The world measures “success” in terms of fame and fortune, but God measures true riches in terms of love and relationships. Money is temporary, but God’s love lasts for eternity’s eternity (and God loves YOU).

Some of you may question and/or even doubt that God loves you. Circumstances, and challenges be it self-inflicted or not will never change how much God deeply loves and cares for all of us!

The Bible teaches us in 1 John 3:1: How much God lavishes His love on us, it tells us we should called God’s children and that is who we are! Paul reminds us in Romans 8:38 that nothing, not death, life, nor circumstances, nothing can separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus’.

Let’s be honest, we all desire to connect with the idea of feeling known, accepted, and ultimately, loved, and are searching for it, but perhaps maybe in all the wrong places as the old adage says. I will be the first to testify; when we respond to Jesus’ call, our quest for true love comes to a screeching stop because at that point we are able to see the reflection of Perfection who traded His life for ours—(HALLELUJAH AND THANK YOU JESUS).

In the blink of an eye our world is forever changed by the power of the cross and we are instantaneously invited into God’s Holy presence and into His gripping—inescapable love!!!

Brothers and Sisters, God’s love calls us by name and lifts us up in spirit! It gives us a rich mercy and grace which is fresh every day. It allows us to live from a place of love and acceptance, not a place of striving or earning. We are simply free to respond to the love of God with our lives.

There are a lot of “good” loves, but only one heavenly Great Love. Only the love of God in Christ Jesus will satisfy continually the innermost depths of our hearts, minds, and souls, to the brim and overflowing both now and for eternity’s eternity!

Do you see your job/workplace as misery or ministry? Let’s be honest, no job is perfect and it doesn’t matter if you are the chief executive officer or the maintenance engineer. Quiet as it’s kept, both jobs although very different are equally important to the health and vitality of any organization.

Tweet this; ‘WHEN YOU VIEW YOUR WORK AS MISERY, YOU MISS OUT ON MINISTRY’.

Colossians 3:23-25 says, “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.” Another translation says to “work heartily” (ESV). Yet another says to “work willingly” (NLT). The Amplified Bible adds “from the soul.” Ephesians 6:7-8 shares a similar concept: “Serve wholeheartedly, as if you were serving the Lord, not men, because you know that the Lord will reward everyone for whatever good he does, whether he is slave or free.” In essence, this is the Christian work ethic. We are commanded to put forth our best efforts, to work from our heart and soul at whatever we do. We are accountable to God and stewards of the gifts He has given us. Our work flows out of our gratefulness to Him.

Look at it this way, God didn’t curse man, He cursed the land! At the very beginning of creation and prior to the fall, God integrated work into creation! Genesis 2:15 says, “The Lord God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to work it and take care of it.” It was after the fall from grace, work became toil (Genesis 3:17-19), but work itself was instituted in the “very good” part of creation (Genesis 1:31).

Proverbs 6:6-11 says, “Go to the ant, you sluggard; consider its ways and be wise! It has no commander, no overseer or ruler, yet it stores its provisions in summer and gathers its food at harvest. How long will you lie there, you sluggard? When will you get up from your sleep? A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest – and poverty will come on you like a bandit and scarcity like an armed man.”

Let’s be clear, it’s our responsibility to ensure whatever we do brings glory to God, but scripture doesn’t condone nor encourage workaholism. We do not work merely to amass worldly wealth (in fact, Matthew 6:19-34 warns about this). As I mentioned, we work to bring glory to God. We also do not work ourselves into the ground or to the extent that our health is damaged or our families suffer—hence the incorporation of the Sabbath day’s rest.

God has raised a standard in all Christians, so it really doesn’t matter if your ‘workplace’ is in an office, on a construction site, in a retail center, in a fast food chain, on an oil-rig, on an offshore boat, in a political office, in a classroom, in a fire station, in a police station, in a hospital, in a church, or in a home cooking, cleaning, and taking care of your family—we are born to serve and called to glorify God with our work!

As Christians we are called to have a strong work ethic and to work diligently at all that we do. We are called by God to our work cheerfully and without complaint because we are working for the Lord who loves us and has redeemed us. Quiet as it’s kept, a solid work ethic witness to others (Matthew 5:16) without ever saying a word because the world takes notice of inspiring efforts and wonders why we do what we do.

