Coping with Pressures

The daily challenges we face will either increase our dependence on God or decrease it. But the most important point of it all is to see our reactions to it no matter what. It is where we expose ourselves of who we are and our leaning towards our “faith” in God and His promises to us. That is why; we must become aware of how challenges trigger our reactions. John 16:33 states what Jesus declared, “…in this world you will have trouble…” (NIV) What are the “troubles” of life that we will face? The word trouble was taken from the Greek word “thlipsis” which means “pressure” (literally or figuratively). In other words, Jesus Himself declared that pressures will come upon us we live in this world in many shapes and forms. However, He specifically leaves us with enough ammunition to hold onto as these “pressures” that build up around us and in us. Here’s the complete declaration in John 16:33, “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart I have overcome the world.“ (NIV) Two specific reactions we need to have when faced with pressures of life: find peace in Him and to have courage in His power. Therefore, we need to apply His word and prescription against all pressures from all sides and stand by it. In doing so, we will not go against it head-on but just let it pass by as part of life. And this is where we stand out as disciples of Jesus because we always heed the Master’s advice.

Allow me to share this simple story that I came across to put everything in perspective: “A daughter complained to her father about her life and how things were so hard for her. She did not know how she was going to make it and wanted to give up. She was tired of fighting and struggling. It seemed that as one problem was solved, a new one arose. Her father, a chef, took her to the kitchen. He filled three pots with water and placed each on a high fire. Soon the pots came to boil. In one he placed carrots, in the second he placed eggs, and the last he placed ground coffee beans. He let them sit and boil, without saying a word. The daughter sucked her teeth and waited impatiently, wondering what he was doing. In about 20 minutes he turned off the burners. He fished the carrots out and placed them in a bowl. He pulled the eggs out and placed them in another bowl. Then he ladled the coffee out and placed it in a mug. Turning to her he asked, "Darling, what do you see?" "Carrots, eggs, and coffee," she replied. He brought her closer and asked her to feel the carrots. She did and noted that they were soft. He then asked her to take an egg and break it. After pulling off the shell, she observed the hard-boiled egg. Finally, he asked her to sip the coffee. She smiled as she tasted its rich aroma. She humbly asked, "What does it mean Father?" He explained that each of them had faced the same adversity: Boiling water but each reacted differently. The carrot went in strong, hard, and unrelenting. But after being subjected to the boiling water, it softened and became weak. The egg had been fragile. Its thin outer shell had protected its liquid interior. But after sitting through the boiling water, its inside became hardened. The ground coffee beans were unique however. After they were in the boiling water, they had changed the water. "Which are you," he asked his daughter. "When adversity knocks on your door, how do you respond? Are you a carrot, an egg, or a coffee bean?"

How about us, my countrymen? Are we the carrot that seems hard, but with pain and adversity do we wilt and become soft, lose your strength? Are we like the egg, which starts off with a malleable heart? Are we fluid spirits, but after a death, a breakup, business bankruptcy, or a layoff have we become hardened and stiff? The shell looks the same, but have we become bitter and tough with a stiff spirit and heart? Or are we like the coffee bean? The bean changes the hot water, the thing that is bringing the pain, to its peak flavor when it reaches 212 degrees Fahrenheit. When the water gets the hottest, it just tastes better. If we are like the bean, when things are at their worst, we get better and make things better around us.

How do we handle adversity? Are we a carrot, an egg, or a coffee bean?

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Why Go To Church?

A Church goer wrote a letter to the editor of a newspaper and complained that it made no sense to go to church every Sunday.. "I've gone for 30 years now," he wrote, "and in that time I have heard something like 3,000 sermons. But for the life of me, I can't remember a single one of them. So, I think I'm wasting my time and the pastors are wasting theirs by giving sermons at all."

This started a real controversy in the "Letters to the Editor" column,
much to the delight of the editor. It went on for weeks until someone wrote
this clincher:

"I've been married for 30 years now. In that time my wife has cooked
some 32,000 meals. But, for the life of me, I cannot recall the entire menu
for a single one of those meals But I do know this. They all nourished me
and gave me the strength I needed to do my work. If my wife had not given me
these meals, I would be physically dead today.

