2 Encourage

Wednesday, October 16, 2024

This Time Next Week

How do you handle it when you are faced with an overwhelming challenge? Do you follow the adage, “When in danger, when in doubt, run in circles, scream and shout!”? Do you mimic the ostrich during scary times and “hide your head in the sand”? (an untrue myth, by the way) Perhaps you like to “whistle a happy tune” to conceal your fears from others.

We all develop coping mechanisms to deal with those situations that fill us with dread. A serious diagnosis, a learning challenge at work, a rocky patch with one of the kids, a move to an entirely new location, an important test (whether academic, medical, or job-related)—lots of things in life can make us wring our hands, cradle our roiling stomachs and clutch our heads to still the negative thoughts repeating relentlessly in our minds.

Over the years I have found some things that help me when life spirals out of my control. Foremost, is prayer. (Ephesians 6:18) Pouring my heart out to God in complete honesty, relinquishing control to Him, relieves much of the burden.

Sharing my concerns with someone else often lightens the load. Christian friends keep our confidences and join us in praying about the situation. (Galatians 6:2)

Educating myself on the subject helps dispel unfounded fears and corrects erroneous assumptions. (Proverbs 18:15) “Knowledge is power” rings true!

The Bible is a great resource! God’s Word is a lamp to our feet and a light to our path! (Psalm 119:) It is useful for teaching us the truth, rebuking error, correcting our faults, and giving us instruction for right living. (2 Timothy 3:16-17)

And something that works well for me is to trust God with the future (Jeremiah 29:11). I like to set a goal or a date when I expect things will have changed, i.e. “Next week my cold will be gone.” “By Thanksgiving I will be finished with chemo and my hair will have started to come back.” “A year from now my car will be paid off.” “This time next month we will be done with the house renovations.”

How do you manage a double whammy from life? Remember, we are NEVER alone in what we face. Jesus has promised to ALWAYS be with us. (Matthew 28:20)

Be encouraged!

Comments welcome at writepam71@gmail.com

Wednesday, October 9, 2024

Northern Lights

Photo by Danielle Hendrickson

Recently, we were told the Northern Lights would be visible here in Central Pennsylvania, a rarity for our area. Dick and I went out and looked but couldn’t see much with the naked eye. However, a friend told us to view it through a camera lens. What a stunning display of colors became visible! Many people snapped and posted pictures on Facebook.

Dick’s and my struggle to see them reminded me of I Corinthians 13:12: “What we see now is like a dim image in a mirror; then we shall see face-to-face. What I know now is only partial; then it will be complete—as complete as God's knowledge of me.”

Paul writes this immediately after describing true and genuine love. (vs. 4-8). Paul realized that our understanding of God’s love is immature and short-sighted, like looking at a reflection in a mirror. A mirror only shows us one aspect, not a total 3D panoramic view. Keep in mind, also, that in Paul’s world, mirrors were made of polished metal discs that reflected a blurred, imperfect image, not the vivid clarity of looking at someone up close.

Those of us seeing the Northern Lights in PA with just our limited vision missed so much of its beauty! Similarly, even as believers, we don’t grasp just how vast and awesome is God’s love. Paul writes in Ephesians 3: 17-19, “I pray that you may have your roots and foundation in love, so that you, together with all God's people, may have the power to understand how broad and long, how high and deep, is Christ's love. Yes, may you come to know his love—although it can never be fully known—and so be completely filled with the very nature of God.”

When we accept Christ as our Savior, we begin to realize God’s love for us. This experience is but a taste of the love Christ will pour into our hearts. We won’t know it fully until we stand in God’s presence in Heaven. And what a spectacular light show THAT will be!