In Every Situation

2 Thessalonians 3:16 – Now may the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times and in every way. The Lord be with all of you. (NIV 2011)

In a recent email, I was listing for a family member a number of current, mundane things related to home maintenance repairs and various family health issues, including waiting for lab reports and appointments. I ended the list with "It's always something!"

In the past, our family has been amused when remembering a line from Gilda Radner, a Saturday Night Live comedienne of the 1970s, whose ending line after reporting a string of silly events in her skit was "It just goes to show ya. It's always something. If it's not one thing, it's another." Over the years, the phrase "It's always something!" has become a lighthearted family saying.

After ending my list with this, I went on to write that every "something" is an opportunity to "simply trust and obey, for there's no other way to be happy in Jesus", as the old hymn lyrics stated so well. I recall that it's very true that our lives are full of these "somethings". We have situations and opportunities when we need to stop and reflect. We must be alert when feeling overloaded or confused or tempted to act quickly to judge for ourselves. Scripture is full of admonitions and encouragements for us as to how to react. It is always a choice to trust and obey.

Proverbs 3:6 – In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight. (NIV 2011)

For us who are believers, the Holy Spirit resides within us. He shows us how to respond, and He prays for us and gives us His strength and guidance in every situation. But He does not force us. We can choose to enjoy being led. The decision to trust and obey comes from within because of a devoted love for our Saviour.

Philippians 4:6 – Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. (NIV 2011)

Did you notice the words "anything" and "every situation"? Dear friends, we all swim about in lives of "situations", from the minuscule to the immense, from the mundane to the life-altering. Remember, every situation is known to our Lord Emmanuel, the God Who is with us. He is the Lord of peace. He alone knows the future. In Him, we must learn to put our full and complete trust.

Prayer: Dear Lord of peace, forgive us for the many situations when we fail to run to You first of all. Remind us again of Whose we are, and how You desire to fill us with Your Holy Spirit and to renew a right spirit within us. Help us to trust Your promises and to live lives full of thanksgiving and joy. Amen.