If the Lord is your Shepherd, you don't have to just "grin and bear it" through life's crises
It's almost easy to forget sometimes what we have in the Lord. Suppose we had nothing more than what the world has to offer.
While doing some cleaning recently, I came across an old magnet I'd picked up for next to nothing at a thrift shop. It's a large wooden magnet with a flower painted on it, along with the message, "Grin and bear it."
I've had it for a few years, and have always meant to redo it with a different picture and a Christian message. So far, though, I haven't gotten around to it.
Since I first laid eyes on the magnet, I've been struck by how "Grin and bear it" just isn't a Christian message -- and we can be thankful to the Lord that it isn't.
Imagine if that was the most comforting message we had to make it through the hard times.
The world has its own "Bible" of inspirational quotes and "wise" sayings that we're probably all familiar with, and "grin and bear it" is one of its verses.
Some of those sayings might not directly conflict with God's Word, but many do. And they all, in the end, fall short, not being founded on God's Word.
"When the going gets tough, the tough get going."
"When life hands you lemons, make lemonade."
"Whatever doesn't kill you makes you stronger."
"Don't worry, be happy."
"The power of positive thinking" can often get you somewhere in a limited sense, but it's no substitute for a relationship with the living God.
In many situations, the most comfort and encouragement that worldly positive thinking can offer is to "grin and bear it," while those who are in the Lord will always find fullness of life, no matter their external circumstances.
The world also deceives people into thinking they don't need God. Appealing to the human sense of pride, Satan tempts people to think they can be "the captains of their own souls."
But God's Word tells us that we deceive ourselves if we think we can do without Him.
"Behold, his soul which is lifted up is not upright in him: but the just shall live by his faith."
Habakkuk 2:4
After falling for the deception that they can "go it alone," people indeed find themselves alone.
The Lord promises, though, that we who believe on Him are never alone. In Matthew 28:20, He says, "lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen."
We can rejoice in the midst of our struggles, therefore, because we know He is near to us, so we're not going through anything alone. We can put aside anxiety and bring our troubles straight to Him, and receive His supernatural peace.
"Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice. Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand. Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus."
Philippians 4:4-7
We can be confident that the Lord will take care of our every need.
"The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want."
Psalm 23:1
As the shepherd of our souls, He promises to lovingly watch over us and protect us, giving His life for our sakes.
"I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture. The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly. I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep."
John 10:9-11
In the Lord, we never have to try to live under own power, deceiving ourselves that it's both possible and desirable, when it's neither.
- Scripture Verses for Encouragement
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