Tag: 1 Thessalonians 5:11

Three Ways to Navigate Difficult Days

Jeannie Waters41 Comments on Three Ways to Navigate Difficult Days

                                                                                                            

My leg muscles screamed in protest as I gasped for breath and pulled myself upward to the next rest bench on the mountain trail. I promised myself, “Girlfriend, you WILL be in better shape next year!” Can you identify?

For several years, our family of four participated in a volksmarch, a German term for people’s walk. Beginning at the southern terminus of the Appalachian Trail near Helen, Georgia, we walked only five kilometers, but with steep inclines, the distance seemed much further. At the finish line, with relief and perspiration, we accepted our medals as family tradition mementos.

Do you have days that feel like an arduous walk up a mountain while others resemble a leisurely stroll? I do. On those troublesome days, challenges can feel like rocks in our backpack, slowing progress and discouraging us.  

The verb walk in the Bible describes the daily life and behavior of one who has surrendered her life to Christ.

Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him.

Colossians 2:6 ESV

                 Paul prayed believers would “walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him: bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God” (Colossians 1:10 ESV). How can we navigate life’s challenging times as believers and continue to bear fruit? Consider the following:   

Three Ways to Navigate Difficult Days

1. Look for markers in the Bible.

On the Appalachian Trail, arrowed signs pointed the way and prevented error when undergrowth obscured forks in the trail. The Bible is like a collection of markers, guiding us in God’s way. Bible study steadies and steers us and prepares us to face the trials of mountain trail days. Writing and decorating a verse may help you commit it to memory.

Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.

Psalm 119:105 ESV

2. Lean on the Lord in prayer.

My walking stick worked like a lever to push me up the mountain when weak muscles faltered. Communication with God in prayer strengthens us when we meet roadblocks and encounter difficulties. Having an ongoing prayer conversation with God throughout the day helps us enjoy His presence and yields His peace and wisdom to bolster us to the next level on the journey. He knows the future, and we can trust Him with today and tomorrow.      

Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.

Philippians 4:6 ESV

3. Listen to trustworthy Christ followers.

Although I read the signs and used a walking stick, I also needed my family’s encouragement, and at some points, a literal push over the next ridge. Truth. Asking for help can be humbling, yet other Christians can remind us of biblical truth and the fact that God is always with us, even on hard days.

Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing.

1Thessalonians 5:11 ESV

            How is your walk today? Perhaps printing the verses above on cards or typing them into a phone app will help in troublesome times. When a day’s journey feels like a steep mountain hike, turn the day into an adventure with God by searching for His direction in the Bible and in prayer as you seek encouragement from fellow hikers.

Now it’s your turn

What helps you on trying days?  

Help a Sister Out

Jeannie Waters36 Comments on Help a Sister Out
JeannieWaters.com
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Dawn Bata, Author

What joy to welcome my guest blogger today. Wife, mom, and writer extraordinaire, Dawn Bata is a new friend. When you read her short post, you’ll want to click on the book photo link at the bottom to check out her ebook. Her bio is there as well.

You may want to purchase the ebook or recommend it to a friend, relative, or neighbor who needs encouragement. I’m loving these short but powerful devotions with endearing stories.   Here’s Dawn’s post:        

Help a Sister Out

When our middle daughter, Sophia, was eight years old, she ran her first season of track…and her last. The track meet was underway, but unbeknown to Jeremy and me, Sophia was assigned the mile event. What was her coach thinking? Sophia had never run the mile event before! Eager to see the outcome, we waited.

The event started and off she went. Our family began shouting, “Go, Sophia!” She was making great strides, but our excitement soon turned to concern. Her pace slowed and the look of defeat was written all over her sweaty face. Sophia was out of steam. What happened next melted my heart. Big sister Meredith dashed onto the track to finish the mile with her.

Victory! Not in the means of winning the race, but in winning at life. Although Meredith was ten years old, in the eyes of her little sister, she was a hero. They finished the race together. Way to help a sister out! 

Isn’t that what we are called to do? To run the race of life together, alongside our sisters in Christ? First Thessalonians 5:11 says, “Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as you are doing.”         

Go ahead, and cheer on your sisters in Christ! We don’t have to run this race alone! Motherhood is a marathon, entailing long distances, deep breaths, and determination. Some days we need a friend to run alongside us to encourage us. Together we are stronger and more impactful.

If you see a sister facing hurdle after hurdle, overwhelmed, and discouraged, offer her a hand and finish the race together in His love and strength. Help a sister out!

