If you are observant, you will likely cross paths with an exhausted, fragile or shaken soul. Unfortunately, many symptoms of the weak are subtle. This leads the driven, focused and self-centered to be oblivious, unfazed by the down trodden, hurting and wounded. Unless you slow down, similar to the words of the Psalmist, you won’t notice or take the time to help the weak.
He says, “Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth,” Psalm 46:10.
A natural response to a bad day is to over-react, allowing a spirit of bitterness or worry to consume you. Thus, when you are able to get over this disappointment, the sooner you can begin to turn your attention to the concerns of others. In a letter to the church of Colosse, Paul encourages members to bear with each other; sharing the burdens of those hurting. Though it may be difficult to forgive some individuals, its a start in the right direction to helping the weak.
Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others, Philippians 2:3-4.
Finally, the key to helping the weak is found in the art of giving. Jesus claims it is better to give than receive. While part of human nature will expect something in return, I’m learning the joy of giving without expectation. It’s not easy, but the sooner people can get over the life’s not fair stage, your perspective can change. May the Lord revitalize your hearts to become a student of giving.
Direct Television’s Settler’s commercial uses a play on words, claiming that if you don’t have their package you are settling for second rate customer service. During my recent fast, television was the first thing that broke my spiritual momentum. After a long week of work, I thought I’d indulge in a few hours of viewing pleasure. In return, I was in a funk for the rest of the weekend, sluggish, unmotivated and felt like I wasted valuable time.
For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms, Ephesians 6:12.
2. Technology
Little Caesar’s recent ad campaign about going off the grid illustrates that you don’t need technology to order a pizza. All you have to do is show up and its hot and ready. Having unlimited access to the worldwide web has caused many to binge, soaking up as much as possible. Unfortunately, people have become hooked, unable to drive, walk or eat without texting, tweeting or view the latest trending video. Instead of conversing, opening up their hearts or sharing serious issues, individuals are content with staring at a screen.
Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand, Ephesians 6:13.
3. Attitudes, Annoyances and Mood Swings
The other night at work, I was in the zone, in a good state of mind when I was bombarded by a series of emotions. I came into contact with bad attitudes and was poked by several annoying situations. As I mumbled my displeasure, the momentum of the evening was broken by a myriad of mood swings. Whenever you let your guard down or aren’t prepared for spiritual attacks, your soul can take a beating. Thus, whether its television, technology or trials, make sure you arm yourself with the armor of God, Ephesians 6:12-20. If not, don’t be surprised when the things of this world break your momentum.
When I think of an Open Mic night, I usually picture amateur comedians or singers trying to get noticed to start their careers. However, in the ministry, open mic nights often serve as a precursor to the end of an event, conference or retreat. This time gives individuals a chance to share what’s on their heart or what God taught them. Touched by this concept on numerous occasions in high school and college, I adopted this practice once a month as a youth pastor in Indiana.
Come and hear, all you who fear God, and I will tell what he has done for my soul, Psalm 66:16.
Several students gave moving testimonies in our chapel, a small prayer room in the church basement which held about 50 people comfortably. While a member of my student leadership team usually spoke, one month a shy girl volunteered. She was an outcast, unattractive and not very interesting when she talked. However, on this particular Sunday evening, she silenced her critics.
“Return to your home, and declare how much God has done for you.” And he went away, proclaiming throughout the whole city how much Jesus had done for him, Luke 8:39.
Opening up about trying to kill herself, brought most of the room to tears. However, a spirit of boldness entered this rejuvenated soul, thanking those who showed random acts of kindness along the way. For one shining moment, she was a star sent to give a heavenly message to stir the hearts of her teenage peers. I’m not sure what has happened to this child of God, losing touch with many of my former students, but I will never forget the night she silenced her critics.
While some individuals will be making last second New Year’s resolutions, there is an invisible obstacle that tends to sneak up on the unassuming. Commercials such as “you deserve a break today” feed into this mindset. Thus, if you let your guard down, become complacent or careless, a day of laziness can be the beginning of the end of your dreams.
The soul of the sluggard craves and gets nothing, while the soul of the diligent is richly supplied, Proverbs 13:4.
As I reflect upon what is left of 2015, I’m ashamed to say that I’ve been a victim of days of laziness. Somewhere along the way, a laissez-faire spirit entered my body. Sleeping in here and a lack of discipline there has resulted in a luck luster year. Before I could mount a comeback, compromise has stalled my momentum, leaving sorrow and pain in my heart.
The desire of the sluggard kills him, for his hands refuse to labor, Proverbs 21:25.
Unfortunately, my spiritual state is like a lukewarm bottle of water on a sunny spring day. Poor decisions on days of laziness have led me to a tattered soul. There is no one else to blame but me. The only blessing is that tomorrow is another day filled with God’s mercy, forgiveness and grace. Therefore, I press on, hoping to avoid days of laziness in 2016 so I can begin to take hold of that which God has prepared for me in advance to do.
