Pastor’s Thoughts

Sometimes it seems that everyone I know is going through some kind of upheaval in their life. Sickness, financial struggle, family difficulties, or some other unexpected problem has shown up like the robins in the springtime. They come and they come to stay awhile. Being a Christian does not mean that the dangers, toils and struggles of life are going to somehow bypass us. It does mean however, we will not be facing them on our own.

Hardships are unwelcome guest in everyone’s life, and the thing is they show up and refuse to leave. Many feel all they can do is whine and complain about their personal unexpected visitor. I have met some good folks who have become very well versed in the art of describing their particular intruder. Perhaps they think by speaking often or vividly describing what they are going through will somehow help them endure. I have yet to see that work and have found the constant attention to ones burdens, more often than not, make them more at home in one’s life. They can even become part of our identity. Now here is something that adds to the problem, because all have enough on their own plate in which to deal, they tend to want to shy away from the burdens of others. That reality adds loneliness and even isolation into the mix of personal frustration.

Allow me to add Christ into the everyday drama of lives filled with struggle. Jesus, the risen Lord, is there to help each believer through any and all difficulties. First let me say that His Word tells us how to avoid many snares, burdens, and trials. Having said that let me also clearly state God does not protect Christians from encountering personal struggles. Everyone must face the same sin cursed world, believers and unbelievers alike. Believers are not guilty of some great sin or departure from the faith because they develop cancer, loose their job or encounter a hard time in their lives. However Christians have a Savior in which they can turn when they struggle. Their focus need not rest simply in the difficulty but on the Deliver. They need not speak so much on the struggle as in the one who helps them with their struggle. This thought was put to music, “The God of the mountain is still God in the Valley.”

Pastor are you telling me that Christians never complain, I sure wish I could but the truth is many times in a room filled with ailing believers and non-believers you would hear little difference in the way they are speaking of their ill fate. That is why I am placing this article in our church’s news letter. Believers we can do better and because we are reacting as non-believers, my concern is with our walk with Jesus. I want to encourage you to have faith in God! Trust in His love! Depend on His promises to sustain you in the now and raise you up in the future. We can get through anything with God by our side, Jesus within our heart, and The Holy Spirit holding our hand. Even if you face death life’s greatest threat, Jesus will not forsake you, He will lead you though that valley and abide with you in our promised home on high!

Pastor Danny