Please share your thoughts with Dawn in the comment section below. Has someone helped you out?

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Dawn would love to connect with you at dawn.bata@gmail.com

Dawn is a mom on a mission to share her passion for family, friends, faith, and home. She is a wife and mother of three who encourages and inspires moms to live and love life to the fullest! She is the author of In the Midst of a Masterpiece: Moments Celebrating the Joys and Struggles of Motherhood and Co-Founder of Moms’ Musings Writers Group. Dawn enjoys using her love for writing to encourage moms on this amazing yet bumpy journey of motherhood. Join her and navigate the joys and struggles of motherhood together.

“Gather” from a Distance

Jeannie Waters30 Comments on “Gather” from a Distance

The childhood memory of going to a summer drive-in movie with neighbors produces an ear-to-ear grin on my face. The moms sat in lawn chairs and shelled butterbeans. The kids fished icy bottles of orange or grape sodas from a cooler to wash down salty, butter-laden popcorn.

I don’t recall the title of the show, but I remember the excitement of gathering with neighbors at the drive-in theater.

Fast forward several years to last month…

“Hurry please, so we can sit–I mean park–on the front row,” I said to my husband as we visited a local church’s drive-in service. We stayed in the car (social distancing, you know) and listened to praise music and the sermon via an FM radio station. Voices soared from car interiors as we held cell phones and followed song lyrics posted on the church website.

When drivers started their engines after the final prayer, joy bounced from one car to another like rays of sunshine as we waved to strangers and listened to music. Warm smiles from parking lot attendants spoke the final “Amen.”

At drive-in church, coordinated outfits and the familiarity of our normal seat mattered not. Gathering with the family of God did. The Bible addresses fellowship.  

And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.

Hebrews 10:24-25

Current mandates prohibit congregating physically, but many of us can gather in cyberspace, and we can certainly encourage each other in a variety of ways.

Isn’t connection via technology a blessing during these shelter-in-place days? Last week we joined our Sunday School courtesy of Zoom technology and participated in our church’s live-streamed time of worship. I’ve enjoyed Bible lessons, pretty memes, encouraging posts on social media networks, and e-cards.

How has technology enhanced your isolation days?

As we enjoy “gathering” on devices, my heart hurts for those who cannot join us due to a lack of computer access or the inability to use it. My ninety-six-year-old mother-in-law, a godly saint, doesn’t own a computer and can barely use the telephone due to neuropathy in her fingers and failing vision. Do you know others like her?

Fear creeps through healthcare home hallways and stalks elderly residents who can’t go out or entertain guests. Some fail to understand why family members and friends don’t visit.

A video of a friend and her sister greeting their mom through a large window of the assisted living facility thrilled my heart. After checking with the staff via phone, they yelled messages to their mom and held up corresponding signs. What joy their creativity sparked!

For some, human interaction and gathering are severely limited or non-existent during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Does God’s Word address this dilemma and offer guidance? Consider these verses:

Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.

Philippians 2:3-4

We who are strong have an obligation to bear with the failings of the weak, and not to please ourselves.Let each of us please his neighbor for his good, to build him up.

Romans 15:1-2

Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing.

1 Thessalonians 5:11

Maybe we need some old-fashioned ways to connect or “gather” from a distance without technology. How about these?

  • Wave enthusiastically to those we pass.
  • Call those who cannot text or receive emails.
  • Send cards and letters to those who can’t communicate electronically. Tuck Bible verses or homemade bookmarks into the envelopes. Call to chat and discuss the verses once the mail has arrived. End in prayer or sing a hymn.
  • Post encouraging Bible verses on signs in the yard or hold printed messages up to windows.  
  • Add family and pet photos to care packages. Chat about the photos over the phone.
  • Order a meal to be delivered and include dessert if diet allows. Plan to talk over coffee and dessert and pray together.
  • Start a magazine subscription for someone who can’t access the issues online. Call after each issue arrives to discuss a favorite article or photo.

Do you think these ideas would soothe lonely hearts and include folks who aren’t tech-savvy into Christian fellowship? Initiating conversation requires little. I always say, “A teaspoon of effort yields a cup of joy.”

Let no one seek his own good, but the good of his neighbor.

1 Corinthians 10:24

Won’t you please share examples of reaching beyond technology to “gather from a distance?” I look forward to your ideas or observations.

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Bible verses are from the ESV.

Are You a Builder?

Jeannie Waters8 Comments on Are You a Builder?

September 11, 2001

Americans mourn the events of that day but look forward with hope.

