Hellish hassles

The “hassle-free” life is a myth perpetuated by advertising companies and self-help gurus in an attempt to imbed in the minds of people that this is an attainable mindset and way of life.

Life is full of hassles and all of them have costs. Hassles cost people time, stress, money and a myriad emotional expenses. Life this way is a never-ending, hellish circle of living that can take people down dark paths, keeping them bound in an empty, fruitless life.

What people are really searching for is peace. Peace that alleviates the emotional costs of all the hassles in life.

And they will never find it by buying the next “hassle-free” product or service or initiating the breathing exercises that supposedly transform them into a “new being.”

People keep trying or buying the next “great thing” or carnal manifestation that tempts them with “hassle-free.” All of this is fruitless, never delivering what they seek.

Romans 8:6 (KJV) – “For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.”

The relief from the hassles of life that is pursued by people is only found in the hope and salvation of Christ Jesus. He alone can relieve them of the strains and pains they face in this world.

John 14:27 (KJV) – “Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.”

Now, disciple, how can you help someone cease the pursuit of “hassle-free” in their world and introduce them to the peace of Christ in all things?

3 Questions for now

Trying to live a “hassle-free” life is like tying down one foot and walking with the other – all you accomplish is going around in circles and returning to a point of frustration.

People are living this type of life all around us. They’re looking for answers, and believers have the answers in Jesus.

Here are three questions that could help you start a conversation:

• Do you think happiness comes from external circumstances, or is it something internal?

• What brings you the most joy in life?

• How do you stay hopeful during difficult times?

Share your way to fight life’s hassles – peace, hope and salvation through Jesus – and ask one of these questions and follow the Lord’s lead.

Be kind. Love them. Be bold.

The world needs Christ’s peace to survive life’s hassles.

Shawn’s noodling rant:

(“Noodling” is a term I swiped from my mentor. The meaning is to “ponder” or “think deeply about” a topic that God is challenging us with through scripture or the Holy Spirit, or both.)

Awake from your easy chair, walk worthy of the Lord

The hassles of life regularly drain me to the point that all I want to do is collapse in my recliner and drift off into a deep slumber. Many times, this is the only physical solace I can muster to relieve the strain upon my mind and body.

Life’s hassles have simply whipped me at these points in time. My mind and soul just need the break.

The difference for me compared to all the lost souls around me is that when I do awake my mind and body feel refreshed in a way others can’t understand. I can rise and exclaim, “Rejoice in the Lord always, and again I say, Rejoice.” – Philippians 4:4 (KJV)

The hassles haven’t magically disappeared – like for a child who covers their eyes in the face of danger – but the momentary shut down of my mind and body gives me enough pause to refocus my thoughts and energies on Christ.

He never said following Him would be “hassle-free,” quite the contrary. He let us all know quite clearly that believing in Him and following Him would be challenging, even to the point of physical persecution and possibly death.

What He did offer, and daily provides, is a peace that unbelievers surely can’t experience and even us believers will not understand it fully.

Philippians 4:7 (KJV) – “And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.”

So, when my eyes open after collapsing in the easy chair and my bones and muscles begin to creek and stretch again, I can arise knowing – even with a bit of a smile – that the hassles still before me and the next ones beyond those can be overcome through Christ Jesus.

Colossians 1:10-14 (KJV) – “10 That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God; 11 Strengthened with all might, according to his glorious power, unto all patience and longsuffering with joyfulness; 12 Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light:

“13 Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son: 14 In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins.”

Getting back into the battle of life and all its hassles is not so intimidating, not quite as relentless as it seems knowing that Christ Himself is walking beside me and, yes, He has even gone before me in conquering anything this world throws at me.

Hassles may seem hellish in the moment, but the peace that surpasses all understanding eases the struggle of this life’s path knowing the heavenly reward that awaits.

Now, disciple, awaken and embrace the hassles of this life to the glory of God in Christ Jesus.