The Fog of Worry

Dear Friends,
Have you ever driven in a fog so thick you couldn’t even see to the end of your vehicle? Even if it was midday, it felt like the blackest of night to you.

That is what worry is like. When we worry, it’s as if a curtain of fog is right in front of our face. All we see is the issue at hand and nothing else, making it impossible to move forward.

You might have gotten the following advice as too how to handle worry:

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Remembering…

Amnesia (ām-nē‘zhə) n. “The loss or impairment of memory.” (Stedman’s Medical Dictionary)

One of my favourite programs every December is the one where they compile all of the news highlights of the past year. I wonder if it’s because of my propensity to keep forgetting them, always being caught up in the ‘tyranny of the urgent’. So, I find myself saying out loud throughout the program, “oh, I remember that”, and am usually struck by how far from my immediate thoughts’ that event was, even if it was mere months or weeks ago, and extremely significant.

Sadly, I think I also get that way about ‘God’ moments in my life. So many times I catch myself in a state of thinking that God is not involved in the everyday ‘doing’ of my life. I like to refer to this as ‘spiritual amnesia’, because like the people of Israel, I seem to forget all of the good things that God has done in my life! 

The patriarchs of old had a habit of building altars as memorials to significant ‘God’ events – encounters, victories, etc. Jacob set up a pillar (Gen. 28), Joshua made a pile of river stones (Josh. 4), Moses… Abraham… all built Altars of Remembrance in order to worship God and bear witness for future generations. Even in our New Testament era, we have the Lord’s Supper as an act of Remembrance for the ultimate way God answered mankind’s greatest need – forgiveness once for all for sin.

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Suffering Well, Part 2

Here’s the second reason I think Paul and Silas suffered so well in prison in Acts 16…

They knew God was in control of their circumstances and he would work them out for their good and his glory.

When you read through the beginning of the book of Philippians, you quickly see Paul’s perspective on his suffering in prison. Here is how verses 12 to 26 read…

12 Now I want you to know, brothers, that what has happened to me has really served to advance the gospel. 13 As a result, it has become clear throughout the whole palace guard and to everyone else that I am in chains for Christ. 14 Because of my chains, most of the brothers in the Lord have been encouraged to speak the word of God more courageously and fearlessly.15 It is true that some preach Christ out of envy and rivalry, but others out of goodwill. 16 The latter do so in love, knowing that I am put here for the defense of the gospel. 17 The former preach Christ out of selfish ambition, not sincerely, supposing that they can stir up trouble for me while I am in chains. 18 But what does it matter? The important thing is that in every way, whether from false motives or true, Christ is preached. And because of this I rejoice.
Yes, and I will continue to rejoice, 19 for I know that through your prayers and the help given by the Spirit of Jesus Christ, what has happened to me will turn out for my deliverance. 20 I eagerly expect and hope that I will in no way be ashamed, but will have sufficient courage so that now as always Christ will be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death. 21 For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain. 22 If I am to go on living in the body, this will mean fruitful labor for me. Yet what shall I choose? I do not know! 23 I am torn between the two: I desire to depart and be with Christ, which is better by far; 24 but it is more necessary for you that I remain in the body. 25 Convinced of this, I know that I will remain, and I will continue with all of you for your progress and joy in the faith, 26 so that through my being with you again your joy in Christ Jesus will overflow on account of me.

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Suffering Well

In my sermon this weekend, I mentioned that the watching, unbelieving world sits up and takes note when Christians suffer differently than the rest of society. Our rejoicing amidst our adversities forms a profound argument for the truth of what we believe. I didn’t really have time to develop the reasons why I thought Paul and Silas suffered so well when imprisoned in Philippi, so I thought I would give you a couple of reasons here. I’ll post the first one today and the second one later this week…

Reason #1: They weren’t surprised by adversity, but expected it as part of following Jesus in a fallen world…

I have been musing lately about the subject matter of many Christian songs written in the last 10 years or so. I must admit that I am the furthest thing from an expert in this area, but it has been hard to miss the sheer number of popular songs I have heard recently about suffering and adversity. Certainly Christians throughout the ages have struggled to understand why so many bad things happen in a world where a good God is sovereign. This has probably been the most pressing challenge to Christian faith (just read the Psalms or Lamentations). But, for the most part, this question is more of a difficulty in times of great sorrow than in a time of great prosperity. What I find interesting is that we are living in a time of unprecedented prosperity, but the question is raised today as much as ever. People are wondering about suffering while living in homes larger than anyone has ever lived in before. Why is this?

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New Fall Wardrobe

It’s the end of September. As I was getting ready for work I heard a sound I haven’t heard all summer – the revving up of the furnace. My husband just didn’t think 58F (15C) was warm enough in the house. I, in turn, went to the closet and put on a coat, realizing that summer was truly over and I needed to protect myself from the cold.

But did I really put on everything needed for my protection???? Consider Colossians 3:12-14 with me.
NIV - Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.  And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.

Message - So, chosen by God for this new life of love, dress in the wardrobe God picked out for you: compassion, kindness, humility, quiet strength, discipline. Be even-tempered, content with second place, quick to forgive an offense. Forgive as quickly and completely as the Master forgave you. And regardless of what else you put on, wear love. It’s your basic, all-purpose garment. Never be without it.

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