Encouragement for people tempted to quit

sonnyholmes

Jul 24, 20203 min read

Hey, I'm talking to you.

Studying the many usages of the word "peace" in the New Testament has been inspiring. All through the week I've marveled at the many application points in our current world. We could certainly learn a thing or two about peace. Our own nation is embroiled in layers of controversy, anger, and disagreement that lurk in the dark corners of everyday life. Over the last few months the Covid-19 virus has imprisoned most of us in the small confines of home, giving us rare portals of observation. You know, the main stream media, social outlets, personal contacts, and time to seethe and stew through those things than irritate us. On several occasions these frustrations have morphed toward outward expression. Towns and cities, the neighborhoods around us have become war zones of destruction, injury, and the loss of life. How many times during these weeks have I prayed for peace in those volatile places, moments of inner calm in those aggravated people.

Late in the week that inspiration became conviction. In one of my flammable moments the Spirit spoke to me: "Hey, I'm talking to you". The prayers and wishes for others was suddenly the plea for those spiritual truths to me more evident in me. As a result, five of those biblical references about peace became my conviction to be a person of peace. Here they are---

1. My personal need to lead all relationships with peace.

Every Epistle written by the Apostle began with a greeting of grace and peace to his readers. Those churches and believers were scattered across the ancient world, people with varying religious beliefs, customs, languages, and needs. But, the Apostle Paul knew that they all needed this spiritual peace in their lives. So, every letter began with his wish, perhaps prayer, for them. In one way or another he wrote "grace and peace to you". His care for them acknowledged peace as a basic life virtue. Yes, everything since then has changed. But, this foundational principle remains. I should lead with that same heart and mind when encountering others.

2. Relationships, as much as they depend on me, should be peaceful.

Paul wrote this truth to the Romans---"If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all" (Romans 12: 18, ESV). No, I'm not responsible for what happens in every element of my relationship with others. But, as much as it depends on me, peace should be the defining character of those relationships. Time for me to step up.

3. Peace should characterize my influence in the Christian experience.

The Apostle's letters were written to churches. And, each of them was experiencing inner contention and dissension. He wrote, "Be at peace among yourselves"

(1 Thessalonians 5: 13, ESV). He knew that their witness was compromised by the internal struggles that caused division among them. I should be an agent of peace in the churches I am privileged to serve.

4. Peace should be the all-encompassing trait of my life.

Yes, again, we can often be a little choosy in our definition and expression of peace. Paul settled this rationalizing practice when he wrote, "Now may the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times, and in every way" (2 Thessalonians 3: 16, ESV). He words cut through my justifying ways. Biblical peace is an all the time, in every way reality.

5. Peace should be my contact point with everyone.

The anonymous author of the Epistle to the Hebrews applied the principles of personal peace beyond the Christian community. Without doubt I should express spiritual peace to the people in the Christian Community. This author extended it beyond the walls of the church---"Strive for peace with everyone..." (Hebrews 12: 14, ESV). This means that I should seek peace with those people that may be the most difficult. Ouch!

These lessons about peace have taught me, challenged me, and inspired me. More than anything, however, they have convicted me. They have reminded me of my short fuse, quick temper, fast responses, and often harsh words. This peace is promised to guard my heart and mind.

Through it all, the Spirit has been saying, "Hey, I'm talking to you."

sonnyholmes

Jul 23, 20203 min read

Wait for the promise.

Waiting rooms are a vivid metaphor of twenty-first century life gone wrong. The daily freeway is fast, complicated, and separated, everyone moving from or toward something in a hurry. The waiting rooms are slow, simple, and congested. The anxiety in them, however, is no less formidable than when we’re in a projectile flashing through rush hour traffic. In fact, worry and apprehension may actually weigh more in the waiting room. Here there is a group inertia that lays heavy on the occupants enduring the suspense. In this place the clocks move slower, the coffee cools faster, everything happens in slow motion, and occasionally everyone in the room flinches in unison as the telephone rings or an announcement is made. Waiting may be our most urgent test.

Jesus told his disciples to wait in Jerusalem after his ascension. He had been with them for forty days. Though the Gospels provide significant details of his appearances and actions following the resurrection, few of us moderns can imagine the weight of their circumstances and the emotional stress they must have experienced. The Beloved disciple John portrayed them behind locked doors, perhaps fearful in the turmoil about the empty tomb---

On the evening of that day, the first day of the week, the doors being locked where the

disciples were for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them...

John 20: 19, ESV

Eight days later, his disciples were inside again, and Thomas was with them. Although

the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them...

John 20: 26, ESV

There's no mention of their emotional state, any signs of stress or anxiety. But, surely the locked doors and words about "fear of the Jews" portray something of the heat of the hour. The texts remind us of their uncertainty and doubt, even when he appeared to them. He had taught them about his death and had promised being raised. Still, the crowds demand for his crucifixion, the horror of his being nailed to the cross, and the Roman soldiers had covered them with question marks of imminent danger.

