Find the Joy in Your Struggle

In this Trials UPLIFT, Dawn Wilson reminds us to seek the wonder of joy in the midst of life's struggles.After a lab report with discouraging news, I struggled.

The "numbers" were slow to get me back into remission. The Multiple Myeloma cells weren't being ramped down quickly enough.

I fought back tears and stuffed my emotions as I had sat down for yet another chemo infusion.

Later, I wrote a friend that during those hours the enemy popped ugly lies into my thoughts:

• "You're going to die!"
• "What's the use?"

But then suddenly, the Spirit of God popped beautiful truth into my thoughts:

• "Your life is in God's hands, and He is sovereign, loving and good."
• "Trust Him and keep moving forward in faith and joy."

I read these words by J. R. Miller:

"There is something very strange in the tendency which seems so common in human lives, to hide the joy and tell the misery."

I thought about that and agreed.

There's nothing wrong with telling people what's going on in our lives. That's realism, and it is healthy for authenticity and accountability.

But to dwell on the misery (the trial or tough circumstance) and "hide the joy"—yes, that's a problem.

Maybe it's not so much "hiding" the joy as it is not being diligent to express it when we discover it's there, present with us.

In the midst of our suffering, God still spreads the wonder of joy in our lives because of who He is and what He is doing in and through us.

I remember that Elisabeth Elliot said, "Suffering is the gateway to joy." I agree.

In our deepest trials, God teaches us deeper lessons. That's always a good thing—always a reason for joy.

Trusting the Lord during these times, we come to know Him in new ways. We relax into His sovereignty and grow in our graitude for His faithful love.

We may need to be diligent in discovering the wonder of joy before we can be diligent in expressing it.

Joy can be a subtle thing.

Sometimes joy isn't an overflow of emotions. It's more often a subtle, quiet presence—the joy of the Lord deep down in our heart.

Jesus, preaching to the crowds on a mountain, said something they might have thought odd.

How happy are those who know what sorrow means for they will be given courage and comfort! ... Happy are those who have suffered ... Be glad then, yes, be tremendously glad—for your reward in Heaven is magnificent (Matthew 5:3-12, J.B. Phillips NT).

Sorrowful, but glad?

The context of Jesus' message was a wide range of sorrows—eveything from being poor, hungry, and thirsty to being persecuted for the cause of the Kingdom. But the principle remains: When you suffer, be glad.

Be glad!

I've found I'm truly glad in my struggles when I remember there are two kingdoms: the kingdom of this fallen world, and the kingdom of God.

• In this world, this earthly kingdom, suffering might seem broken, twisted, evil, random, and without purpose.
• But suffering, when viewed from the perspective of God's kingdom, is full of purpose.
  

In The Message Bible, Matthew 5:4 reads:

You're blessed when you feel you've lost what is most dear to you. Only then can you be embraced by the One most dear to you.

The One who puts my tears in His bottle cares what's going on in my struggles. And though suffering may linger, He never leaves me, and it is in His presence I find great joy (Psalm 16:11). He becomes more and more dear to me.

Circumstances may not change, but the Lord is always faithful. I always want to be intentional about expressing my joy in Him.

Are you struggling with something today? Ask the Lord to give you His joy in the midst of it all.

Dawn Wilson, founder and President of Heart Choices Today, is a speaker and author, and the creator the blog, Upgrade with Dawn. She is a contracted researcher/reviewer for women's teacher and revivalist, Nancy DeMoss Wolgemuth at Revive Our Hearts, and is a regular columnist at Crosswalk.com. She and her husband Bob live in sunny Southern California, and Dawn has traveled with Him in Pacesetter Global Outreach. They have two grown, married sons, three granddaughters and a rascally maltipoo, Roscoe.

Courage When Christians Disappoint

Kathy Collard Miller always cuts to the heart of a matter. As she courageously speaks the truth of scripture into the toughest circumstances, her heart for women to mature in faith comes shining through. In this Spiritual Maturity UPGRADE, she addresses a difficult topic—Christians who dissapoint us.

"When Christians we respect disappoint us, we can be tempted to be discouraged and even give up serving God," Kathy says. "After all, won’t other Christians continue to fail us?"

