When you are in a struggle, when dark clouds hover, when disappointment or betrayal meet you unexpectedly, what is the best way to respond?

Here are three things to always remember.

Don’t give in.

We are not to give in to the things the enemy wants to use to bring us into defeat.

His scheme is to have us focus the eyes of our faith upon the darkness of the cloud that has appeared over us, rather than focusing upon the glory of His light that shines over us and above it all.

Don’t give up.

Don’t give up on life.
There is hope.

It is not all over. What has happened is a chapter in your story, but it is not the final chapter.

If people are directly involved in the problem, don’t give up on them.

Forgive.
Pray for everyone involved.
Speak blessings over their lives (it is a good thing to desire God’s best for every life).

Do give Him.

He knows what has happened, He knows your heart, and He knows exactly what to do.

God can make a way, open a door, build a bridge, restore a loss, heal a wound, or renew a relationship.

Let Him work!
Wait.
God still changes hearts.

“So humble yourselves under the mighty power of God, and at the right time he will lift you up in honour. Give all your worries and cares to God, for He cares about you. Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour. Stand firm against him, and be strong in your faith. Remember that your Christian brothers and sisters all over the world are going through the same kind of suffering you are. In His kindness God called you to share in His eternal glory by means of Christ Jesus. So after you have suffered a little while, He will restore, support, and strengthen you, and He will place you on a firm foundation. All power to Him forever! Amen.” 1 Peter 5:6-11.

(PR)

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“And there arose a great storm” (Mark 4:37).

Some of the storms of life come suddenly! A great sorrow, a bitter disappointment, a crushing defeat.

Some come slowly!! They appear upon the ragged edges of the horizon no larger than a man’s hand, but, trouble that seems so insignificant spreads until it covers the sky and overwhelms us.

Yet it is in the storm that God equips us for service! When God wants an oak He plants it on the moor where the storms will shake it and the rains will beat down upon it, and it is in the midnight battle with elements that the oak wins its rugged fibre and becomes the king of the forest.

When God wants to make a man He puts him into some storm! The history of manhood is always rough and rugged. No man is made until he has been out into the surge of the storm and found the sublime fulfillment of the prayer: “O God, take me, break me, make me.”

A Frenchman has painted a picture of “The Storm.” There stand orators, philosophers and martyrs –
-all who have achieved pre-eminence in any phase of life!

The remarkable fact about the picture is this: Every man who is pre-eminent for his ability was first pre-eminent for suffering.

In the foreground stands that figure of the man who was denied the promised land, Moses.

Beside him is another, feeling his way-
-blind Homer.

Milton is there, blind and heart-broken.

Now comes the form of one who towers above them all. What is His characteristic? His Face is marred more than any man’s. The beauties of nature come after the storm. The rugged beauty of the mountain is born in a storm! And the heroes of life are the storm-swept and the battle-scarred. You have been in the storms and swept by the blasts.

Have they left you –
– broken, weary, beaten in the valley? Or
– Have they lifted you –
– to the sunlit summits of a richer, deeper, more abiding maturity? The storm is only for a time being!

Just wait for His Words: “Peace, be still!” Soon
– You will see the silence of the storm!

(PR)

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In the book Prozac Nation-
Elizabeth Wurtzel describes her experiences with chronic depression.

Unfortunately-
Depression is an experience common to many people.

Life can be terribly unfair, terribly tragic!
That’s why many people like Elizabeth have sought relief from antidepressants like Prozac.

There are those who feel that being a Christian makes you somehow immune to depression.
If you happen to fall into the pit of despair, you’re not very ‘spiritual’ are you?

Such judgments add a load of guilt to a person who is already miserable.
For those who struggle with feelings of depression-
– there’s bad news and good news.

The bad news is that such feelings are a fact of life in this broken world.
Some disappointments or tragedies can leave a person depressed.

The good news!
You are not alone.

As Psalm 73 (and many other passages) clearly shows, even God’s chosen people experience anxiety, despair, and darkness in their soul.

If Psalm 73 doesn’t convince you-
– check out Elijah’s story (1 Kings 19) and Jesus’ experience in Gethsemane.

Matthew 26 speaks of Jesus’ soul being ‘crushed with grief to the point of death.’ v. 38.
Depression that lasts for a long time indicates a need for counselling.

There is nothing unusual or unspiritual about-
– ‘walking through the dark valley’ from time to time.

When you are caught in one of those unpleasant times, don’t add guilt to your load!
Just trust that God knows what’s up and will help you through this situation!

(PR)

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Many of you are faced with personal crises!

