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God's Words For US
by Cecelia Lester
Two days ago we celebrated Christmas, the birth of our Lord Jesus. Historically, however, it has been a time of depression for some people. Life events seem to carry more weight during this time. When we hear of a person’s demise, we say something about how hard it is to lose someone especially at this time of the year.
We hear of people being diagnosed with illnesses that can bring a person’s mortality to the minds of those who love them. Having experienced some dark times in life, I find it best to follow the advice of Paul:
“Be joyful always; pray continually;
Give thanks in all circumstances. . .”
1 Thessalonians 5:18 (NIV)
When we first come to the Lord we have the idea that we will not have any times of struggle or sadness. The first time we face any adversity, we react in our own strength. We expend a lot of energy as we try to fix the problem. But, if we do this on our own, we tend to mess up the outcome.
As we grow in the Lord, we find our circumstances go easier when we, at first pray and seek prayer support, from others, for us and our families. The prayers we say and others say for us strengthen us. We learn to stand against the difficult times and conquer the joy stealers that come to us.
If we feel led to have others intercede in prayer on our behalf, we feel the prayers surround us. When others ask us to intercede for them, we understand their urgency and need.
We have times when we receive surprising results. I had a sister-in-law who developed diabetes. She found a reason to thank God for this. She learned to eat healthier.
Sometimes, we learn to thank God after we see the outcome is positive. A couple I know had a son and a daughter in the first Desert Storm military campaign. Both parents thought that this was the worst thing imaginable for their daughter. But God was in it. She came home, got married, had a daughter, got her heart right with God, and finished studying for an associate’s degree.
The daughter and son-in-law had another baby, a boy. They provided the two children with a good education, first in a Christian school and then through homeschooling. The couple just saw this granddaughter marry the love of her life. The next day their grandson sang a solo in the church Christmas cantata. People prayed for this couple and for this daughter during the many times when the outcome looked bleak to them.
The couple has looked back on the different events in the lives of this daughter and her family as gifts from God. They can see God’s hand was in their lives and that of their daughter and her family.
We have times when events color our lives in ways we don’t understand. As we walk with the Lord, we learn to lean on Him and thank him no matter what we have to endure.
Dear Lord God:
We thank You for your presence in our lives. We thank You for Your leading us through those times of crisis and disaster. We thank You for hearing the prayers of Your people. We give You praise. In the name of Jesus, we pray. AMEN
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Cecelia Lester has been serious about her writing for over two decades..
She composes Christian essays and posts them to her blog quietspirit-followingmyking.blogspot.com/
She has served in a faith-based organization, Grace In Action by writing two newsletters and searching for possible grants.
In July 2017, she published her first book, 'Times of Trouble Bring Rays of Joy.'
She and her husband of 54 years live in central Indiana. They have one grown son.
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