When Life Is Unfair

Matthew 14:24 "But the boat was already a considerable distance from land, buffeted by the waves because the wind was against it."

by Martin Wiles 

    If I was where God wanted me, why were things going south? Isn't smooth sailing a sign of God's blessings?

   Job's friends thought so. One discouraging report after another arrived. Property, children, servants; all gone in a matter of minutes. Then he was afflicted with a case of boils and a faithless wife to boot. His fair weather friends cameled over and told him unconfessed sin was the reason for his troubles.

   Jesus' disciples were probably confused too. They had watched Jesus feed five thousand plus with five loaves of bread and two fish. Then he told them to cross to the other side of the lake.

   Obeying and now far from land, they encounter a fierce storm. The wind and waves were merciless. Seemed pretty unfair for a group of men who had left all to follow him.

   Ever been there? You worked hard for your spotless credit record, only to have your spouse leave you and the bills. Now the creditors are pouncing.
   Or you reared your children by adhering to the "Train up a child in the way they should go and when they're old they will not depart from it" principle. But they did and trampled on your heart in the process.

   Actually, God never promised life would be fair; only that he would be with us and take the bad and mold good from it. Expecting life to be fair sets us up for disappointment with God and can also lead to bitterness.

   When Jesus came to the disciples walking on water, Peter wanted to walk to him. He didn't make it far because he began looking at the circumstances instead of Jesus. But Jesus didn't let him sink. He took his hand, placed him back in the boat and calmed the storm.

   Difficult and unfair circumstances give God the opportunity to shine his goodness and power into our life. Like Peter, we need to trust him by faith regardless of the situation or whether we understand the reason for it.

Prayer: Holy Father, enable us to trust Your wisdom when life deals us unfair blows.

Daily Smile:

Q. Why did the pig cross the road

A. To prove that he wasn't a chicken

LET IT GO!

Three of the most important words you need to hear today, "Let It Go!" 

I read a story about a little boy who came running into the house, he was upset and angry. 

His mother asked him, "What’s wrong?" Little Johnny said, "Billy called me stupid." "Do you believe that you are stupid?" his mother asked. "No." "Great," mom said, "now let it go!" And with that the whole matter was over. 

One important key in life and in all relationships, for that matter is to: let it go. For those of us who are married has your wife ever come to you with an old shirt of yours that she is tired of washing and wants to through it away but for sentimental reasons you are reluctant to let it go? Well, when it comes to life there are something’s we hold on to way too long – we need to learn how let it go. 

When someone cuts you off in traffic, let it go. 

If a competitor stole your client from you, let it go. 

If you get an unfavorable email from a coworker who is venting to you about the last project you worked on together, let it go. 

If someone did you wrong at some point in time, let it go. 

Your previous employer did you wrong, let it go. 

Your friend betrayed you, let it go. 

Let go of anger, and leave rage behind. 

Do not be preoccupied. It only leads to evil. 

Psalms 37:8 

It’s not worth holding on to it. Let it go, so you can move on, unfettered to your next destination. Far too many of us hold on to things that we should have let go of a long time ago. As I am writing this , I can think of a few things myself. How about you? If we can practice letting go of the things we need to let go of, we can grab hold of the things that we need to hold on to. I firmly believe we hold on to the things we should let go of and we let go of the things we should hold on to. 

As Tozer once said, "In the kingdom of God the surest way to lose something is to try to protect it, and the best way to keep it is to let it go." 

Daily Smile:

While living in Denver the weatherman said, expect 10 to 12 inches of snow tonight so park on the right side of the road so we can plow the left side. Willie’s wife ran out and parked on the right side. 

The next week the forecast called for another 10 to 12 inches of snow, but this time he said park on the left side. So Willie’s wife ran out and parked the car on the left side of the road. 

The following week he said 16 inches of snow expected park, the lights went out and all our power was lost. 

Willie’s wife said, my goodness, now I don’t know where to park the car.

“Why don’t you just leave it in the garage!” Willie said.

Look Up!

When we tell someone to look up, we are encouraging them to have a positive attitude, boosting their morale, and reminding them not to give up when the going gets rough. We look up to read the road signs to make sure we are heading in the right direction. When singing in a choir, we look up to maintain togetherness and let the sound carry out, so the message will be heard. 

