Comforting Thoughts When You Face Obstacles

by Fr. Alexander Kurien

Our strength and comfort comes from our Lord. He is our strength and refuge. He is a God of sympathy and understanding. He knows our hurt and loneliness. He knows how we feel. The Bible tells us that He knows our sorrow and records our tears. That all our thoughts, our ways and our words are known to Him. And that a book of remembrance is written before Him for those that fear the Lord and think upon His name.

In the midst of sorrow may we turn to the words of God for strength. God is adequate for each situation and circumstance of life.

Psalm 121:1-8 -- "I look up to the mountains-- does my help come from there? My help comes from the LORD, who made the heavens and the earth! He will not let you stumble and fall; the one who watches over you will not sleep. Indeed, he who watches over Israel never tires and never sleeps. The LORD himself watches over you! The LORD stands beside you as your protective shade. The sun will not hurt you by day, nor the moon at night. The LORD keeps you from all evil and preserves your life. The LORD keeps watch over you as you come and go, both now and forever."

Spiritual Words:

I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world." (John 16:33)

It's easy to be positive and encouraging when everything is going your way, isn't it? But every one is going to have obstacles to overcome in life. Problems have a purpose, and part of God's purpose for allowing you to face obstacles is to test your attitude. That's why you need to be positive even in negative situations. Remember, God wants you to live life to the fullest. And He has provided a way for you to enjoy your life, even when you're going through hard times.

Look closely again at John 16:33. Jesus has just told you that you will face tribulation. But then He says, "Take heart!" What God is saying is that you can choose to be joyful and positive no matter what happens. The reason you can do that is because Jesus has already won your battle, whatever it may be!

Anyone who drinks the water I give will never thirst? not ever. The water I give will be an artesian spring within, gushing fountains of endless life." (John 4:14)

When you make Jesus the Lord of your life, God puts within you an eternal well that will never run dry. You have an unlimited supply of good things inside you which should be continually bubbling out of you.

But Satan doesn't want your joy, happiness, or laughter to flow freely. So he comes along and throws a stone of, say, worry into your well. You may think, "That's just one little stone. It's not hurting anything. The water is still flowing pretty well."

But Satan will be back soon with another stone, whether it's fear, self-pity, or hopelessness. If you haven't dealt individually with each of these stones and gotten rid of them, your nice, free-flowing well of good things will become clogged. But you can still unclog it with a major dose of laughter!

Be very careful, then, how you live--not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity." (Ephesians 5:15-16)

If you want to experience God's best, stay focused on Him and on the things that are truly important. Those who are living their best life now have their priorities in order. They make time for key relationships. Make sure to do what it takes to share quality time with those God has placed around you. Please don't be conformed to the comfort and the promises of this world. This earthly tent (per St. Paul) will be destroyed and is not eternal. Let us fulfill the Will of God in everything we do and the way we live in this world. Let us run that Christian race gracefully to please our creator. So that we may finish the race victoriously to gain the eternal Kingdom He has promised us.

See Also:

What Does Trusting God Mean?
Wouldn't it be wonderful if we had no problems and no uncomfortable situations in life? Someday, when we all get to heaven, that's the way it will be. Until then, the closest thing to heaven is keeping God first in our lives, helping other people, and being in a complete state of trusting God.

Why Does God Allow Suffering?
All the wickedness and sufferings are created as challenges to man to overcome them. All of us perceive, understand and try to solve all these sufferings and wickedness and thus by step-by-step move forward in our march to perfection.

The Miracle of Self Forgiveness
The months and years that I have spent forgiving the layers of self-recrimination and loathing I felt for myself have truly unburdened me. Freeing myself from the shackles of that seemingly unforgivable and unforgiving past has truly given me a new life.

Keys to Overcoming Worry and Anxiety by Spirituality
A key to overcoming worry is to choose to make the anxiety work for you rather than against you. Here are a number of things you can do to beat anxiety using spirituality.