In closing and in response to the question above, God can take your misery and make it your ministry!

The golfer’s handicap was introduced about 100 years ago and it is a numerical measure of a golfer’s potential that is used to enable players of varying abilities to compete against one another.

A handicap is essentially how many strokes over (or under) par golfers are able to play and the lower a golfer’s handicap, the better golfer he/she is considered.

If you know me, than you know I am no golfer, but I am a formidable competitor at putt-putt! Whilst amateur and professional golfers focus on improving their handicap index, the Apostle Paul chose to focus on the gift of his handicap rather than the handicap itself.

In 2 Corinthians 12:7-9 of the Message paraphrase Peterson said, “Because of the extravagance of those revelations, and so I wouldn’t get a big head, I was given the gift of a handicap to keep me in constant touch with my limitations. Satan’s angel did his best to get me down; what he in fact did was push me to my knees. No danger then of walking around high and mighty! At first I didn’t think of it as a gift, and begged God to remove it. Three times I did that, and then he told me, My grace is enough; it’s all you need. My strength comes into its own in your weakness. Once I heard that, I was glad to let it happen. I quit focusing on the handicap and began appreciating the gift. It was a case of Christ’s strength moving in on my weakness. Now I take limitations in stride, and with good cheer, these limitations that cut me down to size—abuse, accidents, opposition, bad breaks. I just let Christ take over! And so the weaker I get, the stronger I become.”

There have been many theories as to what exactly this thorn [handicap] was—so many theories in fact, that it is literally impossible to diagnose Paul’s situation with complete assurance. Some have suggested that Paul’s thorn came as result of spiritual pride, while others propose that he wrestled with carnal temptation and/or depression.

A physical ailment, however, seems more likely, though the lack of details forbid a proper diagnosis.

In my research, I found that Paul took advantage of various amanuenses to do the actual writing of at least some of his epistles. A mentioned amanuensis of Paul is Tertius who wrote down the book of Romans and added his own greeting to the church in Rome (Rom 16:22).

To be honest, the ambiguity of the thorn in the flesh [handicap] is actually a positive thing. If Paul would have specifically stated the identity of his thorn [handicap] believers from following generations may have discarded his experience if they were not afflicted with the same affliction.

Each of us have a handicap(s), but thankfully God uses our handicap(s) to demonstrate the power of His grace. Even when our flesh and heart fail us, He is the strength of our heart (Psalm 73:26). In order for Christ’s power to work in us we must be in total submission to Him, despite our handicap(s). Like Paul, when we choose to focus on the gift and not the handicap(s) we allow ourselves to humbly depend on God to extend grace upon grace in our time of need (John 1:16).

If you want to just put it out there, we can always find a reason to complain or belly ache about something. But, what do we really gain or benefit from complaining? In his podcast entitled, ‘Grumble, Grumble—Not’, Pastor Steven J. Cole wrote, “Complaining is probably one of the sins most tolerated by Christians. We tolerate it and perhaps don’t even think of it as sin because we’re all so prone to do it.”

Complaining is a like a double edged sword. Most of us need to vent out frustrations from time to time. We need to talk to loved ones about feelings, both positive and negative. We need to seek the opinions of those we trust when facing difficult choices or situations. And this can be positive, but it can also often involve sharing stories about problems. However, like Cole said above, sometimes that slips into excessive complaining or gossip—which leads to sin.

The literal meaning of the translated Greek word for “complainer” is “one who is discontented with his lot in life.” When we complain, we are saying that what the Lord has given us is simply not enough. Quiet as it’s kept, grumbling, mumbling and complaining comes from a root of bitterness and if not timely uprooted it will consume you like a forest fire and there is no escaping its engulfing flames!

In the spirit of transparency, in my line of work, I hear my share of complaints. Some are legitimate but most of them are infinitesimal in nature. So, it’s in my best interest to remain objective and brainstorm to find solutions as opposed to complaining about the situation which only increases the flames in the forest fire!

One way to break cycle of complaining is to shift from rumination to reflection. Although these two terms are similar, by definition there is a definitive distinction. Through reflection you can learn about yourself and what change you would wish to see from the situation. While rumination focuses on the problem, reflection finds the solutions.

