Monday's Blessing
2 Corinthians 1:3-4
"Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God."
Friends and family are great except in times of woe.
Did you ever notice how wonderful it is to be around those you care for except when you have a problem. Why? Because everyone seems to have their own opinion. Most of the time this specific opinion just doesn't match up with your line of thinking. I mean, all you want is a bit of compassion- maybe some good insight into what you're going through - and these people just don't get it. In fact, they can often make things worse by making us frustratingly rethink things when we are already in a state of chaos.
When you need comfort and encouragement, whom do you go to? Have you been disappointed at the outcome and came out with more confusion?
There is a better way. Go to God first. He is honored, but when we run to people and leave him out it can be offensive to him. Remember: when we go to God, He quite often uses people to comfort or encourage us, but he choose who to use and when to use them.
I wasted a lot of years running to friends for advice. Sadly, I'd use the advice even if I felt it wasn't just right. One day was making a milestone decision concerning my career. I had planned to go to college late in life and everyone was encouraging me to do so. Something felt off. I quietly sought God out for a bit of discussion. Immediately all my turmoil ceased. A few days passed and a friend showed up at my door. For some reason the career change came up. He looked at me (the only one that had done so) and said, "What line of work are you in?"
"Education," I replied.
"Is someone paying for this?" He asked.
"I received a $5,000 scholarship from a local firm," I explained.
"But, your not working for a company who will reimburse you?" He exclaimed.
"No," I mumbled.
"So, you have a $5,000 scholarship for a $35,000 to $45,000 loan your going to need (including money to live off of) and your planning to pay this back when? When your 90?" He retorted.
That hit me like a ton of bricks. "I take it you'll never need a new car? Because you'll never be able to afford it paying these loans back in your retirement," he added.
Ten years later I realized it was the best decision I made. I have other chronic health issues now and can not even fathom working for another 10 years. Life changes in an instant. God knows these upcoming changes and can help you preplan.
Don't run to other things when your upset. We run to food, shopping, or other substance when we need comfort. This causes other problems in our lives. God desires to comfort us, but we must go to him first. If you need comfort or encouragement, take some time right now and ask god specifically to minister to you in that area.
This Week's Meditation:
Teach me to see you first.
Pray:
Help me to realize that my true happiness can be found by seeking you
Teach me to realize in a world that is chaotic I need you by my side.
Remind me to pray about this everyday, Lord.
Meditate on this for several minutes a day. Allow various thoughts to come into your mind. And realize God has you in his arms always.
2 Corinthians 1:3-4
"Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God."
Friends and family are great except in times of woe.
Did you ever notice how wonderful it is to be around those you care for except when you have a problem. Why? Because everyone seems to have their own opinion. Most of the time this specific opinion just doesn't match up with your line of thinking. I mean, all you want is a bit of compassion- maybe some good insight into what you're going through - and these people just don't get it. In fact, they can often make things worse by making us frustratingly rethink things when we are already in a state of chaos.
When you need comfort and encouragement, whom do you go to? Have you been disappointed at the outcome and came out with more confusion?
There is a better way. Go to God first. He is honored, but when we run to people and leave him out it can be offensive to him. Remember: when we go to God, He quite often uses people to comfort or encourage us, but he choose who to use and when to use them.
I wasted a lot of years running to friends for advice. Sadly, I'd use the advice even if I felt it wasn't just right. One day was making a milestone decision concerning my career. I had planned to go to college late in life and everyone was encouraging me to do so. Something felt off. I quietly sought God out for a bit of discussion. Immediately all my turmoil ceased. A few days passed and a friend showed up at my door. For some reason the career change came up. He looked at me (the only one that had done so) and said, "What line of work are you in?"
"Education," I replied.
"Is someone paying for this?" He asked.
"I received a $5,000 scholarship from a local firm," I explained.
"But, your not working for a company who will reimburse you?" He exclaimed.
"No," I mumbled.
"So, you have a $5,000 scholarship for a $35,000 to $45,000 loan your going to need (including money to live off of) and your planning to pay this back when? When your 90?" He retorted.
That hit me like a ton of bricks. "I take it you'll never need a new car? Because you'll never be able to afford it paying these loans back in your retirement," he added.
Ten years later I realized it was the best decision I made. I have other chronic health issues now and can not even fathom working for another 10 years. Life changes in an instant. God knows these upcoming changes and can help you preplan.
Don't run to other things when your upset. We run to food, shopping, or other substance when we need comfort. This causes other problems in our lives. God desires to comfort us, but we must go to him first. If you need comfort or encouragement, take some time right now and ask god specifically to minister to you in that area.
This Week's Meditation:
Teach me to see you first.
Pray:
Help me to realize that my true happiness can be found by seeking you
Teach me to realize in a world that is chaotic I need you by my side.
Remind me to pray about this everyday, Lord.
Meditate on this for several minutes a day. Allow various thoughts to come into your mind. And realize God has you in his arms always.
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