When all else fails, where do you turn? That’s a rhetorical question, but one worth a good discussion since we all will face that dilemma as we go through life.
Perhaps you’ve faced business failure, bankruptcy or simply the loss of a job. Then again, it might have been a separation, significant health challenges or the loss of a loved one.
Sometimes we come to that point when giving up seems appropriate. Well, I want you to get up off the ground and consider what God has planned for you moving forward.
When a seed is planted in fertile ground, it is not buried for the purpose of lying dormant. In good time, when properly watered with ample sunlight, it will soon grow and multiply, bringing its fruit for the Gardener’s pleasure.
Yes, there needs to be weeding and tending to the soil for this to take place. We are no different than that seed buried in the ground.
Sadly, through the years we’ve all known some who have unfortunately cut their life short. Then there are those who needlessly feel they must take the lives of others to make a statement as to the futility of their failed lives.
But let’s limit our time looking at those who simply don’t know where to turn next in their feelings of hopelessness and helplessness. Many seem to fall into that category these days.
There is One we can certainly turn to, but many will not since they have no confidence in His existence. I’ve been following Him for more than 40 years now and He has never led me astray.
Yes, I’ve wandered off the path at times. Then in His perfect timing, I find my way back to my Shepherd.
We are all like lost sheep and easily go astray. In John 10, Jesus speaks extensively on His flock. He is the Good Shepherd and we can place our implicit trust in Him.
Let me share several verses from Scripture to help convince you that He is real. As a young boy I memorized Psalm 23.
Those first four verses of this Psalm of David follow:
“The Lord is my shepherd I shall not be in want. He makes me to lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he restores my soul. He guides me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake. Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.”
All these years, those words have comforted me. Even for the 30 years that followed my memorization prior to accepting Christ as my Savior and Lord of my life!
Life was not designed to be easy. The circumstances God places us through can make us stronger and more valuable to Him for His purpose.
Those experiences will often help others through similar challenges in their lives. After all, we have been created for His pleasure and purpose.
If we remember that, our perspectives on the challenges we face will take on a totally new complexion.
We are born with a sin nature, which unfortunately can create selfish desires and even evil thoughts that have caused great tragedies in the world through the centuries.
Our sin nature can cause irreparable damage to ourselves and those closest to us. There’s only one cure. Christ Jesus is the answer and He needs your obedience to conquer the sin within!