A life of bliss?

So you think Christianity is a life of bliss?  Peaceful walks in beautiful gardens.  Birds singing and animals prancing around as the light shines ever so beautifully through the fullness of the green trees towering overhead.  Tepid streams of water flowing over perfectly placed rocks and every flower you see is made up of the deepest and most beautiful colors you have ever seen.  Well, news flash!!  Being a child of God is hard work!  He never promises us that once we accept Him into our hearts that life is a cake walk.  Just last night Anita and I had a discussion about the difficulties that we are facing in our lives.  It seems like the closer you become to the Lord, the harder that satan tries to invade your life.  I study my Bible every day and try to hide its words in my heart so that I am prepared for any situation I might face.  I find that I am tested and tempted daily....no.....hourly.....no,  by the minute, sometimes.  People that I come into contact with throughout the day.  Episodes of battle between my children.  And sheer frustration from some things that I have absolutely no control over. 

The Bible teaches us about Jesus being tempted by satan also.  Mark 1:13 tells us that in the wilderness satan tempted Jesus for 40 days.  40 DAYS!!  Immediately following Jesus' baptism performed by John the Baptist he was driven into the wilderness and tempted for 40 days.  And guess what else, God's word tells us that "angels ministered to Him."  So our heavenly father took care of His son during the time of His temptation.  Jesus knows that each of us are tempted and we must deal with this conflict every day.  We can triumph over satan as well, by turning to the scriptures and prayer in times of trouble.  Yes, I know, we can't always prance around with a smile on our face and a spring in our step but, we can trust and obey.  We can view every trial as a lesson that we are being taught and we can learn something from it so that when something like it happens again, we are ready and we don't allow it to overtake us.  I know, believe me I know, how hard this is.  Tonight at church we sang "Til the storm passes by."  I love the message in that song.  We can stand in the hollow of Christs' hand until the storm of life passes by and we greet Him face to face in Heaven.

Blessings to all,
Latasha

Frustration and Staying Positive through GRACE!!!!

My heart just hurts watching my 16 year old daughter's frustration. Tearing her ACL in her right knee over a week ago, awaiting appointments, surgery and healing has been a struggle for her. She is a perfectionist and does not do well with change. I see her impatience. We all seem to want things "yesterday," and having to wait for anything can test us beyond what we think we are made of. God's mercy is perfect and unfailing! My mother used to tell me as a teenager, "Anita, God does not ever put anymore on your shoulders than he feels that you can handle." There are many times when I pray and ask God to exchange my frustration and replace it with an attribute he wants me to exhibit in my thoughts and mood. I stop, ask, and WAIT!
His timing is always perfect. God's mercy and tenderness falls down on us like a sweet gentle rain. I find myself feeling so frustrated for my daughter but know that with all things, God works it for his good and purpose. We may not understand the whys or the reason but we are being taught and molded along the way. To express this to my teenage daughter has been difficult, at times. They see things in the here and now. She considers this to be a tragedy in her life, I on the other hand see it is a disappointment but also am thankful and blessed. It could always be so much worse.

I watch her little sisters and how they have become patient, understanding and wanting to help her with everything. This irritates her and she gets very frustrated with having to depend on others for her daily needs. Her crutches have limited her somewhat in her ability to do some of the smallest things. This is real and it is Dependency!!! It is only for a time, a season, and with time, patience and hard work she will recover! I smile to myself. I still have not quite convinced her. :)

The lesson for all this:
Depending on God for every need! Letting him lead your life and depending on him to provide every need and want is surrendering to him. I am learning this daily in my own life. I want to try and fix things myself. Oh, boy can he do such a better job than I ever could. I have told my children that with any frustration they go through that " God loves you and wants to hear your frustrations. He loves you more than I could ever love you! Pray about it and let him comfort you." Sometimes I get those looks, "the rolling of the eyes and deep sighs." Other times they look at me in wonder and curiosity. I tell them TRY IT and see what happens! :)

Have a blessed day, Anita