Prayer Journal
Monday, September 4, 2000
Today is Labor Day (USA)
Years ago the TV comedy, Hee Haw had a theme song to a certain segment that went like this: "Gloom - despair - agony, Oh me. Deep dark depression - excessive misery. If it weren't for bad luck, I'd have no luck at all. Gloom - despair - agony, Oh me."
Have you ever been so grief stricken that you couldn't do anything? Sometimes disappointment brings the same result. We work, labor and strive to accomplish certain goals and even see victories along the way. Then, in what seems like a single moment, the emotions of despair and despondency overwhelm you.
Every man since Adam has come to the point where his "best" intention collides with seeming failure. Our response might be different, but the "reality" of futility and hopelessness take over. Some are driven to run and hide, complain, gripe or possibly quit. Others seal their emotion and sulk, pretending they are not affected while inside they feel like a volcano is erupting
Aren't these emotions a variation of a single enemy called, "FEAR"? Paul shared his secret for overcoming fear in Philippians 4:6: "Do not be anxious about anything but in everything by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." Paul certainly had reason to be depressed and discouraged while imprisioned in Philippi. But while in jail, Paul and Silas prayed and sang. (Acts 16:25)
If this song had been written, I bet the prisoners would have heard it echoing through the halls at about midnight:
"When you're up against a struggle that shatters all your dreams and your hopes have been cruelly crushed by Satan's manifested schemes. When you feel the urge within you to submit to earthly fear, don't let the faith you standing in seem to disappear. Praise the Lord. He can work through those who praise him, praise the Lord. For our God inhabits praise. Praise the Lord. For the chains that seem to bind you serve only to remind you that they drop powerless behind you when you praise Him." (1)
There's no greater jailer than Fear. So - what are we going to do?
Just Thinkin'.. WebServant
(1) Praise the Lord; Words/Music by Brown Banister/Mike Hudson.
(2) Scripture comes from the Holy Bible, New International Version; (c)1978 by New York International Bible Society
(3) The images used herein were obtained from the Learning Company's ClickArt Christian Graphics Deluxe product, (c)1999 The Learning Company, Inc and its subsidiaries, 88 Roland Way, Novato, CA 94945 USA. All Rights Reserved.
