Life Challenges

As I prepared this post, my experience became more than a life challenge...I choose to call it my blogger challenge. It was a test of patience, willingness and commitment. Twice after writing and editting, I lost the post due to my not recognising that the internet connection was incomplete. I had to choose to give up doing the blog post or overcome the frustration and further demonstrate that I was really experiencing what I would be sharing. As you see, I chose the latter.


So, how have things been with you? What has been your latest challenge? How well have you been weathering your storms? Have you been able to gain new spiritual insights or learn new life principles? I have accepted in a new and deeper way that the admonition in 1 Peter 5:17 of "casting all your cares upon him: for he careth for you" is one that we cannot allow to leave our minds and spirit.


I had some experiences in the last few days that left me asking God afresh to lead and guide every facet of my life. I recognised in a deeper way how incomplete our lives are without the empowering of the Holy Spirit. I saw the need for the wisdom spoken of in James 3:17 that is pure, peaceable, gentle, easy to be entreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and hypocrisy.


As I sat with a friend who had lost her baby in a rather strange and shocking manner, and reflected on the various aspects of the encounter, we both recalled these lines:

We'll talk it over in the bye and bye

We'll talk it over my Lord and I

I'll ask the reason and He'll tell me why

When we talk it over in the sweet bye and bye.

In another situation I faced subtle redicule and synicism because of a stand I took that was not readily embraced. Mind you, I was right. I strengthened my resolves as I affirmed in my spirit:

My Jesus I love thee, I know thou art mine

For thee all the follies of sin I resign

My gracious Redeemer my saviour art thou

If ever I loved thee my Jesus 'tis now.

After vacation plans fell through and second plans also did not work, I battled anger, frustration and disappointment. I could not see beyond those emotions until I surrendered my spirit to the truth that God is concerned about every facet of my life and is able to take me through this.

I later shared the pain of a friend whose house was broken into and vandalised and some items stolen, including her laptop. I saw the value of and the need to 'bear each other's burden'.

Listen, life's challenges are not always easy to bear. In all of these expereience I have been reminded of a verse that I find potent. "Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord"-Ephesians 5:19.

Friends, use this and encourage yourselves as you face your life challenges. Shalom.