2 Corinthians 4:8-9 We are hard pressed on every side, yet not crushed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed.

 

At times in our Christian life we face such tremendous storms of life we can hardly stand. You may be in a place like that today, but before you go to bed, have a week-long pity party and blame God, read the Book of Job and study the life of the Apostle Paul. 

 

Job was a God-fearing man whom God described as blameless and upright. Job was extremely wealthy and blessed with a beautiful family. Then came the storm to beat all storms in the life of Job. God allowed Satan to destroy him completely. He lost everything, but Job refused to blame God.  Even Job's wife told him to curse God and die, but Job stood strong and said, Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked shall I return there. The LORD gave, and the LORD has taken away; Blessed be the Name of the LORD.  In all this Job did not sin nor charge God with wrong. (Job 1:20-22)

 

In the end, God rewarded Job with far more than he had before because he never turned his back on God or lost faith. If you have never studied the Book of Job, I would encourage you to do so.

 

The Apostle Paul had everything a man could ask for as a lost sinner, but life as an Apostle of God was a different story. He was severely beaten, almost assassinated, attacked by a snake, shipwrecked, and arrested, where he spent two years in a Roman jail.  This does not sound like the abundant life Jesus spoke of in John 10:10 to me, but through all this, God used Paul in a most spectacular way.

 

While in prison, the Holy Spirit inspired Paul to write the four Epistles: Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, and Philemon.

 

Sometimes in the deepest valley of despair, God can use us in the greatest way. We all suffer loss in our lives, but we must have faith to understand that God will see us through and He has something planned for us that is good. It won’t be easy all the time, but if we keep our eyes on Jesus and remain faithful to Him, it will be good. That is a Promise of God to every believer, and we can stand on His Promises.

 

When the world seems to be crashing down around you on all sides, remember the Words of Jesus, look up and lift up your heads, because your redemption draws near.

 

Faith in the Lord Jesus Christ will………turn the tide .……...in your life.

 

Looking up!     Doreen

 

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