A bull rider once remarked on what made him successful: “You’ve just got to want to hang on worse than the bull wants to throw you off.”

We can experience stressful deadlines at work, disagreements with friends, dealing with rebellious kids, or any number of situations that interfere with what we consider our daily routine.  What do we do when we face troubles?  Sometimes we make the situation worse by dwelling on the issue and letting worry get the best of us.

Instead, we need to put our negative thoughts aside, reach out to God, and hold on with everything we have.  We can escape these burdens by embracing He who has already conquered them.  Hang on to God more than troubles want to pull you away.

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles (2 Corinthians 1: 3-4 NIV)

 

“And he said to them, ‘Come away by yourselves to a desolate place and rest a while.’ For many were coming and going, and they had no leisure even to eat.” (Mark 6:31)

Does the second part of this verse sometimes sound like our lives?  We can be so caught up in our daily tasks, jumping from one so-called emergency to the next, that we feel we have no time to take a break.  This level of busyness can become our self-imposed demon if we allow it to interfere with the peace that comes from our relationship with God.

Take time each day and find a place where you can be alone to spend time with God.  The key is to “be still and know that I am God.” (Psalms 46:10)  Find a quiet area away from all distractions and put the thoughts of the world out of your mind.  Then just listen as God speaks to you.

 

Successful sports teams realize winning is only achievable by a group effort.  No individual player can win the game by his or her self.  Every player has a role and only by doing his or her part can the team succeed.

 

The first part of Acts 6 details what happened to the church when individuals came together as a team.  The twelve disciples realized they could not address all the needs that had arisen and still be effective at doing what God had called them to do.  Additional individuals were appointed tasks to address these needs in order to allow the disciples to continue their original work.  Due to everyone coming together as a team, Acts 6:7 tells us:

…the word of God continued to increase, and the number of the disciples multiplied greatly in
Jerusalem.

Recently, a planning meeting was held to prioritize the work at Summit.  The foyer has a wall covered with the results of this meeting.  We all can play a part of the Summit team.  However, Summit will not be all it can be without everyone working together.  Be a part of the team by reviewing the wall and volunteering for an area in which you have an interest or skill.  If you are willing, there is a task for you.

 

Once again, it’s moving week at work.  Every few years, for a myriad of reasons, the individuals in my work group are told to pack up our desks and move to a different location.  Even though packing can be a hassle while trying to juggle work responsibilities, I do take these opportunities to go through files and items that have accumulated and get rid of stuff I believe I no longer need.  Not only does this mean less packing, it also means my new desk will be more organized.

As Christians, do we take the time to remove what is no longer needed in our lives?  Do we hold onto past mistakes we may have made?  Do we hold onto memories of when someone hurt us?  Do we allow others to negatively impact our happiness?

If we have truly repented our past shortcomings and sought forgiveness from others when needed, then there is nothing to harbor.  God has forgotten the transgression and we should as well: “For I will be merciful toward their iniquities, and I will remember their sins no more” (Hebrews 8:12 ESV).

If we focus on our God’s Word, then there is no room for any bitterness.  Take time to remove what is no longer needed in your spiritual life.