Annie Johnson Flint is probably my favorite poet. Many years ago she wrote a wonderful poem entitled “His Billows” based on these words from Psalm 42:7 “—All thy waves and thy billows are gone over me.” Do yourself a favor–find it and read it.

The point of the poem, as the title indicates, is that regardless of our difficulties they are “His billows”. In other words, God either causes or allows everything that happens to us. That’s right, I said, “everything”–no exceptions! He is always in control. He does so for a reason and, if we maintain the right attitude, He will use them for our good.

Here’s the problem–we really don’t believe Romans 8:28 like we claim to do, at least when the problem is personal. We like to quote it to others when they are going through great difficulties, but we don’t seem to accept it when the problem is ours. When bad things happen that we can’t change or control we tend to get bent out of shape.

If you’re struggling with your attitude regarding your afflictions, maybe these words from an unknown writer will help:

Remember my dear friend–it is “character”, not comfort, that counts. For every trial there is a reason and a season (it won’t last forever), so let’s “grow” today!

Words are powerful! Over the years I’ve been blessed and encouraged by many poems, songs, etc. I wish people today would spend more time reading things that are helpful. Too often folks get discouraged and quit, not because of the severity of their problem, but because they take no steps to help themselves. Please, take time to encourage yourself by reading good literature. It cannot take the place of the Bible, but can be the next best thing.

These simple words of Winston Churchhill inspired a nation and millions since: “Never give up!” If the truth were known something inspired him. Who knows it might have been this little poem by an unknown writer that I have kept pasted in my Bible for many years. You’ve probably heard it, but it might be helpful to read it again:

When things go wrong, as they sometimes will, When the road you’re trudging seems all uphill, When the funds are low and the debts are high, And you want to smile, but you have to sigh, When care is pressing you down a bit Rest if you must, but don’t you quit. Life is queer with its twists and its turns, As everyone of us sometimes learns, And many a failure turns about When they might have won, had they stuck it out. Don’t give up though the pace seems slow, You may succeed with another blow. Often the goal is nearer than, It seems to a faint and faltering man, Often the struggler has given up When he might have captured the victor’s cup; And he learned too late when the night came down, How close he was to the golden crown. Success is failure turned inside out The silver tint of the clouds of doubt And you never can tell how close you are, It may be near when it seems so far; So stick to the fight when you’re hardest hit, It’s when things seem worst that you must not quit!

My dear friend, that’s good advice. Regardless of the nature of your problem, the power of your enemy, the odds against you, the obstacles before you, the failures behind you, the injustices toward you, or the pain within you –Don’t quit!

Sometimes I think I should write all of the articles for the Morning Manna, but why? If I did it would take much more time and effort on my part, so why should I make things more difficult than they need to be? Why not accept the help of others who have written helpful articles? Besides, if I wrote them all you would miss some very excellent articles written by others. Here is an example from the daily devotional “A Good Thing”. It helped me by reminding me that God is my Helper. I hope it helps you get through the struggles of another day:

“Even to your old age I am he; and even to hoar hairs will I carry you: I have made, and I will bear; even I will carry, and will deliver you.”– Isaiah 46:4

“Even to your old age I am he.” Even when you look in the mirror and see yourself changing—more wrinkles, less hair, fewer teeth—even then, I am still he. I am still the unchanging, unchangeable God.

It was I, God says, Who carried you out of the womb in your infancy; and it is I, He reminds us, that will still be here for you when you grow old. Though your strength and energy may diminish, I am still able to bear you. Though your hair may become gray, I remain the same.

“I will carry, and will deliver you.” Rather than calling the end of our road death, God calls it deliverance. Why? Because when God is carrying you, death is only the doorway to an everlasting life.

Here is the summary of God’s promise: just as I made you to begin with, I am able and willing to carry you and bear your burdens, until I finally deliver you into a carefree, burden-free, never-ending life. Because I am unchanging, I will always have the strength to carry you, and because I am unchanging I will always fulfill all my promises.

Have you committed yourself to the everlasting, unchanging arms of your Creator and Lord? His arms are the only ones strong enough to last through this life, and long enough to deliver you to the next.

Under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, the Apostle Paul knew how to say exactly what we need to hear. Have you ever noticed that some people seem to know how to say things that will stick with us, things pertinent to the situation we’re in. For many people, Frances Schaeffer was just such a man. Here’s an example:

Several years ago in an interview during his battle with cancer, theologian Francis Schaeffer said, ‘The only way to be foolishly happy in this world is to be young enough, well enough, and have money enough,and not give a care about other people. But as soon as you don’t have any of the first three, or if you have compassion for the weeping world around you, then it is impossible to have the foolish kind of happiness that I believe some Christians present as Christianity.”

What is our greatest need in life? Is it to be happy? We may long for a change in our circumstances, and sometimes that’s what we get. But a changed life is our deepest need. Changed circumstances may make us happier, but a changed life will make us better, for it will make us like Christ.

What Schaeffer said is true regardless of the condition we’re in, not just for those who have cancer. God is working to make us holy, not happy. But, out of the first comes the second. We never find true happiness by looking for it. Happiness is the by-product of holiness, and that depends on our attitude toward Christ, not circumstances.