The Art of the Cope

Faith? Trust? What do these words really mean? Are they just words to say to yourself when you get down? Or is there a way to physically perform each of these actions? I believe the latter. What do these words mean to me? These words mean trusting in God and realizing that the short-term coping measures this world offers are just that, short-term.

Now don’t get me wrong; coping is a way of life. However, there is a distinct difference between healthy and unhealthy coping. I’ll be straight up-front and let everyone know unhealthy coping is far easier and quicker to relive the pain. And in our “instant gratification” society, short-term coping is the perfect fit. However, it is again, short-term, and soon enough we’re bound to find ourselves going back to the unhealthy coping trigger again and again, broken and longing for more. How do I know? Because I’ve been there.

Know this though; my prayer is our unhealthy coping will find an end. Whether it is the day we finally face the consequences for our actions or the day we finally get sick of the proverbial cycle, there is hope. How you may ask? Jesus. Jesus Christ and the accountability of your brothers and sisters in Christ. We are needy people, made for relationship. Ironically, the only way to break out of our personal cycle is through someone else.

Blood of the Lamb

Have you ever had one of those days where you felt you didn’t do anything right? A day where you just woke up and knew this day wasn’t going to be a good one; a day where you knew you were going to deliberately turn you back on God’s’ desires? The fact is, by the end of that day, we’re left empty and realizing why we don’t want to be that person of the world who focuses only on themselves. “Hallelujah, for the blood of the lamb that was slain”. You gave it all Jesus. You didn’t take one day and decide that you were going to turn your back on us as sinners. But the thing is, even through your perfection and our imperfection, you still love us. You still love us God, for some wild reason beyond our simplistic comprehension. And for that, we praise you and we love you.

“Well, I'm falling to my knees. I feel the earth beneath,
With the weight of my sin, and this crushing unbelief,
Could You really love me with all that I've done, oh Lord?
Hallelujah for the blood of the Lamb that was slain.”

We love you God.

Words For 2011

Our youth group on Wednesday was challenged to spend time in reflection; reflection towards the blessings of 2010 and our prayers for 2011. This time allowed us to take a purposeful amount of time to consider all God had done for us along with our worries and fears about the upcoming year. I challenge everyone to take a bit of time, whether it is 5, 10, or even 60 minutes to reflect on God’s glory this past year. You may be very well surprised at the blessings you recall and experience once again!

After that, I challenge you to reflect on this upcoming year. I decided to take it a bit further and considered the words that I hoped would define my life for 2011. They are fasting, vulnerability, and accountability.

I’d like to reflect on each element/word in the upcoming days, however, I challenge you to prayerfully consider the words that you want to define your life in 2011. Write them down, repeat them every day, and most importantly, challenge your thoughts and actions by them each and every day in 2011. May God bless our lives together, as we follow in obedience.

We love you God.

Borderland of Fear

We're stuck in fear. We're stuck in the borderland before God because of our fear. We're fearful to move closer to God so we use excuses; excuses like we need more time, more money, more confidence. We're broken and free to admit it, but we use it as a crutch, as an excuse.

I’ve felt extremely blessed within the last few years. I started to get my life straightened out and made goals while realizing my desires for this life. The problem is God has opened doors, but I don’t want to move. I may never get a new job or move locations or get married because of fear. If this sounds similar to your own life, you may be telling yourself, “Oh, just give me another year or two, then I’ll be ready.” But seriously, in another year or two, where are we going to be at? My guess is down in the dumps, burned out that God hasn’t shown us where to go. On the contrary, however, God has neon lights blasting everywhere, reminding how much He loves us and how much He wants us to go after the desires of our hearts. But we can’t see the lights. The light are covered; covered in the muskiness of fear.

God, help us to wipe away the muskiness of fear that’s clouding the vision you are trying to show us. We know You’re there. Remind us again and again how You want to bless us, how You’ll never leave us or forsake us, and how You want us to go after the desires of our hearts. Because, let’s be honest, if our hearts are in You, our desires will be blessed. Help us to remember You will always keep blessing us whether it's plan A, plan B, or plan Z. You are there and all we need to do is trust, trust that You will bless us no matter the door we choose. You’re bigger than us and our choices and for that, we thank you.

We love you God.