Genuine Humility

Here is a true story of an immigrant family on a ship from Europe to America: They were poor, so poor that they had to spend almost all of their money on the ticket. What they had left over for food was only enough to buy bread and cheese. All they ate were cheese sandwiches. The young boy, Hans, said to his father, "Dad, please, give me some money for an ice cream cone. I hate cheese sandwiches!" His father said, "Son, we are poor. Cheese sandwiches will keep you alive until we reach New York; the streets are made of gold, and we will eat whatever we want." Not satisfied, Hans continued to beg for money so his father gave him some change for an ice cream cone. The boy disappeared and didn't come back for two hours. When he did come back he sported a big fat tummy and a huge smile on his face. "Hans, did you get your ice cream cone?" "You bet, Dad. And then another one, then a steak, and then apple pie." "What? You bought all that with the money I gave you" "Oh no, Dad. It is free! It comes with the ticket!"

If we analyze this true story, we can reach various conclusions. Obviously, this immigrant family did not realize that the food comes with the ticket. Perhaps they were misinformed or they had trouble speaking the language. Were they quiet and shy, not wishing to mix with the other passengers? Whatever the case, they missed out on some great food! I believe that this is a story that many could relate to. Unfortunately, this is a story that is repeated many times over many individuals and families around us. It is just very sad to know that due to their ignorance and false humility that they almost missed the benefits that came with their tickets.

Remember that each and every human being has been given somewhat a ticket to live life to its fullest potential. While many may argue that not all of us were born into the same standard and status of life and they have used this excuse over and over to whine through life filled with despair and discouragement. Others simply have opted to be quiet and content when they can become courageous in seeking the better life. The statement, "Life is unfair!" has become a slogan of many to be bitter about life and others around them.

Indeed, life is unfair and never has become fair due to the human nature of selfishness, a by-product of sin. How did it start? No one can argue that God Himself provided the first couple, Adam and Eve a Garden called Eden. A little paradise! The only basic instruction was the prohibition to partake the fruit from the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil. Everything was theirs for their reach except for this one tree. But God never mentioned about a talking serpent that will tempt Eve. We all know what happened after the serpent's temptation: the fall of man and eviction from the Garden of Eden. Who was to blame?

From this episode of human history, we were made aware of our own demise. Even after being caught by God of their sin Adam and Eve never took the blame but pointed it at one another and Adam even blamed God. Knowing what I know about God that He is a gracious, forgiving God, if only these two have humbled when they were caught and admitted their sin, who knows what could have transpired next. Regrettably, they did not and this is the main reason we are in this situation. That is why until we put the blame squarely on our own doing, we will not learn that the basic rule of life is humility before God. There is no other way but up when you have stooped down touching the ground. Thus, the Scripture states in James 4:10, "Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up." (NIV)

What a promise to uphold in our daily life. Let God be God and see what He will do when we genuinely humble ourselves before Him.

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A.R.K. (Act of Random Kindness)

I have heard that this acronym stands for Acts of Random Kindness after watching the movie “Evan Almighty.” It was a simple revelation of a very old biblical story made relevant by a Hollywood movie. It is something that I have seen with a very significant value for myself. Although the real story of Noah’s ark is not about an act of random kindness but of judgment of humanity’s utter depravity of sin as described in Genesis 6: 5-8 “The Lord saw how great man's wickedness on the earth had become, and that every inclination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil all the time. 6 The Lord was grieved that he had made man on the earth, and his heart was filled with pain. 7 So the Lord said, "I will wipe mankind, whom I have created, from the face of the earth — men and animals, and creatures that move along the ground, and birds of the air — for I am grieved that I have made them." 8 But Noah found favor in the eyes of the Lord.” (NIV)

Keep in mind that Noah found grace with God and this was the reason why he was saved together with his family, all eight of them with his sons and daughter-in-laws. Bearing in mind that kindness is an act of grace. Being kind is to be gracious that extends beyond our capability and comfort. It is what Jesus mentioned as doing the extra mile for another person that asks.

Kindness is a character that God has when He sent His one and only Son Jesus to die for our sins. It was a deliberate act of selflessness towards those that are otherwise hostile. God’s kindness is evident as Jesus spoke of it that God gives rain to both believers and unbelievers alike. Isn’t this something to consider about God’s kindness?

