Overcoming Troubles

"I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world" (John 16:33).

It has been said that life is a lot like an algebra class, . Every time you one problem solved, the teacher is waiting to give you another.  I can definitely agree with that. How about you? Once a rich industrialist, disturbed to find a fisherman sitting idly by his boat, asked, "Why aren't you out there fishing?" "Because I've caught enough fish for today," was the reply. "Why don't you catch more fish than you need?" asked the rich man. "What would I do with them?" "You could earn more money and buy a better boat so you could go deeper and catch more fish. You could purchase nylon nets, catch even more fish, and make more money. Soon you'd have a fleet of boats and be rich like me." "Then what would I do?' asked the fisherman. "You could sit down and enjoy life." "What do you think I'm doing now?" the fisherman replied.

Is not that so much of our problem? We are chasing the "American Drean" looking for more than we can possibly need. If I only had that, or this, life would be better. A bigger 401K, a nicer car, a bigger house, and on it goes. We are chasing our proverbial tail. No wonder we get depressed. Do you know someone who is depressed, go and help you never know what might come of your helping them.

Joseph Webster walked wearily into the little drugstore in Elkhorn, Wisconsin. It was a lovely day in the late fall of 1867, but Webster looked as though he had lost his best friend. His problems had gotten the best of him, and his mood was heavy. The proprietor of the little shop was Samuel Bennett, thirty-one, who not only filled prescriptions--he sometimes wrote them. On this day, he had just the prescription for his discouraged friend. After listening carefully to Webster's accumulated burdens, he picked up his pen and began writing on a 5 X 7 piece of paper. In a few minutes he handed his friend a poem, one he had composed on the spot. Webster read the poem, picked up his fiddle, and began improvising a simple melody. "Hand me some paper," he said, "so I can jot down the notes before I forget them." He played the tune two or three times, then, recruiting a couple of customers who had walked into the store, they formed a makeshift quartet and sang it. thus the world was given the popular gospel tune.

There's a land that is fairer than day, And by faith we can see it afar
For the Father waits over the way, To prepare us a dwelling place there.
In the sweet by and by, We shall meet on that beautiful shore.
In the sweet by and by, We shall meet on that beautiful shore.

This story teaches me, I can be of great assistance to someone who is going through trouble. I might not write a great gospel, but I can listen, and think of what happened in that drugstore. Not only did Samuel Bennet help Joseph Webster but others were able to join in and experience the moment. Thousands have been blessed by that Gospel tune, sung over the years bringing joy and hope. All because someone acted as a true Christian friend and did not turn his back on a toubled customer and get back to making more money, he took time and enjoyed life at its best.

Daily Prayer:

Father, help to be aware and take action for those I know who are hurting and troubled. Lead, guide, and enable me to be a true friend. Jesus you said that we can have peace becasue you overcame the world. Thank you for in you is all hope.                               Amen