We all go through trials and tribulations – even us Christians. Illness, loss and disappointment often overtake us when we least expect it. In fact, there are a million things that can happen to us during life’s journey – some good, some bad. When bad things happen to us, we have to decide how to let it affect us.
When things are going our way, we have a tendency to forget all about God, and most people even fail to thank Him for our food – (especially in a restaurant setting). While many third-world countries barely get enough to eat and basically live in huts or hovels, and even on the streets struggling to survive, most Americans have a tendency to whine when we fail to have three meals a day topped with dessert.
I’m not one to complain about my lot in life (and believe me, it hasn’t been easy.) I’ve also had many mountaintop experiences for which I am eternally grateful. Although I enjoyed a topsy-turvy career in the movie business, I had to pay my dues too – even as a Christian.
Presently, in attempting to make a movie, I’ve never run up against such opposition in my life! So, apparently, it wasn’t in the cards for me to do, and I’m throwing in the towel. It appears God has other plans for me. No, being a Christian isn’t easy.
As I come up against obstacles such as not being able to acquire funding for my films, I just count my blessings and go on with life – which is much more than just achieving one’s aspirations. But in spite of this, I’d rather be a follower of Christ than anything else, and just being a movie actor/writer and director pales in comparison. Although I’ve been blessed in various ways, receiving Christ is by far the greatest good that ever happened in my life. That relationship I’ve had with my Creator has helped carry me through numerous trials and tribulations. Yes, life can be daunting, even for Christians.
The Bible warns us that we will have trials and tribulations to test us and make us stronger. And so, we call out to God for strength to overcome adversity, which is sure to come in everyone’s life. For some lukewarm or new Christians, trials and tribulations are usually hard to take, especially when Satan taunts us about these and other calamities. But Jesus warned us and commanded, “Take up your cross and follow me.”
Then, on top of these trials and tribulations, there is the rejection we Christians face on all sides. The book of second Timothy warns us explicitly that others, even family members, will turn against us, even though it makes no sense for non-Christians to shun someone who cares for them and their sense of wellbeing. They seem to think that we Christians are just oddballs they just can’t figure out because they have been blinded by the Evil One (although, sometimes we bring these things upon ourselves for the hypocrisy we display).
Because of Christ, I treat my neighbors with dignity and respect, even though they may shun me. But then again, the Bible warns us that this too is going to happen, especially in the Last Days. It’s good to know what to expect from others as followers of Christ.
Jesus did nothing to harm others. In fact, he was always blessing them and healing them of their infirmities. Yet they nailed Him on a cross after beating Him to a bloody pulp for no reason at all. The only explanation is that His persecutors were blinded by Satan as well, and it was foreordained by God the Father that He would die for our sins, not His own. He had none.
It can be especially hurtful when our own children turn against our Christian values and side with worldly philosophies, but I’m not surprised by ignorance nor avoidance, even when it involves a wayward offspring.
Being followers of Christ, we should expect adversity to happen since Jesus warned us of this. “In this life you shall have many trials and afflictions, but fear not for I have overcome them all.” But we must remember that this life is but a drop in the bucket of eternity. Plus, we Christians have inner peace, “a perfect peace that surpasses all understanding,” and we should be grateful for our understanding of scripture.
It won’t be long now until we will be with our maker, and so we are encouraged by Holy Scripture. “Therefore, we do not lose heart. Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day. For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory, while we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal.”
Latest Book:
The book I’m finishing up was very revealing about how the National News Media often distorts the truth, especially when it comes to politics. Although MSM reporters are supposed to be unbiased in reporting the news, they seldom are – especially in present times. They seem to have even been given the license to tell outright lies to push their agenda. Is it any wonder that well-read citizens can’t believe anything they say anymore?
These reporters must think we “deplorables” (as Hillary Clinton calls us) are illiterate or just plain stupid. The irony in that way of thinking is that they are the ones in “the emperor’s new clothes,” and their followers prove that point with their mode of dress, outrageous behavior and tattooed eyeballs.
In the last half of this book titled SLANTED, our veteran news reporter Sharyl Attkisson has given us incidents of outright lies that were actually reported in prominent American newspapers recently.
An example of this is,
On Oct. 18, 2016, in the Washington Post piece not labeled opinion or analysis, Stuart Rothenberg incorrectly reported that Trump’s path to an electoral college victory is “nonexistent.”
Sorry to say, but many Democrats are experts in that area of life, as many have sold their souls to the devil for monetary gain and power.
YBIC
Jim Towers
Write me at jt.filmmaker@yahoo.com or visit my website www.propheticsignsandwonders or www.dropzonedelta.com – Warriors following Christ.