Our life is a never-ending warfare. We face problems great and small, internal and external. Most of them leave us with small cuts and bruises that heal with time. However, some strike us with an intensity that makes us fall helplessly to the ground, too beat to ask for help. Like King Ahaz, our lives are invaded by "stubs of smoking firebrand, the fierce anger of Rezin and Syria, and the son of Remaliah" (Isa 7:4). We cannot control what comes our way in life. But luckily, God's hand is always stretched out to lift us up.
We often overreact to our problems. Many times, we want to throw our hands up, collapse on our bed and just give up on everything. Our emotions sink as King Solomon's words about life being "vanity" and "grasping for the wind" (Eccl 1:14) seem to echo inside. Like the servant of Elisha, we see "an army, surrounding the city with horses and chariots" (2 Kgs 6:15) and tremblingly exclaim, "What shall we do?"
When disturbing things come your way, remember to "take heed and be quiet." Calm your heart and take the situation as a whole and not in pieces. The Lord assures us that "'in returning and rest you shall be saved; in quietness and confidence shall be your strength.' But you would not" (Isa 30:15). Yes, indeed it is we who refuse, not God.
God knows that we are suffering. He is only a prayer away. When you are stressed, take the time to sit down and quietly reflect on God and His will in your life. Learn to understand that things happen for a higher reason—God's reason. Follow Isaiah's lead and say, "I will trust and not be afraid" for "the Lord is my strength" (Isa 12:2-3). The Lord is our strength, but it is up to us to find that strength through prayer and communion with God. God is always ready. The question is, are you ready to take His hand?
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