Encourage the Embracing of Gods Grace God encourages us to cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you (1 Peter 5:7). We help people respond to lifes trials by helping them gain abiding faith in God and encouraging them to turn to the God who loves and cares for them. • In times of despair, ask God to give hope. • In times of darkness, ask God to pierce that darkness with light. • In times of weakness and fear, ask God for enough courage to take the next step. • In times of confusion, ask God for clarity of mind. • In times of pain and torment, ask God for peace. Chains or Change: Encourage People to Respond Positively Rather than be intimidated by change, we can adapt and change. In Thailand, when an elephant is captured, an iron band connected to a heavy chain is placed around the elephants foot. The other end of the chain is secured to a large tree. At first, the elephant lifts its leg and pulls, trying with all its strength to break the chain or uproot the tree, but nothing happens. An elephant will try this day after day until it finally gives up. After this, whenever the powerful animal lifts its leg and feels even slight tension, it drops its foot back to the ground in complete submission. Its then easy to control the giant animal. The elephant is taken out to work and is chained only to a small stake. With minimal effort, the elephant could easily pull out the stake and run free. But the elephant is trapped because it believes it can never break free. The creature is imprisoned simply because it perceives freedom to be impossible. We can’t allow ourselves to be paralyzed by change. We can choose to conquer events rather than to be conquered by them. We must all care for one another, when someone says or does something that causes you to think they might harm themselves or others then we need at the minimum seek the help of appropriate authority… When someone talks of self harm or imminent harm to others When someone takes significant steps in carrying out a threat of harm to themselves or others When someone becomes despondent are euphoric When someone starts to give away things of great value Any sudden and drastic change in behavior Appropriate Scriptures for this battle… • When feeling weak: I will say of the lord, He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust. He will cover you with his feathers, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart (Psalm 91:2,4). • When feeling insecure: When I said, My foot is slipping, your love, O lord, supported me. When anxiety was great within me, your consolation brought joy to my soul (Psalm 94:18-19). • When feeling vulnerable: The lord is good, a refuge in times of trouble. He cares for those who trust in him (Nahum 1:7). • When in need of courage: Because the Sovereign lord helps me, I will not be disgraced. Therefore have I set my face like flint, and I know I will not be put to shame (Isaiah 50:7). • When anxious: Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in [Jesus] (John 14:1). • When feeling frightened: God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea (Psalm 46:1-2). • When in need of assurance: 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 (Jeremiah 29:11). • To increase self-confidence and faith: I can do everything through him who gives me strength (Philippians 4:13). • To recall Gods great love: Though the mountains be shaken and the hills be removed, yet my unfailing love for you will not be shaken nor my covenant of peace be removed, says the lord, who has compassion on you (Isaiah 54:10). • To be reminded of Gods faithfulness in all of lifes journeys: Because of the lords great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness (Lamentations 3:22-23). • To remember to live one day at a time, trusting God for future needs: Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own (Matthew 6:34). • For quiet trust and confidence in God: Have no fear of sudden disaster or of the ruin that overtakes the wicked, for the lord will be your confidence and will keep your foot from being snared (Proverbs 3:25-26). Stronger by weakness, wiser, men become As they draw near to their eternal home.“ Edmund Waller, On the Divine Poems Let us embrace change in our lives and rely on God to do “HIS good and perfect” will in our lives. Then we can truly “Go ye therefore…” making disciples of all nations and leading them to salvation and growth in Christ Jesus, Our Lord…
Posted on: Thu, 24 Jul 2014 09:21:38 +0000
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