Category Archives: Patience & Perseverance

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January 26, 2016

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Attitudes & Behavior, Challenges & Difficulty, Family, Friends & Fellowship, God's Plan, Patience & Perseverance, Spiritual Gifts, Temptation & Sin, Today: Make it Count

COMPARISONS

Let everyone be sure that he is doing his very best, for then he will have the personal satisfaction of work well done and won’t need to compare himself with someone else. Each of us must bear some faults and burdens of his own. For none of us is perfect! [Galatians 6:4-5 (TLB)]

julias and clouded yellow butterflies When I log the number of steps I’ve taken each day, I often compare my total with that of my Fitbit friends. No matter what I do or how far I’ve walked, one friend is always far ahead of me. True, a little friendly competition can be good for us when it makes us challenge ourselves and work harder. Walking with this friend, for example, challenges me to step up my pace. Too competitive a spirit, however, can hurt us. Last year, bound and determined to record more steps than she, I devoted a week to out-walking this woman who is nearly thirty years my junior. I ended up with a stress fracture and, to add insult to injury, she still logged more steps!

Comparing ourselves to other people can lead to more than a stress fracture. We usually end up thinking we’re either inferior to or better than the other person. Either way, comparing puts the focus on us rather than our goal and love ceases to be our motivation. We’re commanded not to covet and comparing ourselves to others often leads to jealousy and coveting. By trying to out-walk my friend, I was coveting her youth and fitness. I was focusing on what I wasn’t and wanted to be (a beautiful athletic young woman) rather than what I am and can be (a healthy fit older woman).

When comparing ourselves to others, we also risk becoming pride filled. Even though I can’t out-walk my friend, I usually manage to out-walk most of our other Fitbit friends. I confess to having felt rather smug about that until I remembered that their goals may be quite different than mine and they probably don’t have the free time for fitness that I do.

God created each of us with unique strengths and weaknesses and gave each of us our own custom-designed race to run and track on which to run it. Some people will be faster and some courses will be easier but that’s God’s business, not ours. Instead of comparing ourselves to anyone else, we should be thankful for who and what we are. Rather than trying to be better than the other guy, perhaps we should just try to be the person God wants us to be! The good examples of others can encourage us and our good examples can inspire others, but we must never get bogged down by comparing ourselves or by trying to run someone else’s race. If we must compare, how about comparing ourselves to Jesus? A word of warning, however, it’s a guarantee that we’ll be found wanting in that one!

Be all you can be. [U.S. Army slogan from 1980-2001]

I don’t mean to say I am perfect. I haven’t learned all I should even yet, but I keep working toward that day when I will finally be all that Christ saved me for and wants me to be. No, dear brothers, I am still not all I should be, but I am bringing all my energies to bear on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead, I strain to reach the end of the race and receive the prize for which God is calling us up to heaven because of what Christ Jesus did for us. [Philippians 3:12-14 (TLB)]

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January 25, 2016

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Attitudes & Behavior, Challenges & Difficulty, Faith & Hope, God's Grace & Love, God's Plan, God's Promises, Joy, Patience & Perseverance, Thanks & Praise, Trusting God

WINTER JOY

Can anything ever separate us from Christ’s love? Does it mean he no longer loves us if we have trouble or calamity, or are persecuted, or hungry, or destitute, or in danger, or threatened with death? [Romans 8:38 (NLT)]

Steamboat Ski Area

As I stepped off the plane into biting wind and blowing snow, the shock of the bitter cold took my breath away. Having started the day at a balmy 70 plus degrees, I wanted to turn around, get on the plane and go back to where I’d been. The plane, however, wasn’t returning that night so neither was I. As I trudged across the tarmac, I questioned my sanity in leaving the warmth of southwest Florida for a stay in our Colorado home.

That first night in the mountains, I just wanted to go back. Once I traded my t-shirt for layers of fleece, my shoes for insulated boots, and my light jacket for a heavy parka, however, things improved. Once I saw the beauty in the aspens’ glistening hoarfrost, strapped on my snowshoes and enjoyed the snow instead of cursing it, and once I’d taken my first ski run down the mountain and embraced the wintery world in which we’ll live for the next two months, my attitude changed. Once I’d accepted and adjusted to where I was, I found joy in my surroundings.