I (Dawn) remember a situation when I was so hurt by Christians I served with—people I deeply respected—who made choices that hurt me and colored how I felt about Christians for a number of years. But I didn't want to stay bitter; I wanted to get "better" with God's help. He healed my wounded heart and taught me many things. Kathy says it takes courage to face down these kinds of disappointments in a biblical way.

Kathy continues . . .

We all know of someone whose service for God was weak and struggling. Even worse, it seems they have failed God.

What can we know about God that will help us courageously keep our eyes on Him and trust He has the power to help us?

First, God isn’t surprised by His children struggling.

One famous example from the Bible is in Acts 15:36-41. The Apostle Paul and his ministry partner, Barnabas, went different ways because they disagreed about whether Mark should continue serving.

But Paul thought best not to take with them one who had withdrawn from them in Pamphylia and had not gone with them to the work. And there arose a sharp disagreement, so that they separated from each other (15:37-38, ESV).

Barnabas took Mark with him and Paul took Silas. We can only speculate the hard feelings each one of these men held against the other.

Mark had disappointed them, yet his cousin, Barnabas—known for his encouraging heart—didn’t give up on Mark.

Even though Paul and Barnabas may have been surprised by all that was happening, God wasn’t surprised one bit.

In this case, more ministry was accomplished because the outreach was doubled.

Second, God wants us to remember that the final chapter hasn’t been written.

When Paul and Barnabas went their separate ways, most likely people were disappointed and discouraged. But the Apostle Paul later wrote to Timothy:

Luke alone is with me. Get Mark and bring him with you, for he is very useful to me for ministry (2 Timothy 4:11 ESV).

What? You mean Paul’s opinion about Mark changed? YES!

Mark matured and became increasingly valuable in church ministry.

And Mark wrote one of the Gospel accounts of Jesus’s life—the Gospel of Mark! Commentators believe he wrote it primarily based on the stories from Peter.

Third, God’s forgiveness and ability to restore are unlimited.

When we are in the midst of feeling discouraged because a Christian has seemingly failed us, we must remember God isn’t flummoxed or confused wondering how He’s going to bring glory to Himself.

• He never says someone can’t be forgiven or used for His glory.
• God will discipline and restore any repentant person to fellowship—and that applies to the person who failed you.
• Of course, he or she must choose to be restored, but God’s power to forgive is always available.

FOUR IDEAS for responding courageously when others disappoint you.

1. Take Your Eyes Off Fallible People.

If we are disappointed in someone, we “appointed” them as a kind of god who we expect will be perfect.

Only Jehovah God is perfect.

God never disappoints us, but people always will.

2. Focus on Who You Are Really Serving.

Sometimes our people-pleasing tendencies want the approval of other people. We feel let down when that person fails and is no longer giving us the attention we crave.

We must learn to more and more look to God Himself for encouragement. That doesn’t mean God won’t use other people to bless us, but He must be the main source.

3. Don’t Take Another Person's Failure Personally.  

If someone fails us, we could take it personally by thinking we failed them because we didn’t keep them in line.

We might blame ourselves, but the Holy Spirit holds accountable each and every person for their own choices.

Truly no man can ransom another, or give to God the price of his life (Psalm 49:7 ESV).

4. Evaluate Your Heart for Any Idols.

Sometimes we are discouraged because we’ve put another person on a pedestal. A spiritual idol is anyone or anything we value more than God.

Our discouragement may mean that person who turned away from God had become our idol. John’s last comment in his first epistle is, Little children, keep yourselves from idols (5:21 ESV).

When you feel discouraged by the actions of another Christian, ASK God for His provision of courage and greater trust in Him.

And of course, PRAY for that believer to return to full commitment to the Lord!

Can you think of anyone who you might be putting on a pedestal?

Kathy Collard Miller loves to help women trust God more through her 59 books and speaking in 35 states and 9 foreign countries. Her website/blog is www.KathyCollardMiller.com. Kathy’s newest book is a women’s Bible study on courage, from which this post is excerpted: Heart of Courage: Daughter of the King Bible Study Series. Check out Kathy’s Amazon author page at: https://www.amazon.com/Kathy-Collard-Miller/e/B001KMI10S/

Graphic, courtesy of Liza Summer at Pexels.

The Last Hour

Kolleen Lucariello is one of my friends who always sees a spiritual application in the simplest of life's situations. In this Spiritual Life UPGRADE, she reminds us of a Bible story about "watchfulness," and how it might encourage us to be more alert to opportunities to help others.

