Turn to Jesus

This morning, while I was driving into work, I was thinking about what to write in this next blog.  I had some good ideas and stories I spent time writing about yesterday but none of them seemed to fit into today.  While I was pulling into the coffee shop this morning it struck me.  
I have felt over the last few days like something is keeping the body, the church body pressed down.  Well....there has always been something keeping the church down, it's called the church.  But Lately there has been an odd amount of despair circulating around the people in leadership and I feel the need to address something here.

 There is no shame in walking down a rough path in life. Everyone has trials they come into. Having issues rise against you in life is "normal".  How you handle the issues in life is the important factor.  The "test" is how we deal with the trials. Do you turn to guilt, shame or anger before you bring the problem to Jesus? Or do you run to His arms right away?  When I was younger and had first moved out of my parents home, I was in a car accident.  The accident destroyed my car.  To make it worse, I was starting my new job that day and had no money to afford a new vehicle.  When I got back home that morning after the accident, I went into my bedroom and picked up my guitar and began to sing praise songs to God.  This first response to God gave me a peace that sustained me through the process of getting back on my feet. The first reactions we take when faced with adversity will determine the results we get.  When we turn to God He will always take care of us, He will always protect us.  Are you allowing sorrow to overtake your thinking when trouble turns the corner?  Turn to Jesus, He understands the issues we face better than we do.  He sees the end and knows that We win.  There is a peace given to us when we surrender ourselves to Him.  Not just our bad times, not just our problems, but our good days too.  Surrender it all to Him, the creator of heaven and earth.


"Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you'll recover your life. I'll show you how to take a real rest.  Walk with me and work with me-watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won't lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you.  Keep company with me and you'll learn to live freely and lightly." Matthew 11