Refreshing Faith
“Why did this happen?” My nine-year-old son’s question echoed my thoughts as he snuggled next to me in our oversized arm chair.
His teacher had crushed his world that day. I later learned many students struggled under the new teacher. But my son was the first casualty—at least that I knew about.
I held Brant and silently asked God for help. His gentle whisper resonated. “I’m for Brant.”Continue Reading
Do you carry an over developed sense of responsibility? When I feel overwhelmed or weary, I usually discover I’m feeling responsible for something beyond my control. For example, my desire to do a good job can subtly turn into pressure to make someone happy or not disappoint them. The desire to do good work is admirable. However, the goal to make them happy will drive you crazy.
The #desire to do good work is admirable. However, the #goal to make them happy will drive you crazy. Click To TweetIn order to help us understand where our responsibilities end and other people’s begin, some thought leaders have delineated between a goal and a desire.
A Goal is something you want, and you control the means to reach it.
A Desire is something you want, but you don’t have control of all the variables to reach it. You need the cooperation of other people or circumstances to achieve it.
For example, let’s say you plan a special picnic for your family. You get up early to shred cheese for their favorite pimento cheese sandwiches. Continue Reading
Have you ever wondered why God allowed the COVID-19 virus to stop the whole world—and your world in particular? Or perhaps your life has been hijacked by another issue. Has He lost control? What good can come from this?
As one who values efficiency, I don’t respond gracefully to setbacks. I prefer McDonald’s jingle, “You deserve a break today.” But biblical and secular history show life doesn’t flow in a straight line. Like a good novel, real life packs in its share of twists and turns.
So how should we respond to obstacles? Ecclesiastes 7:13 offers this intriguing advise.
Accept the way God does things, for who can straighten what he has made crooked?” (Eccles. 7:13 NLT)
“Accept the way.” If I know God is behind something, that is one thing. But does this verse include things that happen because of sin, storms, and sickness?
Some setbacks come from inexperience. God created growth to be a process. We glean some lessons only through living. So instead of bemoaning life’s learning curves, lean into them. Collect all you can from the delays.Continue Reading
How do we trust God when our prayers seem to go unanswered? My friend and I prayed for her teenaged children who were rebelling against her faith and values. Nothing she did seemed to reach them. One day while reading the Bible she came across a verse that resonated with her.
This is what the Lord says: ‘Restrain your voice from weeping and your eyes from tears, for your work will be rewarded,’ declares the Lord.
‘They will return from the land of the enemy. So there is hope for your descendants,’ declares the Lord. ‘Your children will return to their own land’” (Jer. 31:16-17 NIV).
My friend believed this was God’s promise to her. She repeated “they will return” to herself when their behavior worsened. This word from God boosted her faith whenever she was tempted to worry.Continue Reading