When we look up, we see blue skies and feel the sun on our faces. We see the bright new growth of green leaves on the trees. We see the birds soaring. We see smiles on the faces of people in passing. We see an extended hand offering to help us. We look up and see our city, and remember that we have a responsibility to direct others to look up and see the Son. 

Psalm 121:1-2 - If I lift up my eyes to the hills, where shall I find help? Help comes only from the Lord, maker of heaven and earth. (NEB) 

Mark 8:25 - Then [Jesus] put His hands on [the blind man's] eyes again and made him look up. And he was restored and saw everyone clearly. (NKJV) 

Mark 6:41a - And when He had taken the five loaves and the two fish, He looked up to heaven, blessed and broke the loaves, and gave them to His disciples to set before them. (NKJV) 

Looking up during Lent, we see a cross, the reminder of our Saviour's love for us and we give thanks! 

Looking up on Easter morning, we see our resurrected Lord. We fall to our knees, bowing before our risen Saviour; we worship our Father, Creator of heaven and earth; we seek the power and filling of the Holy Spirit. 

Luke 21:27-28 - Then they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. Now when these things begin to happen, look up and lift up your heads, because your redemption draws near. (NKJV) 

Prayer: Holy Father in heaven, may we always keep our focus on You and the daily missions to which You call us. May we constantly look up and see through Your eyes the physical and spiritual needs around us. Under Your leadership, may we respond to those needs and encourage others to look up and see Your glory! Amen. 

by Harriette Davis

Daily Smile:

While walking down the street one day a US senator is tragically hit by a truck and dies. His soul arrives in heaven and is met by St. Peter at the entrance. 

‘Welcome to heaven,' says St. Peter. 'Before you settle in, it seems there is a problem. We seldom see a high official around these parts, you see, so we're not sure what to do with you. ‘No problem, just let me in,' says the man. 

‘Well, I'd like to, but I have orders from higher up. What we'll do is have you spend one day in hell and one in heaven. Then you can choose where to spend eternity. ‘Really, I've made up my mind. I want to be in heaven,' says the senator. 

‘I’m sorry, but we have our rules. ‘And with that, St.Peter escorts him to the elevator and he goes down, down, down to hell. 

The doors open and he finds himself in the middle of a green golf course. In the distance is a clubhouse and standing in front of it are all his friends and other politicians who had worked with him. Everyone is very happy and in evening dress. They run to greet him, shake his hand, and reminisce about the good times they had while getting rich at the expense of the people. They play a friendly game of golf and then dine on lobster, caviar and champagne. Also present is the devil, who really is a very friendly & nice guy who has a good time dancing and telling jokes. They are having such a good time that before he realizes it, it is time to go. Everyone gives him a hearty farewell and waves while the elevator  raises...The elevator goes up, up, up and the door reopens on heaven where St. Peter is waiting for him. 

‘Now it's time to visit heaven. ‘So, 24 hours pass with the senator joining a group of contented souls moving from cloud to cloud, playing the harp and singing. They have a good time and, before he realizes it, the 24 hours have gone by and St. Peter returns. 

‘Well, then, you've spent a day in hell and another in heaven. Now choose your eternity. ‘The senator reflects for a minute, then he answers: 'Well, I would never have said it before, I mean heaven has been delightful, but I think I would be better off in hell. 

‘So St. Peter escorts him to the elevator and he goes down, down, down to hell. Now the doors of the elevator open and he's in the middle of a barren land covered with waste and garbage. He sees all his friends, dressed in rags, picking up the trash and putting it in bags as more trash falls from above. 

The devil comes over to him and puts his arm around his shoulder. 'I don't understand,' stammers the senator. 'Yesterday I was here and there was a golf course and clubhouse, and we ate lobster and caviar, drank champagne, and danced and had a great time. Now there's just a wasteland full of garbage and my friends look miserable. 

What happened? 

‘The devil looks at him, smiles and says, 'Yesterday we were campaigning.... Today you voted.'

