7 Ways to Overcome Troubled Times

By: Richard Mirpuri

 

(Part 1) If it isn’t obvious that we’re living in the end-times, just read the headlines in your local newspaper or on your favorite Internet news source. There’s an old Ray Charles song entitled, “If It Wasn’t For Bad Luck.” One refrain of the song says: “if it wasn’t for bad luck y’all. . .Oh! I wouldn’t have no luck at all.” It seems the news media has adopted that philosophy and terminology. If it wasn’t for bad news. . .there would be no news at all.” We’re not minimizing the troubles in the world. . .they are plentiful. . .but we don’t need to get caught in despair over what’s happening around us and to us. Here are seven ways to overcome troubled times. 1. Don’t RSVP “The Pity Party” -There’s one party. . .no one ever wants to attend or even be invited to. . .it’s a pity party. There are seven reasons to never attend a pity party. First, the environment and most of the people are ugly. Yes, I know some of the attendees have to be physically attractive. . .but prolonged self-pity makes you look like you were weaned on a dill pickle. Second, the prevailing attitudes of negativity at a pity party are contagious. The “woe is me” attitude will jump on you faster than a mosquito at a nudist colony. Third, there’s no music. . .at least nothing you’d want to hear. “Gloom, despair and agony on me. . .deep dark depression and excessive misery” was a funny song when sung on the old Hee Haw TV show. . .but not in real life. Fourth, happiness at a pity party is as rare as common sense among politicians. I don’t want to be anywhere I can’t be happy. Even in the midst of trials and adversity . . . happiness pulls us through. Fifth, there is no entertainment value in hearing people commiserate among themselves about how bad things are. Sixth, nobody will feel sorry for you at a pity party because they’re too busy feeling sorry for themselves. Seventh, the people at a pity party will drain you of your energy quicker than Dracula can clean out a blood bank. You may have the biggest pity party in the world. . .but God will never feel sorry for you. God is not moved by your needs … only by your faith! Matthew 9:29 says: “Be it done according to your faith.” Doesn’t say. . .it will be done according to your needs. Doesn’t say. . .it will be done according to what you’re going through at the moment. Doesn’t say. . .it will be done for the one with the most depressing story at the pity party. God enables and empowers us to turn things around by and through His Word. Ethel Waters, the legendary gospel singer, was born to a 13 year old girl who had been raped and refused to have an abortion. Ms. Waters had a beautiful voice and prior to becoming a Christian she was well-known for her rendition of the popular song “Stormy Weather.” After her conversion she was often asked, yes, even by believers to sing “Stormy Weather.” She would politely decline each such request. When asked why Ms. Waters said: “No sir, I’ll never sing Stormy Weather again. Since Jesus came into my heart, I’ve never had stormy weather like I had before I knew Him.” But at dozens and dozens of Billy Graham crusades she sang “His Eye Is On The Sparrow so I know He’s watching over me.” Her version of that song will bring tears to your eyes. Ms. Waters was often quoted as saying: “Honey, God don’t make no junk.” So here’s the bottom line on why you shouldn’t host or even attend a pity party. . . you know God has His eye on you. Not only that, but He deeply values you and He don’t make no junk. . .so we shouldn’t act like it. How do you overcome self-pity? The answers are found in 1 Thessalonians 5:17-21 in the Amplified Bible which says: “17 Be unceasing in prayer [praying perseveringly]; 18 Thank [God] in everything [no matter what the circumstances may be, be thankful and give thanks], for this is the will of God for you [who are] in Christ Jesus [the Revealer and Mediator of that will]. 19 Do not quench (suppress or subdue) the [Holy] Spirit; 20 Do not spurn the gifts and utterances of the prophets [do not depreciate prophetic revelations nor despise inspired instruction or exhortation or warning]. 