"Trust in the Lord with all your heart; and lean not unto your own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge Him and He shall direct your path.” Proverbs 3:5-6
There was a debate on a popular television news show a few years ago, which focused on the age-old question concerning the presence of God. The host asked a panel of prominent intellectuals,“Is there a God?” Both atheists and Christians were represented on the panel. As you can imagine, the debate became quite heated with opposing viewpoints. The host then allowed members of the live studio audience, both pro and con, to question the panelists. I can recall one woman's statement in particular, she said,
"I am an atheist. I do not believe in God. There cannot be a God because, there is so much evil in the world! And, if there is one, he must be evil because he allows innocent people to die and innocent babies to be born with diseases. Explain why your God allows this!"
She was very passionate while making her statement, and I could easily see her anger as she asked her question. The thing is, as I listened to her tirade, I thought to myself, “…She is a Christian waiting to happen.” It's not that she does not believe in God; it is that, she is angry with God for a personal issue. Something occurred in her life that she does not understand and has not accepted, so hating God became her target.
This happens to a lot of people; even Christians. While we love God, it is sometimes difficult to understand why bad things occur in our lives. The truth is, if we can see pass the problem and focus our trust and faith in God long enough, we will find strength and understanding in the problem. Because, oftentimes, the problem clouds our Faith.
Consider this reverie; go back in your life a few years ago, for some people, it may be only a few months ago; try to recall something you considered a major problem. -Is it still a major problem for you today; or, has it strengthened you? If it occurred again could you walk through it; or, would it paralyze you all over again? Could you help another person go through that same issue to become their pillar of strength; or, would you watch them suffer from the sidelines? When you look back on your life, it does not matter whether years have passed, months, or days; in many instances, what you really needed was the strength to move your attention away from the problem, and onto the Holy Spirit, so that you could recapture your Faith in God.
If you can keep your focus embedded in the Power of God long enough, given time, you will learn to understand the role that the problem played in the grand scheme of your life. When this occurs, you will eventually come to the realization that God has already made YOU stronger than any problem. L.
Study Reference: Proverbs 3:5-12
From: "Refocusing." In The Master's Hands: 365 Daily Devotions For Everyday Living.
Copyright © 2014 by Lavona E. Campbell
photo: Josh Calabrese
There was a debate on a popular television news show a few years ago, which focused on the age-old question concerning the presence of God. The host asked a panel of prominent intellectuals,“Is there a God?” Both atheists and Christians were represented on the panel. As you can imagine, the debate became quite heated with opposing viewpoints. The host then allowed members of the live studio audience, both pro and con, to question the panelists. I can recall one woman's statement in particular, she said,
"I am an atheist. I do not believe in God. There cannot be a God because, there is so much evil in the world! And, if there is one, he must be evil because he allows innocent people to die and innocent babies to be born with diseases. Explain why your God allows this!"
She was very passionate while making her statement, and I could easily see her anger as she asked her question. The thing is, as I listened to her tirade, I thought to myself, “…She is a Christian waiting to happen.” It's not that she does not believe in God; it is that, she is angry with God for a personal issue. Something occurred in her life that she does not understand and has not accepted, so hating God became her target.
This happens to a lot of people; even Christians. While we love God, it is sometimes difficult to understand why bad things occur in our lives. The truth is, if we can see pass the problem and focus our trust and faith in God long enough, we will find strength and understanding in the problem. Because, oftentimes, the problem clouds our Faith.
Consider this reverie; go back in your life a few years ago, for some people, it may be only a few months ago; try to recall something you considered a major problem. -Is it still a major problem for you today; or, has it strengthened you? If it occurred again could you walk through it; or, would it paralyze you all over again? Could you help another person go through that same issue to become their pillar of strength; or, would you watch them suffer from the sidelines? When you look back on your life, it does not matter whether years have passed, months, or days; in many instances, what you really needed was the strength to move your attention away from the problem, and onto the Holy Spirit, so that you could recapture your Faith in God.
If you can keep your focus embedded in the Power of God long enough, given time, you will learn to understand the role that the problem played in the grand scheme of your life. When this occurs, you will eventually come to the realization that God has already made YOU stronger than any problem. L.
Study Reference: Proverbs 3:5-12
From: "Refocusing." In The Master's Hands: 365 Daily Devotions For Everyday Living.
Copyright © 2014 by Lavona E. Campbell
photo: Josh Calabrese
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