Moving Into a New Year

The prognosticators in our culture normally line up in the late Fall of the year to tell people what they think is going to happen in the coming year. These individuals are very free with their opinions, and they think their conclusions are valid as far as their research has led them to believe. It appears that there is nothing about which some social soothsayer has issued as a prediction. Is there hope for our shaky world’s economy? Relax. The Wall Street Journal (12-08-21) issued their prediction, “Expect to see easing inflation alongside somewhat slow growth in gross domestic product.” Then they clarified, “These forecasts were provided before the Omicron variant was discovered in late November, which stirred up volatility across global markets.” Opps! Will the scourge of the Covid-19 virus be conquered this year? Assurances from The Economist announced their prediction that, “Covid-19 is likely to fade away in 2022” (11-8-21). Then came the Omicron variant. Opps!  

     Prognosticators unleash opinions on other issues like political parties successes or failures, prospects of military conflict, projected ecological catastrophes, and the potential collapse of the United States as a world power.  If you can think of an issue that might occur in 2022, you might find some individual or group that will be giving their prediction. Then again, there are the outliers that look at all these predictions and suggest as Jennifer Rubin does in an opinion piece in the Washington Post, “Put away the crystal balls. 2022 is a big question mark.”

     Perhaps it is human nature to want to know about the details of the future and if possible, to seek to control the upcoming realities. It is as if we want insider information on life so that we can manipulate the outcomes of our existence. James in his epistle warns people of the folly of thinking they have the future figured out and can therefore control it. He reminds his readers and us, “Look here, you who say, ‘Today or tomorrow we are going to a certain town and will stay there a year. We will do business there and make a profit.’ How do you know what your life will be like tomorrow?” (James 4:13-14 NLT). James suggests a better approach. “What you ought to say is, ‘If the Lord wants us to, we will live and do this or that.’ Otherwise, you are boasting about your own pretentious plans, and all such boasting is evil” (4:15-16). Does the Bible suggest we should not plan? No. It teaches us to allow our plans to be submissive to God plans and purposes and to hold our plans in our hands rather loosely. How often does one become embittered when their outcomes are not fulfilled, even refusing to alter one’s course out of sheer stubbornness? No wonder there is not only tension with a sovereign God but also in relationships with people with whom we must relate.

     One who was considered the wisest of all men, King Solomon, wrote, “Many are the plans in a person’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails” (Proverbs 19:21). Tragically later in Solomon’s life he refused to submit to God’s purposes, and was ruled by the plans, passions, and pursuits of his own design. His life is summarized in 1 Kings and reveals his tragic failure. “In Solomon’s old age, [his many wives and concubines] turned his heart to worship other gods instead of being completely faithful to the Lord his God… The Lord was very angry with Solomon, for his heart had turned away from the Lord, the God of Israel, who had appeared to him twice. He had warned Solomon specifically about worshiping other gods, but Solomon did not listen to the Lord’s command” (11:4, 9-10). God had forecasted the future Solomon could have had, but he refused to release control of his life to God and held tightly to his plans for his life. When our plans collide with God’s – things do not come out well for us. Solomon knew this and yet tried to have his plans prevail over God’s.

     So how do we walk into 2022? Are we doomed to fatalistic uncertainty? Perhaps it would be better to look at certainties we can embrace and set aside crystal balls of humanities’ best guesses. A better alternative is to hold on to the assurances God’s Word gives us. First, God loves us (John 3:16). Second, God is powerful (Romans 8:35-39). Third, God is faithful (Lamentations 3:22-23). Fourth, God is merciful and gracious (Ephesians 2:4-5). These assurances are the things we need as we walk into the uncertain would of 2022.

     Has there ever been a person who lived like this? The biblical record reveals such a man named Abraham. “It was by faith that Abraham obeyed when God called him to leave home and go to another land that God would give him as his inheritance. He went without knowing where he was going” (Hebrews 11:8 NLT). Abraham was walking not just into a new year but into a new life. The key ingredient was to trust the one who was leading him into the unknown. That is the best advice we can follow as we head into a new year. May you have a wonderful new year filled with faith and not fear-filled uncertainty!  

Thanksgiving Attitude Change

The supply chain has become the Grinch that stole Christmas, if you believe the marketing moguls of our consumeristic infused culture. Mass media has issued warnings that Christmas is all but ruined as our expectations and desires are captured in shipping containers at seaports along our nation’s coastlines or in the trailers of eighteen wheelers motoring down our nation’s highways. Media like the New York Times issued the warning, “Those Gifts You Want for the Holidays? Don’t Wait Too Long.” Another piece boldly announces, “Christmas 2021 is already ruined.” The author suggests five possible factors contributing to this “holiday hysteria” surrounding people’s lives (msn.com/en-us/news) including supply-chain problems, President Biden, vaccine mandates, Dr. Anthony Fauci, and climate change. Perhaps you would declare other candidates! Incidentally, if these things could ruin your Christmas, then perhaps it is time to develop a better perspective about this holiday.