“How’d you like the ending, hun?”—my husband teased as I awoke from my slumber.

"I’d done it again," Kolleen says. "I'd waited weeks to see who would win the finale of our favorite voice competition, only to sleep through the final hour."

HA! I (Dawn) have done that too! So frustrating! But Kolleen couldn't just leave it there, and I'm glad she didn't.

Kolleen continues . . .

Sleep—necessary for the wellness of our bodies, and yet, it seems it can also carry quite a cost when missed opportunities are its aftermath.

Some a bit more significant than others. I mean, seriously, missing the finale of a television show due to a snooze on the couch won’t destroy a life. However, falling asleep on the job, might.

Sometimes, we can be robbed of sleep and then there are also occasions, unfortunately, when sleep can rob us.

My heart was hit with this thought as I read through the account of Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane. I saw with fresh eyes how Peter, James, and John may have felt after they realized the last hour they’d spent with Jesus—before His arrest—had been spent sleeping.

Can you imagine?

When I find myself in disbelief, my mind ruminates, so: perhaps they mulled over and over again, “My last hour with Jesus and I fell asleep.” He asked me to “Stay here and keep watch with me” and I fell asleep (Mark 14:34b). Not once or twice, but three times.

I could have watched with Him.

I could have done what He asked of me.

Instead, I fell asleep and missed the last hour I had to spend with Him.

What did Jesus ask Peter when He found him sleeping? “Simon, are you asleep? Couldn’t you watch with me even one hour?”

A question that feels like it holds the disappointment of unmet expectations.

When His heart was “overwhelmed with anguish and crushed with grief” and “It felt as though He was dying” (TPT), Jesus needed His friends to keep watch and wait with Him—the same friends that had boasted of their willingness to suffer and die alongside Him.

• Wait with Him as He wept in the Garden.
• Watch with Him in His distress and anxiety.
• Pray for the battle He was about to endure.

Now, I don’t presume to believe I would have done anything different; my flesh isn’t any stronger than Peter's, James', or John’s.

In fact, as I contemplate the events of that night in the garden, I question my own ability to remain steadfast and alert when someone needs me like Jesus needed them.

Perhaps I, like Peter, James and John, have good intentions to remain alert and watch, but instead gave into the temptation to drift off in sleep—sidetracked by my own schedule or crisis while allowing my own comfort to dictate my level of commitment.

Quite possibly, if I were to lean in and listen closely, I might hear Jesus whisper, “Could you not watch and pray for them even one hour?”

OUCH!

Quite possibly, because Jesus knew His need in the garden that night, God is asking us to be watchful of others in their own hour of need.

Watch now before the hour passes.

Remain AWAKE for:

Someone whose soul is crushed by the weight of grief?  

“He comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others. When they are troubled, we will be able to give them the same comfort God has given us” (2 Corinthians 1:4, NLT).

Someone whose anxious thoughts are trying to overtake them?

“For I know that as you pray for me and the Spirit of Jesus Christ helps me, this will lead to my deliverance” (Philippians 1:19 NLT).

Someone paralyzed by fear and begging God for the strength to endure the battle?

“Pray in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion. Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all believers everywhere” (Ephesians 6:18 NLT).

Friends, it’s time to review the last hour. Did sleep rob you of an opportunity to be present with someone in their time of need?

Remain watchful that your own exhaustion isn’t used against you as a temptation to lull you to sleep.

Remember, it’s your flesh that is weak, not your spirit.

Let your spirit lead the way!

“The earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and produces wonderful results” (James 5:16 NLT).  

Let’s produce some wonderful results.

Kolleen Lucariello, #TheABCGirl, is the author of #beYOU: Change Your Identity One Letter at a Time and is the Co-Director of Activ8Her, Inc. She is passionate to every woman realize her identity in Christ and live accordingly. Kolleen and her hubby, Pat, make their home in Central New York. She’s the mom of three grown children and Mimi to six incredible grands. For more information about Kolleen, visit www.speakkolleen.com

Graphic adapted, courtesy of Victoria Borodinova at Pixabay.

How to Champion Your Missionaries

Sally Ferguson helps people see the wonder in the simple moments of life when they are yielded to God and based in the truth of God's Word. In this Ministry UPGRADE, she gives us insight into missionaries' needs, and how we can help in practical ways.

"The young widow burst into happy shouts," Sally said.  

