July 27th

JULY 27th

We talked last week about how the Lord allows storms/trials/hardships so that we can be protected, connected and/or corrected. But He also refreshes us, he won’t give us anything that we can’t handle with Him and He knows when we need relief.

Philippians 4:12-13 I know how to live on almost nothing or with everything. I have learned the secret of living in every situation, whether it is with a full stomach or empty, with plenty or little. For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength.

2 Corinthians 12:9-10 But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

He strengthens us throughout our trials, sustaining us along the way, IF we let Him. Often we rely on our own strength which only multiplies the stress! We can get ourselves worked up even more and miss out on the peace that He offers in the middle of the situation. But we have His promises to rest on if we will.

John 16:33 “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”

We have that peace to reach for instead of clinging to the stress. Let us remind each other of this. When a brother or sister in Christ wants to unload their burden, instead of reinforcing the stress, let’s remind each other of the available peace. Notice the verse in 1 Peter that comes right after the one about the devil being a prowling lion…

1 Peter 5:10 And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast.

He will HIMSELF restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast! -If you sit down at the table with Him…

Jesus, thank you for being willing to personally restore me but also for know exactly when I need it. Help me to be aware of when I need refreshing from you and help me to make time for it. Show me how to meet you whenever and wherever I need to and help me to sit down with you instead of just grabbing a bite and running off. Thank you for your patience and amazing love Jesus.