Trouble’s Coming! What to do

Why am I discouraged? Why is my heart so sad?  I will put my hope in God!  I will praise him again—my Savior and my God!)

Psalm 42:5, NLT

My dear VPGs,

Discouragement and sadness is a normal and expected part of life.  Matter of fact, whatever you do, don’t make escaping discouragement and sadness the goal of your life.  You’re never get anything meaningful accomplished if you do. 

But what you must do when going through discouraging and sad times is acknowledge it and deal with it.  “Why do I feel this way?” is an important question.  But more important is turning your “why” question into an “I will” affirmation. 

Remember, no matter how overwhelming life may get – you have a choice.  You do not have to surrender to your circumstances.  Hope for something better – see it, name it, believe for it – and then put your hope in God.  

Here’s what I do, I ask myself: In light of these new and difference circumstances, what has changed about God? 

I’ve never had but one answer.  The answer 100% of the time has been: Nothing. 

In the good times and the bad, when I’m encouraged or discouraged, happy or sad, God has stayed the same.  His love and faithfulness is steadfast and his wisdom and strength are always available.

That’s why, instead of complaining and fretting we can praise Him!  (Don’t be a “real whiner!”) Praise is the key: it gets our attention off our problems and our self and onto Him. 

Sometimes life hits us hard and knocks the praise right out of us and all we can say is “Why?”  But that’s when we buckle down and declare: I will praise Him again!

Love always, Papa