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.

Gods perfect Timing

Have you ever felt like everyone around you has something or is doing something and you’re not included? I seem to have reached an age where lots of my friends are getting engaged and planning weddings. Of course not everyone’s engaged but everyone seems to know where they’re heading and have jobs or secure futures. I on the other hand, am living in a world of uncertainty not know what’s going to come up next. Don’t get me wrong I’m very happy for my friends and this is not a blog about self pity. Being in this situation has just caused me to reflect on timing and planning. It’s difficult to know what the best choices are but really we are very lucky because god has everything planned and however hard we try or whatever mistakes we make, we cant mess up his perfect plan for our lives. Gods timing is always right. He knows what we truly need and when we need it. What’s more he doesn’t just know this he act on it and provides for us, often so much more than just what we need. Although it’s hard when others have what you desire I am trusting that I’m in this situation for a reason. I’m not sure what god has in store for me over the next few months and years but I’m trusting that in his perfect timing it will be revealed to me. You can look upon uncertainty with excitement or fear. I’m going for the first one – a child of God walking with him and trusting in his perfect plan. (well that’s what I’m trying to do anyway)

There’s a time for everything (Ecclesiastes 3)

There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the sun,
A time to be born and a time to die, a time to plant and a time to uproot,
A time to kill and a time to heal, a time to tear down and a time to build,
A time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance,
A time to scatter stones and a time to gather them, a time to embrace and a time to refrain,
A time to search and a time to give up, a time to keep and a time to throw away,
A time to tear and a time to mend, a time to be silent and a time to speak,
A time to love and a time to hate, a time for war and a time for peace,

This is a commonly used passage (not always with good effect) but what’s important is that whatever we are going through god is there with us, guiding us and watching over every situation we find ourselves in. there is NOT a time when god isnt there with us!