2018-05-26
Galasiërs 6:2 DB
Wanneer ‘n vriend of familielid ‘n krisis ervaar, moet jou doel wees om hulle te help om dit te hanteer en daardeur te groei. Soms is dit makliker gesê as gedaan! Soos wat hulle seer harte by die nuwe omstandighede aanpas, sal hulle dalk skepties wees oor wie hulle kan vertrou. Om daar te wees vir hulle is egter waaroor die koninkryk van God gaan! ‘Help ander gelowiges wat swaarkry…’ (vers 2 NLV). Jou toewyding kan ‘n betekenisvolle rol in iemand se reis om weer emosioneel gesond te word, speel. Hier is drie praktiese voorstelle: 1) Moenie van hulle verwag om kontak te maak nie. Dis algemeen van mense wat ‘n krisis ervaar om te onttrek eerder as om vir hulp te vra. Dikwels is hulle te ontsteld om te weet wat hulle nodig het, so jy sal heel waarskynlik die eerste tree moet neem. Moet ook asseblief nie voel asof jy ‘n kundige moet wees nie. Twee eenvoudige stappe kan die persoon wat seer het gewaardeerd laat voel en laat voel asof jy hulle seerkry verstaan: a) Luister versigtig na hulle bekommernisse en persepsies. b) Behou oogkontak en stel waarlik belang. 2) Help om hulle angs te verminder. Bied ‘n kalmerende teenwoordigheid deur hulle uit te nooi om hulle gevoelens te deel. As hulle denkwyse verwring voorkom, sê iets soos, ‘Mag ek ‘n ander manier voorstel om na dinge te kyk?’ 3) Help hulle om te fokus op dit wat belangrik is. Hulle voel oorweldig, help hulle dus om op die sake te fokus wat hulle onmiddellike aandag moet geniet. In plaas van om oor die verlede te tob en oor die toekoms bekommerd te wees, moedig hulle aan om op die huidige oomblik te konsentreer en vir die hier en nou te leef (sien Matteus 6:34).
Sielskos: Rig 16:1-19:15; Mark 11:12-26; Ps 47; Spr 13:11-12
Galatians 6:2 CEV
When a friend or family member is in a crisis, your aim should be to help them cope with it and grow through it. Sometimes that’s easier said than done! As their hurting hearts adjust to new and unfamiliar circumstances, they might be skeptical about whom to trust. But being there for them is what the kingdom of God is all about! “Carry each other’s burdens” (v. 2 NIV). Your commitment can play a significant role in someone’s journey toward becoming emotionally healthy again. Here are three practical suggestions: (1) Don’t expect them to initiate contact. It’s common for people in crisis to withdraw rather than ask for help. Often they’re too distraught to know what they need, so you’ll probably have to make the first move. And please don’t feel like you have to be a professional. Two simple steps can make the hurting one feel valued and understood: (a) Listen carefully to their concerns and perceptions. (b) Maintain eye contact and show genuine interest. (2) Help reduce their anxiety. Offer a calming presence by inviting them to share their feelings. And if their viewpoint seems distorted, say something like, “May I suggest another way of looking at things?” (3) Help them focus on what’s important. They’re feeling overwhelmed, so help them sort out the issues that need their immediate attention. Instead of rehashing the past and worrying about the future, encourage them to concentrate on the present and “live one day at a time” (Matthew 6:34 TLB).
Soul food: Judg 16:1-19:15; Mark 11:12-26; Ps 47; Prov 13:11-12
2018-05-25
Romans 12:8 MSG
We say, “It’s not my responsibility. I don’t want to get involved!” Ever said those words? You may have thought you had a good reason – perhaps it was an inconvenient time – but the bottom line is you didn’t offer to help someone in need. And you’re not alone. Research confirms that the trend to avoid involvement is increasing worldwide. Nevertheless, “being there” for others is a biblical mandate; it’s the practical application of loving God and your neighbor (See Matthew 22:37-39). Crises generally present themselves in three ways: (1) Situational crises include serious illnesses, the death of a loved one, or breakdowns in family relationships. The patriarch Job experienced all of these! (2) Developmental crises happen over the course of life – leaving home, going away to college, marriage adjustments, parenting, retirement, or declining health. Abraham and Sarah knew all about living through developmental crises. They left their home and family and endured years of childlessness. Then on top of that God asked them to sacrifice their one and only “miracle” son. (3) Self-awareness crises are when you discover disturbing truths about yourself – you’re told that, humanly speaking, your illness is incurable, or you see yourself as a failure because now you’re too old to realize your life’s goals. Or you face the reality of being divorced or widowed, or you feel rejected because of your background. People like Elijah and Jonah are examples of self-awareness crises. Do any of these examples bring someone you know to mind? And if so, “be quick to respond.”
