2022-06-30
Galasiërs 6:2 NLV
God het ons fisiese liggame met interne stelsels wat mekaar ondersteun, geskep. Dis dieselfde met ons verhoudings. Almal het ‘n ondersteuningstelsel nodig. Soms, wanneer ander mense ons teleurstel, sê ons: ‘Van nou af gaan dit net ek en God wees!’ Dis ‘n groot fout! Dis die skaap wat van die trop afdwaal wat deur die wolf geëet word. Satan sal jou isoleer om jou sodoende te vernietig. ‘En as iemand die een aanval, sal die twee weerstand bied. ‘n Driedubbele tou breek nie maklik nie’ (Prediker 4:12 NLV).
Navorsing bewys dat mense wat sorgsame ondersteuning het langer lewe, vinniger van siekte herstel en die lewe meer betekenisvol vind. Ondersteuning gee ons ‘n sin van verbintenis en aanvaarding, wat kern menslike behoeftes is. Dit voorsien ‘n area waar jy weerloos kan wees; ‘n plek waar jy veilig kan voel om te sê: ‘Ek weet nie,’ of ‘Kan jy my help?’ of ‘Ek het ‘n drukkie nodig.’ Dit is ondersteuning – op God se manier. As jy dit nie in jou eie familie kan vind nie, draai na die familie van God toe.
Nog ‘n gedagte: Moenie vergeet om jou waardering aan diegene wat jou ondersteun, te bewys nie. Onthou om te sê: ‘Ek is dankbaar vir jou hulp.’
Ondersteuning is nie ‘n eenrigting pad nie. ‘Help ander gelowiges wat swaarkry…’ Moenie so verdiep in jou eie probleme raak dat jy vergeet dat ander mense ook probleme het nie. Neem die tyd om ook oor hulle belange uit te vra. Niemand hou van iemand wat net neem nie. Dis in die gee-en-neem van wedersydse ondersteuning wat ons groei en ons Godgegewe potensiaal in die lewe vervul.
Sielskos: Jer 7-9; Matt 22:23-33; Ps 59:9-17; Spr 14:23-24
Galatians 6:2 NLT
God created our physical bodies with internal systems that support each other. And it’s the same in our relationships. Everybody needs a support system. Sometimes when others disappoint us, we say, “From now on it’s just going to be God and me!” That’s a big mistake! It’s the sheep who strays from the fold that gets eaten by the wolf. Satan will isolate you in order to destroy you. “A person standing alone can be attacked and defeated, but two can stand back-to-back and conquer. Three are even better, for a triple-braided cord is not easily broken” (Ecclesiastes 4:12 NLT).
Studies show that people who have caring support live longer, recover from illness faster, and find life more meaningful. Support gives us a sense of connection and acceptance, which are core human needs. It provides an arena in which you can be vulnerable; a place where you can feel safe in saying, “I don’t know,” or “Can you help me,” or “I need a hug.” This is support – God’s way. And if you can’t find it in your own family, turn to the family of God.
And one more thought: Don’t forget to express your appreciation to those who support you. Tokens of gratitude go a long way in saying, “I’m grateful for your help.”
Support is not a one-way street: “Share each other’s burdens.” Don’t get so engrossed in your own problems that you forget others have problems too. Take the time to inquire about their concerns. No one likes a taker. It’s in the give-and-take of mutual support that we grow and fulfill our God-given potential in life.
Soul food: Jer 7-9; Matt 22:23-33; Ps 59:9-17; Pro 14:23-24
2 Samuel 23:5 NLT
Have a think about how you are at church, school, or workplace versus how you are when it’s just you and your family. Is there any difference? Do you tend to have more patience or kindness when you’re dealing with people you don’t know? Are you willing to help those outside your home, but inside you tend to ignore or roll your eyes when someone needs a hand with something? Although we love our family, we’re often more inclined to be helpful, cooperative, and compassionate – in other words, show love through our actions – towards those outside our families. We might think it doesn’t matter too much. But God sees who we are in every situation, and expects us to show love to everyone.
In 1 Timothy 5:8 we read: ‘Those who won’t care for their relatives, especially those in their own household, have denied the true faith. Such people are worse than unbelievers’ (NLT). God puts a lot of importance on our attitude to our family and how we care for them, and the first place we should be practising compassion and kindness, patience and gentleness, is in our homes.