We made the deliberate choice to spend part of our winter in the cold and snow but, sometimes, life drops us off in cold dark places not of our choosing. We end up at the funeral home, principal’s office, police station, or in the ICU. We find ourselves in cardiac rehab, divorce court, an Al Anon meeting, or across from an unsympathetic loan officer or angry boss. Bills pile up, loved ones get sick, tornadoes hit, accidents happen, children get in trouble, and dreams disappear. When those times occur, we want to turn around and go back to the way it was before—before sickness, bankruptcy, death, betrayal, or unemployment. God, however, does not offer return tickets to the land of before.

Several years ago, it felt like God left me in a cold dark place and I longed for the time before—before any of the bad happened, a time when everyone seemed happy and life was good. There was no going back, however, and it was fruitless to yearn for what had been but was no more. By trusting in God and His purpose, I surrendered my circumstances to him. Along with my tears were prayers and, with His guidance, I eventually adjusted my behavior, changed my expectations, stopped yearning for the before and looked with hope to the after. As for the after—while different, it’s possibly even better than the before! Granted, it didn’t happen overnight and it took more than wearing wool socks and long johns to get to a place of acceptance. It happened when I stopped asking God “Why” and started asking Him “What do you want me to learn from this?” It happened when I managed to find reasons for gratitude in even the darkest place. Eventually, out of the pain came not just acceptance but joy.

At some time or another, we all end up in cold dark places and enter a winter time for our souls. We need to find a way, not just to survive them, but to thrive in them. To do that, we must trust in the Apostle Paul’s words that while not everything that happens is good, God will bring good out of whatever happens. As difficult as that sounds, God will open our eyes to the good in the bad and we’ll find a way to have joy in all circumstances.

Thank you, God, for taking the broken pieces of our lives and putting them back together so they are stronger. Thank you for taking the cold winters of our souls and shining your love and light upon them, warming our hearts and enabling us to once again face life with joy.

And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them. [Romans 8:28 (NLT)]

Whatever happens, my dear brothers and sisters, rejoice in the Lord. [Philippians 3:1a (NLT)]

 

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January 7, 2016

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Attitudes & Behavior, Challenges & Difficulty, Patience & Perseverance, Peace of God, Prayer, Today: Make it Count

TEN SECONDS

I’ve told you this so that my peace will be with you. In the world you’ll have trouble. But cheer up! I have overcome the world. [John 16: 33 (GW)]

 Jesus looked at them and said, “It is impossible for people to save themselves, but everything is possible for God.” [Matthew 19:26 (GW)]

angels trumpet Netflix’s “unbreakable” Kimmy Schmidt was kidnapped as a teen and survived fifteen years in a doomsday cult while imprisoned in an underground bunker. Once rescued, she faces a world she didn’t think still existed and for which she is completely unprepared. While this certainly is an odd premise for a television comedy, there’s much to be learned from her naive and optimistic outlook. In one episode, Kimmy (who knows from experience) explains that one can stand anything for ten seconds and adds, “Then you just start on a new ten seconds.”

While at the gym, positioned on hands and toes with my core supporting my body’s weight, I thought about coping in ten second increments. Granted, holding in plank for only one minute is nothing when compared to the challenges people face day to day, but those sixty seconds seemed unachievable when the timer started. Knowing I could easily remain in push-up position for ten seconds, however, I stopped thinking about sixty and just kept counting to ten. What at first seemed impossible, when broken into small increments, became possible.

Any 12-step program teaches the importance of taking life one day at a time. Sometimes, however, even one day seems way too long. When we’re in pain or distress or even trying to maintain sobriety, time seems interminable. While vacations pass too quickly, chemo treatments, grieving, hospital stays, healing, unemployment, financial difficulties, depression and passing a kidney stone don’t go nearly fast enough. Being a Christian certainly doesn’t mean we will avoid adversity or suffering; in fact, suffering and adversity were pretty much guaranteed for the early Christians. Suffering may develop character but, given a choice, most of us would be satisfied without more character building if it involves discomfort or adversity. Moreover, knowing that trials both test and strengthen our faith is of little comfort when we are the ones enduring those trials.

Instead of asking God, “How much longer?” perhaps we need to say, “Lord, as long as you are beside me, I can hold on for now!” We can say that with confidence, knowing that anything can be endured (and endured with joy) because of the power of the Holy Spirit, even if we can only do it one day or even ten seconds at a time.

[ONE DAY AT A TIME, SWEET JESUS (by Marijohn Wilkins & Kris Kristofferson)]
I’m only human, I’m just a man,
Help me believe in what I could be And all that I am.
Show me the stairway I have to climb
Lord for my sake, help me to take One day at a time.
One day at a time sweet Jesus That’s all I’m askin’ of you.
Just give me the strength To do every day what I have to do.
Yesterday’s gone sweet Jesus And tomorrow may never be mine.
Lord, help me today, show me the way One day at a time.

