“Expect Some Challenges in Life, But Make Sure You Get Up & Eat Them For Breakfast!”
Ever Had A Setback?
Have you ever had a major setback? I know my wife and I have had a few, one of which has even been quite recent. Whenever one strikes, they can take various forms: financial, physical, or even having to do with family or even close friends. How do you respond to these situations? Do you walk it out with confidence knowing that it’s all going to be ok? Or do you think: How am I going to get through this one? Oh, brother why me? Or, Here we go again; I’ve only just got over the last issue!
How to be Cheerful Through the Challenges in Life…
If you seem to be standing strong, is it from strength drawn from God and His Word? Do you live from “a knowing” that He will never leave you or forsake you and that He is a good, good Father, even though you’re walking through circumstances? Jesus said that we will always have trials and tribulation in this world but be of good cheer (John 16:33). So why would we be of good cheer about the stuff we are going through? Well, here is the answer: He has overcome the world already.
Future Provision & That Doesn’t Mean Just Money
Although we believe that, we may not know how that can be true. However, we have all experienced this truth in simple and obvious ways. For example, think of a couple who’s having a baby. When do they buy the crib for their baby? On the way home from the hospital? No. In fact, some parents who have the means to start scholarship funds for children who haven’t been born yet, do so knowing the monies will be there in advance. In the same way, Jesus has already gone before us and gone into our futures and has put the provision in place even before we get there. Let’s face it; He paid for it over 2000 years ago, so why would we fall apart “like a $2 suitcase,” as a well-known preacher is in the habit of saying?
Learn to Withdraw From God’s Account
If God has already sent His Son Jesus to pay for poverty, sickness, and disease on the Cross, then we already have His bank account to draw from when we need it. This is just a part of what it means to be His children. We just have to know how to withdraw it. And here’s the best part: there’s no fees on it and we don’t have to pay it back. Why? It’s an inheritance. It is ours to freely take and receive. It’s that simple. We just have to learn how to receive it by faith and believe that it ours with no strings attached. That’s why His love is unconditional!
You are Unique!
Psalm 23:1 (NKJV) says, “The LORD is my shepherd.” By saying this, David was affirming that he had a very personal relationship with God. Each and everyone one of us can have the same! God has given everyone a one-of-a-kind personality, giftings, purpose, and calling. In the same way that we are each unique, He wants a relationship with you that is unlike anyone else’s. Just as your features and fingerprints are unique, so is the way God interacts with you.
Dinner Time
Therefore, as you learn how to hear His voice, you need to know what He is specifically speaking. The psalmist goes on to say of his Shepherd, “You prepare a table before me” (Psalm 23:5). Think about it this way; when you or your family are waiting for a table in a busy restaurant and your name is on the waiting list, sometimes the hostess will give you one of those funny pagers to hold. When it’s time to be seated, and if you are close enough to the source of the signal, the pager will sound, vibrate, and even light up. You know that signal means that you are being called. It’s your turn. Remaining close to the source, you get the right signal and understand the communication; that’s the first thing!
What Are You Thinking?
Secondly, while you are waiting, what are you spending time thinking? You’re probably thinking, Great, it’s time to eat. I’m excited to sit down and experience the wonderful food off that menu and there is a lot to choose from to fulfill my needs. You know and have every confidence they are preparing a table for you, and that if you’re patient for a little bit, it’s going to happen.
What Are You Going to Order Off His Menu?
Are you getting the idea? As you read God’s Word and spend time with Him in prayer, something begins to vibrate and light up in your spirit-man. This is God’s pager leading and guiding you and preparing the answers for your circumstances. The only thing you have to decide is what do you want off the menu? What are you hungry for? God has a very extensive menu, one that is never-ending, and it has been specially prepared for you. So, the question is—are you going to sit long enough at His table and in His presence to order off the menu when it’s time?
Supplying All of Your Needs
Paul writes, “And this same God who takes care of me will supply all your needs from his glorious riches, which have been given to us in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:19 NLT).
Today’s encouraging word is this: How many of your personal needs will God provide? All of them! So, stop worrying and instead put your trust in Him as His pager goes off in your heart. It’s time to decide what you’d like from the menu!