"Our team stared speechless as she showed us her empty jar. There was no food for her table tonight, but our bag of provisions became her sustenance."

As a missionary wife, I (Dawn) so appreciate Sally's heart for missions. I agree with her about the many ways Christians can bolster missionaries and their work for the Kingdom of God.

Sally continues . . .

I had the privilege of seeing an Elijah moment (1 Kings 17:7-16) in person. Not only did God answer her prayer for food, but He answered ours, "to be the hands and feet of Jesus."

This wasn’t my first trip to Uganda, but it was the first to see something like this—and we were in awe of what God had done.

Missionaries are often put into tough spots as they seek to balance the needs they see before them, and their own need for healthy boundaries.

How do they juggle a desire to help everyone they see, with the limited resources they manage?

Tim Stevenson* says,

"You can’t fix everything, but you can help someone. Focus on that which you can do and leave the rest."

Tim and Colleen* have certainly helped many in over thirty years of serving in Uganda, through construction, establishing schools, developing sponsorship programs, and training pastors. Their leadership is known and respected throughout the country.

Maybe you’re thinking you can’t be a missionary like Tim and Colleen? Did you know missionaries depend on folks back home to be their emotional support as well as for prayer backing?

Here are three ways we can partner with our missionaries from afar.

1. Go

Many missionaries welcome work teams to join in the work. The partnership enables a bigger return for the time investment, and, in linking arms together, lightens their load.

Visiting teams benefit from the experience of seeing the endeavor firsthand and leave more blessed because of the opportunity to serve.

Over the last twelve years, our church has sent work teams to Uganda and Alaska, and eye clinics, pastoral training, and grief counseling to Uganda. Each person returns home with a keen appreciation for the amenities we take for granted and for people who serve long-term in other cultures.

The trip enables people to take ownership in the calling of missions and puts a personal bent on what mission assignments look like.

The Holy Spriit equips us to go as God’s ambassadors (Acts 1:8).

2. Greet

When missionaries take a furlough, it is not a vacation.

The furlough usually involves extensive traveling to home base churches to stay in contact with financial and emotional support. Many times, these stops include speaking and recruiting new supporters.

It is an exhausting life and a place where you can step in to provide a reprieve.

Do you have . . .

• an extra car in the driveway?
• a spare bedroom where they can relax away from itineration?
• extra seats at your dining room table?

Missionaries need time away with their family, as well as time with your family.

Could you take them to see . . .

• a baseball game?
• a state park in your neck of the woods?
• a local wonder?

Hospitality is more than opening your home. It is opening your heart to welcome another in. Even a picnic can be the best medicine when the conversation is sweet.

Practice hospitality (Romans 12:13).

3. Give

All missionaries feel the sting of financial restrictions. They yearn to meet the needs they encounter every day and yet not have the resources to match their desire to help.

That’s where we come in.

We can give out of our excess, or we can give sacrificially, depending on our ability.

2 Corinthians 9:7 says God loves a cheerful giver, but what it doesn’t say is giving makes you cheerful.

The act of generosity is contagious and heart lifting.

Yes, a need is met, but your needs get met, too, because we’re all wired to serve. It’s like a release of endorphins that creates a party in your heart!

Ask your missionaries about their projects.

Ours have ministries to families of AIDS victims, sewing programs, shoe apprenticeships, hair dressing, and catering training, school construction, well drilling, health facilities, child sponsorships and widow visitation. Yours may have that or a myriad of other outlets.

Let your dollars and cents add up to treasures for the Kingdom.

Paul said, Your gifts are pleasing to God. (Philippians 4:18).

Most of all, missionaries, like all people, need to be reminded they are cherished for who they are, and not for how much they can burn out. 

Encourage them in sickness and health, in poverty and wealth, and in their full pursuit of God. You will be blessed by their gift of friendship and have a front row seat to many more Elijah moments!

How will you bolster your missionaries?

Sally Ferguson loves to dive into God’s Word and splash His refreshing water onto others. She speaks and writes with a look at snapshots of life in the sunshine and in the storms. Sally plans women’s retreats and she’s working on a Bible study for caregivers. She lives in the beautiful countryside of Jamestown, New York, with her husband and her dad. Visit Sally at her website.

* Learn more about the ministry of missionaries Tim & Colleen Stevenson — https://heartofourafrica.blogspot.com/p/about-us.html.

