Rejoice in troubled times (right yea right I want put on a pity party instead right???)

   I will rejoice in the LORD,  I will joy in the God of my salvation.  (Habakkuk 3:18)
     
Life can be hard, I'm sure most of you say wow did you get your degree at Walmart, cause we have all figured that one out Einstein .  Maybe you have been forsaken by your spouse. Or are struggling
with the death of a loved one. Or facing the constant pain of  disease. Or the loss of a job or business, or in todays economy the loss of home or your 401K. Or, maybe just the daily grind of life.

What can you do? You always have choices. You choose how you respond. With God's help, you don't have to let the problems of life defeat you.


 Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice! (Philippians 4:4)
Yes, I'm the first one to tell that when I went through a divorce and all the issues that brought it about, I cried
like a baby, I found no joy in Mudville that day. When my father past away there was no joy, but yet I found joy in knowing that he was in heaven. Yes pain hurts and sucks, bad things happen to people often times with
fault of their own. But we as Christians must use the chances to be hand the feet and perhaps the ear and voice of God to others that are in pain. God uses people to bless people, while each and everyone of us right
is dealing with his or her on issue's but it does mean that we can not be used by God. Rejoice not in your misery or plight, but in the fact that God is not done with you. Step outside of yourself and ask the question what would Christ do if he were in my shoe's. Here's an example hanging on the cross, he asked his heavenly Father forgiveness for those that caused him this great pain, he was concerned for the welfare of his mother, and offered a convict a new home a place of eternal peace. We have not suffered the trials of Job, now those in Haiti certain have more cause to think that they are forsaken, but God has not forgotten them. 

Let believers be of one mind, and ready to help each other. As the apostle had found the benefit of their assistance, he knew how comfortable it would be to his fellow-labourers to have the help of others. Let us seek to give assurance that our names are written in the book of life. Joy in God is of great consequence in the Christian life; and Christians need to be again and again called to it. It more than outweighs all causes for sorrow. Let their enemies perceive how moderate they were as to outward things, and how composedly they suffered loss and hardships. The day of judgment will soon arrive, with full redemption to believers, and destruction to ungodly men. There is a care of diligence which is our duty, and agrees with a wise forecast and due concern; but there is a care of fear and distrust, which is sin and folly, and only perplexes and distracts the mind. As a remedy against perplexing care, constant prayer is recommended. Not only stated times for prayer, but in every thing by prayer. We must join thanksgivings with prayers and supplications; not only seek supplies of good, but own the mercies we have received. God needs not to be told our wants or desires; he knows them better than we do; but he will have us show that we value the mercy, and feel our dependence on him. The peace of God, the comfortable sense of being reconciled to God, and having a part in his favour, and the hope of the heavenly blessedness, are a greater good than can be fully expressed. This peace will keep our hearts and minds through Christ Jesus; it will keep us from sinning under troubles, and from sinking under them; keep us calm and with inward satisfaction. Believers are to get and to keep a good name; a name for good things with God and good men. We should walk in all the ways of virtue, and abide therein; then, whether our praise is of men or not, it will be of God. The apostle is for an example. His doctrine and life agreed together. The way to have the God of peace with us, is to keep close to our duty. All our privileges and salvation arise in the free mercy of God; yet the enjoyment of them depends on our sincere and holy conduct. These are works of God, pertaining to God, and to him only are they to be ascribed, and to no other, neither men, words, nor deeds.

Hold on older Soldier don't you give in, don't you ever quit marching forward in the Lord's Army.