Prodigal:  So, this might be tougher to get out of then I thought.

Me:  I can support you, even if it takes a while.

Prodigal:  Thank you, that means a lot.

There comes a time in everyone’s life when trouble and difficulties seem to gang up.  When this happens–when life gets hard–what is the creative way to handle things?

FIRST:  Don’t try to do it all yourself.  Do not struggle and fret.  Do not strain and complain.  Do all you can about things and then put everything into God’s hands, trusting Him to bring it out right.  You can  depend upon God.  He will not fail you.  Let go and let God.

SECOND:  Pray for guidance and believe that direction is now being given you.  Believe this guidance can be trusted.  Depend upon it, for it won’t fail you.

THIRD:  Pray for and practice a calm attitude.  Disturbing things will remain disturbing as long as you are disturbed.  But when you become peaceful, conditions will iron themselves out.  You cannot think creatively when your mind is upset.  Remember: upset minds upset; peaceful minds “peacefulize.”

FOURTH:  Saturate your consciousness with faith, the creative faith that things will turn our right.  Say aloud every day several times:  “Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee” (Isa. 26:3).  “In quietness and in confidence shall be your strength” (Isa. 30:15).  “Peace unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you.  Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid” (John 14:27).

FIFTH:  Remind yourself of one great truth: hard experiences will pass away.  They will yield.  They can be changed.  So just hold on, with God’s help.

SIXTH:  There is always a light in the darkness.  Believe that.  Look for that light.  The light is the love of God.  “Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and light unto my path.” (Psalm 119:105).  Go ahead into the darkness unafraid.

SEVENTH:Ask the Lord to release your own creative ingenuity, your own strength and wisdom, which taken together can, for a fact, handle any problem successfully.

EIGHTH:  Never forget that God cares for you, that He loves you.   He wants to help you.  Turn to Him, and gratefully accept His help.

NINTH:  Remember that all human beings experience troubles similar to your own.  Many years ago a graduating class gave a stone bench to their university on which were graven these words:  “To those who sit here sorrowing or rejoicing:  greetings.  So also did we in our time.”

TENTH:  Finally, hold on to this great promise:  “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.”   And this is the truth.  God will see you through, and a brighter day will dawn for you.

If any man serve me, let him follow me; and where I am, there shall also my servant be:  if any man serve me, him will my Father honor.

John 12:26

Jennifer Van Allen

www.theprodigalpig.com

www.faithincounseling.org