Be happy in your confidence, be patient in trouble, and pray continually. [Romans 12:12 (GW)]

We ask him to strengthen you by his glorious might with all the power you need to patiently endure everything with joy. You will also thank the Father, who has made you able to share the light, which is what God’s people inherit. [Colossians 1:11-12 (GW)]

 

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September 4, 2015

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Attitudes & Behavior, Challenges & Difficulty, Fear & Doubt, God's Grace & Love, God's Promises, Patience & Perseverance, Trusting God, Wisdom & Guidance

TREKKING POLES – LESSONS FROM THE TRAIL (3)

But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. [2 Corinthians 12:9 (ESV)]

Trust in the Lord with all your heart and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths. [Proverbs 3:5-6 (ESV)]

chipmunk- SSCO9368awebI always had a false sense of pride about not using trekking poles when hiking. They were for novices or ersatz hikers—not a seasoned hiker like me. After reading about hiking the Appalachian Trail, however, it occurred to me that I could be mistaken. With my arthritic knees, perhaps I could use a little assistance.

After a few hikes in the Rockies, I am now a proponent of trekking poles. Where, I wondered, are the aching muscles, stiff joints, and sore feet I expected after several strenuous hikes? The poles, however, greatly reduced the impact on my legs, knees, ankles and feet. Why was I able to walk as quickly and steadily? The poles helped propel me forward and maintain a rhythm. Why hadn’t I struggled more on the steeps? The poles increased my traction and helped me maintain my balance. Why hadn’t I been more frightened on the most challenging sections? I felt more secure with the poles’ assistance. Why no scratches from the brambles? The poles helped me push away nuisances like thorny branches. I suppose I could have used them as defense weapons if attacked, but the squirrels and chipmunks posed no threat and the dogs I met were all friendly.

It took a bit of humility to admit that I might need some help when hiking and now I wonder why it took me so long to realize what seasoned hikers have known for so long. Sometimes our relationship with God is that way, as well. We struggle on, exhausting ourselves, defenseless, getting discouraged, struggling, frightened, and even hurt, before admitting, “Lord, I can’t do it alone!” When we finally admit our weakness, He will ease our fears, keep us steady, and provide us with the skill, strength, confidence and protection needed to complete our walk.

So we can confidently say, “The Lord is my helper; I will not fear; what can man do to me?” [Hebrews 13:6 (ESV)]

For God have us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control. [2 Timothy 1:7 (ESV)]

The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life; of whom shall I be afraid? [Psalm 27:1 (ESV)]

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September 3, 2015

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Bible Stories, Challenges & Difficulty, God's Plan, Obedience, Patience & Perseverance, Trusting God

THE INDIRECT WAY – LESSONS FROM THE TRAIL (2)

When Pharaoh let the people go, God did not lead them on the road through the Philistine country, though that was shorter. For God said, “If they face war, they might change their minds and return to Egypt.” So God led the people around by the desert road toward the Red Sea. [Exodus 13:17-18a (NIV)]

Paul and his companions traveled throughout the region of Phrygia and Galatia, having been kept by the Holy Spirit from preaching the word in the province of Asia. When they came to the border of Mysia, they tried to enter Bithynia, but the Spirit of Jesus would not allow them to. … After Paul had seen the vision, we got ready at once to leave for Macedonia, concluding that God had called us to preach the gospel to them. [Acts 16:6-7,10 (NIV)]

9-3-15_9280web
While hiking up the ski mountain, we discovered that what takes only nine minutes on the gondola takes several hours. A 2,200 vertical rise became a more than five mile hike. When looking at the trail map, it is easy to see why—rather than walking straight up the face and following the path of the gondola, the trail traverses back and forth across the mountain. Geometry taught us that the shortest distance between two points is a straight line yet, sometimes, the most direct way is not always the best way. In actuality, going straight up the face of the mountain is near impossible except for the fittest, most adventurous, and possibly craziest of hikers. Being none of those, we followed the meandering trail. There were moments of discouragement as we crossed back and forth across the face of the mountain, catching a brief glimpse of our destination in the distance, before passing again into the woods and continuing our slow ascent.

