Not Losing Hope In Spite Of Your Circumstances

For you formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother's womb. I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well. My frame was not hidden from you, when I was being made in secret, intricately woven in the depths of the earth. Your eyes saw my unformed substance; in your book were written, every one of them, the days that were formed for me, when as yet there was none of them. - Psalm 139:13-16

 Pastor Chuck Swindoll is quoted as saying "Life is 10% circumstances, positive and negative, and 90% how we respond to the circumstances."

I recently listened to a sermon about keeping "the proper" perspective on my life. The negative circumstances that we face can be a result of our doing -  sin - or things that were outside of our control - the doing of others. In other words, did it happen to you or did you cause it to happen. 

My mom wrote a poem in 1974 about Jonah that my baby sister recently shared with me. Because Jonah said "no" to God and fled there was a storm - it happened because of Jonah's sin. When Jesus sent the disciples out in a boat and a storm arose - the circumstance was a result of God's providence - not sin. The same with Job. His friends accused him of sinning, but he had not. I am sure you have heard someone say "They brought it on themselves!" Well, maybe and maybe not.

If you brought it on - repent - but, though forgiven, you may not get relief from the consequences or the resulting circumstances - but you can find the strength to persevere. 

When you find yourself in negative circumstances - a question you should ask is "Lord, how will you use this for the kingdom and your glory?" What I am alluding to is having a spiritual perspective on earthly circumstances. Seeing life through the prism of the Spirit, the eyes of your heart, and not merely through the eyes of men. Paul wrote to the church of Ephesus ... 

I do not cease to give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers, that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of him, having the eyes of your hearts enlightened, that you may know what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power toward us who believe, according to the working of his great might. - Ephesians 1:16-19

You may not be able to control the circumstances that you encounter in this life, but you can control how you respond to them. That begins and ends with keeping your eyes fixed on Jesus and your heart fully devoted to God the Father. But if you are not consistent in practicing the disciplines of your faith then you might be in trouble when trouble comes. You will feel the weight of your trouble on your shoulders.

I lift up my eyes to the hills. From where does my help come? My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth. He will not let your foot be moved; he who keeps you will not slumber.  Behold, he who keeps Israel will neither slumber nor sleep. The Lord is your keeper; the Lord is your shade on your right hand. The sun shall not strike you by day, nor the moon by night. The Lord will keep you from all evil; he will keep your life. The Lord will keep your going out and your coming in    from this time forth and forevermore.  - Psalm 121

Think about it – Pray about it – Believe it – Walk in it. Let your light shine and give God the glory.

By Faith Alone By His Grace Alone And For His Glory Alone