We Cannot Postpone Living

“We may be able to postpone some decisions but we cannot postpone living,” observed Warren Wiersbe in Looking Up When Life Gets You Down.

This statement jumped out at me as I thumbed through his book looking for something to read.

Wiersbe further reminds us that “Life is a gift from God, and we must treasure it, protect it and invest in it.”

As I reflected on those truisms I thought of various challenges I’ve experienced through the years. Or problems of those I’ve counseled who’ve faced some really tough and troubling times.

Heath concerns. Financial setbacks. Family problems. Job loss. Relationship clashes. Marital disagreements. Church conflicts. Spiritual weakness. Moral failures. Personal rejection. And the death of a loved one. Any of these can be discouraging, disheartening and depressing. They can cause us to become weary of life.

Yet, the sun rises. Another day dawns. And life must be lived whether we want to or not.

The alternative is the ultimate tragedy of giving up.

The problem of suffering and the question of “why do bad things happen to good people” is age old. While the Old Testament Book of Job offers some insights, if you’re in the middle of a life crisis, you’re probably not wanting to become a philosopher. You want answers. Solutions. Help.

Although it may be difficult, the Believer has reasons to continue on.  To trust God. And to embrace the old adage, “I know not what the future holds, but I know who holds the future.” “Faith is one of the forces by which men live,” wrote Henry James, “and the total absence of it means collapse.”

God offers resources that are available to us whether we see them or not. Or use them or not.

Jesus reminds us “Do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself” (Matt. 6:33). I know. Easier said than done. Like most things in life. But the point is just live today. Make it through today.

But how?

♦Take a moment to pray. Ask for God’s guidance. His help. His wisdom. His protection. “Cast all your care upon Him for He cares for you” (I Pet. 5:7).

♦Read a Psalm. A Bible verse. A thought from God to encourage you.

♦Listen to uplifting psalms, hymns and spiritual songs. Soon you will find yourself making melody in your heart (Eph. 5:19).

♦Confide in and counsel with a close friend who will love you unconditionally, but offer honest, wise and scriptural advice (Prov. 17:17).

♦Live for others around you. Think of who needs you. A spouse? A parent? A child? A friend? A neighbor? A co-worker? A brother or sister in Christ? (Phil. 2:-3-4).

♦Look for someone you can help or encourage. A man named John Keble offers this advice. “When you find yourself overpowered as it were by melancholy, the best way is to go out and do something kind to somebody else.” Allow God’s comfort to flow through you to others (2 Cor. 1:4).

♦”Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might” (Eccl. 9:10).

♦Choose to “walk by faith and not by sight” (2 Cor 5:7).

You may not be able to do all of those things, but do what you can do.

In Wiersbe’s book he offers this counsel, that may seem a bit unsettling to some right now, but consider it thoughtfully and prayerfully.

“Suffering can make us selfish or sacrificing. It can make us part of the problem or a part of the answer.”

Allow the concern, care or crisis you’re facing to make you better, not bitter. Faithful, not faithless. Stronger, not weaker.

Live life today.

–Ken Weliever, The Preacherman