Is that what it felt like for the Israelites who spent forty years on a trip that should have taken only a matter of days? The forty years, of course, were tacked on for disobedience, but their initial route, given them by God, wasn’t the shortest one either. The shorter route from Goshen to Canaan, a four or five day’s journey, would have led them through Philistine country and was heavily guarded by a string of Egyptian fortresses. God wisely knew that His people, their spirits broken by years of slavery, were not yet ready for war. Their inexperience and possible cowardice would make them shrink from conflict and want to return to Egypt. Knowing this, God sent them the long way around to the Red Sea, an eleven days’ journey. Then, just as they’d gotten to the edge of the wilderness, instead of going forward, God re-directed them back to make camp by the sea. It probably made no sense to the people but it did to God. Pharaoh, thinking them lost and discouraged, would be lulled into a false sense of confidence. He would pursue them, giving God the opportunity at the Red Sea to prove to the Egyptians (and Israelites) exactly with whom they were dealing: the one true God.

God knows our abilities, our weaknesses and fears. By giving us lesser trials, He prepares us for greater ones, just as he did for the Israelites. Sometimes, the less direct route is necessary for us to gain knowledge and experience and learn to trust, obey and appreciate God and His blessings. Other times, God takes us the less direct route because He has a greater task for us elsewhere. When Paul wanted to go into the provinces of Asia, for example, he was directed instead to Macedonia where he brought the gospel message to Europe. He eventually got back to Asia but one look at his missionary journeys shows us that the Apostle never took the most direct route; instead, he followed God’s plan. Admittedly, when our journey takes longer than expected, it is frustrating to think we’ll never reach our objective. We must remember that God is guiding us to the destination that He has chosen by the path that He wants us to take. It may not be the shortest or easiest trail; it will, however, be the best.

There is a long way which is short and a short way which is long. [Babylonian Talmud, Eruvin 53b]

I know, O Lord, that a man’s life is not his own; it is not for man to direct his steps. [Jeremiah 10:23 (NIV)]

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August 17, 2015

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Challenges & Difficulty, Faith & Hope, Fear & Doubt, God's Plan, Patience & Perseverance, Peace of God

FINISHING THE RACE

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us. We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith. [Hebrews 12:1-2 (NLT)]

turtle (western box) - NM1764awebRecently, my son ran a half-marathon on a blistering hot and humid Chicago day. A seasoned runner, he said it felt like the longest 13.1 miles he’d ever run. Fortunately, the water stations kept him well hydrated and then, just when he thought he’d “hit the wall,” he came to a spray station that cooled runners as they ran through the water. My son simply paused for a bit under the mist, feeling the cool water on his skin, until he felt ready to run again. He scaled back on his goal of a personal best—time no longer mattered; he just wanted to finish the race.

Although I’m not a runner, I am a writer trying to run the race God has set before me. I examined myself to see what extra weight could be shed and found the burdens of doubt and fear—doubt that I am up to the task and fear that I will run out of words and ideas. Moreover, it won’t be a private defeat—it will be in front of a crowd of witnesses—my readers. I knew I had to shed my negative thoughts and lighten my load, but how?

I thought about my son’s half-marathon and the water stations and cooling spray that had refreshed him during the grueling race. Rather than water and mist, perhaps I needed another kind of refreshment—prayer and meditation. I sat quietly with my Bible, prayed and read, and felt refreshed instead of burdened. Reading God’s word and sitting quietly in prayer was like a hydration station for the soul—it filled and refreshed me with living water. Instead of hurrying on to my tasks, I followed my son’s example and spent a good long time under God’s shower of peace. I stripped off the doubt and fear—they’ll only hold me back—and replaced them with faith and confidence.

God signed me up for this race. Even though I didn’t get a t-shirt or water bottle, it is a race that has given me tremendous joy and one I want to continue. Instead of sore muscles, there have been a few headaches but, without a doubt, I want to see it all the way to the finish line, whenever that may be. That pause to refresh, however, reminded me that God didn’t say I had to do a marathon—that was my decision. Perhaps, at my age, I’m more a 10K girl. Knowing I need to accept my own limitations, I’m going to run a shorter course of five messages a week and take extra time each day to be refreshed by that living water.

Slow but sure wins the race! [The Tortoise’s comment to the Hare in Aesop’s fable]

Jesus stood and shouted to the crowds, “Anyone who is thirsty may come to me! Anyone who believes in me may come and drink! For the Scriptures declare, “Rivers of living water will flow from his heart.” [John 7:37-38 (NLT)]

But those who trust in the Lord will find new strength. They will soar high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint. [Isaiah 40:31 (NLT)]