1 Thing God Never Promised
God Never Promised Easy
There are certain privileges that accompany association:
If you are in the military, you get hotel discounts.
If you are affiliated with American Airline's frequent flyer club, you accumulate bonus miles for free travel.
If you work at Chick Fil A, you might get to eat the French fries left over at closing time.
If you are a sales clerk at Forever 21, you get an employee discount on clothing.
If your a spouse to a person who works in law enforcement, the highway patrolmen may let you off the hook with a warning for doing 75 in a 60 m.p.h. zone!
Here's the problem... Many people believe there are comparable "exclusive benefits" if they are associated with God. I used to be that person...I thought I was too blessed to become stressed and too anointed to become disappointed. The truth is we don't have some providential protection that surrounds us 24/7. We don't have an angel with us strong enough to keep us from every trouble, struggle, and tragedy. I know thats hard to believe!!
Here's the truth:
The reality is that we all face troubles every day…life is hard. Recently, I discovered that It’s only when I try to escape that reality that I am blindsided by the difficulty of life.
Following Jesus is hard.
Keeping Marriage pure is hard. Being a college student is hard.
Being a student athlete is hard.
Being a co-worker is hard. Being a great friend is hard.
Integrity is hard.
Parenting is hard.
Leading is hard.
All the dynamics of sustaining a true family is hard.
Perhaps you are here, saying things like...
Trouble suffocates me. Worry entangles me. By night I can't sleep, by day I can't rest. The burden of suffering is intolerable. Where is God?... Lord, where are you?
Can I tell you that He is not far from you? the Bible say that He is near to the brokenhearted.
Confession:
I’ve been praying through a lot much of it is dealing with my heart to become a better father to my son.
I am reminded how difficult life and family and relationships can be at times.
What God brought to my mind today is: Whoever said it would be easy?
Praise God! Praise Him for speaking. Speaking clearly and being alive and active in our lives.
HE NEVER PROMISED COMFORT.
He did promise strength for the day.
“Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I fear no evil; for Thou art with me; Thy rod and Thy staff, they comfort me.”
Do we trust Him? Once again....
God never promised easy, He promised His presence.
God never promised comfort, He promised to be comforting.
Jesus said “In this world you will have trouble, but take heart, I have overcome the world.”
Life is hard.
It is hard to tell the truth, when the easier thing to do is lie.
It is hard to stay when it’s easier to pack up and leave.
It is hard to be vulnerable when it’s easier to be fake.
It is hard to say your sorry when it’s easier to wait for an apology.
It is hard to serve when you feel you deserve to be served.
It is hard to give in when it’s easier to demand your own way.
It is hard to forgive when holding a grudge is justified.
It is hard to trust when trust has been broken.
It is hard to have faith, when faith has been lost. It is hard to have hope when despair is your companion. It is hard to persevere when giving up seems so much easier.
It will be hard. Your marriage will be hard. Your friendships will be hard. Your family dynamics will be hard. Your work relationships will be hard.Your faith in God will be tested.
So if you find yourself surprised and maybe even discouraged at how hard life is right now…
…take heart, Look up and Call upon the Lord, He has overcome the world.