

.... that's one a day for a year. Know what it is? It's how many times in scripture God tells us either to "fear not" "do not be afraid" "do not let your hearts be troubled"

I read a quote recently (wish I could remember where I had read the quote) that said
"God doesn't give us what we can handle, God helps us handle what we are given" I love that! How many times have we heard "God never gives us more than we can handle" - OK in the midst of trouble do we really want to hear that? I remember someone saying that to my husband's aunt years ago - her response: "does that mean if I were a weaker person I wouldn't have to go through this? " Yes, God allows the good and the bad to happen. He never promised it would be easy... after all, we made sure of that once that apple was plucked off the tree in the garden. But He did promise to be there for us - fear not, do not be afraid, do not let your hearts be troubled... trust Him - with all of your heart. Yes, He will help you handle, actually He will handle what has been given to you. Peace in your life doesn't have anything to do with circumstance, but everything to do w/ the authority of God in your life. Do not let your hearts be troubled... yes "In this world you will have trouble, but take heart I have overcome the world" - Jesus' words to us in John 16:33 - one of my favorite scriptures! Jesus doesn't give us the peace that the world gives - that's escapism. Jesus gives us the peace to endure the storms that come. If you are led to it... He will lead you through it!

Our family is going through a difficult part of life. An aging parent... our trust in the Lord, our study of scripture and holding true to the Hope that is in Christ is what has prepared us to navigate this chapter in our life.

Friends, I pray that you hold tight to Jesus and resolve before trouble comes that you will trust Him! Keep on beliveing Him, keep on going back to him - focus on Jesus and his word not on your troubles and he will give you peace.

2 comments:

elaine @ peace for the journey said...

Kristen:
Boy...trust must be the topic of the day! I've read about it on 3 other blogs, including my own! Why are we so quick to jump from one extreme to the other...

Complete belief in a God who has our best in mind to complete fear for what that "best" might look like.

It's been a life long lesson for me. When life is smooth, trust seems steady, but give me rough patch and whew...I'm undone in a moment. I'm leaning and I'm learning, but it is a difficult embrace for me...a deeper one, and that is what I'm after.

Glad to read your words. I've thought about your family a great deal in the past couple of weeks. Keep me posted!

peace~elaine

Angela Baylis said...

It's great to see this post! 365 times... wow! Thank you for the reminder this morning, Kristen. I will keep you in my prayers. Sounds like you have a lot going on right now. Keep clinging to Him!
Much love,
Angie xoxo