Recently, I was traveling down the interstate and discovered that my exit was closed… so I went out of my way another way and found that exit to be closed, also. Immediately I said, “God I don’t know what this is all about, but I’m sure glad to be on this adventure with You. You and I are going to have a good time together, however long it takes to get to my destination.”
~~~~~~ Coach ~~~~~~
What was I doing? I was coaching my heart with I Thess 5:18 – “… give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” That may seem strange… and it may be difficult… but God’s word is true and applicable for all real-world situations.
So if we want to be exempt from the dictatorship of trials, we must learn how to coach our hearts to center on Him when they come. Here are a couple powerful bullets for your ‘encouragement-bazooka’, to send discouragement back to where it came from.
Consider it pure joy, my brothers, when you encounter trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance.… – Jms 1:2-3
For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. – II Cor 4:17
Years ago, I knew a pastor who was wrongly implicated in a money scandal and ended up going to Federal penitentiary. But a few years later he said that his life in God was so much more rich in prison, than ever before. He was leading people to the Lord and counseling them, etc… despite his seeming undeserving sentence. Maybe
this is not so much different from Paul and Silas (Acts 16:16-40).
I guess the old adage is really true: when life serves you lemons, make lemonade.
Obviously, no one likes hard situations in life. But that situation does not have to be the dictator of our inner self. We can coach our hearts into hope and faith for a great outcome. How? Listen to the Psalmist:
Why are you in despair, O my soul? And why are you disturbed within me? Hope in God, for I shall again praise Him, The help of my countenance and my God. – Ps 43:5
Prayer: Lord, thank you for surviving grace… and for thriving grace. You are so good at both. I declare a powerful breakthrough in the midst of my situation… one that will bring a flow of provision of every kind needed to overcome. Lord, overwhelm me again with fresh revelations and inspirations of You that will put courage in my heart and fresh vision in my eyes. I call forth trophies that will make the duress all worthwhile. And now… for some signs for good!! Thank you, Father. You are the best!!! Amen.
— MLH
Mark Hendrickson
Beyond the Map 