Perspectives impact the way one views and responds to life. On November 3, 1992, I left the USA for Zaporozhe, Ukraine, via Moscow and Kiev. That day somewhere over the Atlantic Ocean President Bill Clinton of Arkansas defeated incumbent President George H. W. Bush. My traveling partner and I had voted, boarded our flight, and left behind us our very divided, grumbling nation. We landed to discover we had a new president back home.  In Moscow we encountered the vestiges of the USSR and a people that had a multitude of legitimate gripes. The situation in this shattered region after the dissolution of the USSR on December 8, 1991, was even more chaotic politically, socially, and economically than we could have imagined. Additionally, Ukraine had also become an independent state at this time. We were traveling to a Baptist church in Zaporozhe, Ukraine, with whom we had developed a sister church relationship earlier in 1991. When our church became aware of the desperate conditions in our sister church and their city, tractor trailers of humanitarian aid was gathered and shipped from our church to provide for some of their basic human necessities. Our two 12-hour train trips from Moscow and Kiev began the process of perspective adjustment as we saw firsthand the collapse of a nation and the chaos that ensued.

Issues we had thought so horrible in the USA began to pale in comparison to what we saw and experienced. A socialistic communistic empire was in ruins. Much of the infrastructure was broken. Rolling blackouts were the norm in the city of Moscow. Transportation was both obsolete and inadequate. People were selling their personal possessions on the street corners hoping to acquire a few rubles or to barter for necessities. Conditions were worse as we went further east. In newly established Ukraine the chaos was amplified. In Zaporozhe, Ukraine, the shortages were extreme as food, fuel, and medicine were in short supply. Bartering was the norm as currency was all but worthless. One evening I walked in the darkened city where streetlights were inoperable. Our only illumination were the trash fires around which people huddled begging for their survival. Tears came to my eyes. I began to process the ingratitude lodged in my heart that had numbed me to the needs of this corner of the world once viewed by me as the evil empire. Blessed by God beyond measure back home, yet I grumbled about politics, complained about the cost of things, and moaned and lusted over possessions I craved. Perspective was adjusted in those moments as tears and melted snow ran down my face and my heart was convicted of my ungrateful spirit. A new attitude prodded me to do more to actively address the inhumanity I saw in the world.

I returned to the USA just a few days before Thanksgiving. I worshiped freely on Thanksgiving Eve with fellow Christians. This privilege of gathering had been restricted for seventy years in the former USSR. The Ukrainians cherished and enjoyed the privilege they now had to worship. On Thanksgiving Day, I sat in a warm house. I feasted at a banquet-like table laden with an abundance of foods that would literally take days to eat – and likely the leftovers would become a source of grumbling days later. In Ukraine people may have some thin borsch soup and plain dark bread if they were fortunate. My perspective again was altered. My thanks was now heart-felt and not programed gratitude. My eyes saw beyond my immediate world, and I recalled the world of others. My perspective was being translated into action. Genuine empathy is only productive when that emotion is transformed into action. In the Bible the Apostle John summarizes that thought this way, “This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers and sisters. If anyone has material possessions and sees a brother or sister in need but has no pity on them, how can the love of God be in that person? Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth” (1 John 3:16-18).

I had an attitude adjustment that November 1992. Do I need another one? It does not require a trip to some needy area of the world. It requires a heart adjusted to see the needs of the world, both in this nation and the nations around us. This Thanksgiving may we take time to consider the many needs of others and reach out to meet them.

Have a wonderful Thanksgiving filled with genuine gratitude and generosity toward others.     

Is it All TikTok’s Fault?

TikTok has become Mischief Night on steroids. For those of another era, you may recall in your fuzzy past that the night before Halloween was designated in many regions as Mischief Night. It was a night of pranks, tricks, and assorted acts of mischief carried out in local neighborhoods. Depending on the geographic regions where one lived according to Wikipedia the night carried other names like "Devil's Night", "Goosey Night", "Moving Night", and “Cabbage Night”, among others. As time went on the pranks degenerated into major violence and vandalism. The night has become a nightmare for cities like Detroit and New Orleans where arson and vandalism have required a major police presence and often prove dangerous to innocent bystanders with damage and loss of property.

     Now technology has provided a means for Mischief Night to exist throughout the year. A person can take a challenge, video it, post it, and possibly implant an idea in gullible minds where a destructive or dangerous challenge can be replicated. Some deludedly may think, “Who needs to pull a prank on the night before Halloween? We can do it now anytime and even get a following!” Most recently schools have been the target of mischievous pranks and vandalism associated with TikTok without consideration of the price to the prankster or the public. Police recently arrested four persons in connection with vandalism causing more than $10,000 damage to Littlestown Area School District school buses. Officials believe this was tied to a challenge on the TikTok social media application in which participants are dared to damage school property and then post it (Charles Thompson @pennlive.com 10.07.21). Certainly, social media can be used for good but also for evil. The medium itself is neutral until it is used by an individual to accomplish a specific purpose – good or evil.

     The problem is so prevalent with this social media format that Connecticut’s Attorney General, William Tong, posted on Twitter that TikTok Inc. Chief Executive, Chew Shou Zi, should visit Connecticut. He wrote, “I respectfully request that you come to Connecticut to meet parents, educators and myself to hear firsthand the impact your business has had on our communities, and to share with us what more you will do to protect our youth” (Bloomberg News 10.04.21). Indeed, there is a problem, but it goes beyond technology and social media.

     The root problem is a heart issue not a technology issue. The Prophet Jeremiah describes the people of his day this way, “Judah’s sin is engraved with an iron tool, inscribed with a flint point, on the tablets of their hearts” (17:1). The Lord adds the result, “The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure.

Who can understand it? I the Lord search the heart and examine the mind, to reward each person according to their conduct, according to what their deeds deserve” (17:9-10). What is the result of a deceitful heart? Jesus says it succinctly, “But the things that come out of a person’s mouth come from the heart, and these defile them. For out of the heart come evil thoughts—murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false testimony, slander. These are what defile a person” (Matthew 15:18-20). TikTok does not dream up one’s mischief. A deceitful heart dreams them up and the social media simply displays that which has been concocted in that evil heart.

