Psalms 107:19-21 – Then they cried to the Lord in their trouble and he saved them from their distress. He sent forth his word and healed them : He rescued them from the grave.

Lately, I have felt I have been struggling with adversity. It often feels like one wave crashing over me again and again with no break in between for me to catch a breath. During times like these, I become distracted by the waves that are crashing over me and I forget that I have God to pull me out of the waves. 

The Bible defines adversity as adverse or unfavorable fortune or distress. When I feel distressed, I lack joy and peace and when I am not at peace, I cannot think or hear God clearly. It is as if my mind is in a state of confusion in that distress and I struggle to think straight. During times like this, I become so focussed on that distress and forget to look to God to save me from my troubles. 

When I look to God in times of distress, I have the assurance of his safety and his peace. When I am focussed on who God is and what he can do, I no longer have to fear what I cannot see because it is God who goes before me. He sees what I cannot see and he is the one who is guiding and protecting me regardless of what may come my way. I must remember to take hold of the day for it is the Lord’s day and I will rejoice and be glad in it! 

“Don’t be afraid”, the prophet answered. “Those who are with us are more than those who are with them.” And Elisha prayed, O Lord, open his eyes so that he may see.”Then the Lord opened the servant’s eyes, and he looked and saw the hills full of horses and chariots of fire all round Elisha.

2 Kings 6:16-17

My reading this morning focuses on how God can help us and guide us even if the smallest things if we agree to yield to him. He wants to direct and instruct us because He knows that with direction we can grow spiritually. He can correct our mistakes and we in turn can learn from these mistakes and we gain wisdom.

In the same way we guide and direct children, God wants to do the same for us, His children. We are not born perfect, we are not born with wisdom and knowledge which is why we need God. Correction is not always pleasant at the time. I cringe when I think of the times I have to be corrected and directed because it reminds me that I don’t know everything even though I might think I do. Over time, his correction will not feel like a harsh punishment because it is done out of love. His love for me means I will not fail in my ways. He will be like a light that directs me when I do not know the way in which I should go. His voice will be gentle and not harsh.

“If you are not disciplined – and everyone undergoes discipline, then you are not legitimate, not true sons and daughters at all” Hebrews 12:8.

What do I need to do to have a teachable soul?

This is a question I keep asking myself. I want to have a teachable soul, I need guidance and instruction because I really don’t know much about a lot of things and nine times out of ten I turn to God to ask him what I should do in various situations. When my children are not listening what should I do? When I’m feeling exhausted and overwhelmed even by normal daily household chores, then what should I do? He always has an answer I’m not prepared for and this is why I need his direction and guidance. He may whisper that I need to take time out for myself and tackle one small household task today and take time time off for myself to recharge my batteries or he may whisper that one of the children might be acting up because he or she needs reassurance or extra attention at that particular moment. This in turn means I waste less time focusing my energies on trying to figure out how to fix the problem and more time focusing my energies on being spiritually filled and living life to the full each day. He requires an honest and open heart. A heart that lets its guard down so that He can teach that heart how to love when it’s hard to love, how to react in unpleasant situations and how to speak words of hope in situations that seem hopeless.