depression

Bumps and Bruises

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imagesLife for some people seems to be rather easy. Others, however, feel as though life is an existence that is full of bumps and bruises.

How about you? Can you identify with some of these feelings or questions?

• Have you had an encounter with someone who is as mean as a junk yard dog and you’re hoping someone has your back?
• Is fear the dominant emotion in your life and the one that controls you?
• Do you feel like you are in over your head and about to drown?
• Are there some detrimental currents that are overwhelming you and dragging you off course?
• Have the circumstances of your life burnt you one too many times and you want to quit?
• Do you feel unloved, unwanted, and unneeded?

If you can identify with any of the questions above, you might find some comfort in the verses below:

Now, this is what the Lord says, the one who created you . . .“Don’t be afraid, for I will protect you. I call you by name, you are mine. When you pass through the waters, I am with you; when you pass through the streams, they will not overwhelm you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not harm you. For I am the Lord your God, the Holy One of Israel, your deliverer (Isaiah 43:1-3).

Instead of looking at life through the lens of your bumps and bruises, I encourage you to understand it through the context of the verses above.

The Bad Day Blues

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baddayOne of the central figures of the Bible is David. This king from the Old Testament was no magician, but he witnessed one of the greatest vanishing acts in the history of mankind.

While David and his men were away from their camp and in the heat of battle, some of the enemy had managed to ransack the camp and take the people hostage.
David and his men returned to the camp in hopes of a good meal and a restful night’s sleep. When they arrived, they learned of the tragic events that occurred a few hours earlier. The grief-stricken and heart-broken soldiers were overcome by their emotions and began to blame David. Their loyalty vanished, and bitterness reared its ugly head.
David began to experience the bad day blues. When times like this happen to us, we can learn from the 4 Don’ts of David’s Day (I Samuel 30:1-8):
1. Don’t Stuff Your Emotions (David wept and cried out to God)

2. Don’t get bitter.
(1) Whenever we internalize our feelings too much, the pain intensifies and we lose perspective.
(2) We look for whoever is available, and we begin to play the blame game.
(3) Whatever the reason, we need to look for the opportunity to forgive (Ephesians 4:32).

3. Don’t go it alone (David encouraged himself in the Lord). David moved from an internal focus to an external focus and eternalized his perspective—He began to look at his situation through God’s eyes.

4. Don’t do nothing—Do something! David began to fight the present evil. Assess your situation, get advice from wise friends, right the wrongs that you can, and move on with your life.

Annie Johnson Flint wrote the following words, and they are appropriate to our discussion:

God hath not promised skies always blue,
Flower-strewn pathways, all our lives through;
God hath not promised sun without rain,
Joy without sorrow, peace without pain.
But God hath promised strength for the day,
Rest for the labor, light for the way,
Grace for the trials, help from above,
Unfailing sympathy, undying love.

Think About It!
Stan

The Doldrum Days

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Have you been feeling incredibly tired, worn-out, listless, or despondent?  If so,  you may have a case of the doldrums.

In case you do not know, the Doldrums are regions of the Atlantic and Pacific oceans that are in close proximity to the equator, and they are areas that have little if  any wind. When sailors actually depended on their sails to catch the wind and propel them across the water, the windless doldrums could be a problem.

The phrase “in the doldrums” was not created to describe this  wind-challenged region of the oceans. The word was originally used to describe someone who was listless, dull or sluggish.

When there was no wind, all the sailors could do was wait and drift with the current.  When we are faced with the doldrums, what can we do?  The life of Gideon answers this question.  Here are the steps he took to change his course in life (Judges 6):

  1. He was honest and admitted his spiritual lows.
  2. He set the goal of achieving spiritual heights .
  3. He flexed the muscle of faith and let God lead him from the pit to the pinnacle.

Even though Gideon was living the life of a coward, God saw the potential in him and called him a mighty man of valor.  When God looks at you, He sees the potential within you.

Here’s a thought to keep you thinking.  What you are should never limit what you can become.