     C. S. Lewis in his book The Problem of Pain observes, “A recovery of the old sense of sin is essential to Christianity. Christ takes it for granted that men are bad. Until we really feel this assumption of His to be true, though, we are part of the world He came to save.” Too often people like to blame our thoughts and conduct on things other than ourselves. On occasion we look at an evil act we produce as a mystery saying, “Where did that come from?” The honest answer is that the evil act came from an evil heart. The reality is that our deeds simply display who we are. Our deeds do not make us who we are.

     Is there any hope for a person who has a deceitful heart? King David wrote Psalm 51 after he was confronted about the sin of his deceitful heart that bred adultery, murder, and deception. He saw the way of recovery in a restored relationship with God. He wrote, “Have mercy on me, O God, according to your unfailing love; according to your great compassion blot out my transgressions. Wash away all my iniquity and cleanse me from my sin. For I know my transgressions, and my sin is always before me. Cleanse me with hyssop, and I will be clean; wash me, and I will be whiter than snow. Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me” (51:1-3,7,10). He trusted God to restore his evil heart.

     Don’t blame TikTok for who we are. Take responsibility for who you are and let God change you.

Careful with Criticism

Criticism is so rampant in our culture that the accumulated editorial pages of newspapers, posts on blogs or Facebook, exposés published in new books, personal gossip and gripe sessions cannot contain them all. We are a culture characterized by criticism. It is destroying relationships, paralyzing productive discussions, and dividing social institutions necessary in a civilized society. Almost anything that can be imagined is subject to scathing criticism and far from being judged as constructive. Perhaps criticism is the fallout of living in this stress filled culture. Tyler Edwards observes, “There’s something about complaining that makes us feel better. We are kind of like teapots, releasing our stream of complaints to help us deal with the pressure and frustration of everyday life.” Indeed, most criticism indicates we are just letting off steam.

     Channing Pollock observes, “A critic is a legless man who teaches running.” The critic shouts at a wrong but does nothing to correct it. They scrutinize others only to discover a misstep which they can spotlight. Theodore Roosevelt wisely concluded, “It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbled or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena; whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs, and comes short again and again, because there is no effort without error and shortcoming; who does actually try to do the deed…who, at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly.” Critics are great flaw finders but often not as capable in engaging in productive solutions to rectify a problem. 

     An unknown sage concludes, “Criticism is the disapproval of people, not for having faults, but having faults different from your own.”  The greatest common denominator of humanity is the fact that we are all flawed and prone to fail at times. Could it be that humans chose to zero in on other’s failures to deflect the imperfections in their own lives?

     One must not become preoccupied and destroyed by criticism from others. “Don’t be distracted by criticism,” challenges Zig Zigler. “Remember, the only taste of success some people have is when they take a bite out of you.” The only critic to pay attention to is the one who observes a legitimate problem and offers constructive solutions to address the situation. Such a critic offers perspective. Abraham Lincoln wisely adds, “He has a right to criticize who has a heart to help.”

     There are many biblical characters who had to endure caustic critics. Moses marched through the wilderness for 40 years leading a nation of critics. They so discouraged him that at one point he told the Lord “these critics are killing me” (Numbers 11:11-15). Nehemiah was engaged in an assignment from the Lord that no one else was willing to address – rebuild the destroyed walls of Jerusalem. He was surrounded by cultural critics disparaging his efforts (Nehemiah 2:10, 19-20). He stayed focused and responded, “the God of heaven will help us succeed. We his servants will start rebuilding this wall.” The best way to answer the criticism of sidewalk supervisors is to stay at the task God has given you to do.

     The New Testament leaders had their share of critics too. The apostles of the early church were criticized in the way they were feeding the needy, possibly insinuating the apostles may be prejudice. The apostles wisely considered the criticism and devised an alternative plan. It is interesting that the critics saw a problem but did not offer to lift a finger to address it (Acts 6:1-7). Paul was criticized because he was not the greatest orator. Yet he was willing to preach the good news with boldness and even suffer for doing so. Meanwhile others were content to be speech critics (2 Corinthians 11). Too often such critics only discourage. Mark Twain warns critics, “If you have no will to change it, you have no right to criticize it.” One must be careful to not give too much attention to critics. Learn from the experience but stay on the course you believe you have been assigned.

     Is there a place for constructive criticism? Certainly. However, let that be like the criticism Frank A. Clark describes. “Criticism, like rain, should be gentle enough to nourish a man’s growth without destroying his roots.” If you have received criticism lately, be careful how you view it. Winston Churchill, who frequently dealt with critics said, “Criticism may not be agreeable, but it is necessary. It fulfills the same function as pain in the human body. It calls attention to an unhealthy state of things.”

     The general principle to guide our criticism could be, “Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear” (Galatians 4:29). Perhaps we should ask, “What I am about to say, post, or write – does it seek to build up or break down?” Would there be less criticism if this Scripture were considered before we speak?

The Race of Your Life

If you pass by athletic fields in the early morning of a hot and humid August day, you may hear a shrill whistle, sergeant-like instructions being barked, and grunts of agony from athletes doing sprints. Welcome to the dreaded preseason conditioning drills!