One might say, “But He is God, that’s why He can do it!” This statement might be a true but we need to remember that we are also capable of kindness in having it also. Just notice how we take care of others  especially our own family and loved ones. We go the extra and many more miles to do what is necessary to provide them the best that we can above and beyond our ability. When it comes to our family’s concerns, it is not just acts of random kindness but intentional kindness because of love and care. Need I say more?

I found a story of a British statesman and financier Cecil Rhodes, whose fortune was used to endow the world-famous Rhodes Scholarships, was a stickler for correct dress--but apparently not at the expense of someone else's feelings. A young man invited to dine with Rhodes arrived by train and had to go directly to Rhodes's home in his travel-stained clothes. Once there he was appalled to find the other guests already assembled, wearing full evening dress. After what seemed a long time Rhodes appeared, in a shabby old blue suit. Later the young man learned that his host had been dressed in evening clothes, but put on the old suit when he heard of his young guest's dilemma.

It should not matter what status of life anyone has to show kindness to those in need as seen in the above example. A simple sensitivity to those in need will trigger this important character in all of us. Stirring it up is a must for everyone to make another person’s life wonderful. It has a mutual effect and it is a great feeling to have after each act.

How do we apply kindness on a regular basis and not just acts of random kindness? Let us follow the Scripture’s admonition clearly stated in Col 3:12 “Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.” (NIV) In doing so, the whole atmosphere of where you are and the person around you will change by a character already embedded within you as it is released naturally and supernaturally with God’s help. Therefore, never lose an opportunity to show God’s character in every moment possible for your family and strangers alike. Let others experience kindness as we received kindness from others as well!

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Judge Correctly

Author and Minister Terry Cole Whitaker told the following story from Dan Millman, which demonstrates that we cannot judge things as being good or bad because we do not have access to all the information. "One day a man bought a stallion, and all of his friends said, "That's good." The next day the stallion ran away, and all of his friends said, "That's bad." Two weeks later the stallion returned with a herd of mares. His friends said, "That's good." The next day his son broke his shoulders when the stallion threw him off. The friends said, "That's bad." The next month war broke out. Because the boy was injured, he could not go to war. The friends said, "That's good."

The story could go on and on with people judging events as being good or bad when actually all the events are connected and have an impact on each other. How are we to react to any events that come our way? Looking at two Scriptures, we will observe how objectively we must see things and learn to judge any events occurring from a biblical standpoint:

• Psalms 139:16, your eyes saw my unformed body. All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be. NIV
  
• Romans 8:28, And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. NIV
  

With this perspective fully understood, we can then begin to allow a relaxed atmosphere to settle in our life. The key reason why stress is prevalent among many is due to an immediate reaction unnecessarily that leads to panic. Life always throws a curve ball and never a straight arrow. When we analyze the whole process of decision making and judgment of situations we are currently involved in, it is most likely that we tried very hard to assess the next course of action. Sad to say, but the expected result yields a different fruit.

There are three things that must be learned if you desire for God to be involved in every situation of your life i.e., His Word, His Way and His Will. I call this the three W's of Christian life. By familiarizing yourself with God's pattern set in the Scriptures, you will begin to discover your own situation and realize that God does not change His style in dealing with humanity as a whole. He has a set pattern but the most profound is this: He has a plan for you! Jeremiah 29:11 states, "For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." (NIV)

It is of great comfort to know that the Creator God has a very special concern for every individual person in this planet. If you have watched Bruce Almighty, there was a scene where Bruce received the power to deal with people as he saw fit and one of those was answering prayers. He heard a lot of voices and tried very hard to develop a system to handle them but failed. Until he just decided to answer them all for them to stop. It was funny but I've realized how God is able to hear more than 6 billion in this planet with their prayers and answer them as see fit in accordance with His 3 W's.

He is the only one that could judge what is good, seems better and the best in our lives. Though bad things occur as we judge from our perspective is allowed but under God's wisdom, it is providential for the person's benefit. For people that trust God, we just need to allow Him full access to let His will be done and not our will. Remember that when we are at the end of our rope, God is always there. His enduring promise that we need to fall back when times are tough is this: "Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, "Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you." (Hebrews 13:5, NIV)

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