Interesting Green: Reflection - Paul Van Gorder

Source (book): "Classic Gem: Timeless Devotions from Our Daily Bread Authors", Chapter 35, "Life Is Real", Page 41.
By Paul Van Gorder, Our Daily Bread Author

PHOTO: When when I am afraid, I put my trust in you. - Psalm 56:3
Read: Psalm 56

In the comic strip Peanuts, Lucy had just broken the news to Linus that children cannot live at home forever; eventually they will grow up and move away. Then she said that when he left, she would get his room. But Linus quickly reminded her that at some time, she, too, would have to leave home. When this realization hit Lucy, she was shocked, but she quickly came up with a solution. She turned the TV up loud, crawled into her beanbag chair with a bowl of ice cream, and refused to think about it.

Avoiding unpleasant circumstances is not as easy as Lucy thinks. Life's realities cannot be avoided. We may try to run and hide, but struggles and trials have a way of dogging our footsteps and eventually catching up with us.

Instead, we should face up to our problems. The psalmist David did this when beset by persistent foes and false friends. He didn't try to minimize his danger; instead, he acknowledged the storm that was raging around him and looked to the Lord. He wrote, "In God I trust and am not afraid" (Psalm 56:4).

Let's follow David's example - not Lucy's. Facing up to life's difficulties may be a frightening experience. But when we trust God and draw close to Him, we'll experience real deliverance.

When troubles call on you, call on God.

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When when I am afraid, I put my trust in you. - Psalm 56:3
Read: Psalm 56

PHOTO: When when I am afraid, I put my trust in you. - Psalm 56:3
Picture posted by Prayers and Petitions

https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir_4Wmkt0Zz1fAkdU2KnBy2CBKThqZClrMlz0ioiND4Zn5QmirXBNTsE1uNbISrLn7EqwHZNMjodln3vxYc5ZFMyoBmR_jzxIBGKfIBq0Kqi-HWBYWOGJWS3UDuMfBfsx1Y7mZgJjoBOpLupJILyBp7RxHhEyq1AHFMlHgWG8S8xkgUe1Bh5iUy9sk/s836/CYMERA_20220713_173138_1.jpg
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https://www.prayersandpetitions.org/psalm-563-2/

In the comic strip Peanuts, Lucy had just broken the news to Linus that children cannot live at home forever; eventually they will grow up and move away. Then she said that when he left, she would get his room. But Linus quickly reminded her that at some time, she, too, would have to leave home. When this realization hit Lucy, she was shocked, but she quickly came up with a solution. She turned the TV up loud, crawled into her beanbag chair with a bowl of ice cream, and refused to think about it.

PHOTO: In the comic strip Peanuts, Lucy had just broken the news to Linus that children cannot live at home forever; eventually they will grow up and move away. Then she said that when he left, she would get his room. But Linus quickly reminded her that at some time, she, too, would have to leave home. When this realization hit Lucy, she was shocked, but she quickly came up with a solution. She turned the TV up loud, crawled into her beanbag chair with a bowl of ice cream, and refused to think about it.
Picture posted by Heritage Auctions, HA.com
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https://comics.ha.com/itm/animation-art/production-cel/peanuts-linus-and-lucy-production-cel-setup-bill-melendez-c-1970s-80s-/a/121905-11222.s

Avoiding unpleasant circumstances is not as easy as Lucy thinks. Life's realities cannot be avoided. We may try to run and hide, but struggles and trials have a way of dogging our footsteps and eventually catching up with us.

PHOTO: Avoiding unpleasant circumstances is not as easy as Lucy thinks. Life's realities cannot be avoided. We may try to run and hide, but struggles and trials have a way of dogging our footsteps and eventually catching up with us.
Picture posted by Shutterstock
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Instead, we should face up to our problems. The psalmist David did this when beset by persistent foes and false friends. He didn't try to minimize his danger; instead, he acknowledged the storm that was raging around him and looked to the Lord. He wrote, "In God I trust and am not afraid" (Psalm 56:4).

