That is why, for Christ's sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong. 2 Corinthians 12:10

As far as I can tell, there's nobody who doesn't have some kind of problem.

Not so long ago, I read about a pastor who was confronted by a member of his church, who, although rich, seemed to have more than his share of difficulties.

Not without a certain degree of sincerity the man joked, "Preacher, I'll give you $5,000 right now if you can get rid of these problems."

The minister replied with a smile. "Actually, it was only yesterday I went to a place where there were a lot of people and not one problem among them. Would you like to go?"

The man said he would very much like to see that place.

The minister continued with the following invitation: "Tomorrow afternoon, I'll take you to my church's cemetery. They're the only people I know who don't have any problems."

That kind of thinking puts things into perspective, doesn't it?

· If we have problems, it means we're alive.
· It means there is still a solution to those problems.
· It means there is still hope.

After all, it means we can still call on the Lord for assistance to eliminate the problems, or enlist His help in carrying them. It's kind of a strange way to look at things, but if you happen to be dealing with something really hard in your life, I would like you to look up and remember ...

... there's only one place you can go where you don't have any problems at all.


From a devotion originally written for "By the Way"



THE PRAYER: Dear Father, help us lay our problems and fears before You -- for You alone can strengthen us to deal with our daily hardships. In You alone we can find peace. In the Savior's Name. Amen.

In Christ I remain His servant and yours,

Today's Bible Readings: Ezekiel 14-15    2 Timothy 1

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