“I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help. My help cometh from the Lord, which made heaven and earth.” (Psalm 121:1-2 KJV)
One of the shows on TV that I find myself looking at more and more is entitled, “Struggle Recipes.” The star of the show demonstrates how to make inexpensive meals in minutes. His recipes are very good. I have tried modified versions of them, being creative in my cooking. However, even with these struggle meals, seemingly designed to ease the cost that we pay for meals in these times of inflation, there is still cost involved. You have to buy the ingredients. Work is involved too, starting with shopping, storing your purchases, and preparing them. When I day “ work” and prepping, let me give you an examples. In preparing a dish with beans as the focal point, the host had to soak the beans, rinse the beans, submerge the beans in water, mash the beans, add seasonings, and more steps. In regards to the storage of items for cooking and have herbs and spices galore on hand, unlike the host of the show, many of us do not grow our herbs in the kitchen, and some of the spices we did not even know that they existed until we watched the show. Furthermore, from a personal perspective, with my “Five S” indoctrination that says, “There is a place for everything and everything has a place,” I do not have the space anyway. On top of that, my disdain for impunctuality and area of “needs improvement,” I also have an aversion to clutter. Therefore there are no seldom used ingredients and spices just taking up space on the kitchen counter. As usual, I got off track, but now, back to the story. Struggle meals, as presented on the show, well, they work. But, to make a pint, even if we venture into our own creation of inexpensive dishes with the ingredients that we do have in an efforts to that delight those seated at the dinner table, the steps are multiple. That’s my story and I’m sticking to it, as it relates to cooking.
Now, let me assume the role of the “host” this morning and remind you that you have some inexpensive recipes to help you when you are struggling through life. But here is the good part about it. You don’t have to make a trip to one or two stores. You don’t have to spend any money. You don’t need to create an in-the-house garden area either. Here’s the best part! The only cost you have is your time. Today, I have provided you with two, out of numerous “struggle recipes” found in Scripture. One of them was our opening verses above and the other is the closing verse below.
Try them both! Or get in your Bible and explore some other “struggles recipes” for you, the believer. Perhaps you will find such things as “Wait on the Lord,” ‘Trust in the Lord, “ or “The Lord will give rest for your anxious, burdensome soul.” Just follow the guidance of the Holy Spirit with whatever Biblical recipe that catches your eyes and perks your interest.. I believe you will feel a sigh of relief and break free from the negative impact of your particular struggle if you depend on the profitable “struggle recipes” in God’s word. Have a wonderful Friday! Be blessed!
“Casting the whole of your care [all your anxieties, all your worries, all your concerns, once and for all] on Him, for He cares for you affectionately and cares about you watchfully.” (I Peter 5:5 Amplified Bible Classic Edition)
Mark L. King