A Strange Place (part 2)

Life can be a strange place. The bible says in Hebrews 11:13:

These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of them, and embraced them, and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth.

As a result, we often times feel that as Christians, the way we are required by God and our Savior to live while on earth is nearly opposite than the way everyone else lives. Moreover, "everyone else" seems to be getting ahead despite their wickedness and contempt for God and His laws. These "everyone else" people seem to succeed while we are hard-pressed on every side and often find it challenging to "get ahead".

The moral code in which we are required to live by is superior and foreign to us which is why it does not seem natural -it isn't natural! Our Creator has required that we live righteously and pattern ourselves after His son, our Savior Jesus. Jesus faced many of the same challenges we face. He suffered lack just as we do. Let us look at Matthew 8:20:

And Jesus saith unto him, The foxes have holes, and the birds of the air have nests; but the Son of man hath no[t] where to lay his head.

Our Savior suffered pain and felt the sting of death. So, our Savior suffered just as we do and yet there was no quick fix for Him either. God could have stopped this process or even skipped it all-together and simply wiped out mankind. However, He sent His only begotten Son to die a sinner's death -a thief and/or a murders death, for you and for me.

Yes, you are in a strange place and yes you are going through a dark valley. Yes, He knows you are hurting and yes He understands your brokenness. He sees you cry and discerns your heart. Above all, He loves you despite how you feel. I wish we could all physically hold His and at times -even if He didn't make the situation better immediately, but there's just something about God's presence.

God's presence in our lives will make the difference. Psalms 23 reads:

Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.

So, we see here that as the Psalmist is going through the valley, the LORD is with him, His rod (means to keep evil at bay) and staff (used to guide you) will comfort me. It doesn't say God's rod or staff will provide the solution, nor does it say they will hurry the Psalmist along but comfort him.

Jesus left the Holy Spirit here to comfort us and be our guide. The closer we are to Him, the more comfort we will experience throughout God's peace, fellow believers, and time in prayer.

I'll leave you with this passage by Charles Spurgeon:

My case is urgent, and I do not see how I am to be delivered; but this is no business of mine. He who makes the promise will find out ways and means of keeping it. It is mine to obey His commands; it is not mine to direct His counsels. I am His servant, not His solicitor. I call upon Him, and He will deliver me.

God will deliver you -don't quit. Post your story to help others who may be struggling through a strange place or time in their life.

A Strange Place (part 1)

Are you in a strange place? Life can be a strange place. What's in your head versus the reality of your life can be discouraging.

Below is a scene. Consider a person, like you -in a strange place. These are his thoughts and fears...can you relate?

Everyone is doing better than me. I tried them all but there are no quick fixes...what to do, what to do. Trust in God? Isn't there something I can do? Why can't I fix it? Hmm...I'll throw a pitty party since I can't fix it now. Surely, someone will come to my delightful affair, see my plight, have the solution in hand and fix things right away! Ok...that didn't quite work as planned.

Aha! I've got it! I'll complain! Surely complaining will get someone's (hint, hint) attention! He'll have no other choice than to help me. After all, who wants to listen to someone complaining? At the same time, maybe he'll be ashamed of himself for not having helped me when I needed it so now to redeem himself, he'll have to help me.

He must be deaf! I mean after all I've done to get his attention. Ooh! Maybe he's not paying attention and doesn't give a care. That must be it! He doesn't care. After all, if I were him and it were me, and I saw someone like me in need I would rush right in and help them. Man, if I had what he had then no one (including me) would ever feel like I do. I can't believe he doesn't care. Surely he must. Why doesn't he hear me? Screw it. I'll figure something out...

Damn it! I'll just quit! It's been too long and nothing. That's it, I'll just quit and give up. If I give up, then I'm not responsible because I gave up...it was too hard. If the situation would have been easier or if someone (hint, hint) would have helped me then I would be OK. I did all I could to fix it and mind you with no help. I prayed and he didn't answer NOR did he attend my party. I thought he would stop me from quitting but didn't do that either -he let me quit!

I have no idea where I am...I am in a strange place. Nothing looks familiar to me -including myself. No one is here with me; I am all alone. All I can do is think about the past and how great it was before I got here. I wish I could find my way out. I cry, but no one hears me. I scream, but no one helps me. I have no more hope and am in despair.

I am in a strange place. I have exhausted all possibilities. I am too tired to run and too tired to feel sorry for myself. I want to get out of here.

Are you in a strange place now in your life? Do you feel powerless? Do you feel like throwing in the towel? Share your thoughts...