It is a sad day when one of God's creations decides that life is not worth the living, that things are just too difficult. God's heart weeps for any of His sons or daughters who make such a decision. The sorrow is that it is indeed the wrong decision. We murmur and complain and fall into depression because we have believed the lie that things are not going to get better. They are going to continue as they are now forever, so what’s the use of living? But the truth is, things do change. Situations do change. Even your attitude towards the situation you find yourself in changes.
How then can we tell when that little voice of conscience is of God or of the enemy? Here’s the answer: when the voice is positive, encouraging, faith building; then it is of the Lord. When the voice is critical, negative, or causes you to be discontent, bitter, or discouraged; that voice is not of God and we must reject it and resist it with all our heart, mind and spirit. Life is what we make of it. Even an aged Pope suffering with Alzheimer can be a good example of suffering graciously.
Life is sacred. But people do not want to hear that in today’s secular, materialistic world. They want the freedom to act as they wish, pushing my old traditional guidelines to the wind. The want the power of choice. They just want to just Do It! But life is not something you should take for granted and each life affects many more. We are just passing through this life. It is indeed very short and will soon be gone. Therefore, enjoy it! Instead of thinking and worrying about your own personal situation, get busy helping others. That's the therapy. Forget your own dam self, of course, you have problems and are a hell of a mess. Everyone is.
Put your eyes on Jesus, the author and finisher of your faith.[1] He has promised to be with you through all your tribulations. Even the one you are going through now. You can make it, if you call upon Him. Like He said to His disciples, “Come unto me all ye that are weary and heavy laden, and I will give you rest,” or as in the Spanish translation, “make you rest.” “Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly of heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”[2]
God has promised that all things that happen unto us, He will convert to good, if we will only love Him with all our hearts.[3] Nothing can separate us from God. Paul wrote,
"Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?...Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him that loved us. For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord."[4]
In the Psalms we read,
"Whither shall I go from thy spirit? Or whither shall I flee from thy presence? If I ascend up into heaven, thou art there: if I make my bed in hell, behold, thou art there. If I take the wings of the morning, and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea; even there thy hand leads me, and thy right hand shall hold me. If I say, Surely the darkness shall cover me; even the night shall be light about me. Yea, the darkness hides not from thee; but the night shines as the day: the darkness and the light are both alike to thee. For thou has possessed my reins: thou has covered me in my mother's womb. I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvelous are thy works; and that my soul knows right well."[5]
Therefore, when the enemy of your soul tempts you to get down and discouraged and you hear that little voice telling you to end it all, call upon the Lord with all your heart and He promises He will come running and He will be with you.[6] Your future is as bright as the promises of God. Comfort yourself by reading God's word. Strengthen yourself by listening to encouraging music that is positive, uplifting and reminds you of God's promises. There are many good Christian hymns or positive secular songs that can bring you the encouragement that you need.
Be positive. Speak positively. Sing, praise and shout the victory and it will be yours as you draw nigh to God. Don’t just sit there and be inactive. Do something. You won't be sorry if you keep on keeping on. Anything wonderful can happen in that little moment of time when you don't give up, when you don’t quit. Keep on believing. You’ll be glad you trusted God tomorrow and so will your loved ones. Keep your eyes on Jesus, not the pit of discouragement. He promises you that He will not fail you nor forsake you.[7] Nothing can or will be able to separate you from the love God.[8] He loves you. Meditate on that truth and that alone should help you to fight to live another day. You are needed, right where you are. Don't quit. You will be glad you trusted in God, tomorrow! You can remember the inspiring words made famous by Charlie Chaplin in the song “Smile.”
Smile though your heart is aching
Smile even though it's breaking.
When there are clouds in the sky
you'll get by.
If you smile through your fear and sorrow
Smile and maybe tomorrow
You'll see the sun come shining through
For you.
Light up your face with gladness,
Hide every trace of sadness.
Although a tear may be ever so near
That's the time you must keep on trying
Smile, what's the use of crying.
You'll find that life is still worthwhile-
If you just smile.
That's the time you must keep on trying
Smile, what's the use of crying.
You'll find that life is still worthwhile-
If you just smile.[8]
Smile by Charlie Chaplin: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rHPDrInbybw
Some other songs you could listen to are listed below:
Josh Groban, “You Raise Me Up!” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oni0tO_HN30
Celine Dion & Josh Groban, “The Prayer” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=idtNxZYnxIw
The Gaither Vocal Band, "Because He Lives" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=spa7WkwjwGw
Celtic Woman, “You'll Never Walk Alone” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7du-RHGrJrA
Don Quixote, “The Impossible Dream” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RfHnzYEHAow
The Gaither Vocal band, “The Love of God” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k6B_jYtjvME
Simon & Garfunkle, “Bridge Over Troubled Waters” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jjNgn4r6SOA
“One Day at a Time” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uzAUuX5g6KY
Andrae Crouch, “Through it All” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tFzdFzzBqTc
Carrie Underwood, “How Great Thou Art” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pLLMzr3PFgk
Notes
[5] Psalm 139:7-14
[6] Jeremiah 33:3
[7] Hebrews 13:5
[8] Romans 8:38,39
[9] http://www.metrolyrics.com/smile-lyrics-charlie-chaplin.html
[7] Hebrews 13:5
[8] Romans 8:38,39
[9] http://www.metrolyrics.com/smile-lyrics-charlie-chaplin.html
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