Coping

What do you do when you don’t know how to handle a situation? Some people run, others hide. Some people face it head on whilst others ignore that its happening. However we choose to deal with the situation it’s not going to change what’s happening. Nothing you do can chance the inevitable and so methods of how to deal with things are important. But all these ways mentioned above are human ways, ways that won’t help in the long run or truly change the situation. What we should do is turn to god in prayer. This may seem like a simple response or you think to yourself “here we go again” or “yes, but it’s easier said than done”. Well too true, I’m glad if you’ve heard it before because just hearing it is not enough. I’d tell you a thousand times if that would have an effect. Taking our troubles and situations to god isn’t something we should just do in glad or sad times but all the time. This brings us nicely onto the next cliché “its easier said than done”. Again I agree. When we don’t know what to do we want answers, we seek help from our friends, neighbours, colleagues, family, the man on the bus, sometimes it gets to a point where we tell anyone who will listen and who could provide is with some tangible advice. But where we need to go is to the cross and present our situation to god. He is the one who will truly listen, for he has planned it and understands. Sometimes we can find it hard that we hear nothing in return and no practical guidance is offered, but how often do we take the time to listen for his response or read his word in the bible. So often we limit the power of god and don’t allow his voice to shine through. Is it that God isn’t doing anything or is it that we aren’t allowing him to do anything?

I’m living in a world of uncertainty at the moment and it’s not easy! But I’ve come to realise that if I’m not giving god the opportunities to speak and tell me of how to cope or what to do than I’m not going to know. God knows it all, for he planned it before I was made. When you put it like that it seems stupid not to be asking him what to do and where to go. It’s good to have your own ways to get through the ups and downs of life but its better to listen out for god. In Philippians Paul says: in everything, through prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God and the peace of God that transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.

I pray that whatever situation you find yourself in through the coming weeks and months you will get through it in gods power and will spend time listening as well as asking and crying out to him. May God guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus and may you too receive the peace that transcends all understanding. Amen.