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Thought for the week
EACH
week a member of the local clergy will be sharing a thought
for the week. This week Rev William J Beattie from Dunmurry
Free Presbyterian Church shares his thoughts on the life of
Job and how his faith helped him to overcome life's stresses
and strains. |
ALL over the world, mankind lives under stress.
Catastrophes continually strike. Earthquakes, floods, storms,
famine, personal tragedies; travelling by road, sea, or air; and
family problems, including terminal illnesses, all add to our
daily stress. Locally we've had examples of 'man's inhumanity to
man'. Stress is widespread.
The book of Job in the Word of God records real tragedies that
affected Job so much that he wished he had never lived, and
concluded rightly that 'man that is born of a woman is of few days
and full of trouble'.
We become accustomed to living with troubles and we bury them
in our subconscious to live a 'normal life'.
'Business as usual' is our motto in spite of constant alarms
that signal life's fragile thread. The subconscious stress takes
its toll and can result in damage to the heart and mind.
The Apostle Paul lived with constant danger but he could write,
as he waited for Nero's verdict on his life, "The peace of God
which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds
through Christ Jesus".
As Job analysed his traumatic situation he could eventually
state 'though He slay me yet will I trust Him'. By his triumphant
faith in God, Job could rise above his tragedies and even face
death itself in total peace with God.
Have you this peace? Have you this faith? You can have both now
by trusting in Jesus Christ for time and eternity as your own and
personal Saviour.
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