Once in a while Susan* would come out of her shell and try to talk with others and smile. But most of the time she was simply withdrawn and isolated. She came to church regularly and attended all of the special meetings and gatherings. But somehow she just couldn’t connect with most of the people.

After picking up the phone and the usual hello, I went on to a simple question: “So, how are things?” That question brought on a flood of tears and complaints about that person’s spouse, children, extended family, and church members.  As I stood there listening to this for a few minutes, I felt like my head was spinning as if I was on one of those crazy rides in an amusement park.

But there are other times when this person is light and bubbly, and everything is wonderful. At this point the questions are answered differently.  How is your spouse? “In God’s hands, safe as ever.” And your children? Oh their future is secure by God’s mercy.” As I go on asking about each item that previously troubled that person, they see it all from a different perspective.  Same problems, same people, but just a different perspective.

It seems Job also struggled with perspectives in his life. He said: “My spirit is broken; my days are extinct; the graveyard is ready for me.  Surely there are mockers about me, and my eye dwells on their provocation” (Job 17:1-2 ESV). When I read these verses I thought about the person I mentioned above, as well as many others in similar situations.  Job said his eyes were focused on their provocation.  That focus led to the fateful words “the graveyard is ready for me.” Many things in life can be “broken.” But when your spirit is broken, that is intense.  As Job focused on his brokenness, the only hope he could see was the graveyard.

Job’s problem was that his eyes dwelt on the provocation of his enemies.  By doing that, he “empowered” his problems. He empowered them to have such a negative impact on him. He obviously could not recognize that his perspective was the problem, that it caused him to conclude his fate in the graveyard.

Getting our focus off of our problems and on to God doesn’t guarantee that all our problems will go away.  In fact, they may continue just as ever.  The difference is its effect on us. We won’t be shattered.  Our faith won’t be shaken.  And most importantly we won’t have to conclude that our only hope is the grave.

When the philistines drew up the battle lines against Israel, they had their “star” warrior Goliath right in the front.  It seems that the entire Israelite army was focused on Goliath.  And they were all clearly shaken. Their focus on Goliath and his might “empowered” that situation. But David was not impressed.  His focus was on God and that made all the difference.

So, do you find yourself focused on your problem? Are you “empowering” your problems and finding that you are ready for the graveyard like Job?

What is your greatest hindrance to fixing your eyes on God?

Share it here in the comments.

Photo by Fried Dough – Creative Commons

Several years ago, severe persecution against Christians broke out in Orissa (Odisha), a northern state of India. The Christians in one district were attacked, beaten, and driven away from their homes, and many were killed. The people doing this heinous act blocked off an entire district and would not allow anyone to enter or exit their district.

I just finished looking through a small box of old memorabilia from my school days. Most of the items are identification cards, letters, and other miscellaneous items. Awards and trophies? No, none of those.  On second thought, there were a few that caught my attention.  One was a lapel pin with the word “effort” and another with the words “perfect attendance.”

I remember the time these were given out.  Toward the end of fourth grade, we were all standing in line in the hallway.  Prizes were given for different subjects.  I stood there with hopes, but no expectation.  Finally I heard my name.  I couldn’t believe it.  I thought it must have been a mistake.  What subject would I get a prize for? When I finally got the item in my hand, it was a pin that read “effort.” It was my second year in fourth grade, and the best I could do was to put in some effort.

The next prize was in sixth grade.  Hoping that things would improve, my parents put me in a private school (which only lasted one year).  That year I got my second pin, and it read “perfect attendance.” No matter how cold it was, in the rain, snow, or whatever the situation, I went to school.  Even when I was sick, it didn’t matter – I would show up.  In spite of all my efforts in academics  the best commendation for me that year was “perfect attendance.”

Through my high school days, in college, and in Seminary, I was surrounded by classmates who excelled in many things.  They were active and popular in various activities such as sports, music, public speaking, and various clubs.  But I didn’t find myself excelling in any of these areas.  I was just “average” in everything I did.

While I was in Seminary, I helped a friend as he planted a church in that city.  I had the opportunity to make some small contributions there in my own way by starting a few small groups.  At that time I thought: “Wow.  Maybe I can be useful to God.” Then I heard the teachings of John Wimber and I was specifically impacted by the phrase he used so often: “Everyone gets to play.”

