Showing posts with label Problems. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Problems. Show all posts

Tuesday, February 2, 2021

WHAT YOU NEVER EXPECTED - Being alive means that we constantly have to resolve problems. One day, however, we will encounter a change or problem that seems beyond our capacity to cope. When a problem is overwhelming, or when our support system — within ourselves or from others — doesn’t work, we are thrown off balance. Yes, crisis changes the course of our lives. But what we often forget is that the changes can open doors to a life better than what would have been if the crisis had not happened. When we turn to our powerful and sovereign God, He opens our eyes to new and different opportunities, which creates new hope. God brings that hope by directing our lives to a meaningful purpose during the healing process. Pursue healing from your losses: Choose to face the losses and pain you experience. Allow yourself to grieve, then ask the Lord for His healing. We hear about crises all the time. Sometimes we receive reports from friends and family about recent deaths or diseases, accidents, unexpected losses, divorces, financial hardships, and ongoing national disasters. Television news or Internet sites report an impending crisis in the economy, the weather, or our neighborhoods. Crises in general, happen close to home — to a loved one, a friend, a family member, or to us personally — most people say, “I never expected this would happen to me, to us, to them, or around here.” Rarely does a person expect a crisis to be personal; therefore, rarely are most people prepared for the recovery process.

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What You Never Expected

Being alive means that we constantly have to resolve problems. One day, however, we will encounter a change or problem that seems beyond our capacity to cope. 

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When a problem is overwhelming, or when our support system — within ourselves or from others — doesn’t work, we are thrown off balance. Yes, crisis changes the course of our lives. But what we often forget is that the changes can open doors to a life better than what would have been if the crisis had not happened. 


When we turn to our powerful and sovereign God, He opens our eyes to new and different opportunities, which creates new hope. God brings that hope by directing our lives to a meaningful purpose during the healing process. Pursue healing from your losses: Choose to face the losses and pain you experience. Allow yourself to grieve, then ask the Lord for His healing.

by Colleen Swindoll Thompson


 

The opening story of the evening news was about a parent who forgot her child in the car.

The day’s temperature was 107 degrees, outside of the car.

The next story was about several people gunned down, and the next one detailed a car accident that resulted in severe injuries to all parties.

By then, I turned the channel.

We hear about crises all the time.

Sometimes we receive reports from friends and family about recent deaths or diseases, accidents, unexpected losses, divorces, financial hardships, and ongoing national disasters.

At other times, television news or Internet sites report an impending crisis in the economy, the weather, or our neighborhoods.

Regardless of how often we hear about crises in general, when they happen close to home — to a loved one, a friend, a family member, or to us personally — most people say, “I never expected this would happen to me, to us, to them, or around here.”

Rarely does a person expect a crisis to be personal; therefore, rarely are most people prepared for the recovery process.

In Dr. H. Norman Wright’s book titled A New Guide to Crisis and Trauma Counseling: A Practical Guide for Ministers, Counselors, and Lay Counselors, he wrote:

The journey through life is a series of losses, crises and, in some cases, traumas — some are predictable and expected, but others are total surprises.

Some crises are developmental; some are situational. . . .

Being alive means that we constantly have to resolve problems.

Every new situation we encounter provides us the opportunity to develop new ways of using our resources . . . [and] by being persistent, we discover ways to overcome these problems. . . .

One day, however, we will encounter a change or problem that seems beyond our capacity to cope.

When a problem is overwhelming, or when our support system — within ourselves or from others — doesn’t work, we are thrown off balance.

Many of us are currently enduring a crisis.

We are filled with worry, panic, pain, and loneliness.

As adults, we must remember that crisis and chaos affect others as well — specifically children and adolescents.

They often encounter awful tragedies with very few resources to get through the pain.

As adults, we are responsible to look out for their well-being, as well as our own.

Yes, crisis changes the course of our lives.

But what we often forget is that the changes can open doors to a life better than what would have been if the crisis had not happened.

When we turn to our powerful and sovereign God, He opens our eyes to new and different opportunities, which creates new hope.

God brings that hope by directing our lives to a meaningful purpose during the healing process.

Sometimes we need guidance in moving forward, in getting through that process.

Here are some suggestions:

Plan time for purposeful self reflection: Identify your feelings; then talk with the Lord about them, seeking wisdom and direction.

Commune alone with Christ at intervals throughout each day. Seek an older, spiritually sound individual to assist you with your struggles.

Pursue healing from your losses: Choose to face the losses and pain you experience.

It is helpful to begin a journal, to meet with a counselor or mentor regularly, and to document significant losses on a timeline.

Allow yourself to grieve, then ask the Lord for His healing. You might also become active in a group recovery program or a related class.

Practice spiritual disciplines: To discipline means to set in a right course or direction.

