The Hard Way

For I knew how stubborn you were; your neck muscles were iron, your forehead was bronze. Isaiah 48:4 

  

  I have been a Christian for a long time. Born again when I was about thirteen years old. I have read God’s word for decades, and His Holy Spirit is part of my life, connecting me to God. 

  Yet, even now, after all these years, God still deals with my hard headed stubbornness. God has nudged me, guided me, and outright directed me by His Holy Spirit. Still, He sometimes lets me learn things the hard way. 

  Recently, after knocking my head against the wall over something foolish. I asked God: “Why didn’t you stop me, or warn me away from doing that?” But instantly I knew the answer. Because I’m stubborn and hard headed God sometimes lets me learn things the hard way so I remember it and don’t do it again. 

  The People of Israel in the Old Testament were continually stubborn and hard headed. They tried God’s patience over and over again. Yet He hoped they would learn their lesson and become wiser. 

  At times I have used my stubbornness in my favor. For instance, stubbornly refusing to do the wrong thing or act the wrong way. Using my hard headed stubbornness to drive my determination toward a new habit or practice that would be good for me. But too often, I have banged my head against the wall learning something through difficulty that would have been more easily accepted if I were not stubborn. 

  Don’t be like me, or like the Jewish people of the Old Testament. Be humble and teachable. Learn lessons easy, and be willing to quickly change direction when you are on the wrong path. 

  If you are stubborn and hard headed like me, you have my sympathy. Remember to use your “stubborn powers” for good and not evil. 

  Prayer: Dear Lord, forgive Your stubborn children and be patient with us. Thank You for bearing with us all these years and forgiving all of our foolishness. Amen. 

Why Should We Be Grateful?

“Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful.” Colossians 3:14 

  

  If you are alive today you have a reason to be thankful and grateful. Years ago, shortly after I had a major operation, I was angry and complaining about something. My wife rebuked me and told me I should be grateful I was alive and for everything I had. She was right. 

  Sometimes when we are bearing the weight of affliction, we can become so insular in our thinking that we fail to cultivate gratitude, thankfulness, and appreciation for what we have. If we are not careful, we can become “takers” who have no regard for anyone or anything except ourselves. 

  I have tried very hard to stay mindful of my blessings, and to appreciate doctors and nurses, family members and friends, even complete strangers, who have shown me kindness. It costs nothing and can mean everything to simply say: “Thank you!” 

  Even when I was too weak to move, even when I was in terrible pain, I said “Thank you!” to those who were helping me. I have made it a habit. I am grateful for any and all the help I have received and I hope you are as well. 

  It may seem difficult to be thankful and to remain grateful when in the throes of affliction. Pain and misery draw us inward, and can make us oblivious to those around us and the kindness directed our way. 

  We can take for granted the compassion and help of the “givers” and be seen as ungrateful “takers.” No matter how miserable we feel we want people to know that they are loved and appreciated. We need to remain grateful. 

  

  And let God know we don’t take His blessings for granted. That we are thankful and grateful for every kindness and blessing He sends our way. 

  Prayer: Dear Lord, forgive us our ingratitude, and help us to cultivate a habit of thankfulness. Amen. 

Fear That Kills

There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love. 1 John 4:18 (KJV) 

  

  Fear torments us. It causes dread. It clouds our thinking. Fear robs us of hope and joy. Fear is destructive in many ways. 

  Recently I heard a terrible story. A man and his wife thought they had the Covid-19 virus. In their despair the man killed his wife, and them himself. A short time later their Covid-19 test results came back and it turned out that the couple did not even have the virus. 

  Love, faith, hope, and courage comes from trusting God and His word. Believing in His precious promises to us, and knowing that we have a wonderful future in store for us. These are the things ground us in fearful times. 

   

For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Jeremiah 29:1 

  

  As in our example of the couple above, giving in to fear can get you killed. When robbed of hope by fear, despair sets in. Destructive ideas fill your mind. Your enemy doesn’t need to destroy you when you give in to fear, because you are doing his job for him. 

  The Lord wants His children to believe the best, hope for the best, and know that even if the worst were to beset us, Jesus would be there to see us through it all. 

  We are not without help in this world. Believers have a Lord who is faithful to us, and all He asks in return is for us to have faith in Him. When we believe what He says, trusting He will either deliver us, or see us through any challenge we face, we show ourselves to be people of courage and faith. We are people walking with, and remaining faithful to our Lord. We have courage not because everything goes our way, but because we have a personal relationship with the Lord Almighty who rules over all things. Who or what can be against us if Jesus our Lord is for us and with us? (Romans 8:31) 

  Prayer: Lord Jesus, we are beset by fears and challenges, the days appear dark and dreadful. Help us to never lose sight of the light you bring into this world, and into the heart of every believer. Amen. 

Music Can Be Therapeutic

“You are my hiding place; you will protect me from trouble and surround me with songs of deliverance.” Psalm 32:7 

  

  The benefits of music are well known. I recently read a study that said music can be more beneficial to patients than pain medication. I know from my own life that music has been a great blessing to me time and again. Life without music is unimaginable to me. I could do without television and movies much easier than I could do without music. 

  I enjoy Classic Rock and Christian Rock music; it is like a strong cup of coffee to get me started some days. Light Classical music relaxes me, and more than once it has put me to sleep when I badly needed rest. Smooth Jazz has cheered me up. And Christian Pop and Praise music never fails to stir my spirit and enable me to look heavenward, even through my pain. 

  It is hard for me to imagine a life without music. And I believe one day when we get to heaven there will be no end of music, by which all earthly music will pale in comparison. I look forward to that day, and can only imagine the joyful songs that await us there. 

  We may like different types of music, we may relate to different music genres, but when you find a song that speaks to your soul, it is a powerful thing. Music can take you out of yourself, stir your emotions in a positive way. Music can lift your spirit through melody and lyrics that you relate to in a special manner. 

  Perhaps you are struggling with the blues because of your affliction, maybe you are feeling quite horrible right now, I would encourage you to find the music that blesses you the most, and turn up the volume. 

  Prayer: Dear Lord, fill our lives with music and with Your love. Amen. 

A Prisoner Of Your Illness

“May the groans of the prisoners come before you; with your strong arm preserve those condemned to die.” Psalm 79:11 

  

  Years ago, a fellow I worked with committed a crime and was sent to prison. I remember writing to him while he was in prison and telling him that though I was not behind bars, I felt I was made a prisoner because of my illness. 

  If you have been denied your freedom because of sickness and disease you probably understand what I mean when I say that illness makes a person feel like a prisoner. Confined to bed, unable to leave the house, having your abilities limited or restricted altogether, such things can make us feel like prisoners. 

  To be confined by affliction is a miserable situation. But there are all sorts of prisons.  There is the prison of sin, those held bondage to addictions and weaknesses. Of course, there are people who are physically confined in prison. And then there are those of us who are just as bound and restrained in our lives because of illnesses and afflictions. I imagine that there are people in physical prisons who would like to trade places with us, but what good is the freedom to do everything when you are too ill to do anything? 

  Yet I have to remind myself that though I cannot do everything, I can do some things. We can love and encourage others; we can find things to do that are within our reach. Even people confined in prisons have written books, given testimonies for our Lord, and sometimes do tasks in prison that benefit those outside of the prison walls. 

  Today you may feel like you are imprisoned by your affliction, and that is understandable. But as long as there is life there is hope, and nothing restricts you from praying and loving and encouraging others who may be in their own kinds of prison. In Christ we are all free, despite the things that would restrain us. 

  Prayer: Dear Lord, thank You for comforting us in the prison of our affliction. Amen.