Thoughts to Ponder: Hard Week

By Curtis G.

“The rabble among them had a strong craving; and the Israelites also wept again, and said, “If only we had meat to eat!  We remember the fish we used to eat in Egypt for nothing, the cucumbers, the melons, the leeks, the onions, and the garlic; but now our strength is dried up, and there is nothing at all but this manna to look at.”  Numbers 11:4-6

This morning as I woke up I realize I had not given much thought to this week’s   E-mail. The week had been intense. Some thoughts came before me, and I chose gratitude. As I looked up gratitude in my study Bible the index said see thankfulness. As I looked up thankfulness, the first topic, was “it’s time to express yours.” The verses for this topic is Leviticus 7:28-30. I read these verses and the study notes and I was not particularly moved. The next topic was “developing an attitude of.”  I read the verses from Numbers above and read the study notes.

“Dissatisfaction comes when our attention shifts from what we have to what we don’t have. The people of Israel didn’t seem to notice what God was doing for them – setting them free, making them a nation, giving them a new land – because they were so wrapped up in what God wasn’t doing for them. They could think of nothing but the delicious Egyptian food they had left behind. Somehow they forgot the brutal whip of Egyptian slavery was the cost of eating that food. Before we judge the Israelites too harshly, it’s helpful to think about what occupies our attention most of the time. Are we grateful for what God has given us, or are we always thinking about what we would like to have? We should not allow our unfulfilled desires to cause us to forget God’s gifts of life, food, health, work and friends”.

Contentment whatever the circumstances, the lack of contentment; dissatisfaction, desires of the heart, going to God in prayers asking Him for help in our circumstances, waiting on God and unanswered prayer, these are the struggles of Christians. At least they are my struggles. But I believe that following the Way of Christ, the answer can be found as we are transformed. In the relationship with Jesus, our Master, we will be guided to the answers to our struggles. In all of our circumstances we must remember that Jesus loves us, does not want us to be living in fear, and he promises us peace, in both our easy and our most difficult days.

Will you join me in prayer,

Heavenly Father,

We praise you for Your great faithfulness.

We thank You for Your love, grace and mercy.

We thank You for the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives.

As we struggle help us to remember Your love for us, Your message of “Fear not!” and the promise of peace.

Help us to walk the path You have chosen for us.

Please continue to bless Dove of the Desert,

Her people

And her Pastors.

Amen

Thank you,

Curtis

Your Brother in Christ