Tell Me What to Do!

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We are coming off a wonderful time with these grandsons at what we call "Camo Camp."

Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness.  And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.

James 1:2-4

Can you remember times in your life where you felt as if you were in a doctoral level course titled "The Testing of Your Faith"?  My prayers have been going out to the families of the victims of the recent flooding in Texas that claimed so many lives.  How do you stand steadfast in your faith after seeing so many lives literally swept away?

In 2003 our son was in a horrible car wreck resulting in a broken neck.  He didn't want us to tell his younger siblings and ruin their time at a Young Life camp.  We said, "If one person comes to know Christ from the sharing of our faith related to this accident, then that is a life saved for all eternity."   God has purpose in the adversities that we face.

So much of ministry is walking alongside people dealing with adversity.  The question "What do I do now?" surfaces again and again.   As a young mother of five teenage boys, there was a time I was struggling and spoke with a pastor who was a Christian counselor.  I said to him, "Just tell me what to do!"  His reply was "Open your Bible.  You know Jesus just as well as I do. He will speak to you and direct your path."

There is a lot of truth in the words Sarah Young wrote in the voice of Jesus in her book, Jesus Calling, "It is not so much adverse events that make you anxious as it is your thoughts about those events.  Your mind engages in efforts to take control of a situation, to bring about the result you desire.  Your thoughts close in on the problem like ravenous wolves. Determined to make things go your way, you forget that I am in control of your life.  The only remedy is to switch your focus from the problem to My Presence.  Stop all your striving and watch to see what I will do.  I am the Lord."

When adversity comes may we say with faith, "Father, just tell me what to do.  I know you have a purpose in this current peril."

The Song

“I Know a Name” Cece Winans and Brandon Lake

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KnMqQgzpLAM







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