“When Jesus then lifted up his eyes, and saw a great company come unto him, he saith unto Philip, Whence shall we buy bread, that these may eat? And this he said to prove him: for he himself knew what he would do.”–John 6:5-6

There is one word in those verses that makes all the difference in the world. It changed the situation Jesus was in and it can change your situation today. Notice the verb saw. What is so great about that? Is it not just another word? But recognize the meaning behind it.

Jesus saw the multitudes. He had a lot of things going on at that time. He had just received news of John the Baptist’s death; He had been teaching and performing miracles all day; it was noon and He was probably hungry, yet He saw the needs of those around Him.

Jesus Christ saw the people; he saw their need. He felt their need. Hebrews 4:15 shows us, “For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.” Before you were born, God loved you and He knew your needs. God sees your need, and He cares for you right now.

But that’s not always the way people perceive religion and church. One time I was driving through a little city and saw a sign on a church that said, “We Care About You Sundays Only 10 a.m.” Sometimes I think that’s how the world views Christianity. They think we are the most caring friendly group, only on Sundays. But I’m glad I can say that God cares about your needs twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week, and all throughout the year. He never takes a vacation. He never breaks for holidays. He is always there, and He always cares.

Think about this fact: no one cares about you more than God. Even your parents who have cared for you and invested much time and money into you since the day you were born, don’t have as much love and compassion for you as God does. Your parents may want what’s best for you and may seek to help you out when you need them, but God loves you so much more.

In light of that, don’t you believe that whatever God allows into your life is going to be for your benefit? What may look like a mistake or an accident to you, never is with God. He is in control of everything you go through—He has divinely ordained it. Yes, God allows suffering, but it’s not to hurt you; it is for your good and your benefit.

Why would God seek to hurt you after He expressed His love for you by sending His Son to die on the Cross? He loved you so much that He gave you the most precious thing He had—His own Son. Rather than believing the devil’s lies, look to God’s Word and claim the promise of Romans 8:28, “And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.” Accept God’s will and trust that He is working for your good. Know that He cares about you!—Dr. Paul Chappell

I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.–Philippians 4:13

God’s will is not always easy but it is always possible. For with God all things are possible. Rest in the fact that God will never command you to do something you can’t accomplish. He will never direct your steps without providing the strength to walk the path.

Jack Handey wrote in his book entitled Fuzzy Memories:

There used to be this bully who would demand my lunch money every day at school. Since I was smaller than he was, I would give it to him. Then I decided to fight back. I started taking karate lessons. But then the karate instructor told me I owed him five dollars a lesson. Five dollars! So I just went back to paying the bully.

Truth be told, it’s sometimes easier to pay the bully than it is to learn how to defeat him. However, God never commands you to live for His glory without helping you to overcome the obstacles you will face. Whether it is loving your spouse, witnessing to friends and family, or remaining pure on a college campus, Christ will enable you if you obey Him. Paul did not say, “I can do most things through Christ,” but “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”

While you’re at it, stay alert to the fact that opposition usually means opportunity is close at hand. In fact, there is rarely opportunity without opposition, so you must be prepared for both opportunities and obstacles at the same time.

Paul intends to encourage us as we follow the leadership of Christ, which in real terms means never throw in the towel. He challenged the Corinthians and every Christian to be “steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your toil is not in vain in the Lord.” What a great promise—your toil is not in vain.

Endurance that demands blood, sweat, and tears, will be rewarded one day. So get ready for today’s obstacle course and run it with patient diligence.  The hurdles may be high, the track may be uneven, the distance may be great, but it’s possible . . . not easy!

Ask the Lord to help you to discern opportunities masked by obstacles. Ask Him to give you the ability to see possible advancements in your character development that are presently cloaked in those difficult obstacles. –By Stephen Davey,”Wisdom for the Heart”