In God’s kingdom, “everyone gets to play.” I was the one who was always on the sidelines just kicking stones and walking up and down the sidelines. But in God’s kingdom I get to play.  In fact in the Kingdom, I have unlimited opportunity to do the works of God.  Without any limitation I get to heal the sick, cast out demons, and tell others about God’s kingdom.  Luke tells how he commissioned his disciples “And he called the twelve together and gave them power and authority over all demons and to cure diseases, and he sent them out to proclaim the kingdom of God and to heal” (Luke 9:1-2 ESV).  And of course, this was not limited to just the disciples, but to those who believe: “And these signs will accompany those who believe: in my name they will cast out demons; they will speak in new tongues; they will pick up serpents with their hands; and if they drink any deadly poison, it will not hurt them; they will lay their hands on the sick, and they will recover” (Mark 16:17-18 ESV).

So, in the church that Jesus began with the disciples, “everyone gets to play.” And most importantly I get to play.  Even though I am just average and ordinary, I get to join with God in doing extraordinary things.

So, do you “get to play?” Share your experiences of being average or ordinary. Share it in the comments.

Photo by Richard Masoner / Cyclelicious

Defending God or his Word is like defending a lion (A lion does not need to be defended, he’ll defend himself). For many years, the defense of the Bible has been a concern for me. I felt that it was vital to our faith and to the sustenance of the church at large. In every situation where I felt that God or the Bible was at “risk,” I would speak up in defense with the best of my knowledge and learning.

Haunted by Unrealistic Expectations

When children fall, they often have the habit of looking around for a split second. Before they get up, they want to know: “Did anyone see this great tragedy of mine?” They make a quick evaluation based upon the intensity of their pain, and the response of others. If others have noticed, then a flood of tears and the incessant cries begin as a result of the pain. The emotional response of the pain is released. If no one has noticed, then the pain and the tears are both suppressed.

This pattern is often carried into adulthood. If there is a compassionate listening ear, we are more prone to share our burdens and the pain deep within us. That becomes an opportunity for us to open ourselves up so that our inward being can be healed. Does anyone care? Is anyone concerned?

But if there is no listening ear, then it is clear that there is no opportunity to open up. Thus we suppress the hurt and pain deep within us. Unless properly dealt with, the suppressed pain and emotions stay within this individual throughout their entire lives. There are three areas where these suppressed emotions will impact the person: social, spiritual, and physical.

Socially, the suppressed emotions act as a filter. All our experiences are interpreted through this filter. The danger in this is that our pain and suppressed emotions will cause us to react in negative ways. We will appear irritated, hurtful, and illogical even in the simple aspects of daily life. Our friends and families will become the “victims” of our emotional tirades. But during that time, we will see ourselves as the victim and everyone else as our enemies. This eventually turns into a vicious cycle from which it is difficult to break out.

Spiritually, something similar happens to us. We interpret God and his work from the same perspective of our pain. Although we may not see God as our enemy (sometime we do), we are not able to draw close to him. Our relationship with God remains superficial, with only a “formal” religiosity. No intimate connection with God at all. Ultimately we end up with a “form” of godliness, but no life.

The physical results of pain and suppressed emotions can also be identified. Numerous physical ailments have been traced to emotional and stress related issues. For 17 years, my lower back pain had caused me tremendous pain, and other challenges as well. It was a long process of emotional healing which continues even now. You can read about that at this link. That process was accelerated tremendously when I understood the link between my chronic lower back pain and my emotions. It was a book by Dr. Joseph Bowles that alerted me to that connection and helped me to deal with it systematically.

So, does anyone care? Of course there are so many who care, but because of my “filter” of pain and suppressed emotions, I just haven’t noticed. Now I am on a journey — a journey of healing. This journey is three-fold:  social, spiritual, and physical. The physical is complete, but so much is lacking in other areas. The Holy Spirit is literally walking me through this process. It’s a painful process, but well worth it.

How about you? Does anyone care? What’s your journey like?

Share it here in the comments.

Which are the dreams in your life that have never been fulfilled? Maybe they are promises of God that have never become a reality. Those promises also became your dream as well. But somehow, life seems to have led you in a different path.

After reaching a certain age, you have concluded that some of these dreams are no longer possible. You know that there is no way for circumstances to be reversed so that your dreams can be fulfilled.

“These all died in faith, not having received the things promised, but having seen them and greeted them from afar, and having acknowledged that they were strangers and exiles on the earth. For people who speak thus make it clear that they are seeking a homeland. If they had been thinking of that land from which they had gone out, they would have had opportunity to return. But as it is, they desire a better country, that is, a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared for them a city.” (Hebrews 11:13-16 ESV)