Living With Purpose
Courage is one of the few personal safety resources we carry with us in this world. Some people go mincing along having to cautiously look over their shoulder for clever people who try to take advantage of others. And yet, when tragedy happens, or something we didn’t ask for inevitably happens, some people have come to the self-realization that it’s God who punishes them by sending trouble, heartache, and difficulties. Such an idea of God would be more fitting of the devil than of a loving God who sent His only Son to die for our sins. If we go along through life feeling and acting as though the whole world is against us, including God, then we have a sure recipe for misery. We must have courage and understand the world belongs to God, not the devil. We must know and believe God has not deserted us, but still causes “all things to work together for good to them that love Him”. Although we see ungodly people prospering and good people suffering from all kinds of trials, we yet know that the “all things” will work out their righteous result in the end. We mustn’t despair in our present circumstances or in the dark clouds that linger above us, but we must cling to the hopeful thought that the rainbow of God’s promise will span the clouds and shine brightly on us once again. A way to be safe and make everyday life more tolerable is to keep in tune with God’s plan. God always wants us to do right, of course. But we must embrace the hard fact; we will always have discord and an unsettled spirit when we’re consciously doing the wrong things. Many a person frets over the fact they can’t find peace for their life, when all they have to do is ask what is right, and then try to do it that way every day. Do the right thing. Can it be any simpler than that? I think not. We have the capability of overcoming all circumstances in life.
There’s no storm of trouble that can keep God’s Holy messengers, the angels, from coming to our aide and helping us. There’s no dungeon to deep or too dark that God’s messengers will not find their way into it. There’s no door that can keep the hand of God from attending to our every need. In the midst of every difficulty you have to endure, if your heart is right with God, there will be sweet music that can more than make up for the trouble you have to face. Keep your heart right, and you’re assured the blessedness of God’s melodious peace.
In my second pastorate I served in a little country church. I’d often sit on the front porch of the parsonage during the late night hours and listen to the crickets that would join in nature’s band. A favorite poem of mine reads: “There’s a cricket within the Christian’s heart, and a pleasant song sings he; Let him sing of the mercy and love of God that hourly falls on thee. Let him whistle them out full loud and clear; and never be drowned in sorrow’s tear. But all through the dark of trouble’s night; let him chirp and sing till the morning light!” Routinely, seek out times of quietness so you can obtain divine strength that will enable you to have courage during stressful times.
Another way in which to be safe and make life tolerable is to be quick to make amends for any blunder you might have done. We’re human and prone “to make mistakes as sure as the sparks fly up from a fire” (Job 5:7). Some people’s mistakes never seem to hurt them much because they repent of them and get them out of the way. Some people are like King David, who was a man after God’s own heart, not because he never blundered, but because he was quick to repent and confess his sin and take a new direction. How many times when we find we’ve misjudged a friend or person, and through some misunderstanding have taken a wrong position? If we would confess it immediately we could make things right then move on. But if we go on stubbornly holding to our own way, because we don’t want to change, we cause our heart to be cold and less sensitive to other important things in our life.
In addition to these few things, in order to be safe and make life more tolerable, we should practice patience more. To refrain from using vengeful, hurtful words, that we might regret, will save many uncomfortable moments. It may rankle your spirit for a few moments, but keep your tongue still and close your mouth. The person, who angered or annoyed you, will not be hurt and later you will thank God for helping you in your restraint. Read the lyrics from the old hymn, “Sweet Patience, Come”—“Not from a low and earthly source waiting, till things shall have their course. Not accepting present pain, in hope of some here after gain. Not in dull and sullen calm, but as a breath of heavenly balm. Bidding my weary heart I submit, to bear whatever God sees fit; Sweet Patience, Come!”
Those that wait upon the Lord will renew their strength, overcome heartaches quicker, and find themselves in a much better place to handle the difficulties of life.
• This bi-weekly column is written by Matthew Dobson. He’s the author of the following books: “Living With Purpose (Volume’s I, II, III, and IV)”; “Loving Others With Purpose” and “Running With Purpose”; He can be reached by email: rmdobson@liberty.edu.