     Walking past a stadium early one morning last week I observed such a spectacle. My memory immediately flashed back to former days when conditioning was a possibility. Now to attempt such a feat would require a well-stocked emergency vehicle and lots of oxygen! As I watched the athletes go through their paces in the early morning mist, I seemed to be breathing faster, sweating more, craving water, and feeling my muscles cramp. Not all the memories of sport’s competition are pleasant!

     Why do these athletes voluntarily sign-up for such rigorous activities when they could join their contemporaries still lying in bed, dreaming about their morning Starbucks cappuccino, and looking forward to a relaxing day doing whatever they wanted? Why indeed? Very likely they are looking beyond the rigors of conditioning and anticipating the future days of competition in the sport they love. It is a dream of the future that propels them to endure the rigors of the present discomfort. I remember one coach telling a team, “You are not suffering for nothing. There is a game ahead that demands this preparation!” I also remember that I needed more than a pep talk on those August mornings – I needed water! The projection of the future did not diminish my present agonies.

     Much of life can be like this. Do you remember the pep talk from your mom, “Eat the broccoli; it will give you strong bones.” I would have loved to have been able to say to Mom, “George H. W. Bush never liked broccoli and still became the 41^st president of the United States. It didn’t look like he had bone problems either!” Or how about Dad’s, “The parttime job you have now will build character and will also look good on a future resume.” Do you really think skillful scooping skills at the ice cream shop will impress a patient that is about to have brain surgery at your hands? Or how about when your Algebra II teacher says, “Getting these principles down now will help you when you get into advanced math.” Seriously, did she consider my grades in Math? How likely was I to ever crack open a Math-related book after I finish this required course? You have the picture, don’t you? Granted, all life experience has some value. However, sometimes the prospects simply don’t placate the pain of present realities.

     The Apostle Paul frequently used sports analogies (at least 12 times) when he spoke about spiritual matters. One such passage is found in 1 Corinthians 9:24-27. Here he speaks about future success that requires present investments. He states that an athlete competes to win a prize. He also indicates that such a desire requires preparation now for future accomplishments. There are at least five requirements he mentions. The person must be motivated – “run all.” So much in life can be lost because we do not follow-through on our initial desire and quit. He also highlights that a person must be engaged – “run in such a way that you may obtain it.” Effort in life propels a person past dreams and into reality. Recently many Olympic athletes have talked about the sacrifices they have made not just to be in the games but to win. They wanted to do more than participate. They were there for the gold.

     Paul adds that a key requirement in successful competition is to do so unhindered – “he is temperate (self-controlled) in all things.” This carries the idea of a willingness to put off anything that could hurt the chance of success – even if that thing is a strong desire. How many wrestlers forego the Thanksgiving gorge-fest so they can make weight as the season starts in a few days? Another requirement is to be focused – “run not with uncertainty… beating the air.” During a season an athlete can easily get sidetracked from their goal if they are not careful. How many athletes allow trash talk from an opponent to get into their heads and become an annoying distraction? Paul lastly talks about being disciplined – “I discipline my body and bring it into subjection.” This carries the ideas of enduring hardships and annoyances even in our physical life so that one does not become disqualified in the athletic competition they seek to win. How tragic it is to hear of a Olympic competitor who is forced to drop out of their sport due to a failure to adhere to the rules.  

     It is true that life is bigger than athletic accomplishments. But there are some lessons we can learn from the athletic competition that can caution us in our daily lives. So how is your preparation for the race of your life? You may want to consider the advice the Apostle Paul shares.

Fractured Forgiveness

Have you ever suffered a painful and unjust experience at the hand of another that causes you sorrow, anger, resentment, and other emotional responses? Perhaps we all have and feel that those responses are justified considering the impact the event has had in our lives. It is possible we have uttered statements like, “I can never forgive them.” Or if we are feeling somewhat magnanimous, we might say, “I will forgive them, but I will never forget what they have done to me.” Perhaps when those statements are challenged by someone, we may justify ourselves by saying, “What do you expect? I’m only human!”

     Sadly, the world around us seems to prize resentment and nods approval when we harbor fractured forgiveness. Years ago, I was attacked and stabbed in the back during the racial tensions of 1967. At the time, I was doing a good thing as I escorted three coeds back to a college campus. I did nothing to insight or merit the attack. The comments screamed at me clearly reflected racial prejudice. It was a near death experience that left me not only wounded physically but traumatized emotionally – a trauma that lasted for years and even has some laten impacts now decades later. Well-meaning friends affirmed my emotional responses where I clearly was not only resentful but developed a hate-filled attitude toward those who had attacked me. I said the appropriate words, “I forgive them.” Deeply embedded in my heart however was a seed of hatred that I watered at times with resentment, anger, and wishing I could somehow get back at those who had wronged me. The events of that October night replayed over and over in my mind as I rehearsed the attack and imagined a different outcome. I wanted the offenders to pay a price for my pain that I remembered, embraced, and nurtured over the years. I was not healing; I was harboring what I needed to let go.

     While I practiced fractured forgiveness that damaged me, those who caused my pain where not impacted. I had, as Chuck Swindoll observed, “erected a monument of spite” in my mind. That monument only stoked resentment and acted as an anchor that kept my emotions submerged in a dark place where the light of healthy forgiveness was unable to shine. God graciously caused me to realize decades later the folly of that fractured forgiveness. One night after a reoccurring nightmare again woke me with a racing heart and cold sweats, I began walking the floor of our darkened house and cried out to God for release. In that darkness a rush of clarity brought the words of Scripture to mind, “Forgive as the Lord forgave you” (Colossians 3:13). I then asked myself a question, “How has the Lord forgiven me?” To that question another verse came to mind that recorded the words of Jesus as he hung on the cross, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing” (Luke 23:34). If I was to be healed from fractured forgiveness, I needed to forgive like Jesus. A commentator reminds me that on the cross “the silence is broken, not by the cry of anguish or sigh of passionate complaint, but by words of tenderest pity and intercession” (Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers). Jesus chose not to focus upon the pain and injustice he was enduring. He focused his love on the ones who inflicted the offenses. My prayer for release and emotional healing began that night.