Soul food: Judg 12-15; Mark 11:1-11; Ps 97; Prov 13:9-10
Romeine 12:8 NLV
Ons sê, ‘Dis nie my verantwoordelikheid nie. Ek wil nie betrokke raak nie!’ Het jy al ooit hierdie woorde gesê? Jy mag dalk dink dat jy ‘n goeie rede gehad het – miskien was dit ‘n ongerieflike tyd – maar die punt is dat jy nie aangebied het om iemand in nood te help nie. Jy is nie alleen nie. Navorsing wys dat die neiging om betrokkenheid te vermy wêreldwyd aan die toeneem is. Nietemin is dit ‘n Bybelse mandaat om ‘daar te wees’ vir ander mense; dis die praktiese toepassing daarvan om God en jou naaste lief te hê (sien Matteus 22:37-39). Krisisse doen hulle gewoonlik op drie maniere voor: 1) Situasie krisisse wat ernstige siektes, die dood van ‘n geliefde of die ineenstorting van familieverhoudings insluit. Die patriarg Job het almal van hulle ervaar! 2) Krisisse wat as gevolg van die verloop van tyd ontwikkel – om die huis te verlaat, om universiteit toe te gaan, huweliksaanpassings, ouerskap, aftrede of gesondheid wat afneem. Abraham en Sara het van hierdie tipe krisisse geweet. Hulle het hulle huis en familie verlaat en jare van kinderloosheid verduur. Toe het God hulle nog boonop gevra om hulle ‘wonderwerk’ seun te offer. 3) Self-bewuste krisisse is wanneer jy ontstellende waarhede oor jouself ontdek – jy word vertel dat jou siekte, menslik gesproke, nie behandelbaar is nie, of jy sien jouself as ‘n mislukking omdat jy te oud voel om jou lewensdoelwitte te bereik. Miskien staar die realiteit jou in die gesig dat jy geskei of ‘n wewenaar of weduwee is, of jy voel as gevolg van jou agtergrond verwerp. Mense soos Elia en Jona is voorbeelde van self-bewustelike krisisse. Laat enige van hierdie voorbeelde jou aan iemand dink? Wees dan daar vir hulle.
Sielskos: Rig 12-15; Mark 11:1-11; Ps 97; Spr 13:9-10
2018-05-24
Proverbs 22:29 NIV
Here’s a prayer for success at work: “Lord, I thank You for the way You’ve made me, for the many gifts and talents You’ve placed within me, and I trust that I’m the best person for this job. I am grateful for each and every one of the personalities I work with, even the ones I don’t particularly like or understand. I ask that my focus would be on accomplishing the goals You have set forth for me to perform during my time in this position. Give me wisdom and discernment on the job, even in the midst of a hostile environment. Help me to learn what You want to teach me here, and give me patience as You prepare me for the future. Help me to do my best, and to always remain positive and hopeful. Please quiet the complaints and disappointments of my heart with Your perfect peace, and allow me to trust You with my job. Dress me in the garments of praise and the righteousness of Christ that I may bring You glory where I work. Allow me to know my true identity, to walk in Your favor, and to seek to please You more than those with whom I work. Where there is contention, let me be a peacemaker. Where there is deceit, let me speak truth. Where there is despair, let me bring hope. Where there is fear, let me bring faith. Where there is darkness, let me bring light. Where there is sadness, let me bring joy. These things I ask in Jesus’ name, amen.”
Soul food: Judg 9:34-11:40; Mark 10:35-52; Ps 129; Prov 20:25; Ecc 5:4-6
