2022-10-16
2 Corinthians 5:7 NKJV
Jesus said: “I’ve told you all this so that trusting me, you will be unshakable and assured, deeply at peace. In this… world you will continue to experience difficulties. But take heart! I’ve conquered the world” (John 16:33 MSG).
Life keeps handing us problems that test our faith. How do you know how much weight a bridge can handle? By testing it. Daniel’s success made him a target. Knowing he prayed regularly, his enemies persuaded King Darius that all prayers should be made to him as the king. Yet Daniel kept praying each day – in front of an open window, no less. When the king heard about it, he threw Daniel into a lions’ den. But God turned the tables. Next morning Daniel came out, his enemies went in, and the king announced, “Daniel’s God… is the living God” (Daniel 6:26 MSG).
Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego refused to worship the king’s idols. Even when they were warned to bow or burn, they said, “God… is able to deliver us… But if not… we will not serve thy gods” (Daniel 3:17-18 KJV). And because they walked by faith, God delivered and promoted them.
Facing Goliath, David refused to wear the king’s armor. He said, “I cannot go with these; for I have not proved them” (1 Samuel 17:39 KJV). So what did he go with? “The name of the Lord” (1 Samuel 17:45 KJV), and the rest is history.
Now, chances are you will never find yourself in lions’ den, a fiery furnace, or facing a giant, although some days it will feel like it. But when you’re under attack, (1) pray and claim God’s power, (2) walk by faith, and (3) go “in the name of the Lord.”
Soul food: Isa 61:1-9; Luke 4:16-30
2022-10-15
Psalm 18:30 NLV
John Maxwell skryf: ‘Hoe reageer jy wanneer jy voor ‘n probleem te staan kom? Ignoreer jy dit en hoop dit gaan weg? Het jy in die verlede sulke slegte ervarings gehad toe jy probleme probeer oplos het dat jy net sommer tou opgooi? Of pak jy hulle gewillig aan? ‘n Mens ontwikkel die vermoë om probleme doeltreffend te hanteer deur ervaring te kry in die hantering en oorkoming van struikelblokke. Elke keer wanneer jy nog ‘n probleem oplos, raak jy meer geoefen daarmee. As jy egter nooit probeer, misluk en weer probeer nie, sal jy dit nooit goed leer doen nie.’
Die skrywer George Matthew Adams het gesê: ‘Wat jy dink, beteken meer as enigiets anders in jou lewe. Meer as wat jy verdien, meer as waar jy woon, meer as jou sosiale posisie en meer as wat enigiemand anders van jou mag dink.’ Die meeste van koning Dawid se probleme was vyande wat hom wou oorwin. Hy het egter vertroue in God gehad: ‘Met U loop ek ‘n leër storm; met my God spring ek oor ‘n muur (vers 30 NLV).
Doen die volgende om jou vaardighede in probleemoplossing te verbeter: 1) Vind die regte strategie. Soms vind ons dit moeilik om ‘n probleem op te los, omdat ons nie weet hoe om dit aan te pak nie. Probeer om die akroniem T.E.A.C.H. te gebruik: Time – neem die tyd wat nodig is om die ware kwessie te ontdek. Exposure – vind uit hoe ander soortgelyke probleme opgelos het. Assistance – moenie dit alles alleen probeer doen nie, laat ander mense toe om jou te help. Creativity – oorweeg verskeie oplossings. Hit it – voer die beste oplossing uit.
2) Omring jouself met probleemoplossers. ‘Hy wat met wyse mense meng, verkry self ook wysheid’ (Spreuke 13:20 NLV).
Sielskos: Ef 4:17-6:24; Joh 3:22-36; Ps 89:15-37; Spr 23:15-18
Psalm 18:29 NKJV
Author, John Maxwell writes: “When you come face-to-face with a problem, how do you react? Do you ignore it and hope it will go away? Do you feel powerless to solve it? Have you had such bad experiences trying to solve problems in the past that you’ve just given up? Or do you tackle them willingly? The ability to solve problems effectively comes from experience facing and overcoming obstacles. Each time you solve another problem, you get a little better at the process. But if you never try, fail, and try again, you’ll never be good at it.”