And Luke recorded Christ's command that they wait in Jerusalem---

But stay in the city until you are clothed with power from on high.

Luke 24: 49, ESV

He ordered them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the promise of the

Father...

Acts 1: 4, ESV

Waiting may have been their greatest test of obedience after the ascension. We certainly can't imagine having a wait problem like that one. Most of us have intimate knowledge with the crucible of waiting and realize the stress and anxiety we experience when it is our order of the moment. Maybe we can learn something from Jesus about how to prepare for those anxious times, or assist others as waiting challenges them. Each of those Gospel writers were inspired to record Jesus' first words to them after his glorious resurrection. He said it many times during his earthly ministry. But, John recorded those words from Jesus after the resurrection---Peace be with you (see John 20:19; 20:21, and 20:26).

It sounds like a simple greeting from Bible times. The Jews said "Shalom" as their first word when encountering others. The Greeks said "eirene", also meaning peace. In these post-resurrection meetings, "peace be with you" was more preparatory and emphatic than casual. He wanted them to know peace as they endured the crisis of waiting.

You know, we never know the backstory of the people we encounter along the way these days. With Covid-19, "woke" movements, politics, school decisions, economic pressures, and a catalog of human tensions it is probable that many of us are facing wait problems of various sizes and shapes. it's very real right now-- employment uncertainty, school complications, care for our children, health concerns, mortgage foreclosures, and so many other questionable realities. Maybe the simple wish for peace to one another could give us a grip to forestall a personal crash while waiting.

Peace to you.

sonnyholmes

Jul 21, 20203 min read

Adversity and peace.

Adversity produces a bountiful harvest of spiritual virtue in those who are looking and listening up and waiting expectantly on God. Even a brief survey of Scripture reminds us that patience, endurance, perseverance, and steadfastness are the promised outcomes of tough times. They are among the richest lessons of what my parents called the "school of hard knocks", the rugged realities of life. Jesus told his followers that they would have hard times. Life surely isn't a stroll in the park. But, in the same sentence he reminded them that he had overcome the world and that they should take heart.

In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart! I have overcome the world.

John 16: 33, ESV

Of course, that's not the entire verse. Like many others I have used only the part of the verse that seems most applicable to my topic, you know, the reality of peace when we're facing the harder elements of life. The preliminary sentence in that passage is perhaps the jewel of our learning when we're dealing with the mean streets that most of us travel so often. Up front Jesus promised peace---

I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace.

You see, for believers, peace in the ultimate lesson of hardship. He gives us patience, endurance, perseverance, steadfastness, vision, hope, his wonderful promises so that, even in the darkest hour we may have peace.

To be honest, adversity typically stretches my most well developed patience, endurance, and steadfastness. Surely patience is a spiritual fruit that should grow naturally in me as I mature and grow in Christ (see Galatians 5:23). Tough times should extend and expand my ability to persevere and wait even in the worst trials (see James 1:3). Yes, If imitating Christ this kind of endurance should be a personal goal (see Hebrews 12:2). The ups and downs of daily living ought to produce steadfastness in me as well (see James 1:3, again). Still, with all of that underscored, peace should rule my life even in the most troubling circumstances.

Harriet and I both compare notes regularly and have marveled for the past 47 years over a shared trait that often carries us through uncertain and questionable times. You may not understand this, but we're both "bulldogs" by nature. Which means we're stubborn. Our stubbornness is a default setting when trouble comes calling. And, in reality, that's not always good. You see, stubbornness is an egocentric personal vice, part of our wiring that stands us toe-to-toe with challenges and obstacles. Being stubborn is about us. In many instances we dare life to stand in our way. It is totally self motivated and self honoring. It announces "I won" when the final scores are tabulated.

Living the promises of God in adversity shifts our responses to hardship heavenward. Stubbornness yields to steadfastness, endurance, and patience, spiritual virtues that are dependent on God and glorifies and honors him. God's real and powerful promises give us confidence and security even when our stubbornness is waning. They move us beyond the shallows of personal achievement to the depths of his provision. Our shallow ways usually result in frustration, lack of confidence, and misery. His ways give us confidence and hope as we look and listen up, and wait.

One promise superintends life's challenges for me. It is from the pen of the Apostle Paul, a man who knew intimately the rough and difficult roads of this life. To the Philippians he wrote---

And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in

Christ Jesus.

Philippians 4:19, ESV

What a sweeping and all encompassing promise from God. He will provide all of our needs, even those we face when troubles come calling. And, peace is the outcome. To the Philippians Paul also wrote the verse I referenced Monday---

And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts

and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Philippians 4: 7, ESV

The lessons of adversity should (1) lift our eyes and ears to God, (2) teach us to wait on God's provision for whatever life throws at us, and (3) give us peace regardless of the severity of our trials.

That is the real deal even in our advanced but complex culture. We're scrambling for answers in our relational messes. It's a world trapped in layers of adversity. This adversity can pit us against each other in dangerous and destructive ways. Or, it can give us steadfastness, and then, peace.