God knows it's a tough life, so turn to him in time of need

TO EACH person born is given a journey of life by our creator. For ahead of each newly born baby stretches the possibility of youth with its vigor and vitality; but also the prospect of trials, sickness, conflicts, old age, and ultimately death.

Somehow, in our minds, we live in a dream world and think that something has gone wrong because suddenly we face problems with which we cannot cope. We never really expect it, and when it happens we cry in hurt, despair, and outrage. Why? Why me? Nowhere in the Bible does God give us a promise of flower-strewn pathways and skies always blue, but he does promise grace and strength for each difficulty.

Why the valleys? "It is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure" writes the Apostle Paul to the church at Philippi. Everything God does, everything he allows has a purpose.

So what do we do when we are facing a storm in our lives: a sickness, death, financial difficulties, unrest because of the economy . . . throw up our hands and become bitter against God and the whole world? No, never!

We lay hold upon God more than ever and trust him to bring us through. As children of God, these situations allow us to grow into maturity and we do not grow without some spritual growing pains. We are being taught discipline, perseverance and endurance.

A wise person learns to take life as it comes, not as he thinks it ought to come. A foolish person worries, only to discover it was unnecessary.

The only real thing about life is the minute you're living right now. It's yours. The past is not yours, and even the future is not yours. You get life a minute at a time. Take it that way. The world we live in is as fickle as the weather. As a matter of fact, most people think life is like the weather: They cannot do anything about it so, in a sense, they are always "under the weather." Remember, every silver lining has a dark cloud. Don't fall into the trap of feeling sorry for yourself.

Problems will come, difficulties will appear. God never intended us to live on the level of luck or logic. By faith, any human being can move from the level of the mundane and the circumstances that come our way, to a level of peace, victory, and joy.

Refuse to live in the prison of circumstances. Again, a wonderful reminder from the pen of the great Apostle Paul: "Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth." I dare you to take the challenge.

Each Saturday the Daily News offers men and women of faith the opportunity to share their words of life and comfort with our readers.If you are a minister, a priest, a rabbi, or the head of another religious organization and would like to submit a faith-based column, contact Lorenzo Biggs at 215-854-5816, or by e-mail at biggsl@phillynews.com.