     There have been many other times I have been metaphorically “stabbed in the back.” Now my response is not to “erect a monument of spite” toward the offender. I desire to manifest the words of One who forgiveness perfectly, “Father forgive them.” I do not develop some mental amnesia that ignores, denies, or casually dismisses a hurtful event. I aim to nurture a proper attitude that promotes emotional healing for me in the hard times. In doing so, hopefully, this creates an environment where one who is an adversary can be transformed by a loving response. 

     I am reminded of the words of Amy Carmichael, “If I say, ‘Yes, I forgive, but cannot forget,’ as though the God, who twice a day washes all the sands on the shores of all the world, could not wash such memories from my mind, then I know nothing of Calvary love.” Forgiveness must not just be approached naturally; it must be approached supernaturally. We must not harbor hurt and hatred. We must be healed and restored by the gracious work of God in our lives.        

      

Society in Stress

The American culture seems to be one that is stressed by trying to cope with stress. Some might conclude that the Covid crisis has created the stressed state in which our nation writhes. Perhaps it would be better to conclude that the crisis has simply revealed the stress in which our culture already existed. Our world has faced pandemics before but the response from the historical records indicates perhaps that the reaction was a bit different than that of our present day. Maybe their coping reservoir was fuller because the stresses of everyday life were addressed differently and they had not depleted their coping reserves.

     What is stress anyway? Henry Warren provides a simple definition saying, “Stress can be defined as events or situations that put pressure on you – and your reaction to being placed under that pressure” Richard S. Lazarus adds this helpful insight, “Stress is a condition or feeling experienced when a person perceives that ‘demands exceed the personal and social resources the individual is able to mobilize.’ In less formal terms, we feel stressed when we feel that ‘things are out of control’” (Mind Tools). The symptoms of stress are numerous including insomnia, drowsiness, anxiety, depression, anger, indecisiveness, inability to focus, sense of gloom and worry. Stress levels are often measured using observing physical symptoms or measuring the number of “stressors” that surround our lives. There are a plethora of testing tools (like the Holmes and Rahe Stress Scale) that help people assess how stressed they may be. Most individuals, however, do not need a tool to tell them they are stressed – they already know they are and just want it to go away.  

     Many resources suggest coping techniques or medications that are available to address stress. People, it appears prefer not to cope with stress; they just want it to go away. Thus, they lean toward a quick fix if they can find it. In fact, Market Watch (05.26.20) reported that as the Covid pandemic unfolded, anti-anxiety medication prescriptions spiked 34%.  Express Scripts analyzed prescription claims and concluded, “This analysis, showing that many Americans are turning to medications for relief, demonstrates the serious impact COVID-19 may be having on our nation’s mental health.” Stress clearly has serious impacts and consequences in our culture.

     Stress is not new, and it is a burden we would rather not endure. We see people coping with stress in biblical times. The Apostle Paul writing to the church of Corinth describes the stress he felt at the time, “For we do not want you to be unaware, brothers, of the affliction we experienced in Asia. For we were so utterly burdened beyond our strength that we despaired of life itself” (2 Corinthians 1:8). The word “affliction” as one linguist notes means “pressure (what constricts or rubs together), used of a narrow place that ‘hems someone in’; tribulation, especially internal pressure that causes someone to feel confined (restricted, ‘without options’) (source - HELPS Word-studies). What a good description of stress! This word describes how many feel in our society.

     What caused Paul’s stress? Perhaps physical hardships (2 Cor. 11:23-27), emotional pressures (11:28), fleshly maladies (12:7), or spiritual discouragements weighed heavily on his life. Whatever it was, he was afflicted, stressed, pressured, and at the end of his rope. It was then he discovered a supernatural resource that carried him through this time. He focused not upon his stresses, but upon his Savior who showed up as his Deliverer – “He has delivered us… he will deliver us again. On him we have set our hope that he will continue to deliver us” (1:10). He also discovered that God was his Comforter – “God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God” (1:3-4). How did Paul cope with His stress? He did so by looking at his God who delivers and comforts.

     Paul admitted he may have felt alone in his stresses, but he also acknowledged that not only was God his supernatural resource, but he also had flesh and blood friends praying for him. Paul acknowledged, “And you are helping us by praying for us. Then many people will give thanks because God has graciously answered so many prayers for our safety” (1:11). How encouraging in the times of our stress to hear the encouraging words, “I am praying for you.” Many have been energized in the stresses of life with those five words. Be reminded as we pray for the stressed out as Max Lucado writes, “Our prayers may be awkward. Our attempts may be feeble. But since the power of prayer is in the one who hears it and not in the one who says it, our prayers do make a difference.”

     In a society of stress, be encouraged in the stresses of life. Paul wrote, “We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed” (4:8-9). J. B. Phillips paraphrased it this way “we may be knocked down but we are never knocked out.” Stressed? We probably all are at some level. It is in these times as Corrie Ten Boom says, “Never be afraid to trust an unknown future to a known God.” The God we know is aware of our stresses, and more than that, can do something about it!