For some of you it may be in your family. For some of you it may be the divorce of your parents or a lingering illness of someone you love.

For others of you it may be a crisis in your personal life.
It could be that an important relationship has been severed.

Or perhaps a door has been closed on an opportunity that seemed to be the fulfillment of your dreams.

For some of you the crisis is spiritual. You are struggling with a decision that will determine the direction of your life.

Like Jacob, you are wrestling with God, and the outcome is still in doubt.

Now you are not sure what lies ahead.

Whatever your problem-
I want to encourage you by saying that-
– it can become your doorway to a new and deeper relationship with God.

It is often in the crises of life that-
– the disappointments and pain cause us to turn toward God.

In times of difficulty the scales are stripped from our eyes!
And we are motivated to focus our attention on Him!!

“Lord, You are faithful to us even in our times of doubt, difficulty and questions.
Thank You for Your unconditional love and patience toward us.
Help us to turn toward You when we are confused and struggling, so that we may grow closer to You.
Thank You for never leaving us or forsaking us.
We pray in Jesus’ name. Amen!”

(PR)

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“Who is among you that fears the Lord, that obeys the voice of his servant? He that walks in darkness and has no light, let him trust in the name of the Lord and rely upon his God” (Isa. 50:10).

What shall the believer do in times of darkness?
Times of darkness come to the faithful and believing disciple who is walking obediently in the will of God;
– seasons when he does not know what to do, nor which way to turn.

The sky is overcast with clouds.
The clear light of Heaven does not shine upon his pathway.
One feels as if he were groping his way in darkness.
Is that you?

What shall the believer do in times of darkness?

Listen!
“Let him trust in the name of the Lord, and rely upon his God.”

The first thing to do is do nothing.
This is hard for poor human nature to do.

There is a saying that runs thus:
“When you’re rattled, don’t rush!”

In other words, “When you don’t know what to do, don’t do it.”
We are to simply trust God.
While we trust, God will work.

The peace of God must quiet our minds and rest our hearts.
We must put our hand in the hand of God like a little child!

And let Him lead us out into the bright sunshine of His love!!

He knows:
The way out of the woods!
Let us climb up into His arms!
And trust Him to do the needful!!

Remember!
We are never without a pilot when we know not how to steer.

(PR)

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The next time you feel at rock bottom, read Psalm 130. “Out of the depths I have cried to You, O Lord” (v1). Three basic requests in this psalm echo the concerns in our hearts today.

First, the psalmist asks God to hear him. “Lord, hear my voice!” (v 2).

Why? “I can’t swim; I am in the deep waters, and they are coming over my head. I am drowning, and I’m afraid I can’t make it.” No matter how far down you may go or feel, God always hears you.

Then he asks God to hold him. “If You, Lord, should mark iniquities, O Lord, who could stand? But there is forgiveness with You, that You may be feared” (v 3, 4). We can’t stand before God in the courtroom of His justice; we are helpless.

Only Jesus Christ can stand there, because only He is perfect. But He stands with us, He’s our Savior. God not only hears us when we are down, but He holds us. He says, “I forgive you. You’ve trusted my Son; you’ve confessed your sin; and now you can stand before Me.”

The psalmist expresses his confidence in this truth: “I wait for the Lord, my soul waits, and in His word I do hope. My soul waits for the Lord more than those who watch for the morning” (v 5, 6).

Next he asks God to help him. “O Israel, hope in the Lord, for with the Lord there is mercy, and with Him is abundant redemption” (v 7). We are sometimes like soldiers in the watchtower, waiting for the light. We can’t see, but God can see, and there is a future hope for His people.

Place your confidence in the promises of God’s Word. No matter how down you may feel – God hears you, holds you and helps you! Turn to Him; He’ll see you through.

(PR)

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Psalm 23 speaks of the “valley of the shadow of death.”

For every shadow, there must be a light.

Christ said, “I am the light of the world” (John 8:12). A shadow may frighten you, but a shadow cannot really hurt you. I dare say that a shadow at one time or another has spooked many of us. But, thank God, even death is but a shadow if you know the Lord Jesus Christ!

If you keep your face toward the light – the shadow will fall behind you!
You won’t even see the shadow!!

Jesus is the Light of your Life!
God doesn’t bring us to a valley to leave us there. He always brings us through. God is never closer to you than when you are in a dark valley. He is especially near.

Are you in a state of confusion or despair today?
Do you feel hopeless about a situation you are in?

Read Psalm 23:4, and praise God that He takes you “through” the valley and doesn’t leave you there. Ask Him to give you wisdom to learn what He wants you to learn, to stay focused on Him, and to witness to others of His strength in the valley.

