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From the writings of the Rev. Billy Graham

 

Dear Rev. Graham: I pose this dilemma in hopes of coming to the right conclusion. I turned my life over to the Lord thinking that He would give me peace and prosperity through His salvation, but my life has gotten tangled up more than ever and it puzzles me. I anticipate every morning that the day ahead will be problem free, but instead it is filled with adversity and perplexities. Is my faith in vain? – P.P.

 

Dear P.P.: Too often, we fix our eyes on external things instead of fixing our eyes on the Lord. Faith isn’t pretending problems don’t exist. We shouldn’t allow failure or disappointment to cut us off from God. Faith points us beyond our problems to the hope we have in Jesus Christ.

God doesn’t remove all our problems when we become His followers. The Christian life is one of constant growth. He has promised to be with us and help us and encourage us in the midst of uncertainty. Comfort and prosperity have never enriched the world as much as adversity has done.

Nothing we will ever face takes God by surprise. He has sent His Spirit to give us guidance in all things. Which is better: facing life’s problems and hurts without God or facing them with Him?

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths” (Proverbs 3:5-6, NKJV). This is a wonderful promise from God. Instead of going into panic, we must lean on His Word and seek His wisdom; for He is the God who guides and directs as we walk the journey of life in peace and certainty that He is with us. “If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed. And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free” (John 8:31-32).

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(This column is based on the words and writings of the late Rev. Billy Graham.)