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Life happens. Faith weakens. Temptations attack. Satan oppresses. Needs overwhelm. Sickness comes. Finances disappear. Divorce looms. Loneliness suffocates. Decisions paralyze. Worries strangle. Friends betray. Careers stall.
The challenges of life confront us all. You cannot cancel your appointment with trouble. And you do not know when pain will show up in your life. Just be sure it's coming. There is nothing you can do to stop it.
That's the bad news. Here is the good news. You may not be able to control what happens to you in life, but you can control how you respond. This is the wonderful benefit of the Christian life. To trust in Jesus Christ as your Savior and Lord does not bring an end to all of your troubles, no matter what some high-profile religious personalities falsely teach. To the contrary, following Christ will produce trials that you would never face otherwise (John 16:33; Acts 14:22; 2 Tim. 3:12).
Christianity is a battleground, not a playground. But faith in God ensures that you will never have to stand and fight alone (Eph. 6:10-20). The believer can live with the assurance that the Lord is there (Ps. 46:1). And the presence of our divine Ally provides sufficient resources for every struggle you face.
I repeat. There is nothing you can do to stop bad things from happening in your life. But you can determine your response.
You can love those who hate you.
You can bless those who persecute you.
You can turn the other cheek.
You can go the second mile.
You can forgive those who offend you seven times in one day.
You can be steadfast, immovable, and always abounding in the work of the Lord.
You can overcome evil with good.
You can count it all joy when you meet trials of various kinds.
You can give thanks in all circumstances.