Daily Devotional for Thursday October 15, 2009

Facing Various Problems

(1 Thessalonians 5:17)

There is one thing that I am certain of today, as you read this Devotional you have already or will throughout the day, face various problems. I am not talking about the major issues we often have to battle like a serious health problem, a crisis in our marriage, a major financial challenge, not having a job, being in bondage to some sort of addiction, but about the small day to day problems that come out of nowhere and have to be dealt with.

As you know, there is virtually no end to these types of problems. Losing our keys, misplacing our wallet, something going wrong with our car, getting a traffic ticket, something breaking in our home, spilling our coffee in the morning, our computer isn't working, unexpected issues at work or school, a confrontation with someone we meet, having a routine dentist appointment turn into something more involved, stubbing your toe, not getting the apple pie you ordered in your McDonald's lunch bag, or your pet is sick . . . I could go on for hours but I think you get my point.

There are so many things in our life that happens every day; just in the course of living through another 24 hours. Many of these things are totally out of our control and simply problems that we never expected but are suddenly confronted with. I find that for many people, simply dealing with the day-to-day problems life throws at them can be very challenging and often overwhelming.

This is one of the reasons that I frequently tell you we must have a real, committed, 24/7 relationship with the Lord. It would be nice if all of our problems occurred at 11 a.m. on Sunday morning, but that is not reality. The problems of life happen daily, and all throughout the day. I counsel people to start their day in prayer and in the Word of God. It is not only the best way to start your new day but it will give you the focus and strength to deal with whatever problems life may throw at you during the course of that day

Paul said to, "Pray without ceasing." I take that LITERALLY. I wake up each morning in prayer and never hang up the phone. I spend the entire day with that line to God open. God has given us the greatest resource there is in the world, a direct line to Him. We are fools if we don't take full advantage of it. There is nothing in your life that you will face that is too big for God to handle or TOO SMALL!

You have got to understand, God cares about you! He loves you! God cares if your keys are lost. God cares if your car won't start. God cares if you spill your coffee. God cares if your hot water heater isn't working. God cares if your boss is giving you a hard time for no reason. God cares if you have a cavity. God cares if your apple pie is missing. God cares about every detail in your life. He loves you that much.

I love you and care about you too! I realize that you are facing lots of challenges in your life today, many of those challenges you never even expected when you woke up. I want to encourage you to "pray without ceasing." Start your day in prayer, reading God's Word, and spend the entire day with that line to God OPEN. Prayer demonstrates our dependence on God. When we don't pray, we are depending on ourselves. John 15:5 tells us "without me, you can do nothing." Why be so foolish to try and deal with the day-to-day problems of life alone, when God is ready, willing, and able to help us?

I will be praying for you today. Praying that no matter what problems life may throw your way today, you will find your strength, hope, and answers in the Lord. You will be amazed how much easier every day is when we are operating in His strength and not ours. You will be amazed at how much more peace and joy there is every day, despite the problems of life, when we are relying on God and not ourselves.

This could be one of the most profound words I have ever shared with you because it is so relevant and necessary to our daily lives. The key to knowing God's peace, joy, and the abundance of this life is by living each day in constant communication with Him. Start your day in prayer and keep that line open ALL DAY LONG. It won't make the problems of life go away but it is how you can live each day no matter what problems life may throw at you.

In His love and service, Your friend and brother in Christ, Bill Keller