Everyone has their own signature coping mechanism to deal with stress, grief, and the general chaos of life. Some people take the healthy route, like journaling, praying, or making a strategic action plan. And then, there’s me in my early twenties. I typed into Google’s search engine what I do to deal with stress, and it told me that I lean toward maladaptive coping, also known as the art of avoidance and denial. Now, if you’re someone who faces your problems head-on, you deserve a gold star, and maybe a TED Talk. As for me, I am making progress slowly…
“And whenever you stand praying, forgive, if you have anything against anyone, so that your Father also who is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses.” (Mark 11:25, ESV) Have you ever observed a parent intervening in a childish squabble? It may have started with a push, a hit, or just angry words. With a stern voice, the parent admonishes, “Say you’re sorry.” Reluctantly, half-heartedly, a mumbled word comes out. “Sorry.” The other child mumbles a quick, and also half-hearted, “Okay.” “I’m sorry. Forgive me.” Those words are so difficult to squeeze out for adults and children. It is often just as difficult to respond with a sincere, “I forgive you.” None of us goes through life without having been on both sides of the situation. Sometimes we are the one offended; other times we are the offender. If not handled correctly, wrongs often alter relationships, sometimes forever. That’s why forgiveness is so important. While often difficult, it is necessary. Forgiving others allows us to receive God’s forgiveness. Matthew 6:14 tells us, “For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you” (ESV). The parable of the unforgiving servant in Matthew 18:23-35 also stresses the need…
“For the thing that I fear comes upon me, and what I dread befalls me. I am not at ease, nor am I quiet; I have no rest, but trouble comes.” (Job 3:25-26 ESV) Do the words of Job strike a chord with you? To say that he was stressed would be an understatement. So much is happening in his life, and he doesn’t know why. Everything is gone. His children, his servants, his flocks and herds. This is stress—to the extreme. His world is upside down, and nothing indicates that God ever told him why. A UNIVERSAL PROBLEM Stress is universal. Yes, it happens to the child of God as well as the non-believer. I’ve never met anyone who has lived totally stress free with no fear or worry. So many things will bring on stress: work situations, financial worries, relationship problems, wayward children, health issues. And the list goes on. It’s not just a modern-day woe. We find numerous examples in the Bible. Moses was stressed as he led a grumbling multitude through the wilderness. Hannah lamented her infertility and unfulfilled desires for a child. Naomi grieved the loss of her husband and both sons while living in…
“And as soon as those bearing the ark had come as far as the Jordan, and the feet of the priests bearing the ark were dipped in the brink of the water (now the Jordan overflows all its banks throughout the time of harvest), the waters coming down from above stood and rose up in a heap . . .” (Joshua 3:15-16, ESV). The trip should never have taken that long. Not at all! The journey from Egypt to the Promised Land that should have been eleven days had stretched into four decades of wilderness living. (Read Deuteronomy 1:2-3.) The…
“And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men.” (Colossians 3:23, NKJV) Have you even known someone who seemed to do just enough to get by? No more, no less, just the bare minimum. It happens. A student does only enough to pass the course. An employee fakes busyness but produces little work. We even find them within the church. They show up, sit in the same pew week after week, and then disappear until the following Sunday. There is little actual involvement in the mission of the church. A SPIRIT OF EXCELLENCE As I thought about some of my favorite Bible characters, I realized the common quality displayed in each of their lives was a spirit of excellence. Joseph may have been sold as a slave in Egypt, but he showed diligence in everything he did. Daniel was taken as a captive to Babylon, but he never compromised his integrity. Because of his excellent spirit, he advanced to a high government position. Jeremiah, the prophet, suffered at the hands of his own countrymen, but he never allowed their actions deter him. He stayed true to God’s calling. These, as well as many others…
“If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him.” (James 1:5, ESV) In II Chronicles chapter 1, we read of the newly crowned king of Israel. The man was Solomon, son of King David, and the weight of his new responsibilities lay heavy upon his shoulder. The Lord appeared to Solomon in a dream and said to ask for whatever he desired. How Solomon responded says much about his character. He could have responded in so many different ways—requesting wealth, honor, success, or more. But instead, he only asked for wisdom and knowledge. “Give me now wisdom and knowledge to go out and come in before this people, for who can govern this people of yours, which is so great?” (II Chronicles 1:10, ESV) Solomon’s answer pleased the Lord. Because he desired wisdom over worldly success, God blessed Solomon with many of the things he could have requested but did not. Solomon recognized his greatest need was godly wisdom to lead the nation. “Because this was in your heart, and you have not asked for possessions, wealth, honor, or the life of those who hate you,…