Under the Circumstances?
by Ron Scurfield
How are you today? We usually reply to that question by saying how we feel, emotionally or physically, or by sharing an opinion on life and how it’s affecting us, such as, “I’m fine, thank you,” or, “OK, under the circumstances.”
When we’re feeling good, everything is good. The world is good. Circumstances might not have changed, but we’re on top of them. When we’re feeling dejected or downhearted, it’s not so good. Worry can make us despondent, anxiety can lead to depression, and we may become trapped in our emotions. Jesus said, ‘In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world’ (John 16:33). How can we apply this to our lives?
Our inner feelings are expressed in a variety of ways, for instance in joy, sadness, love, or fear. But this is a poor reflection of how we really are. Feelings are usually based on events which have already happened, or might happen, and they can be completely detached from our current experience.
The Bible tells us to walk by faith and not by sight (2 Corinthians 5:7). This is simply believing the truth and trusting and walking by that truth as it applies to our lives. Truth, of course, is the word of God, as revealed by the Scriptures. Jesus said, ‘If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth and the truth will set you free’ (John 8:31-32).
Our old, unregenerated, self, died with Jesus. ‘For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God’ (Colossians 3:3). Now we need to live the new life He has secured for us. ‘I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full’ (John 10:10). We can look back over our shoulder and see who we were, or we can look to Jesus and see who we are. What makes the difference? It’s the cross of Jesus Christ which makes it real and the Holy Spirit who makes it possible.
We’re not living according to a pattern or formula. We’re walking with a person. He lives within us by His Spirit. We need to recognise this and relate to Him; not looking to the world and its faults, but looking to Jesus, the source of our confidence. It is by faith in Him that we can live our life to the full.
So, how are you today? No longer bearing up under the circumstances? Let’s rejoice in the One who will never fail us. He lives in us and we live in Him, and together we are one. Jesus said to the Father, ‘I have made You known to them ... in order that the love you have for me may be in them and that I myself may be in them” (John 17:26).
Miserable day today? No way. ‘For the joy of the Lord is your strength’ (Nehemiah 8:10).
Let’s live as if it was true, because it is.
Prayer: Father, please forgive me if I have given way to my feelings and tended to lose sight of You in all that’s going on around me. Help me to focus on Your Word and so re-establish my trust in You. My foundation is the security of Jesus. Please help me to stand firm in You and not be swayed by the world. Amen.
Ron Scurfield with his wife Jill, are part of the Associate Ministry Team at Ellel Grange and occasionally Ellel Scotland. Ron enjoys walking and writing and meeting interesting people, but his greatest joy is seeing God transform lives, setting people free to live the abundant life that Jesus intended.
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