Stephanie’s Solace

The last two mornings I have been encouraged and challenged as I read my devotional (out of “on the right note” by KLOVE). I will just state them as is because they did a great job in writing what I needed to hear. Maybe they will encourage and challenge you also.

The Right Company!
Sometimes doing the will of God can make you popular, other times it can get you into trouble; especially with those who like ‘keeping things the way they are.’ (Personal Note: This is huge in working in the HR Dept.) In Acts, Chapter3, Peter and John were used by God to bring healing to a man who’d been unable to walk for 38 years. Then we read, “He went with them into the temple courts, walking and jumping, and praising God” (Acts 3:8 NIV). That day 5000 people were won to Christ, and the religious authorities were in an uproar. They threatened the disciples, ordering them not to mention the name of Jesus in their preaching. So the disciple held a prayer meeting saying, “Grant unto thy servants, that with all boldness they may speak they word” (Acts 4:29).

Now pay special attention to verse 23, “And being let go, they went to their own company.” Where did they go? Back to those who were “filled with the Holy Ghost” (See Acts 4:31); to those who were “of one heart and one soul” (See Acts 4:32); to those who were so committed to reaching the world for Christ that they sold all they had and invested it into God’s work (See Acts 4:32). That’s the kind of company you need to be in! The psalmist wrote: “God sets the lonely in families” (Ps. 68:6 NIV). Do you have a spiritual family? Who do you go to for strength? It’s been said that your company determines your conduct, your conduct determines your character, and your character determines your destiny. So ask God to lead you into ‘the right company.’ When you find them you’ll wonder how you ever made it without them.

“And being let go, they went to their own company.” Acts 4:23

Don’t Be a Burden, Be a Burden-Bearer
Everyone is hiding something, and it’s not because they’re deceptive. It’s just that some wounds are too private. When your friend is being insensitive and uncaring the pain can be too deep to discuss. When your friend wounds you with acid words you’re crushed inside but you can’t show it. So you both go off, lick your wounds and try to avoid the comments and questions of others. Is that where you are today, struggling with something too painful to talk about? If so, realize that others are too! Their anger is a symptom. Their aloofness just hides their fear of being known and maybe rejected because they’ve been hurt before. Jesus saw the best in the worst of people and went out of His way to be gracious to them. Do you remember how He treated the woman “caught in the act” of adultery? (See John 8 ). Public exposure! Can you imagine the depth of her shame? Yet Jesus saw someone worth saving, loved her, lifted her and gave her strength to do better. You are called to do that too!

So remind yourself today that others are going through things you don’t know about. They’re crying tears you don’t see and feeling isolated in ways you can’t imagine. Don’t be a burden - be a burden-bearer! Indeed you may be the only one who crosses their path today. And when you help lift their burden - God will lift yours! “Share each other’s troubles and problems, and obey the law of Christ. If you think you are too important to help someone, you are only fooling yourself” (Gal 6:2-3 NLT).

“Share each other’s trouble and problems, and obey the Law of Christ.”   Galatians 6:2

I have been on both sides of this. Being the one with the burden and wanting someone to come along side and help and then also being there when someone had a burden to bear. This is what you do with family and reminds me of an earlier post about “Doing church as a family”.