You can’t always change your circumstances, but you can change your choices. As a Christian you can chose how you respond to them. Choose wisely. The world is what it is—pitiful, but we can’t change it. As much as I might detest the corruption of the world and desire it to be different, the only person I can change by direct action is me. And how I deal with things I can’t change speaks volumes about my character.

Living in a place such as this, we can always think of something that will make us mad, sad, and bad. But, if we are Christians we can also think of things that will make us glad. That’s an option the world does not have. And since we are commanded to “Rejoice in the Lord alway” (Phil. 4:4) we should be doing just that. The happiness I find in the Lord cannot be taken from me, regardless of what others do to me, I lose it only if I surrender it. So, I am the only person who can truly determine whether I will be sad or glad. But, even then, I am sure to make the wrong choice unless I surrender myself fully unto the Lord. It is only when I yield myself to God that I am delivered from the weakness of my flesh and enabled to think clearly and choose wisely. And, due to this possibility I never have an excuse for my failure. If I appropriate what God makes available I can conquer any foe and endure anything God allows in my life—even when it hurts.

Now with that being said, let me share with you what it was that prompted these comments. The basis for what I said is found in 2 Cor. 12:9-10-“And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ’s sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.“

If we truly believe, as we claim, that strength comes out of weakness, sanctification comes out of suffering, beauty out of ashes, all things work together for good, and God’s grace is sufficient for every situation–why do we complain? Is not the fact that we complain an evidence that we need what we’ve got? Would it not be pride that causes us to think we deserve more, bigger, and better than what we have? I don’t enjoy pain and problems any more than you do and I complain more than I should, but I know that sometimes what I need is not the same as what I want and that God is wiser than I. When I say “He doeth all things well” I need to remember that is true regardless of my circumstances. The grace of God doesn’t banish my pain, but it helps me bear it and benefit from it. Regardless of how well we live, God doesn’t promise to exempt us from trials, but He does enable us to endure them. How then can I not “Rejoice in the Lord alway“(Phil. 4:4)? I fail far more than I should, but I have no one to blame but myself. Hopefully I can practice what I preach. As my friend Matt says, “I’m working on it”.

Everyone has problems, some more than others. Strangely enough some of the best people have the worst problems. But, have you ever thought about the possibility of that being one of the reasons why they are among the “best” people? Let that sink in. It happens. Problems can make us bitter or better. As you’ve heard before– the same sun that melts the wax hardens the clay. The same fire that consumes the wood, refines the gold.

Life is just as unfair and difficult for others, at least for some, as it is for you. Some handle it worse than you and some handle it better, but everyone makes a choice in how they will handle it. And, that determines whether they will be miserable or merry– but it is their choice. No one can force us to go one direction or another–it is our decision. Sadly, most people take the wrong path— a path of self destruction. Why?

One of the main reasons for our poor choices has to do with what we focus on. Even the strongest/best person will eventually go astray if they start focusing on the wrong things. If we constantly focus on the negatives our outlook will become worse and worse. That’s why depression is dangerous. For many folks, depression becomes an obsession. They dwell on the things they despise and that causes them to descend lower and lower into the pit of depression, until they are imprisoned by it.

Deliverance from that horrible pit doesn’t come until they see that their fall, faults, and failure are determined by what they focus on. That day is the beginning of the end of their misery. If you are a Bible believer you have to believe that. This is exactly what we see in Heb. 12:1-3. By “Looking unto Jesus” (vs. 2) we are enabled to endure even the greatest difficulties in life. As we “consider Him” we are able to over come weariness and kept from “fainting” (vs. 3). It is obvious from this that what we focus on is our choice and our destiny is determined by our decision. What will you decide? Moses endured by “seeing Him who is invisible”–where is focus?

” Be ye also patient ; stablish your hearts: for the coming of the Lord draweth nigh .”. – James 5:8

Our God is a God of patience. The Lord Jesus is the great Example of patience. The Holy Spirit is the Agent producing patience. Trials, troubles, and disappointments, are the means which exercise and strengthen it.

The patience required, is a disposition to bear all that God has appointed for us, without complaining; yea, with resignation and hope: to wait God’s time for the mercies we need, or for answers to the prayers we put up. Patience is the daughter of faith; and it is only as we believe that God has appointed, overrules, or commands, for our good and His glory, that we can be patient.

Patience produces self-possession, shuts the mouth from complaining, keeps back the heart from seeking revenge, and is a principal point in self-government. Are you impatient? Then confess it, and mourn over it, before God; it will make you miserable, and lead you to dishonour God. Watch against it; the coming of the Lord draweth nigh.

Look at the Prophets, Apostles, Martyrs, at Jesus; and be ye also patient. “In your patience possess ye your souls.” “Be patient, for the coming of the Lord draweth nigh.” –Copied

O for Thy grace to aid us on,
And arm with fortitude the breast,
Till, life’s tumultuous voyage o’er,
We reach the shores of heavenly rest!