Reluctant Retiree

Somehow tearing down your opponent with accusations, both true and false, has become the accepted manner of debate in our society. If we disagree with someone, we use harsh words to attack their point of view and their character. Both sides of the debate use the same strategy. I am here to tell you that it doesn’t work and doesn’t convince anyone that your view is correct. It only entrenches the opposition deeper into their held beliefs.

II Timothy 2:24-25 says, “And the Lord’s servant must not be quarrelsome but kind to everyone, able to teach, patiently enduring evil, correcting his opponents with gentleness. God may perhaps grant them repentance leading to a knowledge of the truth.” God knows what it is like to hold strongly onto the truth. He also knows what it is like to face opposition. Because He knows and has experienced great opposition with evil intentions, He commands us to be kind and gentle with everyone. It is this demonstration of love that wins over those who hold opposing views, not harshness.

Some days just do not go like we would want. There are the routine frustrations like dentist appointments, traffic, bad weather, family issues, and organizational failures. Then there are the unexpected and major troubles like a health emergency, a loved one’s death, and financial issues. Some days make us want to crawl into a ball, cover up and hide from the world. We all have these days and most are unavoidable. However, how we react is far more important than the problems. How we react has impacts upon more than the immediate situation.

Psalm 118:24 says, “This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.” It is possible to have a positive attitude in the face of a bad day. By faith we can trust in the author of each day. We can believe that He only creates good things. After all, He created us. We can trust that He will be able to move us through our troubles and make something good out of them. We can observe how He works good from the midst of our struggles. If we face our troubles with these attitudes, God will work good for us and we, and those around us, will not suffer the impacts of a bad attitude..

“For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross.” Colossians 1:19-20

These are the core truths of our faith. First, Jesus is fully God. Secondly, He made it possible for us to have peace with God through the sacrifice of His blood on the cross. When sin entered into man and into us, we became separated from God, who is completely holy. We had no means of being saved from a holy God’s wrath against sin. But God in His mercy, made a way for us to be forgiven and saved. He sent His one and only Son to take the form of man and shed His blood for us. We can now be fully reconciled to God, as He grants us peace through His own sacrifice.

Consider these truths. Also consider what they might mean for you. Apart from faith in these absolute truths we remain enemies of God and will suffer His wrath against sin. Belief in these truths and the God of these truths grants us salvation and redemption through His mercy.

If you have ever been to Costco, Sam’s Club, or Best Buy you know what a big warehouse store looks like. The selection of items to choose from is incredibly large. It seems like almost anything you could need can be found in one of these stores.

However, the things we really need are not found in a warehouse store. Philippians 4:19 says, “And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.”

What we really need, and our hearts’ true desire, is love, joy, peace, patience, hope, help, mercy, grace, and goodness. God’s storehouse of blessings overflows with these gifts. We just need to pray and trust, and our God will supply. He eagerly desires to provide these blessings to anyone who will come to Him in faith.

Our justice system allows us to take our requests all the way to the top, the Supreme Court. When we have a complaint against a business, sometimes it may be necessary to take our issue all the way to the Chief Executive Officer.

But where can we go with our needs and the things that bother us? Who have the authority and power to help us. We must go to the supreme power, God. God gave us a command, “The Lord is at hand; do not be anxious about anything.” But how can we do this? We need help, so God made a provision for us, “but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.” If we do this, God gives us this promise, “and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding , will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:5-7

So the formula is simple = Cast away anxiety or anxious thoughts, by telling God about them with thanksgiving, and He promises to give us peace beyond anything we have known before. We can get rid of all anxiety by praying and God will give us peace. Sounds good to me!