There is so much going on in the world lately that I've been kind of plugged into news reports. Mind boggling disasters in Australia, record temperatures (high and low) all over the map, ice storms in Kentucky. What to do? What to do? I take a large breath, consider all the confusion and difficulties and think: God is still in His heaven. He is still watching over everything. I trust Him completely--most of the time.
Then comes the hard part: What am I going to do to assist Him in doing His work? Will I be kinder today to everyone I come in contact with? Will I try harder to spend my time more wisely? Will I be less critical of others? Will my conversations with Him be more listening on my part for the directions and guidance I need? Will my heart break with contrition for those things I do that I know I shouldn't? OR should be doing and don't? Will I ponder deeply at the wonder of the incomprehensible atoning sacrifice of the Savior of the world and then feel more deeply how committed He was to providing the way back home for me? Do my words reflect my heart's desires, or my actions reflect what I know is right?
Each day is a clean page on which to write. God is watching. I cannot hide from Him. I want my history to be something He will be happy to accept whenever I happen to meet Him again.
Faith has always seemed a constant in my life. Faith in Jesus Christ is essential. Do I struggle? Oh, yeah! Are there times when I don't or haven't known what/how I would deal with this or that huge challenge? Absolutely! Do I get discouraged sometimes. You bet. However, I know that when I open the Scriptures and look and compare what they contain, His Spirit speaks to me and gives me comfort, guidance and hope. Sometimes reading the Scriptures brings up more questions. Often, after having read a certain passage I know I've read many times before, I find new light and new understanding. That's one of the things I love most about reading the Scriptures. They aren't stagnant. They're as fresh today as they were when they were first penned by God's holy prophets.
One of my most favorite Scriptures ever is Proverbs 3:5-6---
Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.
In all they ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.
I can't tell you the comfort those 27 words have been to me over the past 30 years!
How do you deal with the roiling challenges that confront you every day? What keeps you sane and hopeful? Or, do you have challenges like that?
