Good Morning,
Sorry for the somber salutation. I’m suffering through a very painful moment in my life right now, and my transparency wouldn’t allow the usual “Happy Wednesday!” I guess that’s the biggest challenge with daily blogging. Those days when you just don’t feel like trying to inspire everyone else, because you feel so uninspired yourself.
I just couldn’t shake it!
Believe me, I tried to fake a smiley face several times this morning, but it didn’t feel authentic. Please don’t run away in search of another happier blogger. (smile) This is a very rare thing for me. Usually, I’m able to shake off anything life dishes out, or at least I’m able to keep my personal pains suppressed long enough to make it through a blog. Just couldn’t do either of those things today. I hope to be on the other side of this fleeting slump very soon-and back to my regular happy, playful self.
Every once in while, opposition forces rush in so intensely they almost wipe me out. Yes, even the mighty Chuckster here! (a look of surprise) Last night was one of those moments for Emily and I. We became more than overwhelmed with some of our recent challenges, and I haven’t been able to shake the lingering discouragement yet.
What can a person do?
What can a person do, when they’ve done all they know to do… even all the same things they’ve done to successfully break through in the past… and none of those things even come close to bringing relief?
When this happens, we should do the only thing we can do in times like this. In faith, we should plant our feet on the solid rock of our salvation-and trust God all the way, even when we cannot make sense out of the things he is doing, or NOT doing in our lives. Bishop TD Jakes says it like this: “You gotta trust Him, even when you cannot trace him!”
In times like these, we should crawl down into the secret place (psalm 91), and pray. Sometimes, we don’t even have words… just groans and tears. The key here is to draw near to God and resist the temptation to draw away from Him!
The Prayer of Jehoshophat!
Real men quickly admit their utter dependance on God. This is not a sign of weakness, but strength! The best leaders are the leaders who know how to admit the limits of their own power… the ones that cling to the Lord until they’re safely out of harms way.
2 Chronicles 20:10-12 “But now here are men from Ammon, Moab and Mount Seir, whose territory you would not allow Israel to invade when they came from Egypt; so they turned away from them and did not destroy them. 11 See how they are repaying us by coming to drive us out of the possession you gave us as an inheritance. 12 O our God, will you not judge them? For we have no power to face this vast army that is attacking us. We do not know what to do, but our eyes are upon you.”
Israel had spared all of these nations in the past-when they had the perfect opportunity for annihilating them. And now these same nations Israel had given MERCY, were surrounding her like a violent pack of rabid wolves. This kind of thing happens in real life every once in a while.
And King Jehoshophat refused to face this impossible situation in HIS OWN STRENGTH. He resisted the temptation to act like a stud.
Instead, this legendary King fell on his face in front of the entire nation… and he prayed, “Dear God… will you not judge them? For we have NO POWER to face this vast army that is attacking us. We do not know what to do, but our eyes are on you!”
We should learn to handle our dead ends just like King Jehoshophat handled his! When we face days and circumstances too dismal for words, we should fall on our faces and bellow out the PRAYER OF JEHOSHOPHAT: “Dear God… will you not judge them (or will you not stop them)? For we have NO POWER to face this vast army that is attacking us. We do not know what to do, but our eyes are on you!”
So thats what we do! And no, I don’t really “FEEL” a whole lot better now than I did when I first started writing this message… but I “KNOW” that this course of action I have chosen today will inevitably lead to my victory… because it ALWAYS DOES! And the same goes for all you guys and gals!
The Prayer of Jehoshophat: “Dear God… will you not judge them? For we have NO POWER to face this vast army that is attacking us. We do not know what to do, but our eyes are on you!”
Chuck,
Keep your eyes on Jesus like you always do and He will see you through just like He always has. He knows your heart and that is all that matters. I am sorry that you and Emily are having a tough time right now. We love you guys! If there is anything we can do for you all, please let us know.
Kathy
2 Corinthains 4:8-10, "We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed. We always carry around in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body."
Isaiah 45:3, "I will give you the treasures of darkness, riches stored in secret places, so that you may know that I am the LORD, the God of Israel, who summons you by name."
Hey Chuck,
Thanks for still doing what you do even when you may not "feel" like it. I think this helped me today, because of the fact that sometimes I know that I have a tendency to think that just because someone's a hero in my life, that they're bullet-proof. You've shown me today that even though you may not be so immortal, you still put your faith in God.
I can relate on that point about strong men putting their Faith in God. I can remember at one time thinking that people who didn't do certain worldly things were weak and sissyish (if that's a word). When, in fact, the whole time they were the ones that were weak with no real standards.
I've come to the realization that real men are the ones with standards. Ones who submit to God and his plans. Ones who get a bit discouraged and turn right around to kick Satan in the teeth. Ones who know that if the enemy's attacking, that that must mean there's a harvest of blessing about to come!
***I do not get discouraged and give up, for I will reap a harvest of blessing at the appropriate time. -Galatians 6:9-
Thanks again,
Joshua
Hey Pastor!
I will be praying for you today. You know all to well that we have been there! I may not know exactly what you are going through, but I know I have hit the same point you are at now. I know with all my heart that you will keep your eyes on the Lord and He WILL pull you through. Please let me know if there is anything we can do for you.
The Prayer of Jehoshophat how much we can learn from it. There is so much power in admitting our own limits and defeat. There have been so many times I have cried out to the Lord, that I could not do it alone. I could not keep going without the strength of the Lord. I thank God that He is so amazing and always there for us, even when it seems we have been all but abandoned.
