The Rollercoaster Ride of Your Life

Good morning, my friend!  Good morning, Father!

"When things are going well for you, be glad, and when trouble comes, just remember: God sends both happiness and trouble; you never know what is going to happen next." - Ecclesiastes 7:14  

When I read a book I would consider the book boring if only good things happened in the story.  It is the conflict and rollercoaster of events that makes the story interesting.  It makes for a great story to have all sorts of twists, turns and conflict.  In my own life, however, I just want smooth sailing every day...no drama...no trauma...no pain.  But it is through those ups and downs that You give us the opportunity to live a life of adventure and impact.  We are afforded the opportunity to learn about You, ourselves and our fellow man, and we have the choice to become "bitter" or "better" as a result of our response to them.  

In this rollercoaster of life, it can come down to whether we trust that the ones who designed it and maintain it know what they were doing.  If we don’t trust either one of those people, the ride can be a white-knuckled terrifying experience.  If we know the designer and those performing the maintenance are responsible, we can throw our hands in the air and enjoy an exhilarating experience.

Father, I lift my friend.  You are the architect and keeper of their life.  There are times they travel in darkness and their life is shaken and takes unexpected turns.  It can be frightening to not know what lies ahead.  Thank You that they are safe in Your hands.  “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world." - John 16:33.  On this tumultuous journey, remind them of Your presence.  Be with them, offering peace and safety.  Grow their trust in You, that their hands tightly clenched, clinging for dear life to anything that appears to be stabile, would instead be thrown into the air as they enjoy the ride.  Give them eyes to see You as their helper and protector, and the faith to believe You are good and will get them safely home. 

“My friends, consider yourselves fortunate when all kinds of trials come your way, for you know that when your faith succeeds in facing such trials, the result is the ability to endure. Make sure that your endurance carries you all the way without failing, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing." - James 1:2-4.  In Jesus Name  ❤️

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Unshakeable Hope

Image
  UNSHAKEABLE HOPE By: Julie Souza Bradley Lilly “Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts.” - Psalms ‭139:23  ‬NIV As the times we are in are heating up, our eyes search for HOPE and comfort.  We look longingly over our shoulder at the “Good Old Days”—simpler times, old relationships and habits—people and things that, in the past, brought momentary relief.  But, more often than not, we find that the fleeting well of comfort found there has since dried up. ‬ We have not been abandoned to fend for ourselves, however. God, Himself, will be our refuge!‬ When everything else is shaking, we have been given a glorious hope.  God is immovable, and when we put our trust in Him, so are we!  ‬ “Those who trust in the Lord are like Mount Zion, which cannot be shaken but endures forever. As the mountains surround Jerusalem, so the Lord surrounds his people both now and forevermore.” – Psalm 125:1-2 NIV Beloved, let’s not until the worl...
Read more

Kissing Boo-Boos

Image
  KISSING BOO-BOOS By:  Julie Souza Bradley Lilly Oh, the miracle of a kiss on a boo-boo!  I remember being little and getting a cut on my finger.  I’d raise that chubby finger and go running to my mom.  She always knew what to do.  She would gently clean it, put on a bandaid and give it a kiss.  We weren’t done until my hurt had been kissed.  There was magic in that application of compassion and love.  It made the pain go away. We have all seen that toddler with a boo-boo.  They run to their mom or dad to clean it, put on a bandaid and give it a kiss.  If the wound isn’t treated, the tiny nick can continue to hurt and bleed. Each time it is touched or bumped they are reminded of the pain.  And an untreated wound can become infected and grow. There are people all around us with unkissed boo-boos today.  They are hurt, afraid or sad.  They go through life fearful of being hurt again, and looking for someone they can t...
Read more

The Secret of The Birds

Image
 THE SECRET OF THE BIRDS By:  Julie Souza Bradley Lilly “Praise the Lord from the earth, Sea monsters and all deep sea creatures; Beasts and all cattle; Creeping things and winged birds.” - Psalm 148:7, 10.   Morning has broken and the choir of birds outside my window is singing their hearts out.  Birds may not be considered to be intelligent, yet their response to God in hardship could teach us a few things.  We humans grumble to God about so much, but the birds praise their creator in severe heat and bitter cold.  They may have nests and the shade of trees, but they don’t have the many comforts we enjoy, yet they praise Him.  They know a secret:  God is enthroned upon our praises.  When our hearts are full of worship, He takes His rightful place and brings with Him joy and peace. Let’s take a lesson from the birds.  Their trust in their maker to provide for their needs, even in the face of harsh seasons, calls out to our faith.  It ...
Read more