While working for his former employer, a Christian friend of mine had an extremely high pressure job. One Wednesday evening, I asked him how he was doing. He responded, “This day has been a long week.”
Have you ever had a day like that—a day when it seemed as though nothing was going right? Like the homeowner in Maui I read about. He was told by the fire investigators that the cause of the blaze which destroyed his home was a short in the newly installed fire prevention alarm system. He responded, “This is even worse than last year, when someone broke in and stole my new security system!”
Have you ever had days when, no matter how hard you tried, you just could not seem to make yourself understood? Life is that way, isn’t it? Sometimes it seems as though we just can not catch a break. We experience misfortune and are misunderstood. When we are caught in the whirlwind of the events, they are not comical, either. Often, the circumstances are momentous challenges to our faith and faithfulness. Make no mistake about it, in life we will experience some tremendous disappointments and heart-jarring hurts. It is at these times that we are faced with a crucial decision. How will we respond?
There are any number of possibilities. In the long run, though, it seems that we have two choices. We will either choose to get better or to get bitter. The road of bitterness is dark and lonely. The road of betterness is well lit and secure. On this road we meet our Savior and hear His encouraging words, “In the world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.“ In Christ we are triumphant, indeed! Let’s be of good cheer!
This reminds me of one of my favorite songs by Fernando Ortega. Here are the lyrics:
Take Heart, My Friend
Take heart, my friend, we’ll go together
This uncertain road that lies ahead
Our faithful God has always gone before
And He will lead the way once again
Take heart, my friend, we can walk together
And if our burdens become too great
We can hold up and help one another
In God’s love, in God’s grace
Take heart my friend, the Lord is with us
As He has been all the days of our lives
Our assurance every morning
Our defender in the night
If we should falter when trouble surrounds us
When the wind and the waves are wild and high
We will look away to Him who rules the waters;
Who speaks His peace into the angry tide
He is our comfort, our sustainer
He is our help in time of need
When we wander, He is our Shepherd
He who watches over us never sleeps
Take heart my friend, the Lord is with us
As He has been all the days of our lives
Our assurance every morning
Our defender every night
Take heart my friend, the Lord is with us
As He has been all the days of our lives
Our assurance every morning
Our defender in the night.
© Bill Williams
(for my buddy Ed)
2008.07.14
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Thanks for this Bill. I agree.
It is not always easy to derive satisfaction from our work lives, but we can if we focus our attention on doing an excellent job. Whether it is sweeping a floor or doing the same experiment a hundred times to prove a theory, do it to the best of your ability. Do it as if for the Lord. Accept that you are there for a reason and do your job prayerfully, mindful of the needs of those you meet at your workplace.
Performing every task with a positive attitude and to the best of your ability will not only bring you favor in the eyes of your superiors; it will also enhance your self-esteem and give you a sense of purpose and wellbeing.
bill you are a great freind and inspiration we all should learn to give our problems to god thank you so very much
we miss you me the most please be safe and take care
ps check your e-mail..
I think I have found a new favorite blog poster! Love your latest postings. You are a great storyteller. As a farmer, I seem to have “those” kinda days when I get up in the morning. Just learn to laugh. It’s all a part of life!
Been there—so has my wonderful husband. We have been blessed that we never have those kind of days at the same time, so I can encourage him and he can encourage me. We remind each other to take heart and that this world is only a breath and then . . . . Heaven–all good days forever and ever. God is so good to give us those encouragers in our lives. Thank you for being one, Bill
Blessings
Neva
Thank you, Bill!
Psalm 27:14 Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord.
Yes, I’ve had days and weeks and months just like you described. But it’s good to be reminded to “take heart,” not because of our own strength, but because of His strength in and through us. Love the admonition and reminder to focus on the Lord’s magnificent ability.