TOUGH TIMES

Life can be tough...illness, injury, aging, heartache. We know Jesus is vitally interested in our joy, even here on earth. We says clearly in John 15: 11, "These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be made full." If this is so, how can we manage to squeeze joy back into a life scarred with sorrow, pain, or loss? The answer is right there in the same chapter!

REMEMBER

We can know nothing apart from Jesus - verse 5.

Answered prayer is based on abiding in Jesus - verse 7.

We must continue to bear fruit for God - verse 8.

We must always abide in Jesus’ love - verse 9.

We must continue to love one another the way Jesus loves us. - verse 12.

To put this into practice on a daily basis, it helps to:

Remember this is earth not heaven.

Focus on the real goal of true Christians, heaven and its glory, not earth and its heartaches.

Be prepared for tough times, remembering that God is on our side.

Also remember, Satan delights in causing bad things to happen and then blaming it on God.

Remember that Jesus knows how you feel.

- Adapted