The poem on my other blog at Step Ahead was inspired by “Dilute What Pollutes”.
Because of Jesus, the future is brighter because rules and regulations do not restrict us since we are free to live our lives according to the prompting of the Holy Spirit. We can accept all and are fee to more easily carry out our lives in a positive manner using the unseen qualities of faith, hope, and love.
Let us celebrate today with the song Clear Skies by Ernie Haase & Signature Sound.
Your words have supported those who stumbled; you have strengthened faltering knees. - Job 4:4
The post “Empower with Hopefulness” has some thoughts on being considerate of others in their time of need. Pointing out the good they do is a virtuous deed and expressing the strengths you see in them empowers them with needed hopefulness in troubled times.
Words can build us up or break us down. Be inspired by the song Words by Hawk Nelson and pray that your words add to life, are true, and empowers others with what they need to affect their life in a positive way.
Photo Source – “Bing.” Microsoft. N.p., n.d. Web. Images >.
What we say to others can affect their whole life. We need to be careful when accusing someone of wrong doing because like throwing out pieces of paper, the pieces of what we say will spread in the wind and we will be unable to gather up the trash we threw out.
We are now reading in Job 4-5 and we know the story of Job’s life. That God is testing Job. He has been a teacher, strengthened many, and an encourager but now trouble has come to him.
The speech of Job’s friend Eliphaz has some good advice when he emphasizes getting help from God when faced with troubled times. Being considerate of others in their time of need is a virtuous deed. By pointing out the good they do and expressing the strengths you see in them, you empower them with needed hopefulness in troubled times.
Eliphaz has learned that God does the following:
But Eliphaz doesn’t know the full story of Job like we do. Does the advice of Eliphaz assume that Job has done wrong and deserves to suffer? We all are born into a troubled world with much hardship and trouble so we can’t always assume that the person going through troubled time deserves it. We have to be careful in falsely accusing someone of doing something wrong.
This day with You Lord, we ask that you help in using words that build others up. Not to tear them down because only You know what they are going through. We pray today that our words add to their life, are true, are kind, and point the world back to You. Amen.
Why are you downcast, O my soul? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise Him, my Savior and my God. – Psalm 42:11
The take away from “Questions During Dark Times” is that the mind may get tired, the body weak, confidence may be shaken, or patience strained but we can maintain hope in our struggles because God has provided light for dark times.
Some days, we may feel in the valley low but as the song I Have This Hope by Tenth Avenue North says, God is with you and won’t let go.
Photo Source – “Bing.” Microsoft. N.p., n.d. Web. Images >.
Job had been a wealthy man when tragedy struck but he responded well to the first test when he lost his children, his livestock, and his property. The second test was painful sores from the soles of his feet to the crown of his head (Job 3:7).
When going through difficult times, the mind may get tired, the body weak, confidence may be shaken, and patience strained. In Job 3, questions are asked by Job and he was in a dark time. The common element of the questions Job had are about his life. He asked for what reason he was even born?
Success followed immediately by tragedy provokes many questions. Thoughts about what happened, why did it happen, and bitterness may set in. It is during tragedy, that we understand more about those in desperate situations. We can sympathize and when the questions are asked, we have a better answer for them.
A person in the lowest valley needs to hear that God will start to work things out. If Job made it out, there is certainly hope for them. They can get back on track and start again to climb the highest peak again if they maintain hope in their struggles.
Father God, You have provided light for dark times. Today, we examine our hopes and dreams and believe You can take them to a level that we never imagined before. We remember What Jesus went through on the cross. There may be times of struggle, pain, and despair but the morning light will dawn and we can emerge from the darkness into a brighter future. With You, there is sure victory because our ultimate hope is in Jesus. Nothing we ever face will be greater than what Jesus has given with the Holy Spirit. In His name we pray … Amen!
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