Let It Go

It is dangerous to hold on to some things. There is a story told by Pastor Chuck Swindoll about a mother with a large family who was surprised when she returned home from visiting a friend. The house seemed unusually and suspiciously quiet as she entered the front door. She saw her children huddled in a circle on their hands and knees in the living room. She came closer and looked to see what was holding them in rapt attention. She was shocked. In the middle of the circle of her children were five baby skunks!

She screamed to the children, “Quick children… run!” The children immediately reacted, grabbed a skunk, and ran! That was not the response she had in mind!

How often do we react in a similar fashion to somethings in our lives? Our response is just as inappropriate as the children’s. We hold onto something that could be dangerous or disgusting for us carrying the potential disaster with us. We do so unaware of the possible consequences of foolishly clutching onto something that we think we need or is harmless.

Frequently God urgently calls out to us in our foolishness and issues a warning through a variety of sources – His Word, wise friends, godly counsel, our sensitized conscious, etc. – and we respond in an inappropriate way and hold on to what God wants us to avoid. As a result, we do not avoid the disaster, we carry it with us.

David gives us a vivid example as he tires of being on the run from his arch nemesis, King Saul. This same David had faced a giant, Goliath, earlier with confidence that the Lord could handle an enemy. He responds to Goliath’s treats by saying, “I come to you in the name of the Lord… This day the Lord shall deliver you into my hand” (1 Samuel 17:45-46). He ran forward and defeated a mighty confident foe (17:48-50). Years later after constant attack by a lesser foe, Saul, he holds onto the “skunk” of fear and said in his heart, “I shall perish someday by the hand of Saul. There is nothing better that I should speedily escape to the land of the Philistines” (27:1). As a result, he aligns with the enemy of his nation, engages in deception (27:10-12), and destroys his reputation. He held onto the “skunk” of fear when he should have let it go.

Think about David later as he held onto the “skunk” of lust. David had been made king of Israel and successfully led his nation in conquest of the nation’s enemies. It is then we see the danger of not letting a appealing “skunk” go. David is at a time when he could sit back and enjoy his successes. Tragically he is confronted by the lust of desire for another man’s wife, Bathsheba (2 Samuel 11). Ignoring God’s commands, he does not leave the temptation. He brings it with him and places it into his heart and life. He takes Bathsheba, commits adultery, engages in deception, and arranges for her husband’s murder. He just would not let it go and the consequences of his action impacted his family and kingdom for years.

There is an individual in the New Testament who was dealing with the “skunk” of power that he needed to let go. Simon the sorcerer was a man who was “Claiming that he was someone great” (Act 8:9). He convinced people in Samaria this was so, and they declared, “This man is the great power of God” (8:10). But when Philip came to town, Simon saw he had competition “seeing the miracles and signs which were done” by Philip (8:13). Simon was so impressed that he wanted the same kind of power that was obviously greater than his. When Peter and John came to Samaria to see what Philip was doing, he saw an opportunity to hold onto his power by asking them to give him the same power Philip had. He tried to buy the power and was rebuked by Peter, saying, “Your money perish with you because you thought that the gift of god could be purchased with money!” (8:20). Too often people are desperately trying to hold on to power when they need to let go and allow God to use them as He sees fit. As Baron Acton observes, “Power tends to corrupt, and absolute power corrupts absolutely.” Simon needed to let go of that “skunk” of power rather than be its servant.

There are numerous individuals both in the Bible and our everyday life that need to let go of the little “skunks” that can stink up their lives. What things are hard to let go of in our lives? Perhaps it is time to listen to the God given warnings we have been provided. Maybe it is time that we listen to the warning that mother gave her children, “Quick children… run!” Let us not be so foolish that we run with the “skunks” that we should leave behind! After all, who wants to be a little stinker!

Priceless Treasure Vs. Thirty Pieces of Silver

Easter season brings various parts of the passion narrative into focus. The pinnacle of the narrative is of course the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. But interwoven into the narratives are various threads of reality that focus upon the people that surrounded Jesus as well as the frailties of humanity. We applaud the sacrifice of Mary as she anoints Jesus (Matthew 26, Mark 14, and John 12) with expensive ointment. Jesus was more valuable to her than her precious ointment. Jesus responds to her action with appreciation seeing her action as preparation for his burial which was imminent. Judas especially (John 12:4-6) lacked appreciation for her action. He concluded it was a wasteful extravagance because sale of the ointment would have been better used in caring for the poor.

     Peter’s confession of loyalty to Jesus threads itself though the passion period. After Jesus revealed that he was going to be betrayed and all would abandon him in the immediate future, Peter boldly states that he will be loyal to Jesus no matter what others do (Matthew 26:33, 35). Later his good intentions unraveled. He did as Jesus predicted, and betrayed Jesus three times (26:34). Pressure and danger often transform courage into meaningless platitudes. Too often people are quick to condemn Peter’s naivete and boastful arrogance, but upon further reflection see a similar propensity in our own lives – our security is treasured more highly than Jesus.

