A WORD FOR TODAY 12 AUGUST 2023

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*A WORD FOR TODAY*

*KEEP YOUR EYES ON GOD WHEN IT IS TOUGH*

_He said, “Come.” So Peter got out of the boat and walked on the water and came to Jesus; but when he saw the wind, he was afraid, and beginning to sink he cried out, “Lord, save me.”(Matthew 14:29‭-‬30)_‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬

*TOUGH TIMES MUST COME*

_*There is no doubt that tough times are part of human existence. They can come in different ways. They can directly or indirectly concern us. They can come with high pressure sometimes and make life almost meaning less before the eyes of the sufferer. The good news is that when we call on him like peter did while he was sinking(as we read from the gospel),God often reveals himself during tough times and does not abandon us.*_

*ENGAGING TOUGH TIMES*

_There are several tried and trusted things to do while going through tough times. Let us look at some of them. Note, however, that this list is not all that can exist. Let us look at a few._

*LISTEN TO GOD*

_*It is important to avoid listening to the wrong people during tough times. Usually, the wrong people add to the trouble or distract you from a solution. The psalmist says: I will hear what the Lord God speaks...He speaks of peace for his faithful. His salvation is near for those who fear him. If you listen to God, you will be greatly encouraged and motivated to wait for his intervention.*_

*GOD GIVES PEACE*

_Peace is often a sign from God.. and after the earthquake a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire; and after the fire a still small voice. And when Elijah heard it, he wrapped his face in his mantle and went out and stood at the entrance of the cave. And behold, there came a voice to him, and said, “What are you doing here, Elijah?”(1 Kings 19:12‭-‬13)_‬‬‬‬‬

*GOD'S PEACE IS DEEP*

_*What comes to mind when you want to listen to God alone is how to recognize when it is God intervening in the situation. From the above text one can see that usually God comes with certain kind of peace. The peace is deep and beyond just the feeling of relaxation and no worries. Things might be very rough but in the midst of that roughness the proposed solution brings peace.*_

*AVOID DISCOURAGEMENTS*

_You may have to wait for God in patience during tough times. So prepare your mind and do not let yourself to be discouraged when it looks like you are experiencing delay. Some have hastily made decisions without God. Some have made bad decisions to do evil in order to get what they want. Often times such decisions had ended badly. So do not let yourself be discouraged from waiting for God._

*YOUR STRENGTH RESTS IN GOD*

_*Therefore, child of God, keep your eyes on God in time of trouble. Do not focus on the problems and difficulty. Such focus makes one begin to sink into the troubles of this world and get drowned by it. Rather focus on God and call on the name of the Lord like peter did in the gospel and you shall be saved – may be not immediately, but eventually. Amen.*_

_Good morning dearest one. Let there be smiles😊 on your face no matter what your are going through. Have a wonderful Sunday. *And may the Almighty God bless you: the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Amen.*_

*Meditation:* 1 Kings 19:9.11-13/Psalm 85:8 9.10-11.12-13 / Romans 9:1-5/ Matthew 14:22-33

*Watch-Word:* I long for you O Lord, my soul longs for his word.

_*Tough times will come but remember that you have an all-powerful God.*_

(Nineteenth Sunday in the ordinary time. Year A)

*© Rev. Fr. Augustine Eleke*