“Life is No Bed of Roses”

Some people are strong and can adapt to all their own problems while showing patience with the problems of others around them. It’s not that they want to ignore those others; it’s just that they have problems of their own. Some people are less strong and fall apart confronting problems – real or perceived. Still, we have too many people blaming God for their misery, confusing God with life. Is this a prevailing condition in our society, you might ask. Yes. Unhappy incidents and problems abound,and afflict good and bad people without distinction. In thinking of all the many individuals, I personally know and have known on this good earth, pondering on each one of them for only a few seconds to a few minutes, brought me to the realization that every one of them lived with some sort of adversity. All face one or more problems of varying kinds with varying degrees of seriousness. Overall,however, most realizing it or not, hardship makes character. As one would expect, each one handles their situation in their own way. What this article wishes to make clear is that everyone you meet is involved with personal battles. Often only familiarity with a person makes you aware of it. Nevertheless, the thing is their life is no easier than yours is. Appearances are deceiving. Prove to yourself that what I am discussing is so. Stop, think of each person you know that is more than a brief acquaintance. Give them thought for a few minutes – and only a few minutes. You will realize each of them has to endure something or someone they would prefer not. They usually do their best not to broadcast their troubles, just as you live quietly with yours. St. Paul had his problems and sought God’s help and God told him: “My grace is sufficient for thee, for strength is made perfect in weakness.” St. Paul exclaimed “Gladly therefore I will glory in my infirmities, that the strength of Christ may dwell in me. Wherefore I am satisfied, for Christ’s sake, with infirmities, with insults, with hardships, with persecutions, with distresses. For when I am weak, then I am strong” (II Cor. 12:7-10). Although everyone I’ve known has some sort of unhappy situation or problem, it’s unlikely we suffer as St. Paul. It’s a fact that we can learn from St. Paul’s experience and offer our infirmities to the Lord, as we press on with life. God did not promise a life of roses without thorns. Let’s place things in proper perspective, shall we. Let’s not confuse God with life here. However, from His Cross God did promise undying love. Someone described this undying love in a poem; I share it with you here: Undying Love God hath not promised Skies always blue, Flower strewn pathways All our lives through; God hath not promised Sun without rain, Joy without sorrow, Peace without pain. But God hath promised Strength for the day, Rest for the labor, Light for the way. Grace for the trials, Help from above, Unfailing sympathy, Undying love Go about your business and do the best you can. Remembering that you are not alone with afflictions. Gain strength for yourself by believing in yourself at every turn. You came into the world blameless, make it your aim to leave it the same way. No one said it would be easy, but it does not need to be impossible either. God gives us the strength we need to endure or overcome for every situation. All we need to do is believe in Him, make Him part of our life. Make Faith, Hope and Love a priority right now. "I find death perfectly desirable; but I find life perfectly beautiful" - Unknown Thanks for visiting. - Bob Phil 1:21