You are different

I read a story where a couple was getting ready for a bike ride on a Saturday morning. She thought she had a migraine because she got headaches all the time. She took some migraine medicine to manage it. She ended up vomiting and then collapsed. She was rushed to the hospital where they discovered she had an aneurysm.

They operated on her. In spite of very low odds, the surgery was successful. However she had a vasospasm which could cause permanent neurological damage. The doctors had to insert a drain. After a week it subsided and her brain pressure stabilized. She was later released from the hospital and went on to live a healthy life.

You are not alone. You have a burden carrier. You have a healer. You have favor. You are different. Read the book of Habakkuk. It is three short chapters. Habakkuk was very frustrated. He asked God how long he had to cry before God would do something. He didn’t understand why he had to witness evil. He didn’t understand the confusion of the world. God answered his heart cries.

Do you relate? Everyone has their own set of stress, circumstances and frustration. You are not alone. Joshua 1 tells us to be strong and courageous. We aren’t supposed to be frightened or dismayed. This is because God is with us wherever we go. This isn’t the only time God tells us to be strong and courageous. Deuteronomy 31 also tells us to be strong and courageous. We aren’t to fear or dread because God goes with us and never forsakes us.

It’s easy to say these verses and read them. Living in this peace, courage with strength requires an intangible faith which gets tested routinely. It doesn’t mean we are weak. It only means we are vulnerable. We are told in Psalm 23 that we fear no evil while walking in the valley of the shadow of death. This is because God is with us and the tools he carries provide us reassurance.

            Don’t take on responsibilities and burdens which are not yours. We have a burden carrier. In Matthew 11 we are told by Jesus himself to come to him and He gives us rest. Our own stupidity gets in the way because we always want to help God along. People love to quote the saying that God helps those who help themselves, which in part is true. However, you can’t over help. Sometimes we get in the way of ourselves creating more harm than good. Isaiah 58 talks about God removing the bonds of wickedness, removing bands of a burdensome yoke and letting the oppressed go free. Nowhere in this passage does it imply we can do this. Instead it points out this is the gift God gives to us.

Our burden carrier isn’t just concerned about our burdens. Instead He also cares about our health. He is our healer. In Matthew 8 God sends forth his word and heals us. Psalm 107 says He forgives all of our attacks and heals all diseases. Do you believe that can really be true? Take the time to look around an observe God’s supernatural work in the lives around you.

God loves us so much he grants us divine favor. Isaiah 41 tells us not to fear or be stressed out because God gives us strength, He helps us and he holds us up. He concludes Matthew 28 by promising us that he is with us always to the bitter end. Paul said in Romans 8:38-39 (ESV) For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.

You are different, you are grafted into the royal priesthood. In trials, frustrations, temptations, and afflictions, you are different. You don't have to look to things for your answers because you have backdoor favor with the maker and keeper of all things. You have the favor of God. Psalm 30 says we may have disappointment at first, but joy comes in the morning. It will always get better at some point. Are you looking for it to get better or have you given up? Don’t give up, the fight isn’t over. God promised in Isaiah 41 that he will help you. Let him help you.
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            Post Isaiah 46:4 on something you can read every day. It says, “Even to your old age I am He, and even to hair white with age will I carry you. I have made, and I will bear; yes, I will carry and will save you.” You are grafted into an unexplainable supernatural inheritance. God is with you every step of the day. As it says in acts 17:28 in him we live and move and have our being. Trials, temptations, suffering, joy, persecution, are not too big for him. He is with us and protecting us through it all. He is there with his hand in yours. Take his hand and walk. Walk with your head held high, your hair blowing in the breeze and with confidence knowing you are different!