Graphic adapted, courtesy of Antoni Shkraba at Pexels.

Guardrails for Your Heart

Kathy Carlton Willis writes with whimsy and wit, insight and encouragement. In this Wellbeing UPGRADE, she shares four ways to protect our hearts.

“Lately, I’ve been told I’m more guarded than I used to be," Kathy says. "I’m afraid of being burned again. There are times to be cautious, and times to be more open.”

I (Dawn) think everyone has been hurt in some way. We do tend to guard our hearts, but not always in a healthy way. I appreciate Kathy's insight into how we can guard our hearts in good, biblical ways.   

Kathy continues . . . 

In fairytales, the castle often has amoat surrounding it and only those permitted to enter are allowed to use the drawbridge. The moat provides a way to guard the property from intruders.

The Bible talks about guarding our hearts and I wonder if we can use a moat-method to protect what God values—our hearts.

“Guard your heart above all else, for it determines the course of your life” Proverbs 4:23 (NLT).

First, what is the heart?

We know the Bible isn’t talking about the muscle that pumps blood to the rest of our body. It is the inner being that includes our mind, will, soul, and thoughts.

It is our decision maker. Our thoughts define who we become. In this way, it is the source of our authentic identity.

What we let in to our hearts helps determine what we feel and what we choose.

It is vital to guard our hearts and minds! When we guard well, we use God’s discernment gift to grow in wisdom.

What are the enemies of our hearts?

Anything that tries to come against us and derail us.

We need to protect our hearts from whatever is likely to interfere with what Eugene Peterson called, “long obedience in the same direction.”

• Enduring faith is threatened by doubts and discouragement.
• Being overwhelmed by stress and fatigue endangers what makes every day the potential for a good day—a God-day.

A moat helps protect what is valued from potential threats. But what if we are the worst enemy of our own hearts?

Sometimes we allow too much time exploring our thoughts and our feelings, and it hinders us from what is best for our inner being. In this case, a moat won’t protect us!

Let’s use a different image than a moat, then.

What if we used GUARDRAILS to keep us from going off track?

Personal Guardrails

1. Maintain your heart on a regular basis.

Look how the NKJV words our verse (Proverbs 4:23):

“Keep your heart with all diligence, For out of it spring the issues of life.”

I think of the road crews I see working on guardrails—and the signs they post to be careful when damage is done.

2. Tap in to God’s peace.

When we experience God’s peace, He equips us with what we need to guard our hearts.

The key is the last part of the following verse—to live in Christ Jesus.

“Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:7 NLT).

3. Store up God’s Word.

Stock up on supplies—in this case the words in the Bible have the power to help us guard our hearts.

The guardrail is in place so we don’t stray from God’s will.

“How can a young man keep his way pure? By guarding it according to your word. With my whole heart I seek you; let me not wander from your commandments! I have stored up your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you” (Psalm 119:9–11 ESV).

4. Treasure heavenly things, not earthly ones.

“For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also” (Matthew 6:21 NLT).

As you can see, guardrails for our hearts don’t just magically appear. We have to build and maintain them. It is important work.

The heart is not only what we take to heaven with us when we die, but it helps us as we represent the King here on earth.

We can tell what’s in our hearts by evaluating what we say:

"But the things that come out of a person's mouth come from the heart, and these defile them" (Matthew 15:18).

We may not live fairytale lives, complete with castles and moats, but we get to serve a King who blesses us with heavenly treasures. The drawbridge leading to Him is Jesus Christ.

When He dwells in our hearts, we have yet another reason to put our guard up—to have restricted access to our inner beings: we don’t want to allow anything to compete against Jesus for lordship in our lives.

“Then Christ will make his home in your hearts as you trust in him. Your roots will grow down into God’s love and keep you strong” (Ephesians 3:17 NLT).

What guardrails will you put in place to protect your heart?

Kathy Carlton Willis is God’s Grin Gal. She writes and speaks with a balance of funny and faith—whimsy and wisdom. Over a thousand of Kathy’s articles have been published and she has several books in her Grin Gal brand. Her latest books are The Grin Gal’s Guide for Wellbeing: Being Well in Body, Soul & Spirit, and the ancillary product, The Grin Gal’s Planner for Wellbeing. Set yourself up for success by joining one of Kathy’s virtual wellbeing groups. More information at kathycarltonwillis.com.