AUGUST 10, 2023

 

“Life is difficult. This is a great truth, one of the greatest truths. It is a great truth because once we truly see this truth, we transcend it. Once we truly know that life is difficult-once we truly understand and accept it-then life is no longer difficult. Because once it is accepted, the fact that life is difficult no longer matters.” 
― M. Scott Peck, The Road Less Traveled: A New Psychology of Love, Traditional Values, and Spiritual Growth

PSALM 88-89

50Remember, Lord, how your servant has been mocked,

how I bear in my heart the taunts of all the nations,

51the taunts with which your enemies, Lord, have mocked,

with which they have mocked every step of your anointed one.52Praise be to the Lord forever! Amen and Amen. (89:50-52)

ROMANS 10

3Since they did not know the righteousness of God and sought to establish their own, they did not submit to God’s righteousness. 4Christ is the culmination of the law so that there may be righteousness for everyone who believes.

JOURNAL 

I want life to work out the way I want it. When it doesn't I often either try to fix it or console myself in some other way. There are days and moments when I crave to find an answer that will cure all ills, make me happy, successful and that allows me to live in "paradise". I want a magic potion, a magic pill, the fountain of youth etc. etc. on and on it goes. Yet the more I search the less I find...but I don't want to deal with struggle and frustration and the hard work that comes with obedience to God. I want a short cut to peace and happiness and there are times when I want it no matter the cost. This is sin 101... this is the lie...this is the reality that lurks in the dark every day of my life. 

Why does life always have to be so hard? Because that's life, I am created to be dependent on God. I am at my best when I accept reality and do my best regardless of how things have worked out. When I rebel from that I step into big, big problems. Yet once I accept that life is hard and will always be hard then trusting God becomes desirable rather than something to avoid. Yet accepting this reality is much easier said than done. Thank God for his grace and mercy. 

8Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. 9But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” ... For when I am weak, then I am strong. 
- 2 CORINTHIANS 12:7-10