Insignificant Christianity: Never Commit

If a person really wishes to fail in their Christianity and truly be an insignificant Christian, it is vital that they do not commit to anything other than their own happiness and welfare. Oh sure there are concerns and issues that we all face daily that requires stewardship, level headed decision making and prudence and it is important for insignificant Christians to major on those things. Refuse to see the need that others have, and be sure to focus on number 1. You!

Be certain to keep all of your options on the table. Do not commit to regular times of fellowship with other believers; who knows a distant relative may show up and want to chat. What ever you do, only read your Bible and pray when there is nothing else to do; be careful not to add potential conflict to your day by committing to personal devotions with the Lord. Spend all of your money on important things like the latest greatest gadgets, and take your weekend vacations as often as you can, after all you have spent all of your energies on work, internet videos and computer games; you must be exhausted!

I do not mean to sound harsh or preachy but it is important that we allow ourselves to be committed to a vital walk with the LORD. When I allow everything and everyone to trump my Christianity I will be frail and weak as a Child of God. The only eternal entity on the planet is the church of Jesus Christ. The only things in our lives that will matter in eternity is what we have done for the LORD.

We are committed to so many things in our lives. Our jobs, families, civic clubs, the person on the other side of the country that we play that computer game with. Certainly we are committed to our own happiness and well being. Now that we bought the boat or the bike and the only free time it seems that we have to enjoy them is Sunday morning. I am not begrudging anyone pleasure in his or her life, but it seems that folks grow cold in their Christianity when they lose perspective in their priorities. Why cant we just commit, and allow the LORD to fulfill His promise to give us life, and life more abundant than we could work out for ourselves?


Commitment is an action word we can work at a lot of things and none of it get into our hearts. When we become committed to Christ it is not a "works" sort of thing. It must be a transformation sort of thing, Our lives are transformed by the Holy Spirit and we do everything we can to preserve that. We commit ourselves to follow after the life changing power of Jesus Christ.

Grace Like Water

When I was a kid in school we learned about the water cycle. The rain came down and the water fell into lakes, streams and the ever so humble homes of frogs and mosquito larva; the slough. If I were to pour out a glass of water or if it rained a giant storm I know which direction the water is headed...to the lowest point. Unless there is a lake on the mountain top the rain is going to try to head down the mountain to the valley below.

I know all of this seems rather simple and if you argued long enough you might be able to explain that not all of the water makes it down hill; I will give you that. The point I want to establish is that water seeks the lowest level that it can. Which brings me to the similarity between water and the Grace of God. Grace always seeks the lowest places and often drips past many of the places that we might expect it to stay.

Paul in the first chapter of 1 Corinthians explains that God has
not chosen the wise...
He has chosen the foolish things
not chosen the strong...
He has chosen the weak things
not chosen the noble...
He has chosen the base and the despised things
               
WHY?
So He can...
confound the wise
So He can...
confound the ones who are mighty
So He can...
prove that He can raise up something from nothing

Not many of us are mighty, wise, or noble. Many of us are however weak, foolish and despicable. God is very interested in weakness and frailties; look up, grace is falling like rain and it might be headed your way.

A Few Thoughts On Envy (part2)

I have recently finished reading the book of Job; what an amazing book from the Bible. I will confess that for a number of years I just could not "get into" the real meaning and purpose of the book, and the depth of it's meaning. I am not going to try to expound on the details of the conversation between Job and his close enemies. The part that strikes me whenever I read Job is what God had to say to Job after all of man's wisdom has expired. God asked Job a few questions: "tell me if you can"; and Job couldn't

I am perfectly satisfied with the notion that I do not always understand God's ways. I do not have all of the answers and any attempts on my part to speak for God only ever sounds trite and hyper-Christian. I do not speak hype, I am somewhat fluent in faith; very big difference. God is God and He can do what He wants; I do not need to understand, so I may not have a lot comfort; but we can pray and seek God in our difficulties. Hype always tries to tie a pretty little bow on our trials, and hype always simplistically attempts to make a lists of what God does in certain situations. Word of Faith people used to say "you are sick because you are weak in your faith, or there is sin in your life", much like Job's friends did; God was not pleased with them.

My second thought on envy is based in the realization that I do not always understand. Why others are blessed and it seems like I have been looked over...again. Remember King David had a similar dilemma; why do the wicked prosper?

