At this stage of my life, I am going through a difficult time. I am learning that the only way for me to get through hard times is to turn to God.
We found out two months ago that my mom has stage 4 cancer, Glioblastoma, which is a brain tumor. It is hard to see her health decline. It is hard to deal with others who don’t know how to deal with my mom’s cancer, and act like ticking time bombs, that will explode at any second.
Every morning, I lay my requests and concerns before God. Why? They are too much for me to carry alone.
God knows what is going to happen each day. I ask God to guide me through today, and I read the bible. I have been reading the same book, 1 Thessalonians, since Tuesday, and today’s verses stood out, that I didn’t notice previously. God is giving me advice, like a father gives his daughter.
God wants us to be at peace among ourselves. God does not want us to fight with each other. God does not want us to be angry with each other.
Be at peace among yourselves.
–1 Thessalonians 5:13 (NKJV)
God wants us to warn those who are unruly. God wants us to call attention to disruptive behavior, in those that are losing control.
God wants us to comfort those who are afraid. God wants us to ease the grief of the timid.
God wants us to uphold the weak. God wants us to support the feeble.
God wants us to be patient with all.
If someone is evil to you, you should not be evil back to her. When someone treats you with hatred, do not return the hatred with more evil. Instead, pursue good. God wants us to pursue what is good and right for ourselves and others.
Now we exhort you, brethren, warn those who are unruly, comfort the fainthearted, uphold the weak, be patient with all. See that no one renders evil for evil to anyone, but always pursue what is good both for yourselves and for all.
–1 Thessalonians 5:14-15 (NKJV)
I understand what God wants me to do, but it is hard. I have to let go of myself and give complete control to God.
Just because somebody lashes out at me, I cannot lash back at them. It is like an internal struggle to remain calm inside. This advice is very timely for me. Every time I think of what was said to me, I have to pray for the other person and myself, and that God will watch over my mom and protect her. I cannot respond with anger.
Jesus died on the cross to forgive our sins. People were beating him and going out of their way to give him a painful death. It was evil and brutal. Jesus endured the suffering to forgive our sins. So, I must remember all that Jesus did for me, so I can try and act in ways that please God.
I will thank God for teaching me self-control and discipline. I will thank God, that I can rely on him. I can thank God for carrying me through this difficult time.
We should rejoice and pray without ceasing. We should give thanks in all situations, for this is God’s will for us.
Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.
–1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 (NKJV)
God wants us to treat others with love, peace, comfort and patience.
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