Facing River of Difficulties

A very tired traveler came to the banks of a river.There was no bridge by which he could cross. It was winter, and the surfaceof the river was covered with ice. It was getting dark, and he wanted to reach the other side while there was enough light to see. He debated aboutwhether or not the ice would bear his weight.Finally, after much hesitation and fear, he got down on his knees and beganvery cautiously to creep across the surface of the ice. He hoped that by disturbing the weight of his body, the ice would be less apt to break underthe load.After he made his slow and painful journey about halfway across the river,he suddenly heard the sound of singing behind him. Out of the dusk, there came a 4-horse load of coal driven by a man singing merrily as he went tohis carefree way.

Here was the traveler, fearfully inching his way on hishands and knees. And there, as if whisked along by the winter's wind, went the driver, his horses, his sled, and the heavy load of coal over the sameriver!The story illustrates how many of us go through life.Some stand on the bank of decisions unable to make up their minds about the course to take. Others stand on the banks trying to muster enough courageto cross over to the other side of the task or problem encountered. On theother hand, some individuals crawl and creep through life for fear of thin ice.Their faith is not strong enough to hold them up.Still there are those who whisked along whistling as they go. Their faithis UNSHAKABLE.…...When we face the river of difficulties, we do not have to fear, nor do we creep through life. God has promised to help, and with God's help we canmerrily make our way to the other side safely.