"If I truly believe that every good and perfect gift comes from above; gifts to me, and gifts from God to others. I refuse to compare myself to others; my gifts are from God, to me, so I will work with what I have been given".

I am a minister and an assistant pastor I see other men my age and many younger with seemingly less gifting who seem to be blessed with big churches, successful ministries and Biblical titles; why not me? Envy might try to raise it's hands and slow me down with questions about why always others. Honestly I am blessed beyond what I could have imagined. I do not need to be part of a big church I only need to walk in the confidence and gifting that God has given me. I am not a great anything but God has given me me gifts. Comparing myself to others is a trap and a pit; I will not be envious of others. God has generously blessed my life.

A Few Thoughts On Envy (part1)

Let me say before I begin that I am a middle child, I am also a phlegmatic personality type (I love peace and unity...and naps...it is true), I grew up in a very modest home, and I never knew I was poor until after I wanted "things". But I also want to say that I do not feel like envy has ever been a problem for me. I am glad when others succeed; having said that...

Envy is a very sinister desire, we suspect it in others, but we seldom identify it in ourselves. It often displays it's ugly little disposition in trivial ways, but the root of it seems to be, that we do not have what we want our what we think we deserve. So, envy should be foreigner in the Christian community, but sadly it is not. We want to impress other people, or at least have what others have. We want to be on a level field with other believers and things should never be unfair; I want what you have.

It seems like envy, jealousy, and covetousness are like brothers, and they are very close. Often discontentment with things like possessions, status, and a perceived level of success, contribute to our feelings of entitlement and self-centeredness. When these feelings rise up we often think unkind thoughts, say unkind words, and we do stupid things to gratify our ego. Then we sink into the darkness of self-pity, bitterness, and depression. What a sad state of affairs. Is anything really worth all of that.

My number one thought concerning envy in my life is this:
"I will not envy because I know that God is generous and gracious. If a man or a woman is blessed in ways that I am not...I know that all of my (and their) spiritual blessings come from heaven".

We serve a very generous God. Much more generous that we deserve, our problem is (I think) that we do not always trust God's wisdom, or understand His economy.

So Why Am I Afraid?

A little scary

Not everyone loves Ronald

There are a million reasons for a person to be afraid. Without the proper perspective and frame of mind a person can find a reason to fear in almost any arena of life. Some people fear clowns (coulrophobia); they are afraid of the unknown. Why do they have such big pockets, and what is inside? Why do they wear so much make-up; why is their nose so big? Why are they so happy?

Fear can grip us to the point that we become paralyzed; afraid to move ahead, afraid to stand still and afraid to go back to what we have always done. Fear is irrational. Fear is never your friend. Fear will keep us locked up in a house of loneliness. I read a book at a time in my life when fear had a strangle hold on my daily thoughts; I know a little of fear.

The following is from a book by Jenetzen Franklin;
40% of the things we worry about never happen.
30% of the things we worry about are in the past and can't be helped.
12% of our worries concern the troubles of others, and we have no part in them.
10% of our worries concern illness, real or imagined that may or may not have happened.
8% (Only 8%) of the things that we worry about are things that might really happen.

The words fear not, or be not afraid, occur over 360 times in the Bible, that is enough don't be afraid's for each day of the year. When we frame plan and view our lives through the lens of God's word and His promises for and to us we find far fewer things to fear. Trust God with your concerns and don't allow them to become fears that paralyze you.

Behold God is my salvation, I will trust and not be afraid. Isaiah 12:2

How To Be An Insignificant Christian

I know that the title of this post seems very harsh and it likely is, but sometimes it seems that we need a wake up call every once in a while to cause us to realize that we could use a fresh inspiration in our Christianity. I recently got mine.

I was in the Goodwill store in Schofield the other day, and as I was standing there looking at the books, a childhood friend of my brothers came into the store and greeted me. His wife had passed away about three months ago from a heart attack. Phil looked empty and a little sad, he leaned on his cart and came over to where I was standing and gave me a weak smile. It was at that moment I had to make a decision. I could be caring and encouraging, or I could be an insignificant Christian.

A really good way to be an insignificant Christian is to be living, breathing cliché about other peoples  situations.

I understand that we often get uncomfortable and panicked not knowing what to say to help. Everyone understands that people pass away and I could have said something like "Well she is in a better place now" and ignore his suffering. Or maybe a "Hey all things work together for good", perhaps a  "This to shall pass" might help. Let's not forget that old faithful stand by, "Let go and let God." I must be sure to repeat these slogans to bring credibility to them; it will certainly begin to take hold in his heart after I repeat them a few times...(I jest).

