Words to Live By

1- In our troubles and sorrows and “low times” of our life, God is using them to accomplish His will and change our character and spiritual condition. He is making us more like Christ. (Romans 8:29) One of my favorite verses is 2 Corinthians 4:17 (KJV) “For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, works for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory. . . .”

If it “works for us”, it is doing something for us; it is accomplishing God's will and we don't always know what that is, but we do know part of His will is make us more like Christ and to produce the fruit of the Spirit in our lives: “love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. . . .” Galatians 5:22-23 ESV

2- Another very important verse is Romans 8:28 (KJV) “And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.” God takes the “not good” as well as the good and “works them together for good” for those who know Jesus as Savior.

3- Think of the example of Jesus for both of those things. How terrible His death on the cross was—but it happened within the sovereign control of God. No one could take His life from Him, but He laid it down of His own accord because of His great love for us.

John 10:17-18 “. . . I lay down my life, that I might take it again. No man taketh it from me, but I lay it down of myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This commandment have I received of my Father.”

Now think of how much Jesus accomplished by His suffering and death for us: eternal life for so many people. In a much lesser way some of our hardships and suffering are accomplishing important things for others, too. You work very hard to take care of those 3 little boys but think of how much they need you! A lot of it brings you joy, but there's also a LOT of very hard work. And when they are older, they will appreciate what you did for them.

4- “What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us? He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things?” Romans 8:31-32

5- Faith is simply believing that what God says in His Word is true and then trusting or depending on the truth of what He said. “So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.” Romans 10:17 Think of the example of Job when all those terrible things happened to him and yet he believed God was working out His purposes through it all:

“But he knoweth the way that I take: when he hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold.”

Job 23:10 And Job said, “Though he slay me, yet will I trust in him.” Job 13:15 And he also said, “. . . the Lord gave, and the Lord hath taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord.” Job 1:21 When we don't “see” the reason for our problems, we can still trust God. That's what faith is—trusting God when we can't see what He is doing, but knowing that His purposes are good.

6- There is a reality to our problems that we don't want to overlook. And that is that God is with us through it all—AND He promises that He will not allow us to be tested beyond what we are able to deal with in His power--”but will with the [testing] provide a way of escape that you may be able to bear it.” 1 Cor. 10:13 So there is the reality that we are going to have many problems: Jesus said, “In the world you shall have tribulation” but He also added an important second reality, “but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.” John 16:33

Jesus’ victory has enormous meaning for our eternal salvation. But think of all this now as two parts to "realism": first, the difficulties to be faced and then the provision and strength and grace that God provides to face those very same difficulties and sufferings. His redemption is sufficient and His grace is sufficient and His strength is made perfect in our weakness. 2 Cor. 12:9 If you focus on the suffering or the problems, you may end up discouraged, but if you focus on Jesus and His provision to take us through the suffering, your heart will be glad even in the midst of a great trial of affliction. You know on whom you must rely, on whom you must trust–and it’s not yourself. Paul was "under great pressure, far beyond our ability to endure, so that we despaired even of life. Indeed, in our hearts," he wrote, "we felt the sentence of death. But this happened that we might not rely on ourselves but on God, who raises the dead." 2 Cor. 1:8-9 NIV

7- When Satan tries to get us discouraged, we have a promise from God, “Resist the devil and He will flee from you.” James 4:7 That is a very big promise and we need to use it.

8- My daughter Jeannine often tells me to be thankful—and that will help avoid discouragement. Her grandmother often said that you can't complain and be thankful at the same time, so be thankful!” That is an important part of dealing with the difficult, “low” parts of life. And you know scripture says so many times to be thankful and content with our lives. That's not always easy so we must work on it.

9- It's important, too, to take the long view and realize “the best is yet to come” when we go to heaven to be with the Lord. Scripture says, “Set your affections on things above and not on things of this earth.” Colossians 3:1 When I read Revelation chapters 21-22 it always causes me to rejoice and look forward to heaven.

10-Here is a wonderful verse to remember: Lamentations 3:32-33 (KJV) “But though he cause grief, yet will he have compassion according to the multitude of his mercies. For he doth not afflict willingly nor grieve the children of men.”

11-One of my favorite promises is Psalm 27:14 “Wait on the Lord: be of good
courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the Lord.” God tells us to
take the courage and strength He has already given us and use it, depending on Him.
He will then strengthen our heart to prepare us for the next test. So there is Comfort
from the strength He gives. We go from “strength to strength in the Lord.” Psalm 84:7
He puts strength in our souls. He gives us courage and He gives us strength.

12- Try to do everything with “gladness of heart” (Acts 2:46-47), taking what pleasure you can in your work. Of course some things are drudgery or difficult and not pleasurable, but take pleasure where you can. Scripture says that God takes pleasure, delight, and rejoices in the works of His hands. We should, too. Be thankful for the embellishments and beauty of life even in little things, a beautiful little flower among the weeds, the flitting of a lovely graceful butterfly, the birds in the air and their songs. The smile and excitement of a little child.

13-Take special care to build friendships and fellowship in the Lord. Our brothers and sisters in Christ are one of God's most important good gifts to us. “That which we have seen and heard declare we unto you, that ye also may have fellowship with us: and truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ. And these things write we unto you, that your joy may be full.” 1 John 1:3-4 Paul often wrote that he was “refreshed” by seeing and talking to his brethren. We are told to encourage one another daily. Heb. 3:13

14-The mark of the Christian is love—God's love given to us by the Holy Spirit. Romans 5:5 The evening before He died, Jesus told His disciples, “A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another. By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.” John 13:34-35 So we must think of the needs of others and not just ourselves. “Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.” Phil. 2:4 ESV

One of the best things we can do is to take our eyes off of ourselves and our own problems and see what we can do to help others, all the while looking to Jesus for example and strength. Actually that's the way to happiness in this fallen world.

15- “Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice.” Philippians 4:4 because “The joy of the Lord is your strength.” Nehemiah 8:10

We must feed ourselves from God's Word every day for “Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.” Mt. 4:4 Jesus Himself said that—quoting the Old Testament. “Thy words were found, and I did eat them; and thy word was unto me the joy and rejoicing of mine heart. . . .” Jer. 15:16