Bing Crosby movie Holiday Inn

There is an old Bing Crosby movie titled, "Holiday Inn." It's one of those,
boy meets girl, they fall in love and then something comes between them
movie. Eventually they are reunited, but in the middle of the separation
part Bing sings a song titled" I've got nothing to be thankful for."

I believe that there are many people (maybe you), who today are singing that
same song. We tend to look at our lives and focus only upon the
difficulties, not on the blessings. I know what it's like to be down and
discouraged, to look at your live and wonder how you are ever going to get
past this last round of bad luck.

I can encourage you to count your blessings, to remember all the Lord has
done for you. I can encourage you to focus upon the good stuff in your life
and upon God, but that's probably something you already know and most likely
don't want to hear again.

So, what do you do or what have I done? Well, Jesus gives some instructions
to his disciples in Matthew 26:41 at a time when he is facing his death. He
tells them: "Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The
spirit is willing, but the body is weak." It may seem overly simple to hear
the words, but you (and I) need to pray more because we can't overcome our
difficulties by our own power. We want very much to handle our problems all
by ourselves, but even though "The spirit is willing, the body is weak."

Think about it, even Jesus, when faced with a terrible death, found his
strength through prayer, (read the whole text). We plan and plot and make
lists and talk to friends, counsel with those we thing might have some
special knowledge to impart to us, when what we really need to do is talk to
God about it.

You may be dealing with very difficult problems right now. Some folks are
really struggling with physical ailments. Some are struggling with problems
with children (both young and old). Some are struggling to keep their
marriages together. While some are struggling because of the economy or lost
jobs. Some are struggling to make their house payments and some are facing
foreclosure.

Some of these people are members of our church family or our physical family
or friends or neighbors. So, pray! Pray for yourself, but also pray for
those around you, because though you may never know it, they might be
struggling, just like you! (1Thessalonians 5:17 "Pray without ceasing.")

Russ Lawson