The weekend verse
I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.
John 16:33 NLTThoughts on the weekend verse...
The second sentence of this verse holds so true -'Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows'. And this applies for all of us, I'm sure. But it is the beginning and ending sentences of this verse that give us hope and consolation. Our peace is in the Lord and He has overcome the world.
The bible is a book consisting of many books and if we're familiar with it, we can find hope for continuing on in the face of adversity and we know the final outcome! In very simplistic terms, good prevails and evil is defeated - Amen! But in the mean time, we will have or experience many trials and sorrows... Jesus himself was described as 'a man of sorrows, acquainted with much grief' (Isaiah 53:3).
Should our lives be any different than the one whom we strive to follow? I know there are some religions that preach 'health, wealth and prosperity' but I just can't reconcile that belief or philosophy with the word of God. Trust me, I'm not saying that I'm right, but I have yet to find that specific teaching in the bible.
I do believe that God will use our trials and sorrows in molding us into His image and to allow us to minister to others who may be experiencing like situations. Again, I think this is in line with the Jewish tradition of 'sitting shiva' with another person who is sorrowing. I think it is important to remember that when we are going through these times that we remember they are just 'times' or seasons that we are passing through.
For now, my season of illness and recovery are past, I have received clearance to return to work on Monday. However, I am so aware that even though I may be doing all the things my cardiologist recommends - eating a 'no fat, no cholestrol, low sodium, if it tastes good - spit it out' diet and exercising daily - I could still fall over dead with another heart attack tomorrow, or even today. But I'm good with that. You see, Jesus and I have had some real quality time beginning with the helicopter transport on June 10th. I am His and He is mine.
My prayer...
Abba Father, Lord of all heaven and earth - hear my prayer. May I be a good ambassador for You and christianity. May I reflect You well when experiencing trials or sorrows in my walk. May I be filled with Your Spirit so that I may discern when someone else is sorrowing or having trials in their life. May I be able to minister to them. In Jesus' name ~Amen!
Yours, because we're His,
Tamara
That is good news, getting an ok to go back to work. Also, if it tastes good spit it out was very funny Tamara.
ReplyDeleteHave a good Sunday.
I love your attitude, Tamara!
ReplyDeleteWhenever I get nervous about myself or a loved one, in times of sickness, I try to remind myself that God knew even before we were born the day, the hour, and the very second that we would be going back Home to Him, and then the fear of 'what if' leaves me and I put it all in His Hands where it belongs.
And I so agree with you on the 'if it tastes good' theory! I say that to my husband all the time, if it tastes good it's bad for you! And it's the same thing with exercising! I ask you, why can't sitting at the computer be good for your health?! Why can't eating tons of chocolate be the thing that's wonderful for building a healthy body?!
Oh well, in a perfect world...
Maybe in the next one!
Congratulations, Tamara!
And a very nice, generous-of-heart prayer!
All the best,
Eileen
Hi Tamara, Congratulations on getting the green light to return to work. I hope you will work at your own pace until you are use to your new routine.
ReplyDeleteA lovely verse and as usual I am uplifted by your prayer.
Take care.......:-) Hugs