For Everything There Is A Season...

There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven:

a time to be born and a time to die,
a time to plant and a time to uproot,
a time to kill and a time to heal,
a time to tear down and a time to build up,
a time to weep and a time to laugh,
a time to mourn and a time to dance,
a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them,
a time to embrace and a time to refrain,
a time to search and a time to give up,
a time to keep and a time to throw away,
a time to tear and a time to mend,
a time to be silent and a time to speak,
a time to love and a time to hate,
a time for war and a time for peace.

What does the worker gain from his toil? I have seen the burden God has laid on men. He has made everything beautiful in its time... Ecclesiastes 3:1-11


I've discovered that there is a time to write and a time to ponder what has been written. The latter of the two is where I seem to find myself lately. Being a writer is interesting and perplexing. I have had plenty of opportunity since March to ponder the things I've written and practice the truths I find in the writing. God is faithful to teach us as we journey through each day. The willingness to listen and obey doesn't come easy sometimes, especially when we feel we've been done wrong. It seems that 'seeking justice' is the only thing that a person can think about as anger boils up inside you.

Recently, I've had to deal with that "rubbed raw" feeling in my heart. It felt like a badly scraped knee (the kind you get when you're a kid), but it was on my heart instead of my knee.
Red, raw, and bloody painful.

After I ran to my Heavenly Father's arms crying; pleading my case and telling Him all about how hurt I was. I heard Him gently say "Pray for the one whose hurt you." Hearing those words was like the sting of antiseptic burning!

(I remember as a child crying out OHHHHHHH!!!!! Blow on it mama, it burns! It burns! as she doused my bloody knee with antispectic.)

The last thing I wanted to do was pray for the person that hurt me, and when I did, it burned. I didn't like it!

But, each time I prayed the scrape on my heart became less raw, and to my amazement I wasn't as consumed with seeking justice any longer. My Heavenly Father knew the matter, and applied His healing balm each time I listened and obeyed His instruction. And once again I learn, my Heavenly Father knows best, even when it stings.

There is a time for everything... a time to write and a time to ponder what has been written.

My Prayer:
Dear Jesus please help me be content in whatever season of life I'm in, even when it stings.

Sick With Strife

Word for the week: PEACE
Bible Verse: Romans 12:18 NKJV

If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men.

Is your family sick with strife? How about your workplace?

Strife is a painful condition. If it persists it can become a chronic inflammation that can damage relationships. The longer the strife continues the greater the loss is.

Some people live years sick with strife; sometimes their whole life. If you answer "yes" to the majority of the questions that follow- you may be sick with strife.

1. Are you irritable all the time? Does it seem like no one can do anything right?
2. Is your stomach always tied in a knot?
3. Do you have frequent headaches? Backaches?
4. Are you depressed?
5. Does it seem like you are always fussing and fighting with family members? Co-workers?
6. Do you find yourself yelling at others, threatening retaliation, or giving the silent treatment?
7. Do things seldom go the way you expect them to?

Do these symptoms sound familiar? It's not uncommon for families or workplaces to suffer from the ravages of strife. It kills relationships, steals joy, and destroys self-esteem.

Although strife is a painful condition, it can be overcome by PEACE. Below you will find five powerful ingredients that when combined and applied daily will bring peace to your heart and those around you.

Pray for those around you. Ask God to help you be patient with them, and to help you extend grace to them when they fall short of meeting your expectations. This will develop a forgiving spirit.

Embrace those around you. Draw them near to you. Share your heart with them, and allow them to share their heart with you. This will develop a relationship built on trust.

Accept those around you just as they are. Everyone has different abilities, likes and dislikes, and levels of performance. No one likes to be rejected or made to feel like they're not good enough. Love and acceptance builds self-esteem.

Cherish those around you. God placed the people around you in your life to meet your needs and to help you grow spiritually. Look and see how God is using each one in your life. He also placed you in their lives too. How is God using you to touch their lives? This will develop a thankful spirit.

Encourage those around you. They have the same fears you have. Let them know you support them; that you see their effort and their accomplishments. It's important to let people know that you still love and support them even if they make mistakes. This will develop a sense of security that comforts the heart.


If you are suffering from strife, try the recipe for PEACE. Prayer is powerful. God the Father will help you if you ask. As you start the week with a new commitment to overcome the strife in your life, write down how you plan to apply these actions.

Who will you pray for?
How will you embrace this person?
What will you accept about this person?
What will you cherish about this person?
How will you encourage this person?


Prayer:
Dear Jesus please help me to begin today to overcome the strife in my life with Your PEACE.

copyright February 2007 - S.Hunt - All Rights Reserved