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Hold On--It Will Get Better!

by Tonja Taylor
10/24/2022 / Christian Living

But he who looks carefully into the faultless law, the [law] of liberty, and is faithful to it and perseveres in looking into it, being not a heedless listener who forgets but an active doer [who obeys], he shall be blessed in his doing (his life of obedience).--James 1:25, AMPC

I just had a week like I haven't had in quite a while.

It was very painful emotionally and mentally.

I experienced a deeper understanding of how, even as Christians, we can feel deeply hurt, humiliated, and betrayed by those who are supposed to be our spiritual leaders.

I experienced a deeper understanding of why many have become discouraged and decided to just stay at home and watch church services only on the internet. (Of course, I know that some are disabled and cannot get out, and my husband and I also watch services online, while being faithful to assemble ourselves together with other believers.)

On top of that, there is much junk in the news, and only by following the news channels that share the truth from the viewpoint of the Bible can we really know the Truth (for news channels and newspapers are very often influenced in their "viewpoints" by money. What else is new?).

There is a lot of trash, anti-Christ, anti-Christian, anti-whatever-is-truly-good mess on television and in the movies and the internet, books, magazines, and music.

This has created a lot of confusion and chaos.

(You may be going, I know that already. So what's the point?)

However, there is also Light. There is also the Truth found in all of these arenas, based on the Word of God.

He is the only Hope for this world! He is easy to be found, and when we truly call on Him, He saves and heals and delivers, and shows us the way out.

When things seem to be crashing down around us--including spiritual leadership, in which we are supposed to be able to trust--we can wonder if Jesus cares; if He's even there; if He even sees us and knows what is happening.

He does.

He is the only One Who knows all things, before it happens; every word and thought before they are on our tongues and in our mouths.

He loves you so much!

You may have to do like I did this week; deliberately do some "self-care" (I even heard a preacher online whom I greatly respect mention that, and it helped me know I was doing the right thing by deciding to just take a nap and otherwise allow myself to rest!), and choose to ask the LORD to help you not feel guilty about it!

He loves you! He is your loving Heavenly Father (providing you have truly asked the LORD to forgive you of your sins and asked Him to come into your heart and be your Savior and LORD! John 3:14-17).

Jesus answered, I assure you, most solemnly I tell you, unless a man is born of water and [even] the Spirit, he cannot [ever] enter the kingdom of God.--John 3:5, AMPC

Your sweet Daddy God wants you to be at peace, trusting and resting in Him.

But whoso hearkens to me [Wisdom] shall dwell securely and in confident trust and shall be quiet, without fear or dread of evil.--Proverbs 1:33, AMPC

When things seem so dark, just rest and know that the Everlasting Arms of God have got you!

We usually tend to try to figure out and do everything ourselves, and be proud of it. The LORD does expect us to use our brains and be dependable and do what we know to do. However--praise God!--He loves us much more than any performance!

I was reminded of this this past week, when I felt like I'd been kicked in the gut and stabbed in the back, by a spiritual leader who had been very powerfully influential in my life. But the LORD helped me to just trust Him, which included extra rest, and just acknowledging that, no matter how weak I felt, He was and is forever the strong One.

When we are weak, He is strong!

As Believers, we want--we crave!--Heaven on earth. Heaven on earth is the Presence of Jesus. Heaven on earth is love, peace, joy, grace, kindness, gentleness, freedom, and more.

When these things are missing and instead there is strife, judgment, condemnation, shame, humiliation, pressure, and other mess, we are not experiencing Heaven on earth; we are experiencing the opposite!

These are of the sin nature, the part of the afflictions from which we are delivered (Psalm 34:19)!

Many evils confront the [consistently] righteous, but the Lord delivers him out of them all.--Psalm 34:19, AMP

So we who are born of God overcome the world and, although this world is getting worse by the day, we can have Heaven on earth every day!

One way to overcome the world and cultivate Heaven on earth is by reading the Word of God. Even if you just look at one verse, or a few--like when I was trying to get my breath back earlier this week, after being hit that last stroke (and I am a strong, bold Believer who doesn't flinch easily, by the grace and help of God through the years!)--the LORD can work with that!

God is the living Word!

In the beginning [before all time] was the Word (Christ), and the Word was with God, and the Word was God Himself.--John 1:1, AMPC

The LORD knows the hearts of all people, and He experienced dealing with the carnal human nature when He lived on earth for 33 years.

Salt is good (beneficial), but if salt has lost its saltness, how will you restore [the saltness to] it? Have salt within yourselves, and be at peace and live in harmony with one another.--Mark 9:50, AMPC

Jesus lived as we do, and learned obedience by what He suffered. He was tempted in every part of life by carnally-minded religious people, and even those who truly believed in Him--as we can be--but He did not sin. Thank goodness, so that He could be our pure sacrifice!

He also told us to live in peace with all people as much as is possible. I'm so glad He put that last clause in there!

If possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.--Romans 12:8, AMPC

We are created to live in harmony with others, and that is a big part of what Heaven will be! So when there is conflict, srife, enmity, hostility, animosity, covetousness, jealousy, envy, competition, etc. etc., it is never from God!

These things will not be in Heaven, praise the LORD!

So for the sake of Christ, I am well pleased and take pleasure in infirmities, insults, hardships, persecutions, perplexities and distresses; for when I am weak [in human strength], then am I [truly] strong (able, powerful in divine strength).--2 Cor. 12:10, AMPC

(The LORD gives us grace, but I am not there yet, concerning taking "pleasure" in these things. One powerful thing the LORD has taught me through the years, and which I taught my daughter from early on, is to speak out loud--no matter how we feel--that "I forgive them in the Name of Jesus!").

Our words are powerful and saying this is the first step to true forgiveness.

Other things you can do which are very powerful to get your mind back on the LORD and His eternal, unchanging true Love for you are:

to read the Word;

listen to the Word;

listen to and sing along with Bible-based praise and worship music;

pray (simply talking to God, although there are many ways to pray, and some are more formal, as you approach God as Father and Judge);

and ask your spouse or other close friend to be your "faith buddy" and help you stop rehearsing the negatives (I've had to ask my husband to help me do this--especially this past week! God is faithful!); and

to ask the God of all comfort, El Shaddai, the LORD Jesus, your wonderful Abba Father, to comfort and counsel you and just give you rest!

Lean on Him. He is there for you, forever faithful, and perfectly true. He totally understands everything you have and are and will experience, for Jesus felt it first--on the cross!

Jesus said to him, I am the Way and the Truth and the Life; no one comes to the Father except by (through) Me.--John 14:6, AMPC

Hallelujah!

Finally, brethren, farewell (rejoice)! Be strengthened (perfected, completed, made what you ought to be); be encouraged and consoled and comforted; be of the same [agreeable] mind one with another; live in peace, and [then] the God of love [Who is the Source of affection, goodwill, love, and benevolence toward men] and the Author and Promoter of peace will be with you.--II Corinthians 13:11, AMPC

Through books, courses, presentations, service, prayer, worship, and more, Tonja and her husband live to exalt God. Her series for girls, P.O.W.E.R. GIRL ADVENTURES, is now out (books I-V), along with LEGACY; YOUR HOLY HEALTH: VISIONS OF THE KING, and more. See the "River Rain Creative" YT channel.

Article Source: http://www.faithwriters.com-CHRISTIAN WRITERS

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