Sometimes, life has a way rubbing us raw. Tons of demands, sickness, financial strains, concerns about things that we dont have the ability to change. They all have a way of hooking you and dragging you down. I've seen a trend in my life: happy and life is grand, something comes along that is difficult, its all I can think about, I become overwhelmed, then hopeless, discouraged. Here's the switch that changes everything: Problems surrounding me, feel hopeless, discouraged~ I look to Jesus and cry out to Him, He shines his light on the situation and suddenly it doesnt seem so hopeless, and despite the situation I find myself in there is joy.
I'm going to admit, it took me WAY too long to see this and realize the obvious way to live is coming to Him at the first sign of trouble. Coming to Him right away for the thing that I know will hook-n-sink me. I've heard people say, "yes it's good to go to Jesus with your concerns, but there is a practical world and these issues are real." To that I would say, "God is as practical as it comes". Why struggle to control and allow the hook of discouragement to come in, when you can go to the One who can do anything about everything! To the One who can calm every anxiety and bring peace, hope, and joy for any situation.
God is not a go-to for a feel good, while ignoring the problem. God is a solution, with peace.
