2019-05-21
1 Samuel 12:21 NKJV
In order to succeed in what God has called you to do in life, you must recognize your gift and know your goal. When you’re clear about and committed to these two things, you need to demonstrate two qualities: discipline and determination. Fritz Kreisler, one of the greatest violinists of all time, had them. Crowds packed Carnegie Hall in New York to hear him. But the road to success was a bumpy ride. As a boy he wanted to do nothing more than play the violin, so his parents paid for him to have music lessons. But he didn’t make as much progress as they hoped, and after a few years he quit the lessons. Over the next several years, through college and early adulthood, he studied medicine but failed to complete medical school. He joined the army and failed to be promoted. He tried and quit many other pursuits. Realizing that the one piece of success he had enjoyed in life related to the violin, he went back to his instructor and said, “I want to play.” She said, “Fine, I’ll take you back as a student, but only if you acquire the irreplaceable quality that is necessary for you to become a great violinist. You must exhibit undefeatable determination.” So once again, here are your steps to success: (1) Recognize your gift. (2) Know your goal. (3) Dedicate yourself to the process no matter how long it takes. (4) Trust God to bless your efforts.
Soul food: 1 Kings 10-11; Mark 8:27-38; Ps 45; Prov 12:7-9
2019-05-20
Psalm 102:13 NIV
All of your life can be training for one season, one God-given assignment, one purpose. You may determine the number of years required to graduate from college with your degree. You may know the amount of effort and the approximate timeline required to rise to the top of your profession. But when it comes to experiencing the favor of God, He sets the time. “But you, O Lord, sit enthroned forever…You will arise and have compassion on Zion, for it is time to show favor to her; the appointed time has come” (vv. 12-13 NIV). One moment of God’s favor will do more for you than a lifetime of striving. In his book Still Standing: 8 Winning Strategies for Facing Tough Times, Dr. James Merritt writes: “In a meeting that took less than twenty minutes, Pharaoh made Joseph prime minister of the entire country – second in authority only to him! Pharaoh’s act catapulted Joseph from the pit to the palace. God works, in hindsight, through a beautiful story arc. His way of getting Joseph to the palace was through the pit and the prison. As with Joseph, what we so often see as stumbling blocks are really stepping stones God uses to accomplish His plan and fulfill His purpose in our lives.” It’s your obedience to God that brings His favor, and your faithfulness in difficult times: “For better or worse, richer or poorer, in sickness and in health.” So be faithful and press on; God has set a time to favor you!
Soul food: 1 Kings 8-9; Mark 8:14-26; Ps 47; Prov 12:4-6
2019-05-19
Jeremiah 29:11 CEV
Here are three more helpful steps you can take: (1) Encourage action. Sometimes we over-function in crises, making the needy person dependent and undermining the very self-reliance that can strengthen them. One psychiatrist says, “We must do for others what they cannot do for themselves, but we must not do for them what they will not do for themselves.” Becoming proactive in a crisis arms people against despair and powerlessness. Encouraging manageable action steps builds emotional and spiritual muscle. Helping them evaluate their actions and validating their efforts rebuilds their confidence. When the crisis involves irreversible losses (like death or divorce), the work of getting through one day at a time and gradually adjusting to the changes is action enough. (2) Impart hope. Often there appears to be no light at the end of the tunnel and a sense that the suffering will go on endlessly. What people need at that moment is hope. Hope brings relief based on the conviction that things will improve, and provides energy to deal with the crisis. The Bible is a book of hope. It energizes us when we feel like, “This is the worst thing imaginable. It will never get better.” (3) Do the follow-up. Crises are seldom resolved instantly. Life may soon return to a semblance of normalcy, but there may be episodes of relapse into sadness, helplessness, or loneliness. Your words may bring comfort and hope, but it’s your abiding interest that helps people to maintain their faith and progress!
