Stuff Happens

Life is one long series of stuff.
I just heard a collective sigh of agreement from my readers.
Good stuff. Not so good stuff. Bad stuff. Even awful stuff. Unwelcome stuff. Unwanted stuff. Undesirable stuff. Surprising stuff. Stuff is never ending. Stuff has a way of invading our space and interfering with our lives on a regular basis.
Positive stuff is a blessing. Negative stuff is more like a curse!
Today I want to focus on negative stuff and how to deal with it.
Stuff can be physical/natural, emotional, mental, relational, financial and spiritual.
Cars break down. Appliances bite the dust. Kids need braces. Storms knock out power. Inflation eats away at your income. Stock markets tank. A spouse wants a divorce. You get a pink slip from your job. A negative medical report from your physician. An accident sends you to the hospital. Sudden death of a loved one. Satan attacks your faith. You struggle with doubt and unbelief.
Stuff, stuff, stuff! Just when you think you get a handle on stuff, more and more stuff shows up at your doorstep (I am not talking about Amazon Prime!). Let’s be honest: negative stuff has a way of creeping into our life.
In the past when negative stuff hit the fan, Steve Roll panicked. I got upset. Wanted to pull my hair out, run away and hide, or kick a cat if I had one! Negative stuff had its way with me far too often, upending the apple cart of my life. Frustration, worry, anxiety, fear and “what now?’ knocked on the door of my mind.
I have learned (and continue to do so) that my past reactions were non-productive. Negativity only complicated and prolonged the situation. With the Lord’s help from His Word and wise advice from trusted friends, I have slowly but surely managed negative stuff much better. My wife is happy about that!
The Apostle Paul dealt with negative stuff on a regular basis. Read II Corinthians 11:22-33. If you think you are having a difficult day, think again after you read Paul’s stuff list.
Amazingly, Paul had a good attitude toward life’s stuff.
II Corinthians 12:7-10 records Paul’s request for God to remove a “thorn in the flesh” He was experiencing. God spoke to Paul about grace. Paul responded with a tremendous attitude that helped him deal with and overcome negative stuff.
“And He has said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness.
Most gladly therefore, I will rather boast about my weaknesses, that the power of Christ will dwell in me.
Therefore, I am well content with weaknesses, with insults, with distresses, with persecutions, with difficulties for Christ’s sake; for when I am weak, then I am strong.”
As Paul faithfully proclaimed the goodness of Jesus Christ, it was one thing after another. Stuff, stuff, stuff plagued his ministry. But he was victorious because of the grace of God.
Paul’s take on negative stuff: content with difficulties for Christ’s sake. Because when I am weak, by the grace of God I am strong.
I am not Paul. Neither are you. But I am a Christian, belonging to the Lord Jesus Christ. It is a fact: negative stuff is our traveling companion through our faith journey. The important fact: you and I overcome stuff through Jesus’ presence, promises and power. Hallelujah!!!
So, what should you and I do about negative stuff?
Managing Stuff Successfully

• Recognize what stuff really is. Stuff, including negative stuff, is part of life. But stuff is not your life.
• Do not ignore stuff. Do not stuff your stuff. Stuffing is for turkeys, not people. Stuff does not go away on its own. Face it with faith. Look to the Lord. Trust and expect Him to make stuff work for your good.
• Do not expect others to take your stuff. Take responsibility for your own stuff. Other people have enough stuff of their own to deal with! They certainly do not need your stuff!!!
• Do not take on somebody else’s stuff. Pray for folks experiencing stuff. But if they try to pawn it on you, give it back. No thank you. I have enough stuff of my own to deal with.
• Do not push the proverbial panic button. Panicky, negative reaction to negative stuff spells disaster every time. Calm down. Take a few deep breaths. Relax for a moment. Decide on a positive response.
• Do not get stuck in stuff. Navigate through it. Seek God’s help to solve your stuff situation. Tell Satan to stuff it if you know what I mean!
• Rejoice in and praise the Lord for the good stuff He brings to your life. Release, let go of   bad stuff. Thank God for grace to overcome negative stuff.

How you and I manage stuff is an indicator of our spiritual, mental and emotional maturity. How mature are you when it comes to dealing with stuff?
“Casting all your cares (stuff) on Jesus, because He cares for you.” I Peter 5:7
 A Word For Your Week: Hand your “stuff” over to Jesus.