Finding Peace and Deliverance in the Midst of Tribulations
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A father is often seen as a child’s superhero, one who not only protects, but provides for his children. The love and compassion of a father to his children is priceless. A father is a precious gift from God to his children. Whether you are a stepfather, adoptive father, a single father, or a widower, you have risen to the challenges of fatherhood. God sees your efforts and sacrifices that you have made for your children. Therefore, as a father has compassion on his children, so the Lord has compassion on those who fear him (Psalm 103:13).
Motherhood is no walk in the park. It is a challenging yet rewarding experience. Mothers come in various ways. There are mothers who have never given birth to a child, but have been there for other children as if they were their own. There are mothers who have adopted children and are taking care of them just as if they were their own biological children. There are mothers who have miscarried, but despite this pain, continue to be a blessing to other children.
Then, there are mothers who have buried their daughters or sons, but continue to be mothers to others. There are mothers who are single, but still continue through the challenges to raise their children successfully. There are mothers who are widows, and have to raise their children without their fathers on this earth. There are mothers who have children who are just challenging, but continue to pray for and support them.
Mothers, God has seen how you rise to the challenges, whatever that look like in your life; and for that, you are honored on this special day. Many women have done excellently, but you surpass them all (Proverbs 31:29).
The Apostle Paul exhorted the churches in Galatia, “And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up” (Galatians 6:9). Although our good works will bring forth seasons of blessings if we are consistent in what we are tasked to do, our good works alone will not bring us salvation.
How Are We Saved?
For by grace, you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast (Ephesians 2:8-9). He saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit (Titus 3:5).
Because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved (Romans 10:9). And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved (Acts 4:12). Salvation is a free gift from God (Romans 5:15). For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people (Titus 2:11).
Some people come into your life and will stay a lifetime; while some people come into your life for a season. You will have to acknowledge and accept when the season for those people or situation in your life has ended. Ecclesiastes 3 refers to season. There is a time to seek, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away (v. 6).
God usually brings certain people and specific situation to challenge or encourage you as part of your spiritual growth and development. When you have learned whatever particular lessons that God wants you to learn, then he will let those people leave your life or the situation will come to an end.
People are the devil most successful weapon. If the devil doesn’t have anyone to utilize for his evil schemes, he will not be successful. You can overcome the devil. Submit yourselves to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you (James 4:7). Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour (1 Pet. 5:8). You can overcome evil with good (Rom. 12:21). Abstain from every form of evil (1 Thess. 5:22). Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. For you wrestle not against flesh and blood; but against darkness and the spiritual forces of evil (Eph. 6:11-12).
Plan A is defined as one’s original plan or strategy, while Plan B is defined as an alternative plan or strategy.
There are times when you may have decided on a Plan A. In addition, you may have prayed for God to work through your Plan A. Notwithstanding, this plan did not work out the way you had hope it to be. As a result, you may have been disappointed about this disruption to your plan. The devil can also allow you to think that God has forsaken you. However, you are reminded to be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go (Joshua 1:9).
You may also think that God is not in control of the situation. On the contrary, He is definitely in control of everything, despite what you may think. The heart of man plans his way, but the Lord establishes his steps (Proverbs 16:9). God is omnipotent, which means He has unlimited power and is able to do anything. Furthermore, the way you think is not necessarily the way the Lord thinks, “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the Lord. “For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts” (Isaiah 55:8-9).
The Lord is omniscient, which means that He knows everything, including the past and the future. Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make straight your paths (Proverbs 3:5-6).
All in all, God’s Plan B is always better than your Plan A.
Storms don’t last forever. It is scientifically proven that storms usually come to an end. The common idiom “after a storm comes a calm,” means that things will likely improve after a difficult and stressful season. Jesus did not promise that you will go through life on this earth without any difficulty. He reminded you that “I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world” (John 16:33). Therefore, if you are going through a difficult storm in your life right now, it will eventually come to an end. God is always on time, and He knows the right time for everything. For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under Heaven (Ecclesiastes 3:1).
Although it may appear that Jesus is sleeping during your storm, it is crucial for you to have faith and ride out your storm with Him; because at any moment He can calm your storm. Mark 4:35-41 recounts the moment that Jesus was in a boat on a lake with His disciples. But soon a fierce storm came up. High waves were breaking into the boat, and it began to fill with water. During the storm, Jesus was sleeping at the back of the boat. The disciples woke Him up, shouting, “Teacher, don’t you care that we are going to drown?” When Jesus woke up, He rebuked the wind and said to the waves, “Silence! Be still!” Suddenly the wind stopped, and there was a great calm.
