With all the issues around us, Coronavirus, Lockdowns, Loss, Boredom, Brexit etc. How do we stop getting paralysed by the issues of life right now.
This a massive question, the stresses of life right now are at the highest point I've ever witnessed in my lifetime, what about you ?
Even though I am leading a National Charities, providing counsel to many leaders, I've still struggled to navigate these tumultuous times. If you focus on trying to solve circumstance, you'll find your self trying to build a house on quicksand beneath your feet. You have to gather yourself and focus on how to move forward trying to take everyone with you when they themselves might not agree with you. It is not a time to retreat, it's a time to move forward and grow in our Matthew 28 calling. I've found myself going back to foundational scriptures to help settle the nerves, help bring solid focus and also
Jer 29:11 (NIV) 'For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future'.
Prov 3:5-6 (NIV) 'Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight'.
Matthew 28:19 (NIV) 'Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit'.
There are many more that I've read, many more that speak to a hope and a future.
Are you fed up ? Have you lost your job, have you lost a loved one ? Have you lost your hope ? It's time to press pause and move outside of circumstance and start to work on your future. Find peace in the storms of life, find solace in Prayer and discover that direction of hope for the future. Sounds easy, life reading this would provide a prescription. It's not. There are sleepless nights, worry and concern to get through. The point is, force yourself to not allow the circumstance of life to influence your destiny in Christ. Of course, I'm not saying ignore lockdown, travel where you want etc. Be careful, obey the law, but focus on moving forward eventually with confidence, come what may.
I've been told so many times, adversity defines leaders, it's true. Some cave in with the pressure of life, others thrive in the pressure of the moment to find a way through. Whether you are a leader or not, the principle is the same. Life is full of decisions, if you choose to keep going, if you choose hope and a future you won't only make opportunity for yourself, but also your wider family and friends that you touch. They will see faith you in, but might not know how to describe it, what they will see is leadership and example of someone that will not be put down by circumstance, but a person who they will decide in their own lives to follow the example, your example.
Here is my short Prayer about moving forward in confidence.