Subscription Lists

“Hard pressed on every side but not crushed;” (2 Corinthians 4:8a)

Have you ever felt as if you were pressed by a difficulty or an issue that caused pain on your life?

Have you ever been in a crowd that moved you forward even when your purpose was to go in another direction?

When my husband and I have had a member of our extended family in the hospital I have felt pressed be there for the patient and for his or her nuclear family. Most times I have completely altered my schedule to be available to do what I can to alleviate the stress on the rest of the family.

No one likes to feel pressed. We don’t want to be broken. When I have activity that has a deadline, I feel I need to have a personal one before the time designated by the project. My idea is to have a few days to rest and regroup. I have learned that this approach doesn't always work for me. I find this to be true when I work on something as part of a group. I found myself getting upset and then having twinges that signify one of my health conditions is ready to come into play.

But Paul tells us that, while we will have issues that could cause anxiety, these circumstances will not wear us down.

“perplexed but not in despair;” (2 Corinthians 4:8b)

Due to our humanity, we have times when events cause us to be puzzled, even confused. We bite our finger nails; we pull our hair; we might even lose sleep because we can’t figure out what to do. We find we have to take things as they come and give them over to God. He helps to face the issues at hand. When we find the issues begin to cause us to be down-hearted, we pray harder than usual. When I think of despair in a person, I think of Eeyore, Winnie the Pooh’s friend. Now he is always in despair.

A dear friend and her husband have gone through a nine month time of trial. She was ill- in the hospital and two different nursing homes in a period of six months. She couldn’t understand that she was very sick. He rearranged his days in order to be with her at the nursing home and at the hospital for each stay. He chose to do this because He loves her.

A few years ago, their roles were reversed. He was injured and spent time in two different hospitals- having surgery twice. Then a six month period of convalescence followed.

God allows us to go through times we don’t understand in order to strengthen our relationship with Him. I have learned not to get upset when life sends me something that causes me problems. Someone once said that problems were opportunities in disguise. Another view of problems is this: Problems are opportunities dressed in work clothes.

I know God through the Holy Spirit will guide me through any circumstance I face. Yet, although I might not like what I have to go through to reach the destination, I know God is in control.

"Chip Shots from the Ruff of Life" from Tom Kelley

The Curse is Gone