HOW DO YOU COPE WITH DIFFICULT CIRCUMSTANCES?

SCRIPTURE:
I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you 
may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious 
inheritance in his holy people, and his incomparably great power for us 
who believe. That power is the same as the mighty strength he exerted 
when he raised Christ from the dead and seated him at his right hand 
in the heavenly realms, far above all rule and authority, power and 
dominion, and every name that is invoked, not only in the present age 
but also in the one to come. (Ephesians 1:18-21)

MEDITATION:
Everything is going good for you 
and suddenly you are blindsided by something unexpected and unpleasant.
All of a sudden your priorities change 
and things that seemed so important to you, are less important now.

This new ‘thing’ has turned your world upside down 
and created concern, worry, fear, and despair.
You recall how your relationship with the Lord has sustained you in the past, 
but how can you resurrect when you are in a state of despondency?
How can you cope with what has created this turmoil for you now?
Do you rely on your own resources, or depend on friends to come to your rescue?

Your mind can be running out of control and it is hard to focus, 
but the scriptures give us a reminder of the One Who is in charge.
God is the One we not only need to, but have to turn to for consolation.
Friends and family can provide a lot of support, but we have to remember 
that God is the One Who can help us cope, and hopefully rectify our situation.

When Paul spoke to the Ephesians about the “eyes of their heart”, 
he was reminding them to look to the Lord with their entire being.
Why? 
Because He is the One Who can give us 
the type of hope we can get from nowhere else.

He also reminded them that He can provide 
the type of riches that cannot be found in the world.
His riches include peace in the midst of a storm, 
and a promise of an eternity with Him.

Lastly, Paul reminded them of the power of God to change things.
But His power is much greater than we could ever fathom.
His power is constant, forever, 
and is stronger than any power, authority, or dominion on earth.

It is the same power 
that raised Jesus from the dead and seated Him at His right hand.
Pause and think for a moment about the magnitude of that kind of power.
He determined the fate of Jesus and He can determine our fate as well.
When we are alarmed, He should be the first One we seek, 
because He is the One with the power to change things.

ACTION:
Are you going through a difficult time right now?
Have you exhausted your own resources in trying to cope?
Remember what Paul told the Ephesians.
We might not be able to change things, 
but our powerful Heavenly Father can.

Some say that God ‘will not change His Will’, 
but that doesn’t mean He will not ‘Will a change’.
Pour your heart out to God honestly and ask Him 
to draw close to you to comfort and console you during this crisis.
Tell Him that you have faith that He can change things for the better 
and that your prayer is that He will.

Pray,
“Heavenly Father, I praise You for Your awesome power to change things.
You know my situation and how devastating it can be for me. But You also 
know how to comfort me and help me to cope. I pray that You will intervene 
in my circumstance and draw me near to You. I trust You as my Heavenly 
Father to provide me with what I need at this time. Surround me with family 
and friends to encourage me as well. Without You, I am downhearted, but 
with You I am filled with hope. Thank You for how You have sustained me
in the past and for the hope You give to me now. I love You and praise You
for all things.”