Temporary Challenges

All I need

The situation overwhelms me
The alternatives face me
The sardonic mock of those around me
Makes me want to give in;

I struggle within myself
About what is true and what is truth
Fear and doubt come over me
While the short cuts appear worthwhile;

In the midst of this war
I still hold on to you:
All I need is your word
That gives me hope to go on
Yes, all I need is your word
Which if I hear, builds my faith for today;

The situation overwhelms me
I am tired of “should I or should I not”
All I need is your word
To keep me focused on the right path.

The inspiration
Wisdom had been searching for a job for a long time,. While at the university, he always talked about the kind of job he would have. 2 years after NYSC, that job did not seem like it was forthcoming. He began to doubt the word of God he had believed in and the words he had spoken. He had written several tests, got up to the final stage, but on every occasion he was put on the waitlist. His friends labeled him a “nearmisser”. Some people felt there was a curse from home that prevented him from getting the best despite his excellent degree, grades and wonderful personality.

One fateful day, Wisdom got a call from a company. He was offered a good position within the company. When he looked at his offer letter, it was far below what he had expected. He took some days to think about the offer. He discussed with family and friends. Many called him greedy when he mentioned that he may not take the offer. After a lot of pressure, he decided to accept the offer. There was also a clause in the letter stating that he will be with the company for three years. Only death could separate him from the company. Out of desperation, he signed the dotted lines. Afterall, “half a loaf of bread is better than none”, he recalled a popular idiomatic expression.

The very next day, believe it or not, after Wisdom started work, he got home to receive a letter in his mail box. Lo and behold, it was a letter of employment from the kind of company he had always talked about. The letter was dated 2 weeks back.

I may have acted the way he did under similar circumstances. So could you. Some could say he was silly, how could he? Let’s not judge or bother about what could have been done. Let’s take a simple lesson from this.

I recall the story of Esau and Jacob [Genesis 25:29-34]. Esau sold his birthright for a bowl of soup. Under a temporary challenge, he made a decision that affected the rest of his life. That was the time he lost his blessings as a first son. You could say how daft Esau was, could he not bear his hunger? But there have been times when you get overwhelmed by a temporary challenge that you give in to an inadequate solution. Short cuts were more attractive. What everyone else is doing seems to be the right thing to do. The voice of the world overshadows the voice in your heart.

Deep down inside you know what you really want. Your idea of prince charming; that woman that is the bone of your bone; that relationship that does not leave you drained and inferior; that healing that does not send you back to the hospital next month; that child of you and your spouse; that job that does not test your integrity; that breakthrough in that which you have been committed to; that restoration that would bring peace to you. Who says you cannot have it? All those around you want what they think is best for you. Your Heavenly Father wants nothing short of the best for you [Jeremiah 29:11]. He is a Father that is able to do exceedingly, abundantly above all that you ask or think [Ephesians 3:20].

In the face of the overwhelming situation, do not give in to any inadequate solution. It will not leave you fulfilled or satisfied. It is only the blessing of the Lord that can make you rich (physically and spiritually) without sorrow added to it [Proverbs 10:22].

http://www.biblestudytools.net/Commentaries/MatthewHenryComplete/mhc-com.cgi?book=pr&chapter=10#Pr10_22

Take a word from God for today. Let your soul find rest in Him alone, for your salvation comes from Him [Psalms 62:1].

Happy Easter and God bless You!