21 But test and prove all things [until you can recognize] what is good; [to that] hold fast.” Big surprise. . .there are seven keys in these verses to overcome self-pity. 2. Have a heart-to-heart with yourself. – It’s been said that the biggest fool in town is the person who fools himself. We tend to judge others by what they do and ourselves by what we intended to do. In order to overcome troubled times, uncertainty or adversity. . .we need to have an honest assessment of why we are where we are. 1 Samuel 16:7 in The Living Bible says: “But the Lord said to Samuel, “Don’t judge by a man’s face or height, for this is not the one. I don’t make decisions the way you do! Men judge by outward appearance, but I look at a man’s thoughts and intentions.” Even Godly men like the prophet Samuel are not immune from making mistakes. He was just before anointing Eliab the new King of Israel. 1 Samuel 16:6 in the Amplified Bible says: “When they had come, he looked on Eliab [the eldest son] and said, Surely the Lord’s anointed is before Him.” Samuel honestly thought the new King would be Eliab. . after all, the was the oldest and probably the strongest and he looked the part in the same way King Saul was head and shoulders above his peers. But that was in looks only. When making an important decision. . .it’s best not to go on what we think but what God thinks. And know this, God wants us being honest with ourselves. Psalm 51:6 in the Amplified Bible says: “Behold, You desire truth in the inner being; make me therefore to know wisdom in my inmost heart.” There’s an old saying. . .no façade with God. He already knows everything about you. . .including your future successes and the times you messed up. . .and He still loves you and is not disappointed in you. The story is told of a newly elected Congressman who might have thought a little too highly of himself. When he arrived at the Rayburn House Office Building he went straight to his office and found a desk, chair and a telephone. He said down in this overstuffed black leather executive swivel chair. A man walked in and the new Congressman thinking he might be a reporter stopping by to write a story on his first day in Washington, D.C. . . .thought he pick up the phone and impress this reporter. So the Congressman began a fictitious conversation with the President while this GOD’S ECONOMICS (The Biblical Principles of true prosperity) Rev. Richard Mirpuri man was standing in the doorway. “Yes, Mr. President. The office is great. . .we just need to get everything set up. Tonight, sorry, Mr. President, I can’t make dinner tonight. . .I’ve got an important piece of legislation I’m working on. Maybe next time.” The Congressman hung up the phone and asked, “Are you with CNN or Fox News?” The man replied, “Neither, I with Verizon and I’m here to hook up your new phone.” If we’re not honest with ourselves. . .there’s a better than good chance we’ll embarrass ourselves. (Rich Thoughts by H. Herring) With the holiday season right around the corner, Momma Cuisine— cooking personality and mother, Johanna M. Cook—is thrilled to embark on the “Ready for the Holidays Tour” presented by Echelon Foods. Beginning in November, Momma Cuisine will bring the Echelon Foods Turducken brand to family tables across the United States, cooking her way through multiple major cities.

The “Ready for the Holidays Tour” includes live appearances at grocery markets in the following cities throughout November 2014. Exact dates will be released at a later date:
• Chicago
• Seattle
• Portland
• Boston
• New York City
• And more!
Throughout the tour, Momma Cuisine will demonstrate the versatility and simple preparation of the Echelon Foods Turducken to everyday, at-home cooks, as well as inspire approachable, yet creative holiday meals with her fun recipes, kitchen expertise and undeniable charm. From festive touches to cooking tips, Momma will help dinner hosts everywhere set the perfect holiday table and serve an effortless, unforgettable meal.

ABOUT ECHELON FOODS TURDUCKEN

An easy, delicious and festive feast, the Echelon Foods Turducken is made up of deboned duck and chicken breasts wrapped with sausage stuffing inside a whole turkey (also deboned with the exception of the wings and drumsticks). The simple preparation includes thaw, bake and serve, with no basting, carving, or deboning required. Available with Italian sausage stuffing (includes pork) or with chicken-apple-sausage stuffing, the Echelon Foods Turducken serves 12-15 people, and is the perfect entrée at the center of every occasion. Both flavors are also available in a totally boneless roast version that will feed 8 to 10 people.