Lesson #2 for this year...

Becoming healthy spiritually, mentally, socially, emotionally and physically is important to me, as it should be to all of us. Remembering that we are image bearers of our Creator should be enough motivation for health in all areas of our lives. Health doesn't just happen, we must work at it. Remembering that when we bring health to one area of our lives, it positively affects the rest.

By the world's standards, many things have happened to our family this past year (actually within the past 7 months) that would put us in a position of having no hope, seeing no way for good. However, this is a perspective thing; it is a 'let's apply scripture to this' and see what happens thing. The happenings alone have set us up for a wild ride! The world just needs to know, though, who we are trusting through all of these events.

During this ride (because I think it is far from finished) I want to share with you the things that have struck me--seemingly secret things. These things, these secrets keep us going, and give us the ability to sleep at night when our world has been collapsing all around us.

For, if you know me, and my story, my world is in constant state of collapse...in order to always be finding, establishing and living with a 'new normal.'

From this side of things, normal is a relative term! However, I am speaking of the things, the perhaps mundane things that we do every single day and take for granted...from driving to the bank, to picking up our children at school. From shopping for groceries, to putting gasoline into our vehicle(s).

One of the last assignments I had for school was to write a Bible study, consisting of four sessions. This study was to be the result of a word study for the word grace. This is one of the things I love about God--the way He orchestrates the things in our lives to include truths about Him exactly when we need them the most! (of course, you need to be looking for this to happen to realize it)

(Side note: I read a book a few years ago called Grace Matters. Probably one of my most favorite books, as Chris Rice speaks about living in community, literally in the same household, with another family. The Rice family was/is white...the family they lived with, the Perkins family, was/is black. And, if it were not for grace, the grace they extended to one another, and the grace extended to them by a loving God...the end result would have been disaster, not a deeper love, respect and understanding between the families.)

Listen to the Hebrew writer, in chptr 12, verses 14-15 "Make every effort to live in peace with all men and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord. See to it that no one misses the grace of God and that no bitter root grows up to cause trouble and defile many."

Wow! What a message--I could write on and on about those two verses. For the purpose of this post, however, my point is to remind us that we have a responsibility.

The words "make every effort"...those are a challenge, aren't they? In our culture, that is SO counter-culture. When most would just hide under the rug, or skirt around issues, we are to be openly concerned about living at peace, and being holy. ...and, as much as it depends on us, be concerned about our fellow human beings--that No One misses the grace of God!

We don't like to be concerned do we? We like things the way we like them, in our own little world...I don't know how many times I've heard, I don't like change. Please. It's the only constant in our human experience. Grow up and get used to it. However, you can fight this selfish impulse by remembering: (from Lesson #1) "the power of life and death is in our tongues"...so be careful!

Only give 'full vent' to God. He is always there to listen. ALWAYS! Be guarded about what you say about someone else when you are speaking to other people. But to God, you can tell Him just how you feel, and He cares, remember? And, remember? He sees us, El Roi, the God who saw Hagar. (Genesis 16) He knows exactly what has happened to us, and nothing is a surprise to Him, according to Psalm 139. He expects us to be obedient, even obedient in our times of great trial. Well, and of course, James 1:2 says "Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds."

I think this is so that we can see the glory of God in our times of trial.

We are to pray for our enemies. That's right. If you know me, and have ever discussed this with me, you know it is true...scripture teaches us this. Putting it in to practice is a challenge, but Christ is right there to help us through that, as well.

Last winter, during a short Bible study, a verse was shared and it spoke directly to this issue: Job 42:10 "After Job had prayed for his friends, the LORD made him prosperous again and gave him twice as much as he had before." And, remembering the story of Hagar, she and her son, Ishmael, were blessed, as well.

So, here's the lesson: If you want God's blessing, understand that it comes through obedience, only 'vent fully' to Him. Then, pray for those that have wronged you. Job's friends were anything but supportive of him in his "new normal" his diseased, pitiful state...but as soon as he prayed for them, God blessed Job's faithfulness.

I am not suggesting that we live like this in order to receive some material possession, we have enough. I am suggesting that we live like this, praying for enemies, only venting to God, as a means of true health...socially, emotionally, physically, mentally and especially spiritually. If we allow bitterness to take root, no matter the circumstance that brought the bitterness, then it will affect our entire person.

That bitter root also causes trouble and defiles many. Thank how much healthier the Body of Christ would be if these lessons were learned by all that identify themselves as Christians. What battles would be won, souls reached, lives restored--the possibilities are endless. Health. Over-all health. Begins and ends with prayer...and in the in between times--trusting in God's provision.