Life Plan Devotion #47 [Troubles]

When life is going well, we often forget God. We slack up in reading and following His Word. The pleasures of life take up too much of our time. Inevitably, troubles come. Perhaps they come to move us back to the center of His will for us...being close to Him.
God is just, but the world equates that with meanness. God is also good, but the world equates that with weakness. God is misunderstood. It's too bad, because knowing Him is all that we need, in this world and throughout eternity. When troubles come, those who truly know Him will find Him to be their rock. Those who trust in Him flee to Him for protection and refuge.

Nahum 1:7 [NIV]
"The LORD is good, a refuge in times of trouble. He cares for those who trust in him."

What this has to do with weight loss: The weight-loss journey can be one with troubles, both minor and major, few or many. We're not meant to go through those times alone. It helps to have loving and understanding friends and family. When you're going through troubles, don't forget The One who will help you more than anyone. Just put your trust in Him.

Prayer for Today:
"Heavenly Father, I admit that when all's right with my world, I often veer from following You. It's as if I think I don't really need You...until troubles come, that is. I can see how You would allow trouble to come to my door, when You know it's the only thing that will bring me back to You. What I really want, though, Lord, is to stay close to You, so my troubles are as few as possible. When the inevitable troubles come, my prayer is that I will continue to trust in You, to flee to You, where I will find help, refuge, and safety. I pray in Jesus' Name. Amen."

Go forth today, staying close to The One who, in the midst of troubles, is still God.

In times of trouble, the Psalms are especially comforting. Listen to them on the Psalms for Surgery CD, available at http://www.cdeanhall.com/products.html.

Life Plan Devotion #44 [F.I.R.S.T. Place, Part V]

Previously, we looked at 4 of the 5 areas of life (finances, interests, relationships, and schedule), to see, individually, if God has first place in your life. Today, we'll look at the fifth and final area.
Troubles (the T in F.I.R.S.T.)--Think about your troubles, that which troubles you. Do those troubles defeat you? Do they cause you to moan and groan or even to be angry at God because you're going through them? Are you handling your troubles, or are your troubles handling you? Do you search the Word for scripture about your troubling area, so you know what God's Word says about it? Do you search out the promises contained in the Word, and are you doing your part so God can do His part? Finally, are you patient in waiting for God to move in your circumstances, living by faith and not by sight (II Corinthians 5:7)? Do you understand the authority given to you as a believer (Mark 16:17-18) and, if so, do you put on and use the full armor of God (Ephesians 6:10-18), speak the Name of Jesus and tell Satan to "Move on!"?
We live in a fallen world, so we will experience troubling situations, but we can and must believe the Lord when He said, "...be of good cheer [take courage; be confident, certain, undaunted]! For I have overcome the world" (John 16:33, Amplified). You are an overcomer, because you have The Overcomer within you. Think like it, talk like it, and walk like it. If you need wisdom in a situation, go to God and ask for it, and He will give it to you (James 1:5). Is God first in your troubles?

II Corinthians 4:8-9 [NIV]
"We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed... For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all."

What this has to do with weight loss: I have wept over some of the posts I've read on ObesityHelp.com, by precious people who are going through terrible complications post-weight loss surgery. I've marveled at their courage, even their ability to just get up every morning. Those who know the Lord shine, even during their darkest days. They are able to give encouragement to others, despite knowing discouragement themselves. They live the saying, "Hope springs eternal," and it's a joy to rejoice with them when their troubles are over.

Prayer for Today:
"Heavenly Father, there are days when I feel beset on every side by troubles. Sometimes those troubles threaten to crush me, but that's when I look up to You, The Overcomer. Thank You for Your Word that prepares me for the inevitability of troubles, yet does not leave me without help and hope. Thank You that no matter what I face, You are right here beside me, comforting and encouraging me. May I look to Your Word, in all my troubles, for the pathway through every trouble, and may I take advantage of every promise in Your Word connected to each trouble I experience, so my time in the valley may be short. I pray in Jesus' Name. Amen."

Go forth today, putting God first in your troubles.

In times of uncertainty and trouble, listen to the Psalms from the cd Psalms for Surgery. More information available at http://www.cdeanhall.com/products.html.

Life Plan Devotion #5 [Used]

As painful as it may be, recall one of the worst times in your life. Perhaps it was the death of a loved one, an unexpected divorce, abuse, an addiction, abortion, a job loss, an angry teen child, a hateful act of discrimination, an eating disorder. Remember the details of your painful circumstance.
Just as there is no shortage of problems and crises, there is no shortage of God's grace. Think about the good that God was able to bring out of your painful past. Perhaps you have never thought about that, the fact that God can use all your troubles in His plan for your life, but He will, if you will let Him.
God will not waste one moment of pain or sadness. Living in a fallen world, with people who have the ability to choose to act in hurtful ways, is what ushers in pain and sadness. Yet God is able to use our heartache to build our character, draw us closer to Him, and make us more effective in the area of ministry He has for each believer.
How did God use a painful moment in your life? Did you draw closer to Him? Did you find strength inside yourself that you didn't know you had? Did it turn you in a new direction? Were you protected from greater harm? Did it cause you to be empathetic with others, rather than just sympathetic? Are you able to share your life experience with others who are hurting, helping them to know what to do next? Have you been asked to share your faith with someone, because of a shared life experience? Did you learn to trust God and to let Him help you?

Romans 8:28 [NIV]
"And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose." Note: Italics used by writer.

What this has to do with weight loss: Every overweight person regrets the journey to obesity, whether that journey involved a prison of his/her own choosing or the fact that someone else held open the prison door and then locked him/her inside. For the believer, every prison door can be opened, the prisoner can walk free, and the prison experience can be used by God to make a difference in the life of someone else--to help free others.

Prayer for Today:
"Heavenly Father, I know that in all things You work for the good of those who love You, those who are called according to Your purpose, so that includes me. Today, I thank You for how You planned, in advance, to turn all my problems and crises into good--and that You have made that promise to all believers. It gives me enormous hope. Help me to remember always that You are my compassionate, caring Father. I give all my hurts and troubles to You, to put to good use. Use me to help others, because of what I have been through. I pray in the Name of Jesus. Amen."

Go forth today, and be used of God to make beauty from ashes.