I am coming again across the tyranny of circumstances in my reading. How am I reacting to circumstances? Is my reaction negative or is my reaction positive?

We cannot stop the mind and the heart from thinking about the circumstances which tyrannize us. Are you having sleepless nights? (Philippians 4:6,7)

We cannot STOP the HEART and the MIND from thinking!

To ourselves we are talking. I don’t need to tell you that. You know that from your own experience. We are doing that all the time. Mental chatter is going on continuously. Not only the mind, but also he heart is outside our control.

The negative reaction to tyrannizing circumstances is to think, “This is too much for me to handle.” The positive reaction, the biblical reaction is to say, “I don’t understand what is happening to me, but only good for me will come out of this experience.

Romans 8:28:

“AND WE KNOW THAT IN ALL THINGS GOD WORKS FOR THE GOOD OF THOSE WHO LOVE HIM, …”

The Cross

“But he [Thomas]

John 20:25

Intr.:

said to them, ‘Unless I

• see the nail marks in his hands and
• put my finger where the nails were, and
• put my hand into his side,

End:

I will not believe it.'”

“‘Unless I see the nail marks in his hands …'”

The Cross

“Then he [Jesus]

John 20:27

Intr.:

said to Thomas,

• ‘Put your finger here,
• see my hands.
• Reach out your hand and put it into my side.

End:

Stop doubting and believe.'”

“‘Stop doubting and believe.'”

“THE TENDENCY OF THESE DAYS IS TO BREAK DOWN THE HOLY BARRIER, AND MAKE THE DISTINCTION BETWEEN THE CHURCH AND  THE WORLD MERELY NOMINAL.” – C. H. Spurgeon