Author George Matthew Adams stated: “What you think means more than anything else in your life. More than what you earn, more than where you live, more than your social position, and more than what anyone else may think about you.” Most of King David’s problems were enemies who wanted to defeat him. But he had confidence in God: “For by You I can run against a troop, by my God I can leap over a wall” (v. 29 NKJV).
To improve your problem-solving abilities, do the following: (1) Find the right strategy. Sometimes we have a hard time solving the problem because we don’t know how to tackle it. Try using the acronym T.E.A.C.H.: Time – take the time required to discover the real issue. Exposure – find out how others have solved similar problems. Assistance – don’t try to do it all alone, let others help you. Creativity – brainstorm numerous solutions. Hit it – execute the best solution.
(2) Surround yourself with problem solvers. “He who walks with wise men will be wise” (Proverbs 13:20 NKJV).
Soul food: Eph 4:17-6:24; John 3:22-36; Ps 89:15-37; Prov 23:15-18
2022-10-14
2 Korintiërs 4:9 NLV
Elke probleem waar voor jy in die lewe te staan kom, leer jou iets van jouself. Dit wys hoe jy dink en waarvan jy gemaak is. Mense reageer op probleme op drie maniere: 1) hulle weier om dit te aanvaar, 2) hulle aanvaar dit en verduur dit, of 3) hulle aanvaar dit en probeer om dinge te verbeter. Hoe reageer jy op probleme?
Paulus was ‘n probleemoplosser. Hy het geweet dat hy met God aan sy kant sou seëvier. ‘Ons het hierdie skat egter maar net in breekbare kleipotte – die allesoortreffende krag kom van God en nie van ons nie. Op elke manier word ons onder druk geplaas, maar ons word nie verpletter nie; ons is verward, maar nie wanhopig nie; ons word vervolg, maar nie in die steek gelaat nie; platgeslaan, maar nie vernietig nie’ (verse 7-9 NLV). Wat moet jy dus doen wanneer jy voor probleme te staan kom?
1) Verwag hulle. Aangesien probleme onvermydelik is, moet jy jouself geestelik en emosioneel daarvoor voorberei. As jy vir God se beste bid en Satan se ergste verwag, sal jy jouself in ‘n goeie posisie bevind om die probleme wat oor jou pad kom, op te los.
2) Sien die groter prentjie. Jy kan nie bekostig om deur emosie oorweldig te word nie. Jy kan ook nie bekostig om in die klein dingetjies verstrik te raak en dit wat belangrik is, uit die oog te verloor nie.
3) Hanteer een ding op ‘n slag. Richard Sloma het gesê: ‘Moet nooit al die probleme op een slag probeer oplos nie – gee een-een aan hulle aandag.’ As jy verskeie probleme het, maak seker dat jy die een waaraan jy werk heeltemal oplos, voor jy na die volgende een toe beweeg.
Sielskos: Ef 1:1-4:16; Joh 3:9-21; Ps 89:1-14; Spr 23:10-14
2 Corinthians 4:9 CEV
Every problem you face in life introduces you to yourself. It shows you how you think and what you’re made of. People basically respond to problems in three ways: (1) they refuse to accept them, (2) they accept them and then endure them, or (3) they accept them and try to improve things. Which of the three people are you?
Paul was a problem solver. He knew that with God on his side, he would prevail. “We are like clay jars in which this treasure is stored. The real power comes from God and not from us. We often suffer, but we are never crushed. Even when we don’t know what to do, we never give up. In times of trouble, God is with us, and when we are knocked down, we get up again” (vv. 7-9 CEV). So when it comes to having problems, what should you do?
(1) Anticipate them. Since problems are unavoidable, prepare for them spiritually, mentally, and emotionally. If you pray for God’s best and anticipate Satan’s worst, you will find yourself in a good position to solve the problems that come your way.
(2) See the big picture. You can’t afford to be overcome by emotion. Nor can you permit yourself to get bogged down in the minutiae and lose sight of what’s important.
(3) Handle one thing at a time. Richard Sloma said, “Never try to solve all the problems at once – make them line up for you one-by-one.” And if you’re facing lots of problems, make sure you actually solve the one you’re working on before moving on to the next one.
Soul food: Eph 1:1-4:16; John 3:9-21; Ps 89:1-14; Prov 23:10-14