Another really good way to be an insignificant Christian is to be sure that you have all of the answers and are ready to bless others with your vast life experiences.

There is nothing wrong with my admission that I can not imagine what he must be going through. I laid my hand on his back and told him that I would continue to pray for him; touching is important not just a pat on the back but a lifting of his heart.  We don't always have the right words, and Phil did not expect me to have all of the answers, he just needed a listening ear and caring heart. He is still hurting and I told him I would still pray for him.

Be Jesus to other people. After all Christianity means that we are trying to be Christ-like; if we are going to be like Jesus we must cast off the cliche'. John Maxwell says, "People don't care how much you know until they know how much you care." It may take a little effort but the rewards of actually being involved with, and caring for others is life changing for both parties involved. It is not however for the faint of heart. You know how when a newborn baby arrives at home, there are going to be midnight feedings or hours spent trying to care for them to be sure they stay healthy and fed. That may be what we need to do at times to practice real Christianity.

Have a real genuine relationship with God and it will be easier to be significant in the lives of others.

So Prove It

John 15:12 

This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you. 

If we are in fact Christian, we are to love. I know that as Christians we try to be "like" Jesus; we don't do certain things and we take a stand against certain things and we pride ourselves at times on being peculiar.  The Bible says we are peculiar, but when the Bible says peculiar it means, a special purchased treasure, we are set apart as God's property. Our definition of peculiar often runs along the line of weirdness. I have often said that  many "so called Christians" are some of the weirdest people you will ever meet.

If we really are Christian we are going to love the things that God loves.

• We will love Him.
• We will love His Word.
• We will keep His commandments.
• We will love each other as Christians.
• We will love others who might not know how wonderful Jesus is.

If we do love God, than we must prove it to others; show someone how much you love God by your actions and your attitudes. Let your Christianity "leak" out into your relationships and lifestyle. I am pretty sure that non-Christians are pretty tired of the "weirdness" of christianity; let them experience a relationship, you love them first, then maybe they can trust enough to love Jesus.

Go out and prove you are a Christian...Love people to Jesus!

It's Whats On the Inside That Matters

I came across this when I was looking for something else on my computer; I think it is good enough to pass along. You know each one of us is influenced by many different things, some good some bad. But the most important thing to remember is that each of us needs a relationship with Jesus.

I AM NOT A LOSER!

So I just watched the ending of "The Kid" for the 50th time, I never get tired of it. The premise of the movie is that a very successful image consultant is having a 40th birthday, this guy has everything that he could want but he has no one to share it with. Very successful yes, but a lonely none the less. A younger version of himself comes from the past, (1968) to help him out, but neither one knows what to do. At the end of the movie a future version of himself comes from the future to help them both see that the troubles and emptiness is not forever, things do get better. At the end of the movie Bruce Willis screams, "I am not a loser."

The movie sounds and is a little far fetched at first, but it was recommended by someone I trust as a reliable judge of safe entertainment; my daughter. She kept telling me that I would like the movie, and that "The Kid" sort of reminded her of me. Well now I gotta see myself in movies, so I watched. What a great movie, good family entertainment.

This may be personal, but I can look back and remember what it was like to be an innocent kid with lots of flaws and not a lot of friends. I can also see where I am now and desire more in my life, but being cognizant of mistakes and shortcomings in my past, get a little stuck, not knowing if I should move ahead or stay put. Take a risk or play it safe. I can name a few times where I really thought "this" was what I was going to do, and not have it pan out. So I could very easily be "gun shy" about life.

What I would like is for me to come back from the future, and tell me (in the present) that everything turns out great. Or that staying put, is a big mistake and as a matter of fact actually shortened my life. Yeah what I need are some guarantees that my life will turn out great. Yes, some guarantees. The problem is, and herein lies the rub; there are no guarantees. But I do have assurances. The Word of God.

The Bible tells us to, Trust in the Lord with all of your heart and lean not to your own understanding, in all of your ways acknowledge Him and He shall direct your path. The Lord knows my shortcomings and my flaws and still has a place for me in His service. If I trust Him, He will lead me. I do not mean to sound pretentious but if you would trust the Lord with your life, you will have a life that is full. Jesus came to give us life, and life more abundantly.