Thank you Pastor for sharing with us today, even when you don't feel like it! I pray God blesses you unimaginably today for your faithfulness! Know that you have encouraged me today, as I am sure you have inspired and encouraged others to go on even when they feel such discouragement! Love ya!! Hvae a blessed day everyone!
You may feel as though you may not have inspired anyone with your post today, but you did
). Thanks for being so honest about your struggles. As I read this, what came to mind was Proverbs 3:5-6…Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will make your paths straight. That might not mean anything to your situation, but I thought I'd at least share it anyway.
Pastor, I know the Lord is moving heaven and earth right now in answer to your cry! I'm standing with you in prayer.
I am praying for you today Pastor.
My fav scripture…Luke 10:19…"Behold, I give you authority to trample upon serpents and scorpions and over all powers of darkness…and nothing will by any means harm you"
Jesus gave us the same authority He has– to put down ALL powers of darkness, not just some! And as long as we are putting down darkness, NOTHING will be successful in causing permanent injury!
The devil loves to put "reality" in our face and defeat us with a "cold hard fact" or two, but REALITY IS– GOD ALWAYS SHOWS UP. Right on time. With the BEST outcome for us if we look at the facts through Jesus and not some devil's version of the truth.
I hope you realize, Pastor, that the amazing words of encouragement coming to you today are a result of your mighty influence on us in the first place! You are such a BLESSING!! And you are set aside for something GREAT. Something RARE and GREAT. I have NEVER witnessed such a fabulous team as you and Emily. I love to watch the two of you do life in such a pure, amazing way.
I hope this comment ADDS TREMENDOUS VALUE TO YOUR LIFE!!
!!
Pastor I am reminded of the verses you sent me this week!
Luke 1:78,79
78 Because of God’s tender mercy,
the morning light from heaven is about to break upon us
79 to give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death,
and to guide us to the path of peace.”
Think of the Light you gave yesterday to those that sit in darkness! Think of the LIGHT you shined on a situation that otherwise may NOT have turned out as bright….. Think of the glimmers of light that is still lingering in the shadows of those whose paths were crossed yesterday.
I agree with Kristin totally! You have been set apart for SOMETHING GREAT AND MIGHTY! Something RARE! Of course you are going to feel defeated today if you let it! But Pastor Chuck Balsamo…."You are Better than this", come on!
Do NOT let anything or anyone knock you down! No more roller coaster riding. In fact, get out of the park! You have the Victory! Keep on keeping on… there is much work to still be done in this CITY,COUNTY,STATE and REGION so get busy!
We love you:)
Thank you for being authentic. So often people feel the need to "control their image" that we have a distorted image of real life. I appreciate that you're sharing.
Pastor Chuck and Emily,
I love you!
Psalm 18, Psalm 18, Psalm 18, Psalm 18!
God WILL deal with the enemy who has tried, but not succeeded, to come in and steal, kill, and destroy.
But your willingness to be real and open and honest gives way for God to shine even more brighter into the lives of those that know you, and read this blog every day. You've made a way for God to say to everyone here, "I know what you're going through, and I'm still with you, even when times are hard, even when it seems there is no way." I AM — the way maker!
I have been dealing with my own deadends, recently, and getting discouraged with it all, and trying to figure it out instead of resting in Him. That's when confusion can come in, too, you know, when we try to figure it out with our heads, on our own.
But God in His Wisdom will deal, in His time, as He sees fit. Psalm 18.
Being real is not being weak. Being real is allowing God to be God.
This is a day for close communion with the Father. Lean on Him. LEAN… on Him. Cry your heart out, and know that He keeps every tear. And He loves you and holds you close.
And we all stand with you, and hold you both in our hearts.
Michelle–I am utterly astounded! Thanks for your comment! I really like "I AM– the way maker"! I love thinking about God like that…total security!
Hope the day has been brighter, Pastor! looking forward to service tonight! And we're cheering for ya!! CHUCK RULZ!!
Ps Chuck …
You are surrounded by amazing peoples and you are definitely under the hand of God. And its good that you are not a fire-proof before God, because sometimes God comes with Fire, He is THE FIRE itself. Just like Daniel in the fire, you wont get burned BUT YET people will see you with God in this 'fire'. Just like a Ceramic should go the the oven to be heated before it becomes solid and beautiful, it wont break you but it will change you into something more solid and beautiful form. God knows the best temperature for you, and His eyes on you all day. Just like a gold in the refiners fire to become pure and expensive, thats you.
I support you like crazy. The best of you is yet to come.
and hey, you were born to inspire, and you still do.
Trust God in everything and lean NOT on ur own understanding. God is at work right now,makin crooked places straight even though we may feel He seems to be doing nothing.cast ur anxieties upon Him cuz He cares for u.Cheer up Bro.
Nice encouragement you guys… and PHENOMENAL councel in all your words! I read every comment as it came in all day long yesterday… and what a BLESSING it was to see you guys writing such POWERFUL things! Wow… we can change the world together… in fact, we are changing the world together. Thanks for appreciating the transparency!! Hope everyone is having a super day… God bless you guys!
I am praying this prayer as my body is being attacked. I know God will help the dr. find out what is wrong. I know this pain will go away. I know I will be able to get off of this medication for pain and nausea. I know God knows all about it. I will not give up believing that God will heal my body.