When Life is Hard–Persevere!

My Dear Child~

I know that you are hurting now. Things look very bleak, life doesn’t seem fair, and you have no desire or strength to go on. Just persevere for a little while longer. Often hard times precede good times.

Let Me show you a few examples from My Word:

Joseph was sold as a slave by his brothers and wound up in prison (for years) in Egypt. Eventually he became second in command to Pharaoh and saved many lives.  (Genesis 50:19-20)

David was looked down upon by his family. Though he did nothing wrong, he had to live in caves because King Saul wanted to kill him.  David eventually became king over all of Israel. (2 Samuel 5:1-5)

Moses had to flee after murdering an Egyptian and spent 40 years tending livestock in the wilderness. He was later used to free the Israelites from Egyptian slavery. (Exodus 12:31-41)

Esther was an orphan but she was chosen to be queen to King Xerxes. Her uncle suggested that her royal position should be used to spare the Jews from destruction. Esther bravely decided to approach the King on behalf of her people.  (Esther 4:12-16) The Jews were spared because of her bravery.

Job was a righteous man (Job1:8) yet he lost his children, his livestock and his health through no fault of his own. Later, Job received many blessings. (Job 42:12-13)

Finally, consider My Son Jesus. Although innocent, He was beaten and left to die a cruel death upon a cross. But that was not the end. He rose again! His death paid for everyone’s sin so that people could have a relationship with Me. (1 John 2:1-2)

What seems bleak, unfair, or the end, may be the means through which I will help many people. And you may be part of that grander plan. So, hang in there My Child. Keep persevering. A brighter day, a day when you will understand the reason for the difficult times, a Resurrection kind of day may be just around the corner!

Oh, and in case you are wondering where I am during those hard times….I am right beside you.  (Isaiah 43:2) (Daniel 3:19-27)

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You are Wanted

I initially started writing these thoughts based on Mary’s being turned away from the inn and having to give birth in a stable.  Then the shooting rampage at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newton, Connecticut occurred.  We don’t know why Adam went on his killing spree but I wonder if feelings of loneliness or rejection were part of his problems.  My thoughts and prayers are with the victim’s families.  God wants us all to know that we are wanted and loved by Him.

You are Wanted

My Child, have you ever felt left out?  Rejected?  Unwanted?  Cast away?  Shut out?

Maybe you’ve been the last person chosen for a sports team.  Or, you grew up in a home where there was little to no parental involvement.  Perhaps you had no one to sit with at the lunch table at school and you rode the bus alone.   You aren’t invited to parties and no one asks you to dance.  People look at you, turn away and whisper.   Your spouse or boyfriend walked out on you.  Your ideas are scoffed or laughed at on the job or at school.  Perhaps you are excluded from activities because of a mental or physical handicap or chronic illness. People consider you too tall, too short, too ugly or too dumb to be included in their group.

Take heart, My Child, for other Children of Mine have also been rejected, unwanted and excluded by their family members or other people.  But I never forgot about them and I am always thinking about you.

David’s father, Jesse, summoned all of his sons but David when the prophet Samuel came to his home to anoint the next king of Israel.  He left David outside tending the sheep.  (1 Samuel 16:1-11)

Joseph’s brothers tossed him into a cistern then sold him as a slave to merchants traveling to Egypt.  (Genesis 37:12-28)

Daniel’s beloved king was forced to cast Daniel into a lion’s den.  (Daniel 6:10-16)

Mary, a pregnant teenager, gave birth in a stable because no one made room for her in the inn.  (Luke 2:4-7)

These Children of Mine were all rejected by others as you might have been. But, you need to know that even though others have rejected you, you are always included in My family. Right now My Son Jesus is preparing a special place just for you!  (John 14:1-3)   No matter what you’ve done or where you’ve been, I want you, I’m looking for you and I wait for you with open arms.  (Luke 15:11-24)

Don’t turn to hatred or violence because of your rejection.  Turn to Me!!

Here’s the end of the story for my other Children:

David became the greatest king that Israel ever had and reigned for 40 years.      (1 Chronicles 28:4)

Joseph became second in command to Pharaoh in Egypt and saved many lives.  (Genesis 45:4-8)

Daniel survived the lion’s den and continued to prosper.  The king issued a decree that all the people were to reverence the God of Daniel.  (Daniel 6:19-28)

The poor teenage girl became the mother of the Messiah.  (Luke 1:26-33)

Like these other Children,   I have special work that only you can do so don’t worry when others exclude you.  You are part of My family and I love you.  Come to Me and feel My love and acceptance.  Then, look around you My Child.  There are others who have been excluded and left out too.  Go and show them My love.  (Ephesians 2:10)  I will be with you.

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