I have read the same book numerous times; "The Tale Of Three Kings". It caused me to soul search, and at the same time help me understand the Lord a little better. I was talking to a friend who had read the same book but did not like it because it did not give enough of the answers that he would have liked, to which I reply, that is what walking by faith is. We do not have all of the answers God does not always tell us what He is thinking or doing. I do not get to have an old me from the future come to assure me everything is going to be alright, you and I must walk by faith and trust the Lord with each and every day of our lives. He will take care of us.

If we do, we will be able to say, "I do not understand everything", but we will most assuredly be able to say," I AM NOT A LOSER!"

I Am Thankful For Everything

Thanksgiving is my favorite day of the year, yes maybe even better than Christmas. Don't get me wrong Christmas is a wonderful day and the holiday season is really all about Jesus. But we have twisted and turned and made Christmas about us, so things get a little tense sometimes. Thanksgiving is most certainly about Jesus as well, I am truly thankful to God for everything that he has allowed into my life. My relationship with Him, my wife, my children, and my grandchildren. My mom, (is special, I have always been thankful for both of my parents), and the influence that my dad has had on my life, (I miss him now that he is gone, even though I see traces of him when I look at myself in the mirror), my brother and sisters and there families, I am thankful for a good church, and wonderful friends. Too many things to mention.

I think too often I have not always been thankful for the hard times, the times when I have felt most alone or a time of deepest need. If I trust God, and am thankful for the good times can I somehow separate Him from the difficult times? I do not consider myself old, I am middle aged I guess, but I wish that I would have known how to be thankful in hard times back when I was younger. Every difficult period of my life has afforded me a very special opportunity; to draw closer to the Lord. I did not know that difficult times were so precious and rare. I am drawn into a private place with Jesus and He shuts the door and helps me understand things. Things about myself and things about others that I need to understand and ways that I need to change. Sometimes our visits together take weeks and months, sometimes years. In the end, always precious and humbling.

Black Friday (tomorrow) is the day that some shoppers wait for all season to get the best deals, some will stand in line in cold weather just to be the first in the door. I am not one of those, although I do love a good deal. No one stands in line for a chance at difficulty or trial; things like loneliness, or betrayal, poverty or unemployment, but the benefits and rewards are eternal. But we must be willing for the Lord to change us and be willing to change. If I am not moving forward, after awhile I will be moving backward.

The Bible tells says; Don't think it is strange when a trial comes your way. In another place we are told that all of this difficulty works patience in us, patience works experience, and experience gives us hope. Hope is what I am truly thankful for. I am glad for every trial, and every experience that I have had in my walk with God, but I am very very thankful for the hope they have worked in me. I have a hope of eternity with Jesus. You know being a Christian is not about being blessed here because of Jesus. Being a Christian is about waking up, to the hope of eternity with the Lord. Blessings here are wonderful, but eternity will be much, much, much, better than that.

I say with John in Revelation, Even so come quickly Lord Jesus.

Living Medium

Mom and dad bought a new refrigerator, and the box that it came in was huge. After cutting the metal straps off the top and bottom of the shipping carton they removed the refrigerator from the box. Mom loved the new "fridge" and the kids loved the box that it came in. Dad was not real happy with any of it; it cost too much, it was so heavy that he had to have his brother come over and help him get it in the house, and then grocery shopping had to be done to fill it up. A whole evening was spent getting this refrigerator thing, taken care of; no relaxing for dad. It was time for bed by the time by it was all done, and he was ready for it. Dad worked all day, came home and worked all evening, and now time for sleep, he had to get up early for more work. Sleep was better though, the new fridge simply hummed off and on all night. Nice. The last month or so the old fridge just growled and groaned all night, until last night when it began dripping; it was dead.

In the morning the giant box was still in the garage and the kids decided that they were going to make a fort out of it. Mom said it was alright as long as the neighbor kids stayed outside. This was a great situation for her, she got a new refrigerator, and a whole day of peace and quiet while the kids played outside. The kids gathered as many boxes as they could find and began building a cardboard castle. When they were done they stepped back and basked in the beauty of the mornings efforts.

Well naturally they needed to have rules. What were they going to be? The fort was not anyones in particular, they all contributed some cardboard to the project. So they came up with one rule, and all needed to obey, or else. If anyone breaks the rule they were getting kicked out. The rule?

"No one act big, and no one act small, everyone must act medium."

