DO NOT LONG for the absence of problems in your life.  That is an unrealistic goal, since in this world you will have trouble.  You have an eternity of problem-free living reserved for you in heaven.  Rejoice in that inheritance, which no one can take away from you, but do not seek your heaven on earth.

Begin each day anticipating problems, asking Me to equip you for whatever difficulties you will encounter.  The best equipping is My living Presence, My hand that never lets go of yours.  Discuss everything with Me.  Take a lighthearted view of trouble, seeing it as a challenge that you and I together can handle.  Remember that I am on your side and that I have overcome the world.

**JOHN 16: 33; ISAIAH 41: 13; PHILIPPIANS 4: 13

When I first read this…I thought…now isn’t that encouraging…to go into a day expecting problems.  Oh joy!

But as I read it again and with the scriptures, I realized as always a life with the Lord so often is counter to my knee jerk reflex. 

With the Lord we are told that we are to rejoice when we face trials.

We are told that the first will be last and the last will be first.

We are told to offer our other cheek when we have been smacked upside the head.

We are exhorted to consider other people’s interests above our own.

We are told that our troubles are light and only momentary despite how they feel and appear.

On and on the list goes of what is so backward according to the world but should be forward thinking to the believer.

But what I realized this morning is to think like this…I can’t do it on my own.  The only way that I can live like this is to let Jesus take me by the hand and lead me.  Allowing  myself to  remember that He said that there would be trouble in this very world…but I don’t have to go through any type of trouble alone.

Perhaps the more trouble…the more I get to partner with Him in walking through it.

Reach out for His hand today…it is just a fingertip away…for whatever awaits you…the troubles…but wouldn’t it be great if we never let go…holding on during the trials…squeezing tightly in the midst of the  joys of life as well. 

Oh and don’t forget that image…a problem-free heaven…that’s sounds quite divine.