It's ok to feel down

The world today is full of "positive thinking". There is of course nothing wrong with that! Scripture says to"think on the good things, the holy things, the things off good report" which is clearly a call to think positively. Yet sometimes, we get down. We feel depressed, beaten, oppressed, and that's ok too.

David had many examples in the palms of feeling less than positive. He had a rough life for much of it, being chased by the king trying to kill him, hiding in caves with criminals, not pleasant! Here is an example:

O Lord , do not rebuke me in Your anger, Nor chasten me in Your wrath. Be gracious to me, O Lord , for I am pining away; Heal me, O Lord , for my bones are dismayed. And my soul is greatly dismayed; But You, O Lord -how long? Return, O Lord , rescue my soul; Save me because of Your lovingkindness. For there is no mention of You in death; In Sheol who will give You thanks? I am weary with my sighing; Every night I make my bed swim, I dissolve my couch with my tears. My eye has wasted away with grief; It has become old because of all my adversaries.

Obviously, David is depressed. Reached the end of his strength. In his moment of crying himself to sleep night after might, he openly and honestly cries out to God for help. THAT is the key. David knew that God alone was the answer. He was honest with the one who could deliver him from bad times.

There is nothing wrong with feeling down, when things are tough. But it is wrong to look anywhere else than God for help. It's what we do when depressed that matters, not the fact that we have valid feelings.

David turned to God, and God heard. He continues:


Depart from me, all you who do iniquity, For the Lord has heard the voice of my weeping. The Lord has heard my supplication, The Lord receives my prayer. All my enemies will be ashamed and greatly dismayed; They shall turn back, they will suddenly be ashamed.
Psalms 6:1‭-‬10 NASB
http://bible.com/100/psa.6.1-10.NASB

Turn to God when things are bad. That is the lesson here. Don't fake being positive in an attempt to feel better, cry out in anguish to God. He hears and helps his people who turn to him. Trust the the bad times will turn to Joy, if we rely on God to step in.

posted from Bloggeroid

The lighted path

We walk along the path of life, an unknown path full of twists and turns. Danger awaits on each side should we misstep even once. The world around is unforgiving of mistakes, so we must walk carefully.

Worse yet, the world we travel through is dark as a moonless night. Sin is darkness, devoid of the light of God. Our path is bathed in darkness as we sell our way through day by day.

Man lives in fear along the path, fear of falling, fear of a wrong step, fear of going astray and suffering. How can we know this path? Man listens to the sounds, seeks advice from others in the path about where to turn, where is danger, how to survive and prosper. It is a constant diligent job requiring it total attention. Yet, our reality is, we venture through the darkness on an unknown path.

Picture walking along this unknown path is darkness, and a friend shows up with a flashlight. His light shines a spot of clear sight, but only a spot, a circle of understanding. We see clearly within the circle of light that he holds. Yet, only that spot, all else is in darkness. If the friends knows the path, and we stay close to him, he lights the way. We can relax and simply follow the light. How do we know we are going the right direction? The light! Since he knows the way, he holds the light, what we see is the way! We can trust that following the light, stepping where we can see, is the right direction.

Occasionally he shoved the light up ahead and we get a glimpse of the future, but only for a second. Once he turns the light back to our steps around us, the future disappears into the darkness. We can only walk in the light of a few steps forward, but as we take each step, more of the path is revealed. The light goes just in front to guide each step we take, but no more. Step by step we safely traverse our path, staying in the light. If our friend desires to show us the danger to the left or the right, he will do so by clearly announcing his intention, and shining the light on the danger. We see the danger but do not go there due to the warning. Then the light returns to the path before our feet.

One step at a time, following the butterfly lit path, trusting or friends to keep the light shining just ahead of the proper direction.

God is our friend who leads us. His glory is the light that illuminated our path. His light illuminates the path for our feet, and we see it clearly, but only a few steps ahead. If we see the future it is but for a moment. If we see danger it is clearly announced as such. We spend our time simply stepping into the spot of light right before us. He knows the way, he is the light, all we must do is stay close to Him and all is well.

Life isn't about education, doing things just right, learning the way to succeed. No. It is about staying close to the one with the light. Selling the right path day by day on our own is stressful and dangerous. Some make it, most don't. Instead, Jesus promised the comforter to guide us in all truth, guide or steps on the path. We don't need to worry about our steps, so long as we simply step into the light that we see. This is the peace that Jesus promised!

We dont walk close to God for the goal of success, so that we can see the way. No. That is usery. If we do so, he may will turn off the flashlights and leave us to find the path alone. Our reason for being with Him is to honor him as a friend, a father, a savior, the Creator. We want to be with him not to find our way to success, but to be with him. That is enough! That is the greatest blessing, to be allowed to walk along in the presence of our creator, it father. Every moment in his light is precious. The destination fades in the glory of each moment with Him.

This is how we find the destination of our path, this is how we succeed. We seek Him in all things. Not seek the path, but seek to stay closer to the one who knows the path and has the light, because he is our friend and confident. He is the way.

God blesses those who seek him. The blessing are not due to our "doing it right" or "being smart", the blessing is due to our seeking Him. Scripture remind us that seeking God, to be in his presence, is the goal that leads to succeed so long as we don't seek him for the purpose of success. We seek him because we desire to be with Him regardless of where the path leads. He is the prize, the success.

This is the vision of following God, just stay close to him enjoying his presence. His light will show us where to step, one step at a time. Where we see clearly, just step. Of we only see one step ahead, take that step. The light that allows us to see that one step is showing us the way. If we can see a step, and there is no warning of danger, then that is the right step to take! Relax, he is the light, he knows the way, he shows the way.

O fear the Lord , you His saints; For to those who fear Him there is no want. The young lions do lack and suffer hunger; But they who seek the Lord shall not be in want of any good thing.
Psalms 34:9‭-‬10 NASB
http://bible.com/100/psa.34.9-10.NASB

Who is the man who fears the Lord ? He will instruct him in the way he should choose. His soul will abide in prosperity, And his descendants will inherit the land. The secret of the Lord is for those who fear Him, And He will make them know His covenant.
Psalms 25:12‭-‬14 NASB
http://bible.com/100/psa.25.12-14.NASB

posted from Bloggeroid