I have heard it said, “If you can do something about it, why worry? If you can’t do anything about it, why complain?” Proverbs 21:9 says, “Better to live on the corner of a roof than to share a house with a nagging wife” and I will be the first to admit this scripture interchangeably and undoubtedly applies to a nagging husband (#Facts)!!

Since it’s our own thoughts that perpetuate the cycle of negativity, we can also choose to break the cycle by changing the way we think. So, make the shift in perspective and choose to reflect instead of ruminate. Philippians 2:14-15 put it this way, “Do everything without grumbling or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, “children of God without fault in a warped and crooked generation.” Then you will shine among them like stars in the sky.”

When God says He’ll give you back better than what you lost, believe Him!! Consider Job in the Old Testament. After God rebukes Job’s three friends, Job responded to God in faith, and “the Lord gave to Job twice [double] as much as he had before” (Job 42:10).

When David lost the child he had with Bathsheba, he stopped pleading and started worshiping God because he trusted in the mercies of God. Later, God blessed David and Bathsheba with another son named Solomon, who became the wisest and richest king the world has ever known.

We have all lost something during these pandemics, but God promises to restore double for our trouble. The Lord promised in Zechariah 9:12, “Return to your fortress, you prisoners of hope; even now I announce that I will restore twice as much to you.“ Beloved of God never forget, if God declared it, God will do it! It’s literally impossible for us not to have hope that things will be even better than before. That is why in the same verse, He calls us “prisoners of hope.”

Hope in the biblical sense irrefutably means to have confident expectation of good things happening in your life and we should all be prisoners of that! When we truly foster this concept we can’t help but wake up feeling hopeful and we can’t help but to expect good things to happen in our lives!

The Message paraphrase of Psalm 103:13 is spot on: “God makes everything come out right; He puts victims back on their feet. He showed Moses how he went about his work, opened up his plans to all Israel. GOD is sheer mercy and grace; not easily angered, He’s rich in love. He doesn’t endlessly nag and scold, nor hold grudges forever. He doesn’t treat us as our sins deserve, nor pay us back in full for our wrongs. As high as heaven is over the earth, so strong is his love to those who fear him. And as far as sunrise is from sunset, he has separated us from our sins. As parents feel for their children, GOD feels for those who fear him. He knows us inside and out, keeps in mind that we’re made of mud. Men and women don’t live very long; like wildflowers they spring up and blossom, But a storm snuffs them out just as quickly, leaving nothing to show they were here. GOD ’s love, though, is ever and always, eternally present to all who fear Him, Making everything right for them and their children as they follow His covenant ways and remember to do whatever He said.”

Lastly, as we continue to find our way back to medical normalcy and social stability it’s imperative that we do not succumb to the lure of worry, doubt, frustration, anxiety, or anger! Instead, let us worship and praise God like David! The troubles we’ve already endured have opened doors for God to bless us with more than what we originally had. And because God has declared it’s our responsibility to be confident that we will receive it—double for our obedience, faithfulness, worship, and praise!

Hope can take you a long way. Whenever I counsel someone who is struggling with emotional strongholds, I always want to check their hope-meter because when you have lost your hope, you have lost everything. Simply defined, hope is the belief that tomorrow will be better than today. David knew about the power of hope when life looked hopeless.

Read Psalm 42. As David pens this psalm, he is depressed and his soul is discouraged. Yet he says he is going to remember the Lord.

“The Lord will command His lovingkindness,” David writes (v. 8).

Though God has not done it yet, David has confidence that He will. So he talks to himself. He writes to himself—he journals about his faith in God. There are times when life crumbles around you, but do not be discouraged. Look yourself in the mirror, and speak God’s truth. Write notes to yourself, and leave them in places you will see them.

What changed David’s feelings of hopelessness and discouragement? He looked in a different direction. He looked at what God was going to do, even though he couldn’t see it at the time. In other words, he looked by faith.

When God blesses us with what we ask for we shout, dance and praise! We hear phrases like, “That’s my God” and “Won’t He do it!!”

But, what happens when we don’t get what asked for? One of the greatest test of the Christian faith is when we don’t get what we asked for, but we can still say, “Thank You, Lord!”

