“HE HAS MADE EVERYTHING APPROPRIATE IN ITS TIME.” ECCLESIASTES 3:11 NAS

The Roller-Coaster Ride of Life

Giving up in mid-ride isn't an option - it's foolish! A depressed church member told his pastor, "I'm tired of trying. I've been down so long; I can't muster up the faith to believe God for deliverance anymore." The pastor said, "First, you can never justify quitting, because you have the Lord on your side. He won't quit on you, He promised He'll 'never leave you nor forsake you [so]...do not be discouraged' (Deuteronomy 31:8 NIV). Second, His Word says, 'If we believe not, He abideth faithful: He cannot deny himself' (2Timothy 2:13 NKJV). It's not just a matter of your faith; it's a matter of His faithfulness. When you can't seem to believe, instead of focusing on your faith in Him (or the lack of it), begin to focus on His faithfulness to you!" What great counsel for the roller-coaster ride of life. Now, let's add some more encouraging observations. Third, God doesn't owe us an explanation so we shouldn't look for one, but He promises us an exit. He "will with the [testing]...make a way to escape, that ye [might] be able to bear it" (1Corinthians 10:13 NKJV). Until He gets you out of it, He'll get you through it. Your part is to stay on the roller coaster. Fourth, He's producing good in all your circumstances. "And we know that all things work together for good to them...who are the called" (Romans 8:28 NIV). God puts pits and peaks together, and out comes your good. Fifth, while He does so, the Son and Spirit intercede with the Father for you, daily (Romans 8:26-32 and 34-39 NIV). With all that going for you, how can you fail to make it?