In the 1984 film Footloose, Kevin Bacon plays Ren, a city boy from Chicago who is forced to move to Utah following his mother’s divorce and re-marriage. Labeled a trouble maker by the church and community leaders, Ren is targeted and kicked off his high school gymnastics team. After this ordeal, Ren begins to ask questions, trying to find out, “what’s their story?” Coming home from a date, Ren discovers the death of a pastor’s son inspired law makers to restrict the freedom of teenagers.
“Judge not, and you will not be judged; condemn not, and you will not be condemned; forgive, and you will be forgiven,” Luke 6:37.
From the outside looking in, its hard to get a feel for what’s going on inside the human soul. Events, family and surroundings influence who people become for the good and bad. Recently, I heard about a former high school student who denounced their faith. Some where along the way, academia, revisionist historians and secular humanism have encouraged this young man to abandon his relationship with God.
You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother’s eye, Matthew 7:5.
Every day, someone or something is causing associates, co-workers and friends to behave in a certain manner. Thus, when an individual is depressed, erupts in anger or has an outburst, these variables come to surface in the form of emotions. Instead of taking things personally, the sooner a friend can discover the story behind one’s action, the quicker the healing process can begin. Therefore, don’t allow finger pointers to lead you to judge others. Rather, lean on God’s mercy to comprehend what’s their story.
A little over a decade ago, Jason Wright and his family wanted to do something for those less fortunate at Christmas. After bouncing some ideas around, they came up with a jar to collect loose change. As the holiday season approached, the contents inside this Christmas Jar would be given away to someone in need. When the money was donated in person, this left an last impression, inspiring the book A Christmas Jar.
Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver, 2 Corinthians 9:7.
Ten years later, this simple tradition has spawned Christmas miracles. As empty jars are placed on kitchen tables in January, the Christmas spirit is no longer limited to one month. Rather, now families are emptying their pockets daily, thinking of others throughout the year. These amazing testimonies can be read at christmasjars.blogspot.com. Perhaps this book may inspire you to create your own Christmas tradition.
Give, and it will be given to you. Good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap. For with the measure you use it will be measured back to you, Luke 6:38.
Prior to blogs, emails and texting, I spent several hours each week writing letters. As a poor college student, this was one of the few ways I could use my gift in an inexpensive way. At the peak of letter writing, I corresponded with 50 friends across the country. Beside replying to letters I received, I also reached out to those I hadn’t heard from, sometimes writing three times before receiving a letter in return. My Christmas miracle occurred when a letter came to a friend after a series of tragedies in her life. The Lord used my letter to touch her heart and comfort her soul. This is why its essential to extend a helping hand at Christmas because you never know the impact that one act of kindness can do to transform a life.
During my confirmation process in the Catholic Church in 8th grade, I studied the Lord’s prayer, also known as the Our Father. According to author Dr. Mark Rutland, it takes the average person 21 seconds to pray this prayer. After twenty years of using the Lord’s prayer as a foundation for prayer, Dr. Rutland believes that you can change your world if individuals begin to devote 21 seconds to prayer daily.
“This, then, is how you should pray: “ ’Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven,” Matthew 6:9-10.
Keeping a journal during this extended period, Mark began to see the impact Jesus’ words had on his prayer life. Gradually, his heart, soul and mind were transformed by this basic, yet powerful prayer outline inspiring his book 21 Seconds to Change Your World. While the average person struggles to pay attention or remain focused, 21 seconds is less than most commercials on television. Therefore, why not make a resolution for 2016 to commit 21 seconds to prayer each day.
Give us today our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one, Matthew 6:11-13.
Even when people draw near to God, prayer can be foreign to many. Feeling asleep on my pillow in college was a nightly tradition, not getting far before I dosed off. However, 21 seconds is realistic, a good starting point for novice prayers. Therefore, I don’t have a good excuse to say I was too busy, didn’t feel well or was too tired. Rather, now is a great time to start 2016 off on the right foot with 21 seconds to pray.
One of the more common ways to become successful is setting goals. Depending upon how motivated the individual, time lines are set in the form of dreams, serving as a road map for the next several years. During this journey, there will be many barriers, obstacles and mountain peaks to climb. Anyone who gives up along the way is in danger of missing their destiny, purpose and reason for being born.
In which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient, Ephesians 2:2.
Depression is like a valley or place which holds you down, sucking your desire and will to move on. According to the apostle Paul, there is a force, a spiritual presence in the air who feeds on disobedience. The Bible lists a series of mountains that can prevent individuals from discerning and living out God’s will on earth.
Distractions – Lust for treasures cost Achan and his family their lives, Joshua 7:25-26.
Doubt – Caused the Israelites to second guess God’s promised land, Numbers 32:9.
