I heard something today that got me thinking :)

Our lives are filled with suffering except for a few moments of joy in between. How true that statement COULD be.

Suffering from Dictionary.com:
~To feel pain or distress; sustain loss, injury, harm, or punishment.

Too many of us think that God is a brutal God and a God that just wants to see us fall down, to hurt and maybe even for Him to punish us. That could not be any further from the truth because God loves us and He loves us more than than we give Him credit for. It is powerful knowing that the God of the universe loves us. He sent Jesus so that we may have a relationship with Him.
So many of us make decisions in life, me included at times, that is not part of what God would want from us. Like so many parents, our children bug us to no end for something and out of frustration we give in and just give them what they want because we can't take it anymore - even if they deserve what they are asking or not - or even if we know its not in their best interest to have what ever it is they are asking us for. You have seen those situations - at Walmart in the toy section and the child is laying on the floor screaming and kicking as the parent stands by wondering how to make the escape.
I think God looks at us at times and we are doing the same thing as that child - kicking and screaming, making decisions in life on how we feel, our desires and on our feelings.

How many times have you taken something to God for an answer to an important thing in your life and waiting on His answer - then He does answer and its the wrong answer? Or maybe you gave up and did whatever you wanted - or maybe God answered you and you ignored Him because you did not like the answer!

Suffering is a part of life and everyone will have a season(s) in their lives where suffering is a part of it. How else can God really test us and have us grow in our FAITH and Trust in Him? Its during the hard times that God shows us what He is all about and when our season of suffering is over - and it will end at some point- we are much stronger as a person, a friend as a husband or wife and as a disciple of Jesus. Many times our length of suffering depends entirely on us and our continued decisions.

Psalm 107:
4-9 Some of you wandered for years in the desert, looking but not finding a good place to live, Half-starved and parched with thirst, staggering and stumbling, on the brink of exhaustion. Then, in your desperate condition, you called out to God. He got you out in the nick of time; He put your feet on a wonderful road that took you straight to a good place to live. So thank God for his marvelous love, for his miracle mercy to the children he loves. He poured great draughts of water down parched throats; the starved and hungry got plenty to eat.
17-22 Some of you were sick because you'd lived a bad life, your bodies feeling the effects of your sin; You couldn't stand the sight of food, so miserable you thought you'd be better off dead. Then you called out to God in your desperate condition; he got you out in the nick of time. He spoke the word that healed you, that pulled you back from the brink of death. So thank God for his marvelous love, for his miracle mercy to the children he loves; Offer thanksgiving sacrifices, tell the world what he's done—sing it out!
42-43 Good people see this and are glad; bad people are speechless, stopped in their tracks. If you are really wise, you'll think this over— it's time you appreciated God's deep love.

What is in your life right now, friends, that needs the attention of God? What is it that is in your life that has a wall up between you and our heavenly father? Make that situation right and make the changes you need to make to be in Gods blessings. He sees all we are doing, there is no place to hide and no sin left unturned or forgotten unless you bring them to Him. He loves You and wants nothing more than for you to walk in His brilliant light. Its the beginning of 2008 and its a good time to make some changes - our time here is but a mist and then we are gone. Time is short - make things right and then let God bless and lead you past where you are stuck today.

Love you all,
Lonnie