Making it through the Hard Times

Depression, high prices, debt, bill collectors, loss. What do these words have in common? The times in which we are living right now are full of all these and more! How can I as a Christian make it through these times?

1 Peter 3:8–9 (KJV 1900)

8 Finally, be ye all of one mind, having compassion one of another, love as brethren, be pitiful, be courteous: 9 Not rendering evil for evil, or railing for railing: but contrariwise blessing; knowing that ye are thereunto called, that ye should inherit a blessing.

Take a moment and think about someone you know who thinks about themselves only,

· Someone who talks of their problems – never thinks about others

· Someone who worries about themselves – never anyone else

· Someone who cries for their own needs – never anyone else

· Someone who feels only their pain – not the pains of others

What are they like to be around? How fun is it to listen to them? Do you enjoy their company or do you wish they would just shut up? Be careful, if we only think of our pain our problem we will be that person!!!!

These 2 verses are only the beginning of what are great verses for all Christians they plainly let us know that we as believers should stand unified in peace one with another! That we should live

1. Of one mind

2. Having compassion

3. Brotherly love

4. Pity for each other and others as well

5. Be courteous

6. Do not fight or retaliate against others

Of one mind verse 8

Compassionate – sympathetic

· Suffers with them who suffer, weeps with those who weep

· Rejoice when others are honored

· One who hurts when others are attacked or criticized

· One who grieves with the sorrows of others

Romans 12:9–21 (NKJV)

9 Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor what is evil. Cling to what is good. 10 Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love, in honor giving preference to one another; 11 not lagging in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord; 12 rejoicing in hope, patient in tribulation, continuing steadfastly in prayer; 13 distributing to the needs of the saints, given to hospitality. 14 Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. 15 Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep. 16 Be of the same mind toward one another. Do not set your mind on high things, but associate with the humble. Do not be wise in your own opinion. 17 Repay no one evil for evil. Have regard for good things in the sight of all men. 18 If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men. 19 Beloved, do not avenge yourselves, but rather give place to wrath; for it is written, “Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,” says the Lord. 20 Therefore “If your enemy is hungry, feed him; If he is thirsty, give him a drink; For in so doing you will heap coals of fire on his head.” 21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

And what of our problems? What about the fact that bill collectors are calling, we have little or no gas or money to buy it with?

Romans 8:28–29 (KJV 1900)

28 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. 29 For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren.

Remember someone else is hurting more than me! Think about them!