Nobody was boss, and nobody was slave. Everyone was to take care of the fort, and each other.

I know it is a simple story about getting along, but really is it too much to expect that we just get along? Everyone is different, each with different types of personality, I understand that. Sometimes the very strong manipulate the weaker or more compliant to have their own way. The very best among us was Jesus, and if anyone had a right to call the shots and make up all of the rules it was Him. The Bible refers to Him as a King of Kings, and a Lion. Jesus is the real King of the jungle; yet He chose to serve others. 

The Bible tells us, to regard one another as more important than himself. It also tells us, to serve one another in love. That is exactly the way that Jesus lived, and died. We were so important to Him that he served us. So regardless of the alphabet behind your name; PHD, MD, CPA, XYZ or ABC. Just live medium. You may be really a great person and worthy of great honor, but why not lay aside the pride for awhile and be caring, and honest, with an attitude of service to others. Be real; live medium. 

God Is Not Very Good At This Game

Have you ever played hide and seek with a little kid? "Okay now I am going to count to 10, and you go hide; okay?" I begin to count and the child runs off to hide; "7-8-9-10, ready or not here I come". I look in the bathtub, inside the closet, and under the bed; (I know where they are but it is fun to build up the excitement), where could he be? Then he jumps out and says here I am. "No wait you are supposed to stay hidden until I find you; got it"?


So we try again; "7-8-9-10, ready or not here I come". when I get to the part where I say I wonder where he is, he jumps out again; "here I am grandpa". Well it's time to play something else.


God plays that game the same way a child does. It is not His plan for us to be wandering, and wondering where He is. Where is Jesus? If we pay attention He will show us. Here "I Am". Jeremiah wrote a passage in the Bible that promised that if we seek God, we will find Him. When we really try to find Him, we will. When we search for Him with all of our heart, we will find Him.

You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart.

There is no way for us to know how, where, or when we will find Him, but we will; it is a promise. God can't lie; we do, but not Him. There are also no conditions to this promise other than seeking Him with all of our heart. You could be a addict, or any other type of broken and flawed person, and He will show up. Jesus does not love dogma, philosophy, or religious organizations. He loves faith and the people who respond to Him in faith. He loves broken people with broken hearts; He will never turn away from them. 

The sacrifice you want is a broken spirit. A broken and repentant heart, O God, you will not despise.

So let this be your prayer; "ready or not here I come...where are you Jesus?"

The Tower of Refuge

On a small island in the middle of the Irish Sea is the Island of Man; about half way between Liverpool in England and Belfast in Ireland. The Tower of Refuge is an instantly recognisable feature of Douglas Harbour built on top of Conister rocks which are submerged at high tide. Prior to the building of the refuge the rocks had claimed many lives. This small castle was built as a place of rest and safety for sailors. It's towers stocked with fresh water and bread. It was built in 1832.


Yesterday I was able to fill in for a pastor in another city because he was spending time with family in another state. We were blessed to be there and had a great fellowship with the people from that church. In one of my sermons I spoke about refuge and refugees. I am not referring to people who come to America who are suffering some sort of persecution in their own countries; not exactly anyway. I am referring to people who may be suffering that need a place of refuge. 


Our society operates on a basic economic principle of supply and demand. For example; I might need someone to paint the inside of my house, I simply go to the phone book and find a business who is able to fill my need. We have employers who need employees to meet their demands, and potential employees who need employment that could fill the demand of an employer; simple. We have people who as a job sell, and others folks who need the things that they sell, and they buy. There are no doubt hundreds of examples of how this system works; there are doctors and patients, teachers and students, even massagers (hello Jennifer) and massagees, (is that a word?...people who pay to get a massage) but what about refugers for the refugees.

It gets kind of fuzzy sometimes when someone comes to our church or into our home that might stretch our Christian world view; widows, single mothers, the sick, hurting, abused, and dying. I do not have all of the answers but I do know someone who cares and has written a love letter that addresses all of these needs and more. I have been in church and honestly smelled a person coming, before I saw him coming. I wonder sometimes would I make a "Good Samaritan"? I hope that I never forget where it was that I came from; I had a wonderful family don't get me wrong, but I still had serious needs. I needed a Savior. Every single one of us was, or is, damaged and stained by our situations, sin and satan. I don't mean to sound "preachy", but we rub shoulders with people almost everyday, who desperately need Jesus.

