How can you overcome the challenges in your life?
Unfortunately, obstacles and heartache are a part of the human experience. We can’t avoid them and will only cause ourselves frustration by trying to. The challenges of life come in many forms:
Conflicts with family.
Sleepless nights due to stress.
Holding a grudge because of a past hurt.
Thankfully, the authors of the Bible teach us how to overcome life’s challenges in healthy, spirit-filled ways.
Today, I want to meditate on several passages from Psalm 27— one of my favorites psalms. Here’s how it begins:
The Lord is my light and my salvation—
so why should I be afraid?
—Psalm 27:1
This psalm is written by King David and he has a way of putting things in perspective. Sure, there’s much in life that can cause us to fear. BUT…those things seem a lot less scary when we compare them to God.
God is the light of our lives.
God is the source of our salvation.
What can fear do in the face of faith?
Teach me how to live, O Lord.
Lead me along the right path,
for my enemies are waiting for me.
—Psalm 27:11
Our enemies will be different from King’s David’s. His were usually actual armies attacking his kingdom. Our enemies may be anxiety, anger, fear, or doubt. It will be different for each one of us.
In the face of our enemies, we must ask God to teach us and lead us.
When God is directing our paths, the enemies of our world will seem a lot more manageable.
I encourage you to spend less time avoiding your enemies and more time pursuing God’s teaching and direction.
The psalm ends with this encouragement:
Yet I am confident I will see the Lord’s goodness
while I am here in the land of the living.
—Psalm 27:13
My prayer for all of us who face challenges is to grow in the confidence of God. Particularly, to grow in the confidence that we’ll see God’s goodness.
Because the goodness of God is present with you.
Right now.
Right where you are.
When you see it, when you recognize it, and when you embrace God’s goodness, the challenges of your life will be seen in proper perspective.
This Sunday we’ll continue our series on Strange Stories. I’ll preach about a time when Jesus’ appearance changed so dramatically he was almost unrecognizable to his disciples.
Don’t forget to join us for Wednesday Night Dinner tomorrow! Bible study begins at 5 pm and dinner at 5:45 pm. The menu is lasagna, garlic bread, salad and brownies.
See you on Sunday!
—Pastor David
