WHEN LIFE GETS TOUGH
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March 2000
Sometimes in our lives, things seem to go wrong for us. We're never really sure what to think or make of it.
Jeremiah wrote in Lamentations 3:1-6, "I AM the man that hath seen affliction by the rod of his wrath. He hath led me, and brought me into darkness, but not into light. Surely against me is he turned; he turneth his hand against me all the day. My flesh and my skin hath he made old; he hath broken my bones. He hath builded against me, and compassed me with gall and travail. He hath set me in dark places, as they that be dead of old."
Doesn't Jeremiah create a picture of despair and hopelessness, walking and living in bitterness? How many of us have been here or are still in the very presence of bitterness and self-pity?
Doyle Lint, who is my dad, had kidney failure. He shared with me, "Why me? What did I do wrong?" Life has a way of being wretched at times. We can't make heads or tails of it. Doyle will face a change in his lifestyle, undergoing dialysis. His daily living will be planned around this process of having his blood cleaned four days a week, four times each of those days. One can only feel out of place, different, because his life isn't like everyone else's.
Neither was Jeremiah's. God led him through some tough times to show Israel, that they were wrong and to turn back to Him. Though Jeremiah faced hard times, he didn't forget how awesome God is! In Lamentations 3:19-24 it tells us this, "Remembering mine affliction and my misery, the wormwood and the gall. My soul hath them still in remembrance, and is humbled in me. This I recall to my mind, therefore have I hope. It is of the LORD's mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness. The LORD is my portion, saith my soul; therefore will I hope in him."
Isn't that awesome how we can just filly have hope and trust in the Lord because He is faithful. His mercy is never failing and new every morning.
Doyle hopes in the Lord. This isn't a wishful thought, but a confident reality in Christ, that his strength will be renewed like that of an eagle's wing soaring through the storm of life.
When we face situations in life we can hope and trust in the Lord Jesus Christ.
My good friend, Dr. Bradley Carey, lost part of his foot a while back in an industrial accident. He has gone through some great physical pain, which continues to this day, but he never gave up on his hope and trust in Jesus. In an interview with a psychiatrist for PTSD, Dr. Carey was asked, "How does your religion help you?" Dr. Carey replied, "I don't have religion, I have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ."
That is what we need. We need that personal relationship with Jesus Christ, fully trusting, believing, and loving Him.
In Psalm 73:26 the psalmist says. "My flesh and my heart faileth: but God is the strength of my heart, and my portion for ever." And in Psalm 142:5 we find: "I cried unto thee, O LORD: I said, Thou art my refuge and my portion in the land of the living."
We can fully trust our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, who dies for us, by the act of His own love for us, did He lay his life down.
Having that personal relationship with Jesus Christ helps us to come through the storms of life. Through Christ, in His strength, we can do all things. Doyle has come to stand steadfast in Christ, knowing His mercies are new every morning.
Jeremiah wasn't trusting in religion, but God Almighty. In the Lord is where he found peace, strength, sound mind, and love.
Let's trust Jesus. When things get crazy, we can call on the Lord. Don't give that old serpent an occasion to bring you down when bad things happen. In despair, bitterness, self-pity, and depression, look to Jesus, pray to the Lord, and talk with Him. Read the living Word and fellowship with those who are in your church that have that blessed hope in them. We're never alone, for we have Jesus in our hearts.
May the love of our Lord Jesus Christ bless you and encourage you. God Bless.
