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There are many moments in life when we forget how fortunate and blessed we
truly are. Everything may be going well in our lives and a simple problem,
trial or set back makes us forget of all the things that we have to be
thankful for and we begin to murmur and complain about why these troubles
came our way. What we must quickly recognize and realize is that every
problem serves a purpose. Every trial, every heartache and every tough
situation that we wish we wouldn't go through serves a greater purpose in
teaching us, strengthening us and giving us a resolve to never give in and
never give up. We must consciously make a decision to look on the bright
side, to be thankful in the midst of the adversity and to have a deep and
assured knowing that all will be well in the end. We may not feel it or
see it, but we must believe it until our reality catches up with our
faith. We must remember that faith is defined in Hebrews 11:1 “As the
substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.” Until
our faith manifests what we have believed for, we have to hold on to our
faith, have a good attitude and trust that God will need our every need.
Another great way to see how fortunate you really are is to make yourself
available to someone else in need. When we look at those who aren't as
fortunate, we can begin to see how much we truly have. It is in looking
at the person who is having a harder time than you that you can begin to
understand and clearly see how blessed your life really is. A quote that
I love and think on often says “I heard of a man who complained about not
having any shoes until he met a man who had no feet.” To truly appreciate
our own life, we have to put ourselves in somebody else's place and feel
the heavy burden that they carry. If we do this, we will see for
ourselves how light our burden is by comparison.
Be encouraged to see how much God has given to you. When you are tempted
to complain about the temporary trial that is in your path, force yourself
to be thankful and do not allow yourself to murmur, complain and wish you
weren't in that situation. Every situation serves a meaningful purpose
and we just have to have the right attitude while we are going through it.
I hope this message inspires and challenges your heart to be the angel in
someone else's life so that you can feel the burden that they carry and
receive the reward of being an intercessor for helping to lighten the load
that they carry.
GETTING UP WHEN YOU'RE FEELING DOWN
Do you ever feel blah? Ever wish you had a permanent “picker-upper”? If
so, this may be for you.
In the 1920s, if you were looking for a little pick-me-up with your
mid-afternoon snack, you might have reached for a cold, refreshing glass
of 7-Up. Well, it wasn't called 7-Up back then, it was called “Bib-Label
Lithiated Lemon-Lime Soda.” (Say that three times fast!)
Inventor C. L. Griggs' original recipe included the antidepressant lithium
until the 1940s as a “picker-upper” (www.cadburyschweppes.com). The
original Coca-Cola formula also included a “picker-upper” -- cocaine.
Today, people not suffering from serious depression understand that they
usually don't need mood-altering drugs to cope with daily life. But most
folks struggle with bouts of mild depression, despondency or “the blahs”
from time to time. How do you pick yourself up when you're feeling down,
without the aid of Bib-Label Lithiated Lemon-Lime Soda?
I hope I'm not telling you anything new when I say that talking about the
reasons you're down, making needed changes, watching your diet, getting
enough exercise and sleep, developing a positive mental outlook and
utilizing spiritual resources are all important pieces of our emotional
puzzles. But one important strategy for feeling better (and one that's
least used) is as important as the rest. It is helping others in need.
Visit a shut-in neighbor.
Write a letter.
Call a friend who has been struggling.
Volunteer at church or the local food pantry.
Rake someone's leaves.
Bake homemade bread for a new neighbor.
Wash your spouse's car.
Volunteer to baby-sit for a young mother.
Plan an unexpected act of kindness.
Give a gift for no reason at all.
The needs are abundant, and those who put aside some regular time to do
something kind for others will often forget they were feeling low. Why does
is work? I don't know...it just does. Reach out and lift somebody else up
and for some wondrous and magical reason, you lift yourself up, too.
Corrie Ten Boom beautifully said, “The measure of a life, after all, is
not its duration, but its donation.” And if you've been feeling low, the
best time to donate a piece of yourself is now.
By Steve Goodier
Read and meditate on these scriptures:
1 Corinthians 12:26-28 “And whether one member suffer, all the members
suffer with it; or one member be honoured, all the members rejoice with
it. Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular. And God hath
set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly
teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments,
diversities of tongues.”
Galatians 6:7-10 “Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man
soweth, that shall he also reap. For he that soweth to his flesh shall of
the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the
Spirit reap life everlasting. And let us not be weary in well doing: for
in due season we shall reap, if we faint not. As we have therefore
opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of
the household of faith.”
Galatians 6:1-4 “Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are
spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering
thyself, lest thou also be tempted. Bear ye one another's burdens, and so
fulfil the law of Christ. For if a man think himself to be something, when
he is nothing, he deceiveth himself. But let every man prove his own work,
and then shall he have rejoicing in himself alone, and not in another.”
Romans 15:1-4 “We then that are strong ought to bear the infirmities of
the weak, and not to please ourselves. Let every one of us please his
neighbour for his good to edification. For even Christ pleased not
Himself; but, as it is written, The reproaches of them that reproached
thee fell on Me. For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written
for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures
might have hope.”
All of these scriptures can be found in the King James Version Bible.
Today’s Selected Poem: GOOD THINGS TO REMEMBER
Click here to read --- http://www.Godswork.org/enpoem129.htm
Today’s Selected Testimony: ALWAYS BE AVAILABLE
Click here to read --- http://www.Godswork.org/testimony27.htm
In Christ’s Service,
Dwayne Savaya
God’s Work Ministry |
