Are you living your life these days in this tough economy just completely numb? I know I feel that way and I am becoming very comfortable with it. Yes, I am comfortably numb. Life for the last 8 months or so has taken off on me way too fast and there is no way I can keep up. I have no clue what is going on and I just want to crawl in a hole and stay there for awhile. I know many of you are struggling as well and can relate to what I am saying.
Since November of 2009, my business has taken a huge decline in work. At one point, I had 13 sub-contractors helping me on job sites and things were great. Suddenly, things took a huge nose dive. Now I am working on average 2-3 days per week and had to let go of all the subs I was using. Good thing I had saved up some money so that my wife and I can live, but that is very quickly coming to an end. Currently, there are no flooring projects in the horizon for my company and no word on any in the near or far future.
In know in the Bible it says, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding.” Proverbs 3:5. So I say to God that I can do that. As I was trusting God for answers, I realized I can’t afford to live in my house any longer. My wife and I put up our house for sale a few months ago and we are closing on it in 12 days. We have no idea where we are going to live or what we are going to be doing. It feels like we may be living on the streets. But, we are trusting God with our hearts, cause at this point we have no choice but to do that. Most of the things we look at are too expensive or just not very nice places to live. Please help us God!!!
Funny thing is, just when you think it can’t get much worse, it does. I have been a chaplain for some motorcycle chapters for over 6 years now and have loved every minute of it. When my wife and I got married our main goal and heart was to serve people together. God has been using us to do that ever since and we have led many people to changing their lives and following Christ. When worse came to worse, we had at least the ministry work to look forward to. Well, the main part of our ministry has been taken away. Basically, without going into a lot of details, I was assaulted by the Harley Davidson staff. When I took a stand against being treated disrespectfully, the owner said to me I was no longer a chaplain in any chapters of his dealerships. He and some of his staff are known at times to bully people around. But I vowed a long time ago that I would not allow someone to treat me like that again. So there goes that part of our ministry.
Things for us seem very bleak. You can imagine the kinds of un-pleasant words that have come out of my mouth. I still have some strong emotions while I am writing this to you. Believe me I am doing the best I can to hold onto the promises that God has given to us in his Word. In Psalm 1:3, it is talking about the righteous (God’s children). It says, “He (we) are like trees planted by streams of water that yields its fruit in its season, and its leaf does not wither, In all that he does, he (we) prospers.” I think having FAITH in God is easier than TRUSTING in God. Many of us believe that there is a God that saves us. But I think most of us have trouble TRUSTING God with our lives and to come through for us in these hard times.
We are all sinners and during these times we forget about TRUSTING God and we tend to hang on to our vices. For some it is booze, gambling, shopping, drugs, etc., but for me it is my anger. These things keep us away from the work that God really wants to do in our lives.
The following verse is one of my favorite passages in the Bible when I doubt God’s existence in my life. I think it is very fitting for us when we are debating the power of God and what he can do in our lives. But first we must build a firm foundation. In Matthew 7:24-27 is says.” Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock. But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash.”
The Rock in the Bible is often described as being Jesus. So in all practical purposes I can be safe in saying that we must, in these hard times build our Faith and TRUST upon The Rock (Jesus). If we don’t, things will be much harder and we will fail with a great crash. I know some of you are going through more difficult things than me, but I hope you can take something away and put it into practice in your life. It is important for each person to read the Bible to find out who God is, what his promises are, what he has done for you by sacrificing Jesus so that we might have eternal life and decide whether or not you accept Him as your personal savior. If you truly believe and have FAITH in God, then you need to TRUST him with EVERYTHING in your life. Even when you are unsure of the next step and can’t see what the future holds. Hebrews 11:1”Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.”
Usually someone will write about these things after they have gone through the storm. I am writing it while I am in the midst of hard times. My wife and I will trust God to guide us, protect us and to provide for us. What else is there? He created us and He DOES know what is best for us. We just need to be patient and wait. God’s timing is never early, never late, but always on time. I suggest you do the same, even when you or I don’t feel like it. If you do not trust, the road will be a lot longer and more difficult. I look forward in letting you know how all of the things in my life right now will be worked out because I trusted God to take care of me. Build your foundation on the Rock!!!!
Sincerely,
Scootman
Thanks Will. Greatly inspiring.
ReplyDeleteYou are a man I am proud to know and have as a Brother. God is so good to us.
Will:
ReplyDeleteYou know my story. I for certain can attest that God is there for each and every one of us who believe. If you ever want to talk please do not hesitate to call or write. I am praying for you both. You will get through this. God has a different calling for you. Be Still and Listen brother.
Kristi
Hey Brethren!
ReplyDeleteI am encouraged by your transparency and desire to encourage others through your current struggle! Praise the Lord!
I would say though I don't think that Psalm 1:1 automatically includes all believers. The beginning part says "Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked or stand in the way of sinners or sit in the seat of mockers.
BUT his delight is in the law of the LORD,
and on his law he meditates day and night."
Men and women who not only love the Lord, but dwell in the word of God (the bible) will be like trees planted by streams of water, yielding fruit in season whose leaf does not wither.
ie...like YOU, :) now, in your current season, are pouring fourth fruit that came from abiding in the word I'm guessing.
What better place to gain faith in the promises of God.
22Then Jesus said to his disciples: "Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat; or about your body, what you will wear. 23Life is more than food, and the body more than clothes. 24Consider the ravens: They do not sow or reap, they have no storeroom or barn; yet God feeds them. And how much more valuable you are than birds! 25Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life[b]? 26Since you cannot do this very little thing, why do you worry about the rest?
Luke 12:27
"Consider how the lilies grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you, not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today, and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, how much more will he clothe you, O you of little faith! And do not set your heart on what you will eat or drink; do not worry about it. For the pagan world runs after all such things, and your Father knows that you need them. But seek his kingdom, and these things will be given to you as well."
I heard a quote from a pastor I once had who said "It's very easy to stand up during worship and raise your hands high when you've got Christian radio, Christian books, Christian friends and Christian family and a solid job with nice co-workers etc......but when all of the props of life start to fall away, THEN is the time you find out if your "praise you, praise you Jesus" was real or not."
I thank God for your faith and your heart being so open brother.
We will be praying for you and your wife daily and look forward to the precious testimony of God's kindness to us sinners yet again.
with love from above~
Incredibly beautiful is the story of a disciple's struggle and the poverty and rejection that follows him and her everywhere down the road. If we go left or if we go right we can be assured that Jesus has walked there before us; or maybe He rode there on an ass and maybe it's the same road that cost Him His life. Certainly He won't take any one of His churched down any one of the roads that He first did not travel. I've let the Lord know that I give Him everything He takes and to that I've been told, then He doesn't have to take anything. It's the greatest place on earth to be where you have given everything over and have nothing, not even peanut butter or the bread to spread it on, then God brings you an abundance of jelly and with it a full meal, because only He can bring abundance out of nothing. There are many of us, my unknown friend(s) so don't feel alone. Be encouraged that you are being called to the forefront of this generation's legacy and stand strong in your faith that it is a privilege to be called to such times as these. In Christ, sister Debbera
ReplyDeleteThose at the top there are sad souls-feeling as though they rule over many when they rule over none. They have a failing business and treat their fellow man poorly. I know they are following this link so when they read this they should know that everybody knows of their dealings. Their "clubs" of discounts are ponzi-schemes to keep their business alive will not and when they fall, we will all know they are deserving of their fate. With known murderers living on site and other dealings, you my son, are better off without them. All know of your kind heart and willingness to help others. All know of their misgivings and sins. You are right and they are wrong-everyone knows this.
ReplyDelete