In other words, set your mind on what is right, good, true, and pure.

Begin with some of these ideas: meditate, recite, or memorize a passage of Scripture that speaks of what is right and pure, of walking in wisdom, or of an attribute of God such as His sovereignty, faithfulness, goodness, righteousness, power, justice, and holiness.

You could also spend time each day in prayer following the Lord’s Prayer found in Matthew 6:9–13.

May these actions become rich reservoirs of restoration for you in the days ahead.

Colleen Swindoll Thompson holds a bachelor of arts degree in Communication from Trinity International University as well as minors in psychology and education. Colleen serves as the director of Reframing Ministries at Insight for Living Ministries. From the personal challenges of raising a child with disabilities (her son Jonathan), Colleen offers help, hope, and a good dose of humor through speaking, writing, and counseling those affected by disability. Colleen and her husband, Toban, have five children and reside in Frisco, Texas.

https://insight.org/resources/article-library/individual/what-you-never-expected


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Monday, February 1, 2021

THE LORD REMEMBERS US - When we are depressed by the problems that we face we can be encouraged to know that God keeps us in His thoughts. He bends down and listens to our voice and then blesses all who fear Him. If we are discouraged, we can remember that God is near, listening to every prayer and answering each prayer to give us His best. Even when it seems that we are surrounded by our own fears, challenging situations or people, and though we may be in pain or suffering, we are called to stay faithful to Him and continue to speak words of faith that signify our trust and dependence upon God. The Lord remembers us, hears our prayers and is there to help. Always. ‘The Lord remembers us and will bless us: he will bless the house of Israel, he will bless the house of Aaron, he will bless those who fear the Lord – small and great alike.’ - What a wonderful truth to remember especially in the times when we feel isolated, alone and abandoned, even by God Himself. When we are depressed by the problems that we face or are struggling with self-worth, we can be encouraged to know that God keeps us in His thoughts. The Lord will never forget us in our need. He bends down and listens to our voice and then blesses all who fear Him, no matter who they may be. God will heap His blessings upon us because He cannot help but pour His goodness upon all who fear His name. In Psalm 116 the psalmist declares that he cried out to the Lord saying, ‘God, come and save me!’

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The Lord Remembers Us

When we are depressed by the problems that we face we can be encouraged to know that God keeps us in His thoughts. He bends down and listens to our voice and then blesses all who fear Him. 

.

If we are discouraged, we can remember that God is near, listening to every prayer and answering each prayer to give us His best. Even when it seems that we are surrounded by our own fears, challenging situations or people, and though we may be in pain or suffering, we are called to stay faithful to Him and continue to speak words of faith that signify our trust and dependence upon God. 

.

Thank God for His willingness and power to reach out and help us in our time of need. The Lord remembers us, hears our prayers and is there to help. Always.

listenandprosper.com

 

‘The Lord remembers us and will bless us: he will bless the house of Israel, he will bless the house of Aaron, he will bless those who fear the Lord – small and great alike.’ - Psalm 115:12-13 (NIV).

 

 

What a wonderful truth to remember especially in the times when we feel isolated, alone and abandoned, even by God Himself.

When we are depressed by the problems that we face or are struggling with self-worth, we can be encouraged to know that God keeps us in His thoughts.

The Lord will never forget us in our need.

He bends down and listens to our voice and then blesses all who fear Him, no matter who they may be.

God will heap His blessings upon us because He cannot help but pour His goodness upon all who fear His name.

In Psalm 116 the psalmist declares that he cried out to the Lord saying, ‘God, come and save me!’

God was so kind, so gracious.

Because of God’s passion to those He loves, He answered the psalmist cry making everything right and restoring him.

From experience, the psalmist learnt that he can relax and rest, be confident and serene, because God protects those who humbly trust in Him. (Psalm 116:7).

Be Greatly Blessed!

Prayer:

‘Father, thank you that you love me, hold me and keep me in your care. I come to you, hear my prayer and be gracious to me at this time. Amen.’

In Jesus’ Mighty Name,

AMEN!

Final Thoughts:

If we are discouraged, we can remember that God is near, listening to every prayer and answering each prayer to give us His best.

Even when it seems that we are surrounded by our own fears, challenging situations or people, and though we may be in pain or suffering, we are called to stay faithful to Him and continue to speak words of faith that signify our trust and dependence upon God.

Thank God for His willingness and power to reach out and help us in our time of need.

Thank Him for our health and healing, though sickness may still be in our body.

For providing an answer in difficult circumstances when there seems to be none.

And thank Him for sustaining us with His strength and peace when we are feeling weak and confused.

The Lord remembers us, hears our prayers and is there to help.

Always.

https://listenandprosper.com/the-lord-remembers-us/