Are you ever tempted to grumble? Do you ever allow self-pity to whimper, "Things would be so much better if only..."? Of course you do. We all do. However, we must learn to deal with such thoughts and feelings or they will ruin our fellowship with GOD, strengthen our distrust of others, and leave us thinking we are helpless victims instead of men and women made strong by GOD’S Grace to Triumph over anything this world can throw at us.
I read somewhere that Theodore Roosevelt was very nearsighted. Since bifocals were unknown at the time, he always carried two pairs of glasses with him, one for near vision and one for far. While he wore one, he kept the other in a steel spectacle case in his vest pocket. During his last political campaign, a man shot him. The surgeon who examined his wound handed him the steel spectacle case, stating that its presence in his vest pocket had saved his life by breaking the force of the bullet and deflecting it from his heart.
"Well, now, that's strange," Roosevelt said. "I've always considered having to carry those two pairs of glasses a burden and a handicap, and here at last they have been the means of saving my life."
As GOD used that steel spectacle case to save the life of Theodore Roosevelt, so HE can use the fires you have been through to save your life--not physically, but spiritually. GOD did not cause the evils you suffered. HE grieved over them. Those who did them to you were disobeying HIS Will. HE hated what they did, but, wonder of wonders, HE determined to take it and use it to Bless you and make you a Blessing in ways that would have been impossible without that pain!
Out with grumbling! Out with self-pity! Praise HIM for HIS Marvelous Grace, HIS Great Love, HIS unsearchable Sovereignty, HIS Mighty Power, and HIS perfect plan! Don't let negativity cheat you any longer! Rejoice! GOD Reigns!!!
Dear LORD, Please forgive me for my "poor me" folly! I have suffered, but YOU have promised to transform that suffering into Goodness! Help me to Trust YOUR Promise and deliver me from those thoughts and feelings that blind me to what YOU are doing. Teach me to rejoice by Faith! So that I will see all the Good that YOU can bring out of pain. Thank YOU for this day LORD. I Praise YOU, JESUS. I Glorify YOU! I Pray to YOU in JESUS' Precious and Powerful Name. Amen.
Reading 2Corinthians 1:1-11 this morning….
I read somewhere that Theodore Roosevelt was very nearsighted. Since bifocals were unknown at the time, he always carried two pairs of glasses with him, one for near vision and one for far. While he wore one, he kept the other in a steel spectacle case in his vest pocket. During his last political campaign, a man shot him. The surgeon who examined his wound handed him the steel spectacle case, stating that its presence in his vest pocket had saved his life by breaking the force of the bullet and deflecting it from his heart.
"Well, now, that's strange," Roosevelt said. "I've always considered having to carry those two pairs of glasses a burden and a handicap, and here at last they have been the means of saving my life."
As GOD used that steel spectacle case to save the life of Theodore Roosevelt, so HE can use the fires you have been through to save your life--not physically, but spiritually. GOD did not cause the evils you suffered. HE grieved over them. Those who did them to you were disobeying HIS Will. HE hated what they did, but, wonder of wonders, HE determined to take it and use it to Bless you and make you a Blessing in ways that would have been impossible without that pain!
Out with grumbling! Out with self-pity! Praise HIM for HIS Marvelous Grace, HIS Great Love, HIS unsearchable Sovereignty, HIS Mighty Power, and HIS perfect plan! Don't let negativity cheat you any longer! Rejoice! GOD Reigns!!!
Dear LORD, Please forgive me for my "poor me" folly! I have suffered, but YOU have promised to transform that suffering into Goodness! Help me to Trust YOUR Promise and deliver me from those thoughts and feelings that blind me to what YOU are doing. Teach me to rejoice by Faith! So that I will see all the Good that YOU can bring out of pain. Thank YOU for this day LORD. I Praise YOU, JESUS. I Glorify YOU! I Pray to YOU in JESUS' Precious and Powerful Name. Amen.
Reading 2Corinthians 1:1-11 this morning….