Soul food: Exo 20:14; Prov 6:23-35; Matt 5:27-28; John 8:1-11
2019-05-18
2 Corinthians 1:4 TM
In a crisis people often fail to see the resources that God has made available to them. Here are three types: (1) Spiritual resources. “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble” (Psalm 46:1). This “very present” God illuminates our darkness and confusion. His love is the source of all comfort (See 2 Corinthians 1:3). His presence addresses our loneliness, and His power addresses our helplessness. (2) Personal resources. People in crisis forget that God has given them strengths and abilities which include faith, skills, memories of past triumphs, empowering attitudes, and motivations. Reminding them of these encourages them to “take back their power.” (3) Interpersonal resources. Most people already have support networks; they just need to be activated. There are family members, friends, business associates, and neighbors willing to pitch in when asked. Community resources are also available for medical, financial, and material assistance. And the church can find ways to apply the “great commandment” in crisis times (See Matthew 22:36-39). Members can be invited to pray, give money, provide practical assistance like meals, help with the children, transportation, etc. People are reluctant to ask for help because they’re embarrassed and feel they should be able to handle their own problems, or think they’re failing by “accepting charity.” Help them to understand that others are happy to help, and that one day they can “return the blessing.”
Soul food: 1 Kings 6-7; Mark 8:1-13; Ps 97; Prov 12:1-3
2019-05-17
Galatians 6:2 CEV
Your aim should be to help people cope with their crisis and grow through it. This means lowering their fear level and helping them to function normally again by: (1) Making contact with them. People in crisis tend to withdraw rather than ask for help. So you may have to make that first move, showing them understanding and genuine interest. You don’t have to be a professional; two simple steps can make a big difference. Listen attentively to their concerns and perceptions, and maintain eye contact. These two things will make them feel valued and understood. (2) Helping reduce their anxiety. A calming presence can lower their stress. Encourage them to talk about their concerns and offer hope. For example, say, “There are ways to deal with this situation.” Chances are the person’s outlook is distorted or overly pessimistic, so gently suggest other perspectives. For example: “May I suggest another way of looking at this?” Whenever possible give them hope for the future: “I realize it’s tough, but with God’s help I believe you can handle it.” Then give them a Bible promise to back it up (See Jeremiah 33:3). (3) Focusing on real issues. In a crisis people are often overwhelmed by the array of confusing facts, potential problems, and necessary decisions. By offering them assistance in deciding what issues must be faced first, and what problems need to be solved now, you help alleviate their distress. Rather than discussing the past or worrying about the future, concentrating on the present and helping them take action can lessen their anxiety and empower them to cope better.
Soul food: 1 Kings 3-5; Mark 7:24-37; Ps 93; Prov 11:30-31
2019-05-16
Romans 12:8 TM
You say, “It’s not my responsibility. I’m not getting involved!” Psychologists call this “compassionate disengagement,” the tendency to avoid helping someone in trouble. Whether your motivation is inconvenience, self-protection, or indifference, it’s wrong. “Being there” is how you demonstrate your love for God and your neighbor. And helping requires recognizing three kinds of crises: (1) Accidental or situational crises. These involve things like sudden threats to our well-being, disruptive events, unexpected losses, the discovery of a serious illness, the death of a loved one, a family breakdown, the loss of livelihood or security. Job experienced all these events together and wondered why God allowed so many bad things to happen to him. (2) Developmental crises. These occur in the course of everyday life. Moving houses, going away to college, adjusting to marriage, parenting, retirement, aging, declining health, and the loss of friends. Abraham and Sarah moved many times. They also endured years of childlessness and family stress, including the challenge of sacrificing Isaac. (3) Existential crises. These are when we face disturbing truths about ourselves. We may see ourselves as failures, grapple with being divorced or widowed, learn that our illness is incurable, experience rejection because of our race, class, age, or gender, or realize we may be getting too old to fulfill our life goals. True “helpers” understand, get involved, and encourage. They keep their eyes open, and are quick to “give aid to people in distress.”
Soul food: 1 Kings 1-2; Mark 7:14-23; Ps 88:9b-18; Prov 11:27-29
