Tag Archives: If my people will humble themselves

Flight or fight

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I suspect we are all familiar with the phrase “fight or flight” and how we tend to pursue one strategy or the other when confronted with stressful situations. In truth, I think most of us would rather flee from our crushing circumstance than stay around and face them in battle. Our first prayer is likely, “Get me out of here Lord” instead of “Help me to stand firm in the battle and let me honor you.”

 

It’s natural to want to escape the pain and chaos in our lives. Given the chance, we’d gladly press the Fast Forward button on life’s remote control and skip past the crummy parts if only we could. Don’t see them as wasteful disruptions to our lives? But here’s the truth. Pain, chaos, and disturbing interruptions ARE our life.  They come as a bundle package along with the comfort, joy, and love we experience along the way.

 

Beyond running marathons and triathlons, the real key to building strength is to find meaning, purpose, and even joy in the midst of our troubles. We want to choose flight from our woes, but it is in learning to fight that which strives to defeat us, that we build strength and endurance. Be it money, the fight for control, or even death, we might as well face it with a well planned winning strategy because victories don’t come by chance. One strategy is to focus on the source of the problem which is also the source of the solution.

 

I remember Evelyn Christiansen’s book, Lord Change Me. She went to church, studied the bible, and prayed while her husband stayed at home, having nothing of it. Furthermore, his belligerent attititude and lack of gratitude or appreciation for his wife made for an unpleasant marriage. For years she prayed for God to make her marriage better. “Lord change him,” she would plead over and over. Until one day, she became convicted by the Holy Spirit that God was interested in changing her heart. It was her resentment and bitterness and disappointment that he wanted to change. As she obeyed God in praying for her to be a more loving wife, her husband took notice and her marriage improved.

 

We often assume that where there is conflict the problem is with the other person. Lord change them is our plea too. But whether it is an annoying or abusive person, or a situation like pain or suffering that oppresses us, the prayer strategy that works is Lord Change me. That isn’t to say we shouldn’t pray for the other person, or the pain to be removed. But it shouldn’t the center of our prayers. A better approach is to focus on God’s greatness and drawing closer to him. It seems to me that one of the primary reasons for prayer is not to beg for changing others or our life lot, but to change us. Create in me a clean O Lord. Renew a right Spirit within me. Draw me closer to you.

God’s mercy and power and bestowed on those who seek him with all their heart. (Jeremiah  29:13)

 

 

Ask God to search your heart and see how many times the source of the problem – and the first step toward a solution – is within you. Don’t let selfish pride get in the way. Confess and let him show you how to fight in prayer. Ptrayer releasesmGod’s power. learn to fight in his strength.m

“if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.” 2 Corinthians 7:14

We’re called to the battlefield to proclaim Christ,, the King of kings, Lord of lords. We need a generation of believers not only to stand up for their faith but to kneel in prayer to build it up. Will you fight for God’s best in your life today?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Do these steroids make me look fat?

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The new meds have completely reversed my lack of appetite and removed my Failure To Thrive diagnosis caused by the GVHD. And I’m glad to have gained back ten pounds already, with only another 10-15 needed to return to my ideal weight. Additionally, this past week I set a new post-transplant endurance record by hiking a mountain nature trail in La Crosse over two miles and up an elevation climb of 640 feet! (Followed by a nap!) And another mile hike up and down 190 steps at Iowa’s Pike’s Peak State Park. (Thanks God!)

But I’m not referencing the weight gain or endurance with the ‘fat’ comment. I’m talking about being responsive to God’s call on our life and about discovering his very best for us when we walk through difficult paths. In this case, “FAT” means being:
Faithful
Available
Teachable

In order to prosper from God’s protection and provision for us we need to be faithful to live within the agreement of his love covenant with us. We can’t maintain faith in two masters and expect to receive blessing from both.

In order to experience his plan for us, we need to be available. Imagine saying to someone you love, “I will always be there for you,” but never making yourself available to them. Your words convey one thing and your actions another. We are known by our actions.

In order to gain understanding and wisdom, and to grow in his plan, we need to be teachable. We cannot say, “Teach me your ways,” and then refuse to listen or obey the master’s counsel.

With regard to our physical body, let’s be good stewards and be lean. With regard to our spiritual being, let’s be FAT: faithful, available, and teachable. Being “FAT” is essential to loving God, growing in his truth and grace, and serving others. Eat fully of the Lord’s provision.

“Taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the one who takes refuge in him.” Psalm 34:8