Swimming Upstream

I just came home from a 10 day trip to China. We saw a lot of famous sights and did a lot of walking. I just want to say that there are a lot of people in China - I mean, A LOT! We happened to be there during the Lantern festival which is the end of the Spring Festival and Chinese New Year. During the festivities that night we encountered thousands of people. You had to follow the flow, and wherever the flow was going. If you wanted to go a different direction you had to find a different flow.  I personally found it all rather exhilarating, but I know some people would be terrified of such a crowd. We each have our own fears and views in life and find ourselves constantly in awe at someone else's problems, trials, excitements, and dares.

It reminds me of the many circumstances in life when we stand up for things that we feel are right, whether that be a personal view or a Biblical belief, and how we can feel as if we are one fish in the ocean swimming against millions. (One American walking against the flow of a million Chinese.) It can be depressing, unsettling, and make us question if we are right. For others they know what they are doing is right, but get discouraged by the constant beating of resistance. 

For instance; do any of these sound familiar? 

• You fight for modesty in your household, for you, for your girls; but relatives buy things anyway, a husband just doesn't get it, a friend thinks you're crazy, the people at church call you radical. 

• You choose out of the ordinary actives for your family. Less T.V., more time at home, family nights, a week at a Christian camp, family vacations, not every school activity. Or whatever it may be and everyone is still vie-ing for your attention and participation. People still ask to come over on family night, and your parents let your children watch any show that's on t.v. 

• Your children are trying to prove their freedom, whether in the home or newly removed from. They are going against the family principles they grew up with, maybe even shaking their fist in the face of God. Your friends and onlookers assume you are/were a bad parent, or say they just need to find themselves. Your pastor has given up hope on them, your spouse has had enough. 

• Your family is trying to save some more money before making a big purchase because you don't want to rack up debt on the credit card. You believe God will provide, but everyone else around you hasn't waited, they are enjoying their house, car, pool, toys, vacations, etc, now. 

• You've grown up in a very restrictive home, and feel unable to make a decision without questioning yourself. You feel that your parents, pastors, and friends are judgeing you for every decision you make even though you feel that you are following the Bible even if you aren't following everything you grew up with. You want to grow in Christ but feel pinned down by other's opinions and respect for your parents. 

• Somedays you spend all day (and I mean ALL day) disciplining your child because you want to stay consistent, you want them to be enjoyable people to live with. But your friends are having girls night out, your husband wants to have a date night, you have groceries to buy, you wanted some alone time to read during nap time, you had a project due. No one else seems to be completely taken up with their children, they always have time to go shopping. 

• You've lived and worked in the same place your whole life and you think God might be moving you somewhere else. Your friends say you're crazy and say that God would never ask that. Your feelings are overwhelming your walk with God, your family is discouraging you at every turn. 

The list is endless because each person and family has their own battle to fight. And the hurt and bewilderment can feel endless at times. For some people all you need to do to break it is leave the house, even if the kids are still in tow, or have an encouraging note from a friend (because you couldn't talk to them on the phone). But there are some circumstances where there is no friend, there is no understanding spouse or parent, and we feel like aliens and strangers in the big, wide world. But did you know -  that's a good sign! Because God calls us just that, aliens and strangers to the world. 

Hebrews11:13 "...strangers and exiles on the earth."(ESV) 

I Peter 1:1 "...strangers..." (KJV)

I Peter 2:11 "...strangers and pilgrims abstain from fleshly lusts which war against the soul."

If you feel like a pilgrim on a journey through a world that doesn't feel like home, that's good! That means you are headed the right way! 

Matthew 7:13-14 "Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many. For the gate is narrow and way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few. "

You will face hurt and confusion when you are doing right because you are fighting a battle against the devil. But when you stay strong you will reap unmeasurable treasures. The best tool you can use during times of uncertainty and fear is your Bible.

2 Corinthians 10:3-5 "For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh, for the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh, but divinely powerful for the destruction of fortresses. We are destroying speculations and every lofty things raised up against the knowledge of God, and we are taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ." 

Strengthen your relationship with Christ by talking with him (not a one sided prayer) and reading his Word. Read what Christ has written down for you. Learn about his character and his time on earth.

John 15:18-20 "If the world hates you, know that it has hated me before it hated you. If you were of the world, the world would love you as its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you. Remember the word that I said to you: 'A servant is not greater than his master.' If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you. If they kept my word, they will also keep yours."

I Peter 4:4 "Wherein they think it strange that ye run not with them to the same excess of riot, speaking evil of you:"

The hate you receive is the devil working through others and you to get to God. But he will never win the ultimate battle. He will perish into hell as Christ has said. Anyone who follows a master (the devil) who knows his own defeat is certain and sure -  is a fool.

Romans 12:2 "Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect."

Phillipians 2: 14-16 "Do all things without grumbling or disputing, that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world, holding fast to the word of life, so that in the day of Christ I may be proud that I did not run in vain or labor in vain."

Are you in the middle of a battle? Are you questioning why? Take strength in the Lord. See the trials of this world from Christ's perspective. God does not glory in the sin of this world, but he also is not quick to condemn the world and is waiting for any soul who would accept his free gift of salvation. When you feel at the end of your rope - remember this...

"But I will sing of your strength; 

I will sing aloud of your steadfast love in the morning.

For you have been to me a fortress

and a refuge in the day of my distress.

O my Strength, I will sing praises to you, 

for you, O God, are my fortress, 

the God who shows me steadfast love. "

Psalm 59: 16-17 

Stay Strong!

Sarah