     Judas is another person who appears in the passion narrative that often disturbs us. He has been a close follower of Jesus as one of his disciples. He observed the life and ministry of Jesus for approximately three years. He had been so much a part of the discipleship team that when Jesus said he was going to be betrayed, all the other disciples wondered if they were the betrayer. Judas was not on the top of the list as a likely candidate to betray Jesus (26:20-25). Judas had even risen to a position as treasurer of the group (John 12:4-6). He was the money man with a character flaw, an embezzler, who John describes as, “A thief; as keeper of the money bag, he used to help himself to what was put into it” (John 12:6). His material greed was driving him. Ultimately, after seeing Jesus’ reaction to Mary’s anointing, he concluded that the hope of financial gain was slim with Jesus. Attempting to recover some benefit from following Jesus, he betrayed Jesus for thirty pieces of silver (Matthew 26:14-16). How many good beginnings and intentions are warped by greed that places material benefits above all else? Judas perhaps bothers us the most because we wonder what it would take for us to sell out our principles and loyalties.

     Greed is a powerful force that can easily control and destroy our lives. Socrates wisely concludes, “He who is not contented with what he has, would not be contented with what he would like to have.” Judas was possibly captured by the prospect of Jesus being a king and how that would benefit his closest followers. Did he become disenchanted when he began to surmise that his vision of what the kingdom would be like was not the same as Jesus.’ He feared he had “hitched his wagon” to the wrong kind of king. Pilot even needed Jesus’ kingdom clarified, and Jesus stated it clearly, “My kingdom is not of this world” (John18:36). Too often people want God’s kingdom to be just like the one they are in – just supersized. Such thinking must be adjusted to become God-sized – the kingdom Jesus was offering.

     One of my favorite short stories was written by Leo Tolstoy, “How Much Land Does a Man Need?” The story is about a greedy peasant named Pahom. He is never satisfied with what he had and assumes if he has more land he would be. He goes through a series of land acquisitions and finally is confronted by a deal he feels is too good to be true or ignored. He goes to the neighboring country of the Bashkirs. The tribal leaders tell him that they will sell him as much land as he wants for a thousand rubles. There was one condition. He can only acquire the land he can walk around in one day, marking the corners, and making it back to the starting point by sundown. If not, the land and money are forfeited. He agrees to the terms. He begins his task of marking his territory at sunrise. He greedily continues making the dimensions larger and larger. As the sun sets, he is thoroughly exhausted and pushes hard in the waning moments of the day to return to the starting point. He reaches the end of his quest and dies. The Chief of the Bashkirs laughs as Pahom is buried concluding that in the end, the only land Pahom needed was six feet, from head to foot—for his grave.

     Greed blinded Pahom. Greed likely blinded Judas to abandon a priceless treasure, Jesus, and settle for thirty pieces of silver. That money was used to purchase the Potters Field where Judas was buried (Matthew 27:10). Jesus in a parable evaluates a rich, greedy man as a fool. “This is how it will be with whoever stores up things for themselves but is not rich toward God.” (Luke 12:20-21). Jesus asked on another occasion, “What good is it for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul? Or what can anyone give in exchange for their soul?” (Mark 12:36-37). Great questions Judas should have answered earlier in life – as should each of us! 

For Such a Place as This

We do not like being in dangerous places, facing difficult circumstances, or anticipating the potential of destructive outcomes. The events of this past year have highlighted the discomfort such elements produce. The nation has faced a pandemic, political unrest, financial chaos, and the emotional fallout that has left people unsettled. One thing is certain. People do not like the place they are in currently. How many have fantasized about being in another place at in a time like this?

     Would a place like this fit with your fantasy? A five-acre rock island 26 miles off the coast of Maine. Former inhabitants had soil brought out in bushel baskets in the spring and summer to pack into the clefts of the rocks so a few flowers could be planted to give the desolate place a touch of garden color.  Storms that pound the area are so massive that waves sweep over the entire island, and even structures at times, with a force that can move 75-ton boulders – not to mention the tiny flower gardens packed into the rocky crevices! On top of this, residents living there were occasionally cut off from any physical contact with another human for as much as a month due to storms in the region.

     Since August 25, 1830, this place was home to numerous families. In later years the Coast Guard took over the role of manning the lighthouse because there was a need for such a place as this. From this place nautical interests were warned of danger, provided direction, and offered assistance. Coast Guard keepers were ultimately removed from the post when the station was automated in late 1977. The place is still needed, but technology has replaced the human presence.

     The human element, however, is needed in the storms entering people’s lives. The wisest of all men according to his contemporaries was Solomon. He made a keen observation about life when he wrote, “Two people are better off than one, for they can help each other succeed. If one person falls, the other can reach out and help. But someone who falls alone is in real trouble. Likewise, two people lying close together can keep each other warm. But how can one be warm alone? A person standing alone can be attacked and defeated, but two can stand back-to-back and conquer. Three are even better, for a triple-braided cord is not easily broken” (Ecclesiastes 4:9-12). Society has applauded rugged individualism but created a culture of loneliness. The CDC reports that the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine found “more than one-third of adults aged 45 and older feel lonely, and nearly one-fourth of adults aged 65 and older are considered to be socially isolated.” Often the individual one allows to enter their life is the “lighthouse” they need in their life’s journey.

     Perspective sometimes is lost as one faces life. It is sometimes restored when another person becomes the “lighthouse” in those dark times or a stormy environment. In the wisdom literature of the Bible we read, “A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for a time of adversity” (Proverbs 17:17). How often does one’s understanding become clouded, and another person shines a “beam of clarification” suggesting a reality that had been overlooked? Such is the case when Paul had to confront his fellow apostle and friend Peter with his hypocrisy. He had become fearful of other’s opinions of him. Paul testifies, “I had to oppose him to his face, for what he did was very wrong” (Galatians 2:11). The “beam of light” in the form of a rebuke of a loving friend corrected Peter’s hypocritical distortion.