After teaching English to high school second language learners, I heard a co-worker mention a plane crashing into the World Trade Center. Surely she is mistaken, I thought as I called my husband while traveling to the next school. He confirmed the horrific news.  

For several days, tears rolled down my cheeks during the Pledge of Allegiance and the music of our national anthem. I choked back sobs for the country I love and for fellow citizens who’d lost loved ones. Sympathy pooled in the eyes of my teenage students whose families immigrated to my homeland.

Terrorists cause earth-shaking destruction by implementing their evil plots, but other people can provoke varying degrees of devastation. Criminals puncture the sense of security in the lives of victims. Those in positions of authority can erode confidence by lashing out with impatience at those who hinder progress or lack understanding. Apathetic individuals withhold respect and assistance for needy souls.

Our words, facial expressions, actions, or indifference can either crack the foundation of someone’s joy or add bricks to their wall of hope.

As patriots, we honor heroes as well as families who were forever changed by 9-11. If we are to follow in the footsteps of those heroes, we must focus on protecting and caring for our fellow man.

As individuals, we can help build a strong nation by seeking God as we edify families, friends, churches, workplaces, and communities one person at a time. Paul instructed believers:  

Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing.

1 Thessalonians 5:11 ESV

In his 1989 inaugural address, President George H. W. Bush encouraged Americans to extend a helping hand, and he compared American volunteers to “a thousand points of light.” Christ followers can share the Light of the world by holding forth the gospel as they build relationships and tell the good news of salvation.

In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.

Matthew 5:16 ESV

As we reflect on the events of September 11 and ponder our role in blessing others, let’s ask these questions:

  • Do my words and actions destroy or build up the people in my life?
  • Do I reflect Christlike love and concern as I interact with others?
  • Is someone near me longing to hear the gospel and experience the peace of Christ?
  • Does an acquaintance need job counseling or parenting skills or friendship?
  • Would a young person benefit from the guidance of an experienced elder?
  • Am I a builder?
  • Which construction tools has God placed in my hands?

Meditating on the following verses will strengthen our resolve to be builders in our communities as we share Christ and His love:  

3Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. 4 Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. 5 Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus.

Philippians 2:3-5

Have you observed a builder recently? Please share examples of ways we can reflect the light of Christ and strengthen relationships. Has someone pointed you toward biblical truth?

What joy fills our hearts when we edify those we meet!

Be the “Sunflower” in Someone’s Day

Jeannie Waters12 Comments on Be the “Sunflower” in Someone’s Day

Sunflowers make me smile.

They just look sunny with their petals extending like rays of sunshine. These stunning beauties stand in contrast to the sky and nearby vegetation, punctuating the landscape with brilliant color. These flowers intrigue me for several reasons.

Vincent van Gogh, working in southern France, selected sunflowers out of all of God’s creation as the subjects of five paintings in 1888 and 1889. Maybe the artist chose them because they naturally draw the eye or maybe the sunflowers he saw brightened his day.

Sunflowers remind me of cheerful people who brighten the day wherever they are. Does someone who fits that description come to mind? Is there someone you’re always glad to see? Do you know a person who seeks to encourage other people?

Speaking kind words, calling a person by name with eye contact, offering help, or simply smiling warms the heart of the recipient.

Encouraging people are like sunflowers.

  • They both stand tall in contrast to their surroundings. In an environment of stress, gossip, or discouragement, a sunflower person can turn the atmosphere from negative to positive.
  • These floral wonders follow the sun’s position from morning to evening. (For word-loving and science-loving readers, the term is phototropism.) The Bible promises hope and peace to those who follow Christ Jesus, God’s Son. (Colossians 1:27, Psalm 29:11)
  • Sunflowers point west in late afternoon. Supportive friends can point the way to wise counsel, a brighter outlook, or tangible help.
  • These plants not only provide beauty but offer useful gifts such as yummy seeds and the oil that flavors my favorite popcorn. Encouraging people add value to the lives of others by offering positive words, acts of kindness, or small gifts that bring joy and hearten others.
  • Sunflowers, just like people, come in many varieties. Regardless of our gifts or background, opportunities to Brighten Someone’s Day abound.

         Be a “sunflower” in someone’s life today! 

Therefore encourage one another and build one
another up, just as you are doing.-1Thessalonians 5:11 ESV

Your Turn to Share . . .Let’s gather ideas!

Where do you find encouragement? How do you pass it along to others?
I look forward to reading your contributions in the comments below!
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Thank you!