What I Need to Hear, Not What I Want to Hear

For it has been granted to you on behalf of Christ not only to believe in him, but also to suffer for him, since you are going through the same struggle you saw I had, and now hear that I still have.

Philippians 1:29-30 NIV

Let's face it, sometimes we only hear what we want to hear. We'll listen to a sermon and "critique" it. Not because it wasn't the truth, but, it just wasn't what we "needed" to hear. Maybe it was but, we just weren't willing to hear it. 

Suffering is never what we really want to hear is part of the plan. But, it is. Barry McGuire wrote a song (From a poem by Robert Browning Hamilton) entitled Walked a Mile and the chorus was

Walked a mile with pleasureShe chattered all the wayLeft me none the wiserWith all she had to sayWalked a mile with sorrowNever a word said sheBut oh the things I learned from herWhen sorrow walked with me

Hearing that suffering is what we need may not be the best news we can hear, but knowing that in all things God works for the good of those who love him (Romans 8:28) is what we need to know. God uses trials and suffering to mold us into the image of Christ Jesus our Savior and Lord. Remember Christ suffered for you. 

Link http://lyrics.wikia.com/Barry_McGuire:Walked_A_Mile

utube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ilBRJ70LRXs

IT IS YOUR DUTY: II Timothy 4:5

"But you, keep your head in all situations, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, discharge all the duties of your ministry." 
II Timothy 4:5

What are my duties? Maybe, the real question is: What are not my duties? 

Now, I don't want to just focus on the obvious ones like be the spiritual leader. Because, if I am not Christlike in that I am willing to serve...all I say is just bla, bla, bla, clanging cymbal.

As a husband and father my duty is to make sure that whatever needs to be done, gets done. That does not mean by delegating it all to my wife. For me, sometimes that means when I come home from work and I just want to crash on the couch, I may need to cook. Other times it means vacuuming. 

Remember, trying to lead/serve a family is not about our own innate abilities, it is about the power of God working in and through us to meet the needs of our families. He is faithful. Paul said, "I can do everything through him who gives me strength" (Philippians 4:13). I do believe in knowing when it's time to call the plumber, but, you know what I mean. If I see a need in my family, get it done.

Father, give us the strength and love to serve our spouses and families. Praise be to you in us today!

THROUGH DISASTER AND FAMINE GOD IS FAITHFUL: Psalm 37:18-19

"The days of the blameless are known to the LORD,
     and their inheritance will endure forever.
 In times of disaster they will not wither;
     in days of famine they will enjoy plenty."
 Psalm 37:18-19

God knows. God knows every struggle, every heartache, every disaster and every famine that we go through. The truth is that not only does he know it now, he knew you would go through it before the foundations of the world. So, know that God knows all our struggles and is not surprised or caught off guard. 

Also, God is the One who makes us blameless. In I Corinthians 1:8 the Apostle Paul encourages us by declaring, "He will keep you strong to the end, so that you will be blameless on the day our Lord Jesus Christ." Another time in Philippians 1:6 Paul says, "being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus." Hardships, trials, disasters and famine will come and go. But God's faithfulness and promise to keep us are eternal.

Father, help us to trust in you. Show us your faithfulness. Praise be to you in us today!