It's not always easy

“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world. “John 16:33

I began studying the book of Job. This book of the bible is a reminder that bad things happen to good people that being a Christian does not make you exempt from having problems. Jesus said that we would have difficult times, but that he would be our peace in those times. 

"Consider now who being blameless has ever perished. Where were the upright ever destroyed?" Job 4:7

When Job's "friend" Eliphaz spoke to him he showed him no compassion for his struggles. Instead he blamed Job and said that God must be punishing him a secret sin in his life. Sounds like a friend we would want to have when we were in the midst of trials right? I think in some ways we are a little like Eliphaz. Maybe we judge others, when we don't really know the situation. Maybe we think that if we do what God wants us to do we won't have any major problems. Maybe we complain or get angry at God when things don't go our way. 

Eliphaz thought he was helping Job, but he was just making matters worse. I think he could have learned a lot from Job. I think we could all learn a lot from Job. 

"Then the Lord said to Satan. Have you considered my servant Job? There is no one on Earth like him. He is blameless and upright, a man who fears God and shuns evil. And he still maintains his integrity even though you incited me against him without reason." Job 2:3

Job did not use his struggles as an excuse to sin. He still continued to serve God when things were not going good in his life. 

"His wife said to him are you still maintaining your integrity? Curse God and die. " Job 2:9

Poor Job! He didn't have any support or compassion from his friends or his wife. His wife told him that he should curse God and die. Even though he didn't have any support from his loved ones he still did not complain or blame God for his problems he kept his trust in God. Perhaps God was Jobs comfort when his friends and wife were not. 

“Why did I not perish at birth, and die as I came from the womb? “Job 3:11

Job did not pretend to have it all together or hide his struggles. Sometimes we think that as Christians we have to have it all together. We keep our struggles inside and do not share them with anyone, but God wants us to be open about our pain. He knows how we are feeling, and he does not want us to keep it in. I used to think that as a Christian I had to act like I had it all together. Christians were supposed to get their joy from God, so if I did not want into know. Inside I was hurting because of things I dealt with in my past. Then I joined a group called Celebrate Recovery that focuses on hurts, habits, and hangups. It wasn't until I started sharing the pain inside of me, that God started healing me. 

What did you learn from Job? Do you find it hard to keep your faith in struggles? Do you feel alone in the midst of what you are going through? Remember, you are not alone. Jesus is walking besides you and he is your source of peace. Have you been hiding your pain inside? Consider sharing your feelings with a trusted friend or counselor. Open up to God about your feelings. He is there and wants to listen. 

New Year Stronger Foundation

A few years ago I found an alternative to making a New Years resolution. Instead of making resolution that I'll probably break in a couple of days,  I pick a focus word for the year. Picking one word has helped me to work on one area of my life that God would want me to work on. Words in the past have been humility and love. 

"But anyone who hears these words of mine, but does not put them into practice is like the foolish man who built his house on sand. The rain came down, the streams rose and the wind blew and beat against the house, and it fell with a great crash." Matthew 9:26-27

My word for this year is foundation. I love the illustration in Matthew 9:24-27. I imagine two beautiful houses that appear to be built just as strong. It isn't until the storm comes that the true strength of each house is revealed. The foundation is the true strength of the house.

My goal is that Jesus would be my foundation. I want the words I read in the bible to be more than just words  but the way I live my life. 
"...But we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance, perseverance character, and character hope." Romans 5:3-4
In the parable with the foundation the storm was the indicator of the strength of the foundation. The same is true in my life. I need to be strong in my faith always. When others see me rooted in my faith, even in my trials it shows others how God has given me strength despite my trials. If Jesus is my foundation I can persevere through the rough circumstances. 

What is the foundation of your life? What would your life look like if Jesus was the foundation? What would you like your focus word to be this year?