Not long back a friend was struggling and I sent the following as an encouragement for his/her contemplation.
Greetings my friend! I continue to pray for you and your family. What you will read below is more “the comfort by which I have been comforted by God” than advice. Just for reflection sometime… OR “File 13.” These are a few basic thoughts that drive my thinking over my emotion when life obstacles comd my way (Consider embracing them yourself). This is God’s will for you which he IS working in your life! (Phil 1:6, 2:13):
I came that they may have life and have it abundantly. (Jn 10:10)Blessed are you when people hate you and when they exclude you and revile you and spurn your name as evil, on account of the Son of Man! Rejoice in that day, and leap for joy, for behold, your reward is great in heaven; for so their fathers did to the prophets. (Lk 6:22-23)These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full. (Jn 15:11)Ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be full. (Jn 16:24)I am coming to you, and these things I speak in the world, that they may have my joy fulfilled in themselves. (Jn 17:13)Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid. (Jn 14:27)
God accomplishes the above THE WAY HE DEEMS BEST. Therefore I CHOOSE TO BELIEVE THE FOLLOWING…
1. God loves me unconditionally and works for my joy and peace (See above scripture),2. Therefore, everything he causes or allows is ULTIMATELY for my good,3. I have found that meditation and reflection on Scripture guards my heart and emotions (Phil 4:6-7, 9),4. I make a conscious decision to believe God is sovereign and in control of life and it’s events (See 1 & 2 immediately above),Is 46:9-10; Eph 3:20; Deuteronomy 32:39; 1 Samuel 2:6-8; Isaiah 45:5-7; Jeremiah 27:4-6; Psalm 115:35. I consciously choose to believe God and take him at his word over my feelings and emotions,6. Everything God does is for my good, to MAKE me more like Jesus (Ro 8:29).7. Therefore I choose to trust him, believe him, and have faith in him… regardless of circumstances.8. I choose to understand circumstances in light of God’s Word, not God’s Word in light of circumstances.
Therefore my choice is to… in all things…
Phil 1:27 Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ.
Ro 12:18 If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all.
Ro 12:20 “If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink…” 21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
Eph 4:31 Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. 32 Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.
I pray the Scripture and reflections will encourage you…