God designed families to be places of love and support, and we should be able to share our frustrations after a stressful day, find rest when we’re tired, and find encouragement after a disappointment. But it works both ways – we also need to do our part in providing support, giving encouragement, and treating our loved ones with compassion.
If you’re aware that you’ve taken your family for granted recently, pray this prayer: ‘Father, thank You for my family. Help me to contribute to an atmosphere of love and acceptance in my home, and if I become impatient or neglectful of my family, give me a nudge back in the right direction. Amen.’
Jer 7-9; Matt 22:23-33; Ps 59:9-17; Pro 14:23-24
2022-06-29
Proverbs 23:7 NKJV
When we’re young, we’re told, “Mind your manners.” When we launch out into a career, we’re told, “Mind your business.” Well, here is some wise counsel that applies to all of life: “Mind your mind!” When you lose out in that arena, you lose out everywhere else! In Proverbs 23, Solomon outlines six principles to live by when it comes to thinking:
(1) Your thoughts determine your character. “For as he thinks in his heart, so is he.” Before you tell a lie, you first entertain it and think like a liar. Before you commit adultery, you first entertain a fantasy. So if you don’t want to do something, stop dwelling on it!
(2) Don’t waste your thoughts on people who don’t value them. “Do not speak in the hearing of a fool, for he will despise the wisdom of your words” (v. 9 NKJV).
(3) The first person you must learn to lead is yourself. “Apply your heart to instruction, and your ears to words of knowledge” (v. 12 NKJV). As long as you keep growing, you can keep leading.
(4) Be sure your role models are people of principle and integrity. “Do not let your heart envy sinners” (v. 17 NKJV).
(5) Remain confident that the vision God has given you will come to pass. “Be zealous for the fear of the Lord all the day; for surely there is a hereafter, and your hope will not be cut off” (vv. 17-18 NKJV).
(6) Remain steadfast in what you know is right. Don’t get sidetracked. “Hear… be wise; and guide your heart in the way” (v. 19 NKJV). Bottom line: Mind your mind.
Soul food: Jer 4-6; Matt 22:15-22; Ps 59:1-8; Pro 14:21-22
Spreuke 23:7 AFR53
c besigheid.’ Hier is egter wyse raad wat op alles in die lewe betrekking het: ‘Let op jou gedagtes!’ Wanneer jy in hierdie area verloor, verloor jy orals anders! Salomo bespreek in Spreuke 23 ses beginsels waarvolgens om te te lewe wanneer dit by jou denkwyse kom.
1) Jou gedagtes bepaal jou karakter. ‘Want soos hy in sy siel bereken, so is hy…’ Voor jy ‘n leuen vertel, moet jy dit eers oorweeg en soos ‘n leuenaar dink. Voor jy egbreuk pleeg, moet jy eers ‘n fantasie daaroor hê. As jy dus nie iets wil doen nie, hou op om daaraan te dink!
2) Moenie jou gedagtes mors op mense wat dit nie waardeer nie. ‘Moenie ‘n dwaas reghelp nie. Jou goeie raad behandel hy met minagting’ (vers 9 NLV).
3) Die eerste persoon wat jy moet lei, is jouself. ‘Maak alles wat die spreuke jou leer jou eie. Spits jou ore om nog meer van die lewe te leer’ (vers 12 DB). Solank as wat jy aanhou groei, kan jy aanhou lei.
4) Maak seker dat jou rolmodelle mense met beginsels en integriteit is. ‘Moenie jaloers word op sondaars nie…’ (vers 17 NLV).
5) Bly vol vertroue dat die visie wat God vir jou gegee het, sal gebeur. ‘Hou altyd jou ontsag vir die Here. Jy sal altyd ‘n toekoms hê. Jou hoop sal nooit beskaam word nie (verse 17-18 NLV).
6) Bly standvastig in dit wat jy weet reg is. Moenie die pad byster raak nie. ‘…luister… dat jy wys kan word. Hou jou hart op die regte koers’ (vers 19 NLV).
Let dus op jou gedagtes.
Sielskos: Jer 4-6; Matt 22:15-22; Ps 59:1-8; Spr 14:21-22