As a youngster, I thought God was some kind of spiritual Genie and vending machine. “Your wish is my command,’ says the Lord.” I found that concept in Genie 1:1, but later discovered there was no such book written in the Bible. Perhaps, I was misspelling the book of Genesis😇 However, I truly thought that if I wanted something bad enough and if I prayed about it hard enough, that God would give it to me.

Call it, ‘trial and error’ because I discovered real quick, that’s not how it goes down! Why? Well, ultimately, it boils down to perspective. You could be asking for something right now, but God knows better. Perhaps this particular thing that you petition isn’t good for you, isn’t suited to you, or it’s just not the right time. We all could demand God grant us a million dollars right now. And indeed, God could choose to grant that request. But He probably won’t. Why? Not so much because there’s a lack of faith on our part, but more so becsuse God knows that it’s not in our immediate best interests to do that. Rather, it would be more worthwhile for us to earn our money slowly, to appreciate the hard work and effort it takes to make a living.

Some reading this devotional might be turning to I John 5:14-15: “And we are confident that He hears us whenever we ask for anything that pleases Him. And since we know He hears us when we make our requests, we also know that He will give us what we ask for.” In context, the Apostle is a.) speaking to those who believe in Jesus Christ (v.13) and b.) to those who are selflessly petitioning for God’s will to be done!

Inarguably, humans often crave the easy route. We want fame, popularity, wealth…but as many of us are aware, there are consequences that come with such things. Honestly, sometimes it’s better to not have these things in the first place. Look at it this way, if you can tell God what to do, you’re God Graciously and mercifully, God only gives what is good for His children to His children.

Now that I am a little older and hopefully a little wiser, I can honestly testify that if I got nothing I had asked for, I got everything I had hoped for. Almost despite myself all of my unspoken prayers were answered; I am, among all men, most richly blessed!!

We are more alike than we think and during stormy seasons like these, it’s hard for all of us to maintain our hope.

However, we see this same challenge in the bible when Jesus and His disciples sail across the Sea of Galilee in Mark 4:35-41. Jesus was resting on the stern of the boat when a sudden storm erupted, pounding the boat with waves and nearly flooding everything inside. Terrified, the disciples ran to Jesus and hastily asked why He wasn’t doing anything to help; He responded by simply getting up, rebuking the winds, and demanding that the waves come to a stop. With the storm at a standstill, He then turned back to His disciples and asked the following: Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?

We are no different than the disciples, we often become so blinded by the storms in our lives that we forget the power and the love of the God we serve. Our present circumstances take our attention away from His eternal promises – His promises to provide for us, to strengthen us, to sustain us until the end. We wind up running to him in a panic, begging for Him to do something, when in fact He’s been faithfully by our side all along.

Thankfully, in seasons like this our only resource is to turn to the SOURCE! When life is spiraling out of control, God’s Word is the only thing that can anchor us in place. When our lives become darker or more chaotic, our help and reassurance comes through reading God’s word (Romans 10:17) and then quietly listening for the Holy Spirit to establish an rewarding path-forward and next step towards our victorious breakthrough!

Here are a few things we should remind ourselves during a storm: God is in control and He has authority over our storms (John 16:33), God loves us and has plans to prosper us (Jeremiah 29:11), God causes all things to work out for our good and His glory (Romans 8:28), God timing is always perfectly flawless (Ecc 3:1), God will never leave our side (Psalm 145:18-19), and God commands us to be strong and courageous (Joshua 1:9).

In I Thessalonians 5:16 we are equally commanded to ‘pray without ceasing’ no matter the situation nor circumstance. Make note: when we find ourselves beaten, broken and weary that’s an alarm 🚨 indicator that reminds us that ‘closed mouths don’t get fed’! It’s our responsibility to call out to God and it’s our responsibility to turn it over to God!

Rather than sinking deeper into fear or pain, iwe need to pray. We need to pour out our hearts to God from the moment we wake up to start our day to the moment we get in the bed to go to sleep!

Tell God what’s worrying you and ask Him to bring you peace and affirmation. Something powerful always happens when we speak God’s word back to Him!

At the end of the day, there is no storm that God won’t carry us through, no bridge God won’t help us cross, and no battle that God won’t help us win. So, trust God and be strong!