Have you ever been in the midst of a stressful situation, wondering if you will ever make it through? Have you ever wanted to give up? Or punch someone?

I wish I could say no, but that’s where my husband and I find ourselves now.

As we go through this process of purchasing property to build a house, we have had our hopes raised only to be dashed. We adjust, we compromise, and our hopes rise only to be crushed again. We have one person gives us good news and another give us bad news. Mistakes are uncovered which can either be good or bad. I swear I just want some solid ground to stand on.

🎶 On Christ the solid rock, I stand; all other ground is sinking sand, all other ground is sinking sand. 🎶

The words of that hymn springing up in my mind, slips in a message from the Holy Spirit while I write.

So how do I stand on The Rock? I make my way into the scriptures, listening for his prompts. This is where I’m led:

We are pressed on every side by troubles, but we are not crushed. We are perplexed, but not driven to despair.

2 Corinthians 4:8 (NLT)

I have to ask, how are they not crushed? How are they not driven to despair? So I look further up:

We now have this light shining in our hearts, but we ourselves are like fragile clay jars containing this great treasure. This makes it clear that our great power is from God, not from ourselves.

2 Corinthians 4:7 (NLT)

So many people tell you that all you need to do is look within yourself for answers, to rely on your inner-strength. But this scripture tells a different story. A better story.

So now I know how the apostles did it. How do I apply it to my life? Here’s their conclusion:

So we don’t look at the troubles we can see now; rather, we fix our gaze on things that cannot be seen. For the things we see now will soon be gone, but the things we cannot see will last forever.

2 Corinthians 4:18 (NLT)

They remembered what Jesus taught them. It’s written down in this scripture:

I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.

John 16:33 (NLT)

Reading that again, I am overwhelmed with his promise that I can have peace. My responsibility is to abide, trust, and hope in him. All other ground is sinking sand.

Grace & Peace,

Sandy