What to do when things arent okay?

Okay...so what are we supposed to do when things are all out of whack in our lives?
Let me start with this. I am the type of person who likes everything to be in order, sort of like my little bubble. I like working hard and getting things done. I like the fact that my youth group is growing vibrantly and that I see change in the lives of those following me and my staff as we follow Jesus. I like coming home and playing with my daughter outside until dark. I like coming in and having dinner and laying on the carpet with my son until his bed time. I like laughter and games and play time with them. I like the quite sound after they lay down and I sit next to my wife as she watches TV and I read or vice versa. I like the feeling of closeness that I have from God as I relax with my Bible or a book and prayer. I like sleeping sound knowing all in my bubble is ok.
What I found out about myself today is that when one of those things gets out of my grasp i get a bit of a feeling of despair and begin to try to fix things that I couldnt fix if my life depended on it. It is not a big deal, but I have a good friend going through the darkest moments of his life. I lost a good lifelong friend last week. My mother and mother in law are at my house RIGHT NOW! My wife is worried about my son who has to go get a MRI on Saturday, They are using anesthesia and that scares her. Then they are hooking him up to probes for 24 hours as he lays in a hospital room. They say they think all is well with him, but they want to "make sure" and things are not feeling so together!
So what do we do when things just aren't OK?

I went for a run and thought and prayed and here is what I think. When there is a hill in front of you that you cant see the top of, you determine that you are going to make it. You bight down, set your eye on the peak and run, even when it hurts.
I will fix me eyes on the one who does hold the future. Take my eyes off of the potential mess and run as hard and as fast into his care as I possibly can.

What is going on in your life?
I have good news. No matter how high the hill looks ( even impossible ) there is a wind that lifts us when we fix our eyes on the promise that Jesus gave.... "I will never leave or forsake you" "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me."
What do you do when things are not OKAY....remember that they are...they are in the creators hands

4/25

What is it about weeds in my yard that ticks me off? Today I went (weed pullin') and the deeper I got in to the task, the more and more aggravated it made me. There was this one type of weed that would prick my fingers when I would grab it. This same weed would break off before I could get the root out letting me know that it was not gone for good, but lingering underground only to return in several days. I really want a green beautiful yard that isnt choked out by weeds, but it is just so difficult to dig them up. I usually get a few out and then give up until its obvious again.

It reminds me of some sins in my life. I take  a stab at trying to overcome them, but end up just putting them aside briefly, only for them to return days later. In order to get weeds out of the yard, you have to completely remove them roots and all. The same goes with sin. It isnt feasible to assume that you can just ignore or make a passive attempt at overcoming sin. It takes drastic measures sometimes. You have to get to the root! What is trying to steal the beauty from your life by resisting your removal? Its time to take drastic measures! You can do it... but you have to dig deep!

Think about this

Bens Small Group-

I want you guys to think hard about these things before Sunday:

1. If you had three days to live, what are the top five things you would do?

2. If you had to give your life for a cause, what would it be?

3. What would be the one thing that might cause you to fall off of course in your walk with God?

4. What is one attribute about you that may look a lot like Jesus?

Write down the answers to these questions and bring them in your pocket on Sunday 

Love you guys

Ben