I'm sitting here in front of a blank screen. I sat down an hour or so ago prepared to write this morning's message. Then the household exploded into a series of minor crisis. Nothing major, just the sort of last minute morning events that can hit any home. Now I'm frazzled and my mind nearly as blank as the screen.

As I type, I'm also taking some deep breaths and asking Father to restore the peace I was experiencing when I initially sat down. The calm is starting to slowly return. I don't know what it was I thought I was supposed to be writing, but whatever it was will have to be for another day.

Sometimes, we sell a lie when we talk about our faith. We give the impression that as soon as you become a Christian, everything is perfect. We pretend that there suddenly becomes absolute peace and joy. Then when something happens we're not sure what to do.

Can we talk about that a bit? Becoming a Christian is no guarantee of a life that's free of stress, strife or suffering. It's not a guaranteed plan of material prosperity or physical and emotional healing. It isn't a promise that God will act as your personal genie granting your every wish and desire.

Quite the opposite in fact. Please don't misunderstand what I'm about to say, as a Christian you may well experience peace, joy, healing and prosperity. There will also be times of trial, testing and pain as God shapes us into the people He called us to be.

Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.
James 1:2-4 NIV

James is speaking to fellow believers. He says "whenever you face trials", he does not say "if you face trials." That leads me to think that believers will face struggles.

Becoming a Christian is free (it's not cheap, Jesus gave His life for us) but it comes with a price. We don't get a card that frees us from life's struggles. What we do get is something much better. We get to become more like Jesus through he struggles.

That's one of the reasons the Apostle Paul could say:

Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us.
Romans 5:3-5 NIV

I don't know what you face this morning. It could be as simple as a last minute morning rush. It might be as devastating as a marriage that's come apart, the death of a loved one or perhaps serious illness; unemployment or financial ruin. Whatever it is, you don't have to share the burden alone. He is there to help you carry it.

"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light."
Matthew 11:28-30 NIV

Until next time, lay all of the burdens you face on His shoulders. He'll make the load of life lighter.

Hallelu Yah (Praise God)

Be blessed

Kevin