PHOTO: Instead, we should face up to our problems. The psalmist David did this when beset by persistent foes and false friends. He didn't try to minimize his danger; instead, he acknowledged the storm that was raging around him and looked to the Lord. He wrote, "In God I trust and am not afraid" (Psalm 56:4).
Picture posted by PonyHorse11 on 07 May 2011 - Psalm 56:3-4

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https://www.deviantart.com/ponyhorse11/art/Psalm-56-3-4-207853987

Let's follow David's example - not Lucy's. Facing up to life's difficulties may be a frightening experience. But when we trust God and draw close to Him, we'll experience real deliverance.

PHOTO: Let's follow David's example - not Lucy's. Facing up to life's difficulties may be a frightening experience. But when we trust God and draw close to Him, we'll experience real deliverance.
Picture posted by Journey Home

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When troubles call on you, call on God.

PHOTO: When troubles call on you, call on God.
Picture posted by Hany Rady
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PHOTO: Reflect and Pray
Whatever life may bring your way
Each hour of every passing day,
Throughout the months and long years too,
The Lord in heaven will care for you. - Anonymous
Picture posted by Veena Furtado - Your rod and your staff they comfort me Lord...
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Reflection - Paul Van Gorder - Life Is Real
Source (book): "Classic Gem: Timeless Devotions from Our Daily Bread Authors", Chapter 35, "Life Is Real", Page 41.
By Paul Van Gorder, Our Daily Bread Author

Other Books (Links)

"Faithful to the end", A Preacher's Exposition of 2 Timothy, @ 2014 by Robert M. Solomon

Reflection - Faithful to the end (Links)
https://veryfatoldman.blogspot.com/2017/06/reflection-faithful-to-end-links.html

"Finding rest for the soul" Responding to Jesus' Invitation in Matthew 11:28-29, © 2016 by Robert M. Solomon

Reflection - Finding rest for the soul (Links)
https://veryfatoldman.blogspot.com/2018/10/reflection-finding-rest-for-soul-links.html

"God in Pursuit" Lessons from the Book of Jonah, © 2016 by Robert M. Solomon

Reflection - God in Pursuit (Links) - PART I-III, posted on Saturday, 10 August 2019
https://veryfatoldman.blogspot.com/2019/08/reflection-god-in-pursuit-links-part-i.html

"God in Pursuit" Lessons from the Book of Jonah, © 2016 by Robert M. Solomon

Reflection - God in Pursuit (Links) - PART IV, posted on Saturday, 10 August 2019
https://veryfatoldman.blogspot.com/2019/08/reflection-god-in-pursuit-links-part-iv.html

"Songs of Christmas", The Stories and Significance of 20 Well-Loved Carols, © 2018 by Robert M. Solomon

Reflection - Songs of Christmas (Links), posted on Friday, 24 April 2020
https://veryfatoldman.blogspot.com/2020/04/reflection-songs-of-christmas-links.html

"Growing Old Gracefully", Following Jesus to the End, © 2019 by Robert M. Solomon

Reflection - Growing Old Gracefully, Part I - III (Links), posted on Wednesday, 09 December 2020
https://veryfatoldman.blogspot.com/2020/12/reflection-growing-old-gracefully-part.html

Reflection - Growing Old Gracefully, Part IV - V (Links), posted on Thursday, 22 April 2021
https://veryfatoldman.blogspot.com/2020/12/reflection-growing-old-gracefully-part_9.html

"Teach Us to Number Our Days", © 2008 by David Roper

Reflection - Number Our Days, Chapter 1 - 40 (Links), posted on Tuesday, 16 November 2021
https://veryfatoldman.blogspot.com/2021/11/reflection-number-our-days-chapter-1-40.html

Reflection - Number Our Days, Chapter 41 - 64 (Links), posted on Wednesday, 16 March 2022
https://veryfatoldman.blogspot.com/2022/03/reflection-number-our-days-chapter-41.html

"He Walks with Me - Devotions for Your Caregiving Journey with God", © 2018 by Our Daily Bread Ministries, Shelly Beach

Reflection - He Walks with Me (Links), posted on Tuesday, 16 August 2022
https://veryfatoldman.blogspot.com/2022/08/reflection-he-walks-with-me-links.html

Reference

Links

Other Books (Links) - https://veryfatoldman.blogspot.com/2020/10/reflection-books-links.html

Matthew 11:28-29 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+11%3A28-29&version=NIV

Psalm 56 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm+56&version=NIV

Psalm 56:3 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm+56%3A3&version=NIV

Psalm 56:4 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm+56%3A4&version=NIV