I have to admit, I am feeling somewhat forlorn lately.  Injustice, death, mayhem, poverty pervades my thoughts and I feel powerless to combat it.  The only way I know to cope with this type of bleakness is  to immerse myself further into the Word of God.  

This desire to seek God for answers, solace, and rest is universal.  Unfortunately, many do not yet know that God is the only one that can fill the void that we all feel.  Over the years, I have discovered that the world cannot solve spiritual problems.  The world cannot cure loneliness, despondency, spiritual depression.   In other words, no matter how hard we try, we cannot manufacture friends or create truth.  Money and power may grease the wheels but will never bring peace or modify your countenance.

If we know that God is the answer, why don't we seek HIM?  

The world teaches us that once you discover your fundamental purpose in life, then you will have wealth, happiness, purpose.  But in fact, this is not true.  God has already told us that there is but one purpose in this life: to build a relationship with God and to strive to learn so much about Him that you begin to act, think and comport yourself like HIM.   That is it!  

To many this simple truth does not hold enough gravitas.  So most of us opt to chase after the shiny things of this world: success, wealth, power, status, love, beauty.

It is only when we achieve these things that we realize how hollow and inconsequential they are.

God's way is so much better because when we seek after HIM, we seek after the one thing that will make us happy.  God in return rewards us with gifts to make the quest bearable.  God gives us special talents, personal pursuits, travel, family, great heights, - all curated just for our unique personalities to motivate and cheer us as we navigate through this earthly condition.  

When we live for God, he will give us the tools to navigate this life.  He will provide resources, a profession, respites, success - all to help propel us forward.

But these gifts, motivations and tools are never the goals of life.  God is the goal.

It is the truth, darling;

I believe that prayer can change me and others for the better.  Yet, somedays, I find it difficult to pause long enough to pray. There are even times when I am so agitated and distressed that I forget how to pray.

Here is a simple formula.

1. Acknowledge the power of God (Father, Son, Spirit)

Think of God, the Father and the Son individually.  Recount the different things you know about God and His Power based on how God has led you, how God is described in the Bible, how other faithful people describe God.

1. Petition God for the desires of your heart.

Recount your worries, fears, anxieties.  Ask God for specific help.

1. Thank God for the help He has provided in past, present and future.

 

1. Praise Him for who He is and what He has done.

We are told when we pray, something supernatural happens.  Prayer does not summon God to our side because He is always there,  Instead, prayer allows us to see God, recall His acts and release our anxieties.  Prayer recharges our Spirit energy and gives us peace that passes all understanding.
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It is a promise, darling.

As I look back over my life, I am often saddened by the many missed opportunities and missteps.  Even when I try my best, I often stray from my God given path.

During these times of reflection, I just want to curl up under my favorite blanket and disappear. 

But, God has called us to "be in the world" just not "of the world". In other words, we are expected to live in the world - immersed in the good, the bad, and the ugly.  In other words, despite it all, we are still required to complete our secular responsibilities while remaining loyal to God.

Whew!

Thanks be to God, we have friends in High places to help us: Jesus and the Holy Spirit.

These days, I find myself relying more and more on the Spirit of God to help me complete my day to day earthly tasks.  Every time I encounter an obstacle, I call on the Holy Spirit in real time for wisdom, discernment, capacity, good judgement, and love.

God has promised to "give us our daily bread" when we seek Him.  Daily bread represents the sustenance (energy, vigor, stamina, joy, peace) we need to thrive here on earth. Learn (by reading God's word) to rely on God's daily bread instead of the world's material illusions.  Spirit gifts last forever.

It's a promise, darling!