God knows that sometimes we will have it rough. Just when you think that everything is going your way, something in your life crashes. When problems beset us, our minds are troubled and we are sometimes beside our self. Know that even when you are beside yourself, it is for God and He is in control.
2 Corinthians 5:13a,15 For if we are beside ourselves, it is for God; He died for us, that we who live should live no longer for ourselves but for Him.
God knew that we would have it rough. So He gave us His peace. His peace is not of this world. What Christ offers us is not the momentary satisfaction that the world offers, such as personal pleasure, fame, or wealth. Many times these are accompanied with more worry, anxiety, and regret. Anything that secular society offers cannot satisfy the soul or heart, and cannot give the peace which we so desperately want.
The world will praise you with hollow flattering words that are not sincere. God will bless your life with truth. Secular religions will profess to give you peace, but they do not offer atonement; they cannot reconcile your soul to God.
True peace is obtained by an intimate relationship with Christ. He will give you the peace that meets all the needs of your soul. His grace will heal all your open wounds, and mend your broken heart. The peace that God gives is not affected by external changes, and He will abide with you in this world and in the world to come. In a tumultuous world of anxiety and hardship, we can take comfort that what Chris offers, this world can neither give nor take away!
Struggling with problems and enduring heartache will cause many to doubt the plans of God for their life. In extreme hardship they will doubt and our faith. Surrounded by calamity we will believe that He is not working on our behalf, but He is. It is at the time when our faith is wavering, that we have to trust Him and not lose faith. Many times He is working behind the scenes, and that which we perceive to be to our detriment is actually working for our benefit.
Life gets tough for all of us. But as bad as it has been, the majority of us have never tortured or beheaded for our faith. We have never been sold into slavery or imprisoned for our beliefs. When life gets bad and hard times are upon us, we just have to trust Him. He will perform for us and rescue us filling our hearts and minds with His peace. You can trust Him, because He died for you.
If you think you are losing faith, you’re not. It’s OK to struggle, but when you question, trust and allow God be true in your life. He wants to deliver you. Let Him perform His will, His way. You may get angry at God when you are facing hardships, and think that He is not hearing your cries for help. But when all is clear, you will see through your cloud of doubt and realize that you couldn’t see clearly at the time, but He could. He is always in control working for our benefit.
Grace is the reason why we live with such good cheer. We cannot let troubles here get us down. It’s what we trust in, but don’t yet see that keeps us going. We will not let a few ruts in the road or rocks in the road stop us.
Life is more than a short journey, but sometimes all we see is the next step. Gods sees the long haul for us. Sometimes all we can see is today, but God sees our future. When it is really, really hard is when we need to really, really trust Him. Trust, because we can’t fix our problems ourselves, or we wouldn’t be in a bad way in the first place. Let Christ arrange the letters in your journey to write the chapters in your book of life!
Categories: Bible Verses and Scriptures, Christ, Christianity, Dreams, future, God, Grace, Hope, Jesus, Joy, Life, Renewed Strength, Stories of Grace, Success, Thankful, Troubles
Darrell Creswell - A Study of Christian Grace 
Reblogged this on Inspirational and Encouraging Blogs.
“Let Christ arrange the letters in your journey to write the chapters in your book of life!” That is perfection… ❤ AMEN!
Thank you, In grace we find the perfection of Christ, Blessings, Darrell
Right on time with this encouragement as always. Thanks Darrell!
Thanks Eddy, It is great to hear from you, may God’s grace surround you, in Christ, Darrell
The Faith ‘of’ Christ working in us, brings to mind a couple of verses:
‘Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified.’ Galatians 2:16
This tells me that by my own flesh I can’t do what’s needed to be done to live the Grace Life – I need the Grace Life working in me to do it!
‘And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith:’ Philippians 3:9
To grow in this new life, nor based on carnal thinking, frees me to have the thoughts God approves of:
‘For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.’ Romans 8:6
Like you say, us trusting God’s Word working in us to ‘establish us (as a member in the Body of Christ):
‘Now to him that is of power to stablish you according to my gospel, and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery, which was kept secret since the world began,’ Rom 16:25
‘And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God’ Romans 12:2
> Our thinking is changed – the way we look at life – the way He instructs us to learn, studying His Word and manner (2 Tim 3:10 KJB). No longer kin to Adam but ‘a new creature’ in Christ Jesus, therefore:
‘God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein?’ Romans 6:2
‘Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord.’ Romans 6:11
What does it mean to be ‘complete in him’? Something far different than human thinking, for sure!
‘And ye are complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power: In whom also ye are circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, in putting off the body of the sins of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ: Col 2:10-11
God takes it a step farther than we can or do with our human cognizant ability; that’s why He gives us the mind of Christ, which also helps us in our infirmities.
‘For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct him? But we have the mind of Christ.’ 1 Cor 2:16
‘Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.’ Rom 8:26
Apostle Paul had a lot of beatings, imprisoned and stoned etc. but he depended on the LORD, not his own ability to hang in there! He knew the LORD would see him thru it all, and if not, better yet he’d be in the presence of the LORD [2 Corinthians 5:8 We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord.]. That’s comforting because my faith fails, but HIS never fails!
‘And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ’s sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.’ 1 Cor 12:9-10
If are led by the Spirit, our future might be very different, and like Paul, we will walk by faith (knowing and agreeing with His Word), as we put on charity: ‘Now the end of the commandment is charity out of a pure heart, and of a good conscience, and of faith unfeigned:’ Obvious your writing brought to surface many thoughts! Thanks Darrell.
Thanks for the meat from the Word, much appreciated, in Christ, darrell
Thanks for providing the stove and pot to add it too!
🙂
Amen Darrell!
🙂 Thank You Belinda, Gracie says hi … Blessings Darrell
Darrell,
Magnificent and uplifting post. Thanks!
Betsy
Yes.
Thanks Darrell, it is good to be reminded that it is not God afflicting us (see below)
Lamentations 3: 33 For God doth not afflict willingly nor grieve the children of men.
It’s Life or the things we do wrong ourselves or when others hurt us, God does not do evil or allow it to bring good out of it , that’s slander to even say it about Christians as confirmed in Scripture but as you shared Darrell, regardless of what hardship comes, He gives us the Strength and His Peace to remain strong and endure in the heat of the battle, and as Satan who controles this earth puts us to the test having the right to do so, God protects our Soul.
Isaiah 43:1-3 – Do not be afraid, for I have ransomed you. I have called you by name; you are mine. When you go through deep waters and great trouble, I will be with you. When you go through rivers of difficulty, you will not drown! When you walk through the fire of oppression, you will not be burned up; the flames will not consume you. For I am the LORD, your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Saviour.”
Jeremiah 29 :11-12 For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the LORD, thoughts of Peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.
Christian Love – Anne.
Thank you Darrell for another encourging word right on time too.
Thanks for this Darrell !
Amen Brother in Christ Jesus!!
Love ❤ Always and Shalom,
Kristi