What to do when you 'hit the wall' spiritually

by Jack Graham

We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed. 2 Corinthians 4:8-9 

Back in the 1984 Olympics, there was a Swiss runner named Gabrielle Anderson-Scheiss who was at the very end of running the marathon event. But when came into that stadium for her final lap, her legs turned to rubber. She started wobbling and was about to collapse. Yet, as she staggered in, the crowd cheered enthusiastically and the whole world watched as Gabrielle finished that race. 

The analysts were talking about what had happened to Gabrielle, who was really a great runner. They said she "hit the wall," which happens when a runner's blood sugar and hydration level get so low that dizziness, muscle paralysis, and even a total collapse can happen. But even though she hit the wall, Gabrielle finished the race. 

There are many believers today who have hit the wall spiritually and are running on low spiritual energy. They've been disappointed and discouraged to the point that they're almost ready to throw in the towel. 

But the Word of God promises that, even in those times when you feel like you have nothing left-when you feel afflicted, crushed, or struck down-you will never be destroyed solely because of your position in Christ. So when tough times hit and you feel like you've hit the wall, remember you have a Savior who will carry you to the finish! 

WHEN YOU FEEL LIKE YOU'VE HIT THE SPIRITUAL WALL IN YOUR RACE, LEAN ON JESUS WHO HAS PROMISED TO CARRY YOU TO THE END.

Daily Smile:

A Taliban was sitting in a cave when he hears over a dune the voice of one American solider: "One American solider is better then 10 Taliban fighters" so the Taliban angry sent over ten of his high-ranking soldiers. After a lot of gun fire and yelling and screams of agony the Taliban heard the voice again.

"One American solider is better then 100 Taliban fighters" So the Taliban sends over 100 of his highest ranked soldiers sure of victory. After a lot of gun fire and yelling and screams of agony the Taliban heard the voice again. 

"One American solider is better then 1000 Taliban fighters" So the Taliban sent his toughest, meanest, personal guards over the dune. 

After hundreds of bullets fired, and explosions and the screaming and crying, it was over. The Taliban now wondering what happened goes over the dune where he finds a wounded Taliban solider who says "don't send anymore men it's really a trap there is really two of them!"

Let’s learn from potatoes

Author Unknown

A kindergarten teacher has decided to let her class play a game. The teacher told each child in the class to bring along a plastic bag containing a few potatoes. Each potato will be given a name of a

person that the child hates, so the number of potatoes that a child will put in his or her plastic bag will depend on the number of people he/she hates. 

So when the day came, every child brought some potatoes with the name of the people he/she hated. Some had two potatoes; some three, while some up to five potatoes. Then, the teacher told

the children to carry the potatoes with them in the plastic bag wherever they go (even to the washroom) for one week. 

Days after days passed by, and the children started to complain due to the unpleasant smell that came out from the rotten

potatoes. Besides, those having five potatoes also had to carry heavier bags. After one week, the children were relieved, because the game has finally ended. 

The teacher asked, how did you feel while carrying the potatoes with you for one week? The children let out their frustrations and started complaining of the trouble that they had to go through while carrying the heavy and smelly potatoes wherever they went. 

Then, the teacher told them the hidden meaning behind the game. The teacher said... 

This is exactly the situation when you carry your hatred for

somebody inside your heart. The stench of hatred will contaminate your heart and you will carry it with you wherever you go. If you cannot tolerate the smell of rotten potatoes for just one week, can you imagine what it is to have the stench of hatred in your heart for your lifetime? 

Summary of the story: Throw away any hatred for anyone from your heart, so that you will not carry sins for a lifetime. Forgiving others is the best attitude to have! True love is not loving a perfect person, but loving an imperfect person perfectly.

Daily Smile:

A man died and went to The Judgment, where he was told, "Before you meet with God, I should tell you — we've looked over your life, and to be honest you really didn't do anything particularly good or bad. We're not really sure what to do with you. Can you tell us

anything you did that can help us make a decision?"

The newly-arrived soul thought for a moment and replied, "Yeah, once I was driving along and came upon a person who was being harassed by a group of thugs. So I pulled over, got out a bat, and went up to the leader of the thugs. He was a big, muscular guy

with a ring pierced through his lip. Well, I tore the ring out of his lip, and told him he and his gang had better stop bothering this guy or they would have to deal with me!"

"Wow that's impressive, "When did this happen?"

"About three minutes ago."