Burden is defined as a load, but not just a typical one. It is a very heavy load. Therefore, if you have a burden carrying around, it is one that is weighing you down because it is very heavy. What burden are you carrying around with you right now?
Your burden could be a troubled marriage or relationship, a stressful job, a wayward or disabled child, a loved one who is struggling with a debilitating or terminal illness, grieving the loss of a loved one, a difficult financial situation, or even a stagnant spiritual life. Notwithstanding, if you do not identify the situation as a burden, you will not be able to give it to the Lord.
You are encouraged to cast your burden on the Lord, and he will sustain you. He will not permit the righteous to be moved (Psalm 55:22). Likewise, do not just give him some of the burden, but all of it. Also, do not become anxious to take back the burden when you already gave him control of it. You are reminded to cast ALL your anxieties on him because he cares for you (1 Peter 5:7).
One of Jesus’ last words from the cross, “It is finished” (John 19:30) is an important utterance. After this utterance, he bowed his head, and gave up the ghost. It was not to say that his life was over, as he would be resurrected on the third day after his crucifixion. However, it was an utterance to his father in Heaven to say that the purpose that he came to earth to accomplish was finished.
The Greek word translated for “It is finished” is tetelestai, meaning paid in full. Jesus paid the ultimate price for our sins. Therefore, because it is finished, this life on earth is not our final hope. For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in him should not perish, but have everlasting life (John 3:16).
Today someone close to me witnessed a man on a bridge about to jump to his death. He said, “I can’t do this thing call “life” anymore.” Fortunately, the police came and dissuaded the man from jumping to his death. He was taken into crisis for evaluation and help. After hearing about this incident, I began to pray for the people who are in despair and feel hopeless because of whatever challenges or crisis that they are currently facing in their lives.
There are so many things that are happening in the world around us at this time. COVID-19 has devastated many lives and continues to have an impact on society today. There are natural disasters, such as tornadoes, flooding, earthquakes, tsunamis, wildfires, and volcanic eruptions to name a few. There is a war currently unfolding in Ukraine, as Russia invaded that country. Furthermore, the UN reported that some countries are currently facing famines.
Jesus spoke about the signs of the times and the end of the age, as he sat on the Mount of Olives (Matthew 24). He told his disciples who asked him about the signs of the Lord’s coming and the end of the age that there will be many people who will come in His name, saying, “I am the Christ” and will deceive many (v. 4-5).
There will be wars and rumors of wars, but do not be troubled for all these things must come to pass. Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be famines, pestilences, and earthquakes in various places. All these things are the beginning of sorrows. Christians will be hated, persecuted and killed for His name’s sake. Many people will be offended, betray one another, and hate one another. Many false prophets will rise up and deceive many. And because lawlessness will abound, the love of many will grow cold. But those who endure to the end shall be saved. And the Gospel will be preached in all the world as a witness to all the nations and then the end will come (v. 6-14).
In the midst of despair in this world, you can still have hope. This hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in your heart by the Holy Spirit who was given to you (Romans 5:5). Jesus comforted you that you can have peace in Him; however, in the world you will have tribulations; but you should be of good cheer, He has overcome the world (John 16:33). You are reminded to cast your anxiety on Him because he cares for you (1 Peter 5;7). In every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your heart and your mind in Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:6-7).
Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit (Romans 15:13).
Disclaimer: If you or someone you know is experiencing suicidal thoughts or a crisis, please reach out immediately to the Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1800-273-8255, which is available 24/7.
Trust me, I've been there, I've looked, I've searched and I know now, that there are no answers to be found in the bottom of a bottle or on the edge of a blade! Fighting Hard, Recovering, Rebuilding, REBORN. Moving on from addiction to a new life.
Executive Chef Robbie Joseph brings more than 35 years of culinary experience to his Montego Bay, Jamaica based restaurants and bars: THE SEAHORSE GRILL and ROBBIES KITCHEN. Specializing in fresh seafood, steaks, pastas, local Jamaican favourites and world class, gobal cuisine with a twist of west indian flare. Combine this simply great food with the casual elegant ambiance of both restaurants and you have an experience you won't soon forget!!!
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