Let God shine on all of your circumstances
Are you in a dark place? Are obstacles on every side of your path? Then, perhaps, have you become so discouraged, fearful or drained emotionally, that you may begin to doubt yourself and lose all hope for a better tomorrow.
But you have struggled long enough. Don’t draw negative conclusions from situations, or be down on yourself or your future. For when challenges occur, you have a choice. You can make assumptions and listen to the unconstructive voice in back of your head that says, “There is nothing that you can do that will make a difference now,” and just give up. Or, you could set your heart and mind toward God, believe in your amazing ability to rise above the challenge, and then take constructive positive steps forward.
Years ago, I read a book titled, “A Turtle on the Fencepost,” by Allen C. Emery. In the story, the author describes a memorable time in his life when he visited a prairie in Texas.
While there, Emery watched in awe as a shepherd was tending to thousands of his sheep. Then, night came. As they were making a bonfire, all of a sudden, Emery heard coyotes howling in the distance. Quickly, the shepherd ran to care for his sheep, as the sheep dogs were not on guard.
As Emery looked in the direction of the sheep, he saw thousands of tiny, sparkling lights. “I realized,” he wrote, “that these were reflections of the fire in the eyes of the sheep.”
Emery continued, “In the midst of danger, the sheep were not looking out into the darkness but were keeping their eyes set toward the shepherd.”
Similarly, when you are confronted with a challenge, do not look into the darkness. Rather, start the day off grateful and keep your eyes set on God. Put your faith, trust and confidence in Him. That difficulty is not going to plague you anymore. Let God shine on all of your circumstances. Kind and merciful, God will lift your burdens and take the undeserved and unfair situations that have occurred, and ultimately, turn them around for your good. Therefore, do what you can and trust that God will step in and do the rest.
“But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run and not be weary; and they shall walk and not faint.” (Isaiah 40:31).
A few weeks back, Dr. Bernie Siegel told me a remarkable story about a patient with extensive abdominal cancer. Dr. Siegel is a physician and a best-selling author who has cared for and counseled innumerable patients.
Two months later, the patient returned to the office. She had no signs of cancer. Dr. Siegel asked her to tell him what she did. The lady smiled and said, “Oh, you know.” Quickly, Dr. Siegel replied, “Yes, but tell me.”
Contented, the lady uttered, “I left my troubles to God.”
Dr. Siegel suggests, “Our potential when we have faith is amazing. As the Serenity Prayer tells us, leave it to God… and rest.”
So place your worries and cares in God’s Hands. Give them over to Him, because He can look ahead to where you cannot see and make the wrongs turn out right. Your life is not over. You’re going to be set free. For you haven’t ‘seen,’ ‘heard’ or ‘imagined’ what God has prepared for you. (1 Corinthians 2:9). There are incredible blessings in your future. You have higher heights to climb, exceptional people to meet and many goals yet to make manifest.
In the Bible, it tells about a five-year-old boy named, Mephibosheth. (2 Samuel 4:4) Born into royalty, the boy had a bright, abundant, blessed future. However, in a raging battle against the Philistines, Mephibosheth’s father Jonathan, and his grandfather King Saul died on the battle field.
Upon hearing the news, Mephibosheth’s nurse became fearful. The nurse thought the Philistines might seek to take the life of the young boy. So the nurse quickly picked up little Mephibosheth into her arms. She began to flee, looking for a safe hiding place for them.
Yet, in her anxious effort and desperation, while she was running, she dropped the boy. Mephibosheth fell to the ground. He was badly injured, and his ankles were crushed. Through no fault of his own Mephibosheth was dropped. He didn’t do anything wrong. It wasn’t fair. It was not his mistake. But Mephibosheth became crippled, never to walk again. (2 Samuel 9:1-13).
Years passed, and Mephibosheth grew up in poverty in a very poor city. He was basically alone, in a desperate situation, and missing out on the best that life had to offer. Then, one day, out of the blue, King David inquired ‘Is there anyone left alive from the house of Saul.’ Ziba, who was a servant of the house of Saul, said to King David, ‘Jonathan’s son Mephibosheth is still living.’ (2 Samuel 9:1).
So King David told his soldiers to go into the city and find Mephibosheth. They found him and carried him back to the palace. Terrified, and perhaps, not knowing what would happen to him next, Mephibosheth was placed in front of King David.
David comforted, “Don’t be afraid!” Next, David said to Mephibosheth. “I intend to show kindness to you because of my promise to your father, Jonathan. I will give you all the property that once belonged to your grandfather, Saul, and you will eat here with me at the king’s table!” – (2 Samuel 9:3-7).
God’s light shined on the situation, for King David was gracious to Mephibosheth and made him a part of the royal family. In absolute awe and wonder, Mephibosheth was given a new identity, a new position, and a new freedom.
David restored to him the land of his grandfather and gave him an open, kind invitation to dine with him at the King’s table, forever changing him and his surroundings.
Today, regardless of what you face, ask your all-loving, all-knowing heavenly Father to help you. Right now, He is acting mightily on your behalf. God is going to bring your hopes, dreams and goals to pass. Thus, lift up your hands in praise to Him. Be a blessing to others. Live with a positive frame of mind and let the light of God shine upon you.
Email Catherine GalassoVigorito at cgv@ anewyouworldwide.com. To order a copy of her latest book, “The Open Window, 8 Weeks to Creating an Extraordinary Life,” visit www. anewyouworldwide.com or bookstores nationwide.