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Stay on the Road
by Donna L. Watkins
It’s hard to change old habits and many of them go generations back, yet we have been given the power to do so and to enjoy this life, we must make the choice to always have hope lit within our souls.
I was reading a devotional book by Kathy Troccolli and she mentioned Romans 8. There is enough there that can take back a lot of ground we give over to the enemy when we succumb to the hopeless feelings of circumstances. If I just remember to ‘Stay on the Romans 8 Road I can make my way back to the Light of Hope.
How often do we fail in using and allowing God’s Word to protect our hearts and minds? Too often we look at the circumstance or the feeling rather than what God’s Word says about us. Many times when I’m up against a circumstance I can’t see the forest for the trees and I don’t seem to remember where to run for cover. It’s like my memory of The Word has been dubbed over by the overwhelming circumstances and the emotions that go with them.
Sometimes I surrender to the moment before I read Romans 8:37: "… in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us." When I hear those voices saying I haven’t done it right or I’ve failed or guilt comes to cover me like a dark blanket, I read Romans 8:1: "… there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus."
As I walk through the most trying of situations, I read Romans 8:18: "consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us."
When I can hardly remember how to reach for heaven and pray, I read Romans 8:26: "In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express."
If I think that life is too hard with trouble all around, I must remember Romans 8:28: "We know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose."
When I feel like I’ve been backed into a corner with no options or way out, Romans 8:31 reminds me that "If God is for us, who can be against us?"
The Word is Truth and Faithful and Unchanging and Forever. You can’t go on feelings. Don’t let circumstances take you down. The devil will forever be tossing them at us for a laugh. The stronger we become and the more we trust in our Heavenly Father and believe and live in His Word, the less entertaining we will be to the devil and he may just leave us alone and bug somebody else that doesn’t apply the Truth and Love of the Father that they have at their disposal.
Loneliness A Problem?
The darkest nights are not reserved for those who endure loss from fire, accident, earthquake, or hurricane. The darkest hours are destined for those whose tragedy goes unnoticed. The deepest pain belongs to those for whom no rescue is intended – those who must endure loneliness.
Refuse to be alone. You can meet people in some way, whether at church, at a support group, at a club meeting of interest, or even in forums online. Don’t allow the devil to isolate you from your brothers and sisters in Christ and those kindred spirits who will resonate who you are as soon as you meet them.