“He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty” (Psalm 91:1).

(PR)

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We understand David’s distress in Psalm 142 while he was hiding from Saul in a cave. In his distress, he looked in-
Four directions!

David looked within!
“I cry out to the Lord with my voice; with my voice to the Lord I make my supplication. I pour out my complaint before Him; I declare before Him my trouble. When my spirit was overwhelmed within me, then you knew my path” (v 1-3).

He looked within and said, “Look, I’m in trouble; I’m complaining; I’m overwhelmed.” Introspection sometimes can be good for you, but don’t spend too much time looking within, or you will get discouraged.

David looked around!
Hoping to find help! “Look on my right hand and see, for there is no one who acknowledges me; refuge has failed me; no one cares for my soul” (v 4).

Do you ever feel like that? Do you look around and say, “Nobody even cares–everyone is bearing his own burdens,and nobody wants to share mine”?
Perhaps in those situations you should take time to bear other people’s burdens–then they might be interested in your concerns.

David looked up!
“I cried out to You, O Lord: I said, ‘You are my refuge, my portion in the land of the living” (v 5).
In other words, “God, you’re going to hear my cry. You’re going to deliver me from my persecutors; they are stronger than I am.”

David looked ahead!
“Bring my soul out of prison, that I may praise Your name; the righteous shall surround me, for You shall deal bountifully with me” (v 7).

After you have seen the glory and the blessing of the Lord, you can look ahead with confidence.

Perhaps you are in a cave of discouragement today!
Your hope lies not within yourself or with your circumstances.

Look to the Lord and obey His Word. Then look ahead with confidence, for
God’s promises are sure and His Word is true!

(PR)

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The LORD is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth. (Ps 145:18)

Isn’t that a great promise? It’s one you can put to work today.
God is near to those who are stumbling.

The LORD upholds all who are falling and raises up all who are bowed down. (Ps 145:14 ESV)
You may have stumbled and fallen. Perhaps you just didn’t do what you should have. Maybe you stumbled in your job, and you are embarrassed and worried about it. Perhaps you have stumbled into sin.

God is near to those who carry burdens. Those who are bowed down with the weight of care can find rest if they will call upon Him.
God is near to those who are starving.

The eyes of all look to you, and you give them their food in due season. (Ps 145:15)
Verse 16 shows how simple it is for God to answer prayer:

You open your hand; you satisfy the desire of every living thing. (Ps 145:16 ESV)
All God has to do is open His hand to meet our needs today.

The problem is, we often don’t open our hearts and cry out to Him.
God is near to those who are seeking.

He fulfills the desire of those who fear him; he also hears their cry and saves them. (Ps 145:19)
God is near to those who seek Him with love.

The LORD preserves all who love him, but all the wicked he will destroy. (Ps 145:20 ESV)
Follow the advice of James:

“Draw near to God and He will draw near to you” (James 4:8).
God is not far from you.

He’s waiting for you to take that first step, to cry out to Him and say, “Lord, I want to draw close to You. Here I am.”
Have you stumbled? Are you carrying a burden, or are you in need?

He promises to be near to all those who call upon Him.
He neither leaves you nor forsakes you!

(PR)

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Is your past preventing you from being a fully devoted Christ follower and a Christian worker?

Are you a Christian without honor? Isn’t easier to be “Christ-Like” around people who do not know your past? Jesus was in his hometown teaching in the synagogue. The townspeople that he grew up with were listening and were amazed.

But look at the bitter words they lashed out “Isn’t the mere carpenter, the one who works with his hands, isn’t this the illegitimate son of Mary? Isn’t this the guy with the very ordinary brothers and sisters?”

Do people do this to you today? The evil one wants us to live in our past. He wants to remind us of all the excess baggage we are carrying around. God on the other hand wants us to repent and ask forgiveness for our past, and then

God forgets and looks forward. God wants us to place our excess baggage at the foot of the cross and leave it there.

Never to go back
and claim the sins of our past. Leave them at the cross. Jesus continued to travel throughout the land teaching and performing miracles.

He never looked back.

Do the same. Don’t keep looking back at your past forgiven sins, keep looking toward the Cross. The cross of forgiveness, the cross of redemption and salvation.

“A bruised reed He will not break,
And smoking flax He will not quench;
He will bring forth justice for truth.”
(Isa 42:3)

With Christ, there is endless hope!
But without Christ there will be hopeless end.

Follow Him!
For-
He knows your future; holds your future and is your future!

(PR)

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