DEALING WITH DIFFICULTIES

When life becomes difficult, painful, and/or challenging we tend to give in to self-pity, bitterness, fear, and/or envy.  We become self absorbed in response to our circumstances not being what we want them to be [read Matthew 6:19-21].  This self absorption results in feelings of anger, frustration, hopelessness, and/or defeat [read Exodus 15:24, 16:2 & 17:3].  Just know that this path plays right into hands of the Evil One to isolate us, distract, dissuade, and disrupt us in the path God has for each of us as His best for our life.  When life delivers its challenges (and it will) remember who is in charge.  It is either you or it is God.  Your choice.  If it is God, turn to Him and praise Him in the challenges of life (not necessarily FOR the challenges of life) for all He has done in your life and it will serve as an antidote to the self-absorption that tends to overtake us in our challenges [read Romans 5:3-5].  Don’t get sucked down in yourself but get sucked outward to God in worship and praise and apply this by ministering to others instead of just yourself.  In other words, pivot from serving yourself to serving God and to serving others [read Philippians 2:3-4].  This honors God but also encourages others.  He will honor you for honoring Him [read Romans 8:17-18].  Turn your complaints into praises; your frustration into worship; and your self-pity to loving God and serving others.  In the difficulties of life embrace the privilege of suffering patiently as the One who is in control unfolds His plans for you in, with, and through your suffering [read James 1:2-4 & Galatians 6:9].