     Sometimes a person is a “lighthouse” of comfort and confirmation to a person who is unclear about life’s direction. The writer of Proverbs 27:9 concludes “The heartfelt counsel of a friend is as sweet as perfume and incense.” How many times has a person floundering in uncertainty and confusion been encouraged by an affirmation or direction from another’s insight?  Johann Wolfgang von Goethe issues a great reminder, “Instruction does much, but encouragement everything." Encourage more; preach less.

     Jesus made it clear to his disciples that they were to be “lighthouses” of sorts in Matthew 5:14-16 saying they were the “light of the world.” What is desperately needed in these days are “lighthouses” of hope. Remember that lighthouses are not placed in comfortable, safe places. They are placed where they can impact those whose lives are in real need. They are positioned for service not convenience.

     Off the coast of Massachusetts there is another impressive lighthouse. Minot's Ledge Light has for over 150 years fulfilled its mission. It beams out its flashing light in a 1-4-3 flashing pattern.  Soon observers noted the pattern contained the same numerical count as the words "I love you." Whereupon the lighthouse was popularly called the "I love you" light. That is a message that God beams out to our world in chaos. It is the same message that He expects His followers to signal to a world in need of hope. They are designed for such a place – right where they are – to shine their lights declaring this hopeful message.   

Able to Deliver Us

About this time last year our nation and indeed the world was seeing the COVID cloud beginning to form on the horizon of history. As it loomed into our sight our curiosity was stimulated by a viral outbreak in China. Did we ever imagine what might be in store for our nation? Perhaps it was assumed there would likely be some sort of impact – hopefully slight. Did we wonder if this virus produces any unpleasant changes? People generally are not comfortable with change. Mark Twain correctly concluded, “The only one that likes change is a wet baby.” Yet this past year was all about change. It came rapidly, unpredictably, and in most cases inconveniently. Our nation has processed change but not always successfully as fears grew, annoyances blossomed, emotions frazzled, perspectives distorted, and uncertainty morphed into despair at times. As the last ticks of 2020 wound down people were heard saying, “Glad we are past that and can start getting back to normal.” As those aspirations were expressed, I began thinking, “Will we really get back to normal? Is normal really just uncertainty dressed in new kinds of challenges and adversity that must be faced?” Life as I have frequently defined it is a series of changes often interrupted by an occasional crisis.

     People are applauding progress in the battle against the COVID virus. They should. People have made extraordinary efforts and made countless sacrifices to address this horrendous pandemic. Yet the nagging question stands, “Have we taken a successful path, or will we come to the conclusion that there are multiple issues that demand our attention to arrest this viral scourge successfully?” Even at this date we are hearing that the virus has made some alterations to its structure that make the spread of the virus even more rapid. How many other discoveries will be made in the coming days that had not been considered regarding this nemesis? Does this mean we should cower in enclaves of supposed safety or placate our fears by denying the evidence that is being continually uncovered? Perhaps a better response would be to continue boldly, wisely, and intelligently to battle this formidable foe. Passivity does not defeat enemies; it only allows them to become more entrenched and powerful.

     What should our response be concerning this current reality? People are making their best educated guesses as to what should be done. Heeding their advice warrants consideration. Beyond this what might we do? First, do not become obsessed with what might happen in future days. Obsession can easily drive a person to an emotional paralysis where one is so overcome with “might be” thoughts so that “should be” thoughts are blocked. Then wise, necessary, and healthy actions are not pursued. Proverbs 26:13 pictures such a situation, “The slacker claims, ‘There’s a lion on the road! Yes, I’m sure there’s a lion out there!’” The person becomes so obsessed with the “might be” of a lion that his “should be,” laboring for his needs, is ignored and he becomes a slacker.

     Also consider realities and resources beyond what we are even aware as we face the challenges of life. Too often people are limiting themselves to seeing only human solutions to problems. We have heard repeatedly, “We need to follow the science.” There is a level of truth to this. There must also be a consideration that science is expansive and occasionally makes unsuspected discoveries beyond what was being considered. For example, consider the discovery a Scottish biologist, Alexander Fleming, made while investigating staphylococci, known commonly as staph. After a brief vacation, he returned and found a strange fungus on a culture he had left unattended in his lab — a fungus that had killed off all surrounding bacteria in the culture. He providentially discovered penicillin. Such cases underscore a verse in Scripture where the Apostle Paul describes how God often works, “Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us” (Ephesians 3:20). Just because a human solution is not currently available does not mean that God cannot providentially intervene in situations we consider overwhelming.

     Lastly, maintain confidence in times when uncertainty could shake our faith. In the book of Daniel three young Jewish men faced certain death in a fiery furnace. They responded to a command to worship a king’s image which violated their faith by saying, “O king, we will not serve your gods, nor worship the golden image which you have set up” (3:18). They did not flinch because they trusted the God they loved and served saying, “Our God whom we serve is able to deliver us.” They believed their destiny was in God’s hands not man’s. How many times do we assume the need to protect ourselves or rely solely upon human solutions rather than to trust God who is almighty to deliver? As a result of their actions and their deliverance, a king who wanted to be acknowledged as god, recognized their God by saying, “There is no other God that can deliver after this sort” (3:29).

     In these tough times may we not obsess but rely upon divine providence and maintain an unswerving faith in an Almighty deliverer. As Elizabeth Elliot said, “Whatever dark tunnel we may be called upon to travel through, God has been there.” I would simply add, “And He is still there with you; you are not alone.” Trust your steps to a reliable and faithful God.