Hurt – Pain has a way of leading individuals to tap out, losing all hope, Psalm 34:18.
Dryness – Arid periods in life can numb souls, questioning life’s purpose, Ezekiel 37:1.
Guilt – David, Judas and Peter all were consumed by this spirit, 2 Samuel 12:7.
Decisions – Poor decisions can poison and ruin lives, 1 Corinthians 15:33.
Sin – Those who deny the presence of disobedience walk in darkness, 1 John 1:8-10.
See, I set before you today life and prosperity, death and destruction, Deuteronomy 30:15.
During his farewell address, Moses provides a blueprint to fulfill your destiny in this life. The key to success in this life lies in one’s ability to obey God. People are not forced to believe and follow. Rather, its up to you to choose wisely. The future is in your hands by either choosing life through obedience to God or death by embracing the ways of the world. How you respond will dictate whether you fulfill or miss your destiny. Choose life.
There are a couple of ways to view the term unconscious. The most obvious refers to those who are knocked out, in a comatose state. Another relates to those who appear to be senseless without a conscience. The latter can seem to be heartless, unmoved by life altering events.
And Saul approved of their killing Stephen. On that day a great persecution broke out against the church in Jerusalem, and all except the apostles were scattered throughout Judea and Samaria, Acts 8:1.
A well known Pharisee of the first century could be described as unconscious. After overseeing the execution of the apostle Stephen, Saul goes on a mission to snuff out Christianity within the Jewish community. During this pursuit, Saul doesn’t seem phased by the death of Christians, like he get’s his jollies out of persecuting the faith community.
But Saul began to destroy the church. Going from house to house, he dragged off both men and women and put them in prison, Acts 8:3.
Sometimes the events of every day life can harden hearts. While some may turn to depression, others can be filled by hatred. In fact, this may explain Saul’s words in his letter to the church of Ephesus. “In your anger do not sin”: Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, and do not give the devil a foothold, Ephesians 4:26-27. If you want to avoid causing anger to poison your heart, soul and mind, take Saul’s advice. Just let it go or you too may become unconscious.
The term tapped out refers to reaching a point of emptiness, unable to go any farther. A mother breast feeding her child may hit a wall, unable to produce any more milk. Despite an infant’s cries, mom is done. A keg on a college campus is bound to dry up, tapped out from over use. However, one of the most common examples today relates to a parent or student, burning the candle at both ends until they crash and burn from sheer exhaustion.
1. Acknowledge your condition – Is anyone among you in trouble? Let them pray, James 5:13a.
In the prime of my life, I worked 90 hours a week as a youth pastor. On my only day off, I led a Bible Study at McDonald’s in the morning, drove to Cincinnati to meet a friend (a 90 minute drive one way) and came back by dinner time to attend an adult Bible Study which required extensive reading. Sure, this sounds like a lot, but I was young. After my wealthy church rejected a plea for a homeless guy, I let him stay on my couch at my apartment for six months. To justify my raise after one year, my responsibilities tripled to include Confirmation, Coaching High School Basketball and Helping out with Young Life.
2. Find someone to confide in – If either of them falls down, one can help the other up. But pity anyone who falls and has no one to help them up, Ecclesiastes 4:10.
Sometime after the first six months, I became comfortably numb, running on fumes. Since I didn’t have anyone to intervene, I reached an emotional breaking point, unable to give anymore. Thus, 14 months after starting my dream job, what I was born to do, I was forced to take a step back. So… what do you do when you’re all tapped out? Well, I went hiking on the Appalachian Trail with a mentor from high school, a former coach and Fellowship of Christian’s Athletes director. Looking back now, most of this weekend was a blur, yet I needed to retreat before I could go any further.
3. Find a quiet place to meet with God – Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed, Mark 1:35.
Before he became king of Israel, David had his own issues. The king, who just happened to be his best friend’s dad was trying to kill him, jealous of his fame from defeating Goliath. A man without a country, David fled for a cave, encouraged by 400 men, soldiers who had became friends. Despite being anointed as king by Samuel, David had to wait and wait and wait some more. Just as the mountains served as a retreat for me, this cave was like an oasis, able to shoot the breeze, wondering where to go and what to do next. Fellowship in these close quarters likely developed friendships for a lifetime.
4. Publicly confess your sins – Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed, James 5:16a.
To provide a woman’s perspective, I can’t help but mention the woman described in Matthew 9. If you think you’ve had a tough life, just listen to her sob story. Suffering from a bleeding disorder, she saw every specialist possible until she ran out of money. Broke and still unhealed, she was probably forced to beg like the homeless. Yet, fearful of contracting what she had, this woman was forced beyond the cities gates to live among the outcasts in society. Financially tapped, healing appeared unattainable until a man named Jesus worked the earth.
5. Find rest for your soul – “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest, ” Matthew 11:28.
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