In the Bible a woman was taken in the very act of adultery and they brought her to Jesus. Where was Jesus? In the temple; or church. The men who accused her brought her to "church" for judgement and condemnation. That does not sound like a very safe refuge, for a stained and broken life does it. Not all churches are like that, When I needed a place of refuge I did find it at a church altar where I met Jesus. Moses and Joshua established cities of refuge where people could go for protection if they accidently killed someone. They could plead their case and find safety inside the walls of that city. The church of God needs to be a place of safety. Are all churches safe? Are all people safe? No. We are all human we all make mistakes.


Sometimes as Christians we lose our balance. Church is a wonderful place where we try to meet the needs of our communities, and it still works. We are able to hear from the Word of God and worship together which is vital to our walk with Jesus. But our balance does not come from various church departments, or outreaches to the needs that people have. We must fall in love with Jesus. He is the one who looked beyond all of our faults and failures (and still does in my case) and loves us. He is a safe place our refuge in a time of storm. Many lives are lost and others damaged on the rocks of sin, but Jesus is our Tower of Refuge. 


Let's find our refuge in the Lord.

Psalms 46:1 God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.

Check out the Isle of Man and the Tower of Refuge:

http://www.iomguide.com/towerrefuge.php


To check out Jesus contact me I will tell you about him. He can meet your need.

Bound to come Some Trouble

I know there's bound to come some trouble to your life, but that ain't nothing to be afraid of.

I know there's bound to come some tears up in your eyes, that ain't no reason to fear. 

I know there's bound to come some trouble to your life. Reach out to Jesus hold on tight.
He's been there before and He knows what it's like, you'll find He's there
Rich Mullins, 1955-1997

  

There is a book in the Bible called Job; it is the telling of a man who God said was the best guy on the planet. Job was blessed and very wealthy; he had a wife, sons and daughters, servants, lots of land, animals, and many other possessions. He was a righteous, God fearing man that hated evil. He was also a praying man. Every year he would offer up sacrifices for his children, just in case they sinned when they got together to celebrate.

"Have you considered my servant Job?" Job was minding his own business; when the Lord allowed Satan to afflict this wonderful man. Did you get that? The Lord allowed Satan to afflict Job. Job's children were taken away from him, his flocks and herds and eventually his health; all because the God of Heaven allowed it. If Job was so wonderful why did all of this need to happen? 

Some things happen to us as proof of our frailties as humans, and some things a loving Lord allows in our lives. If we believe as Christians that everything serves an eternal purpose and that there are no coincidences, than we must trust God even in hard times. 

There is bound to come some trouble to our lives. I know that this does not seem encouraging at all, but it is truth. Trouble does come our way sometimes, not because we are faithless and wicked, but because God allows it to happen. The truth of the Book of Job is that in spite of whatever trouble comes, we can make it, we can still trust in God; even if we don't understand why. Just like Job did.

It is a sad fact of life that even as we suffer; Christians get cancer, and our children get sick. We struggle with oppression and depression, the losses of jobs, and friendships. Single parents trying to raise children all by themselves while still serving the Lord, performing what Dr. James Dobson calls the toughest job on earth. Where is God in all of our hardships and trials? Jesus is standing near by watching; He will never allow you to carry a load that is more than you can bear. He knows what it is like.

Job had friends who came and blamed him for his situation. Job must have sinned and God was punishing him. Job was arrogant and God was breaking him; even Job's own wife told him to curse God and die. Job would not.

Job never did get an answer from the Lord as to the why of it all; but he was doubly blessed at the conclusion of his trial. Twice as many animals and children, and wealth, as he had before all of his hardship. We may never understand or feel like God has fully explained His actions to us. In our shaking and breaking, God is making us to be more like Him. 

I cannot pretend to have an answer for your suffering; there are no easy answers, and there are so many things we cannot understand. We must however trust God, even in the hardship; He is a good God. 

There are a few illustrations that the Bible uses to represent the faithfulness of God; the scripture calls Jesus, The Bright and Morning Star; in our darkest nights we see the hope and promise of a brand new day, when we look to Jesus. The book of Psalms says that, Weeping may endure for a night but joy comes in the morning. You see our nights, and afflictions which are short lived, work for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory. When we bear these burdens and continue to walk this life of faith something glorious takes place in us. We are given a wonderful opportunity to draw closer to Jesus in our sufferings and afflictions. 

"Reach out to Jesus and hold on tight...you will find He is there"