That is the painful reality of the world STRIKING us to the core of our inner beings. Striking our hearts, or souls, our emotions, even our FAITH.
But look at it this way: isn't it a great time for us to even WORSHIP GOD MORE? How?
Not that we worship Him because we need help from Him, but because THIS IS THE TIME WHEN GOD WILL REVEAL TO US HIS POWER in ultra mode (meaning "beyond (what we can perceive)"). Remember, Paul had this "Thorn in his flesh" (2 Cor. 12) that He asked God to take it away from Him. But Jesus only said that..
"My GRACE is sufficient for you, for my POWER IS MADE PERFECT IN WEAKNESS." | 2 Corinthians 12:9
Even Jesus, scared because of His incoming death, sweat blood and tears and asked His Father in Heaven to take it away from Him. But God didn't YET exalted (lifted up) Jesus higher than the highest of the Heavens.
True REALITY is this: that even Jesus was tempted and tried, suffered and died, YET, LIVED and ROSE from death forever. Paul assures this in his letter to the Romans that..
"If we get included in Christ's sin-conquering death, we also get included in His life-saving RESURRECTION." | Romans 6:8 MSG
Normally we blame God for our trials. I am a mumbler as well. I even ask God, "God, why is this happening?" Until He made me realize that this is HIM working in us, so that we may share in His resurrection power and restoration and an opportunity for Him to demonstrate to us His saving power and an opportunity for us to see it.
The world hates us. Yes. This is the reality of us, God's children. But Jesus said that we are not of this world, because we belong to Him, He to God, and whoever belongs to Jesus belongs to God.
"In this world you'll have trouble. But TAKE HEART! I HAVE OVERCOME THE WORLD!" | Jesus; John 16:33
These are some of God's promises that He even mentioned many times in the Bible, His strength-and-hope-giving Word:
"I will NEVER LEAVE YOU, nor FORSAKE YOU." | Hebrews 13:5, Deuteronomy 31:6, Joshua 1:5
"The Lord, your God will be with you wherever you go." | Joshua 1:9
"SURELY I am with with you always, to the very end of age." | Jesus; Matthew 28:20
"Do not fear, for I AM WITH YOU.." | Isaiah 41:10
This is the truth: GOD IS WITH US, so why be feeling down or be affected by anything the devil gives us or even people tramples to us? Have a David-like confidence in the Lord, saying "WHAT CAN MERE PEOPLE DO TO ME?" God is your strength. God is your HOPE. God is your refuge.
Just hold on to God's promises. He is ON OUR SIDE! "If GOD IS FOR US, WHO CAN BE AGAINST US?" | Romans 8:31
Nothing, not even a single thing, even death nor life, can separate us from God's love (Romans 8:38-39). So don't get affected, accept Christ's forgiveness, let go, move on, and BE EXCITED FOR GREATER and AMAZING THINGS from Jesus, for He said:
"You will see even GREATER THINGS THAN THESE." | Jesus; John 1:50
Lord, we ask that you open our eyes to see you at work in every trial. Help us to quiet our souls, and let us sing for your are with us. Even as we walk through the valley of the shadow of death and even as we are set into the blazing furnace of life, WE KNOW YOU ARE WITH US, and we will stand firm for you. I KNOW YOU ARE FOR US, and FIGHT FOR US! Help us to hold on to your word more. Teach us to obey and increase our faith, and let us see, know, and understand, even experience you more and more, and more. We will only look up to you and be excited for more! Glory and honor and praises are all yours!
In Jesus' Name. Amen.
