Problems

I was talking with a friend earlier this week. I love my friends and family.

We humans have a serious problem. We ALL have problems. And we all want to diminish ours by comparing our problem to others. We say things like 'I shouldn't complain because so and so is so sick' or 'I am so sick and they only...' But mostly I think we tend to not talk to people who are in the middle of a huge problem and I think it is a mistake. Even those of us who are fighting an illness need to know what is going on. Maybe especially us- so we can focus on something other than ourselves. That is what loving is about, focusing on others and trying to help if possible. Some of us thrive on helping, even if we can't physically do anything. It's called loving on....

If God doesn't compare our sins I wonder if he compares our situations? Maybe in the way we handle them, or ask Him to handle them. Maybe in the way we love on despite our own circumstances. I don't know. I do know that there are things worse than cancer. Like not knowing what is wrong with you and having no answers. Or, in my opinion, a job/career loss and the no income and complete stress that creates. That's the type of stuff that leaves people without homes, desperate... Something I don't know that I could handle very well. Hence the verse in

1Cor. 10:13 'No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it.'

Tempted is an interesting word, isn't it. Who is tempted to be sick, or unemployed, or drug addicted or abused?? No one wishes to live that way. The temptation is in what we do with our circumstance. Fight or flight as we might call it. We need always to remember that no matter what our circumstance Jesus is with us, Jesus loves us, and Jesus is in control. What we don't know is the why, or how, or when. In his time, in his way. Now that is difficult to swallow when you actually have to demonstrate and live that way. But I've come to a conclusion, whether the circumstance is big or small in our human eyes, Jesus is still there to help us thru- we only need to accept that and ask for it. Another free gift to us when we humble ourselves and actually seek his face in the middle of our pit, our mud puddle, our darkness.

It's ok to flee from our pits- flee indeed- into the capable hands of God. It's also ok to fight our pits- fight with God's word, with God's hands. His hands lift us up and protects us, no matter what the outcome of our darkness and despair, whether big or small whether life or death. We've all been thru something, and we all will be tested thru our circumstances. Remember, this is only a test. Get at least a C and run to God, if not at first, (which would earn us an A) when you realize you need to! C (see) God in the middle? C him loving and caring for you? If you don't, try harder. He's there. MOVE YOURSELF to Him.

Thank you Jesus, for already conquering our pits for us. May we rejoice in your sacrifice and your gift of grace and life for us, no matter what we do, no matter what we face. Help us to know you are here, right here with us. And thank you for a beautiful day.

Vicki