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Weekly reflection: Psalm 25
Key Verse Phillipians 2:14
Surviving Difficult Situations
Recently, the world seemed to be lurching from one disaster to the next. A global pandemic, significant changes in how we live, economic uncertainty, political and social unrest, and a slew of natural disasters have all occurred in recent years. People are also dealing with tragic events such as a loved one’s death, deteriorating health, unemployment, divorce, violent crime, or terrible accidents. For many of us, this is a time of great turmoil and change. Whether a global emergency, a traumatic event, as well as going through a rough patch has a significant impact on your mood, health, and outlook. Psychological distress can make you feel helpless and overwhelmed. You may be upset about what you’ve lost, overwhelmed by a torrent of unpleasant, conflicting feelings, or unclear how to proceed with your life. You might even believe that you don’t have control over the outcome in your life.
In such times it appears really easy to be cynical. My mom would say whining had been my past time when I was younger. It is easier to concentrate on the negative, to criticize individuals behind their backs rather than thank them? To focus on things that don’t operate well. “How much longer must I put up with this vile assembly that rails against Me?” I have heard the complaints which the children of Israel make against Me.” – Numbers 14:27 NKJV. We can all be guilty of having the same mentality. Rants about the weather, work, or other people Obstacles are the focus. We, like the ancient Israelites, are more likely to grumble than to praise the Lord for the victory he has promised.
Building resilience
1: Practice acceptance
The first step for building resilience is to practice acceptance. We should accept the situation as it is and concentrate on what we can control and manage our emotions.
Romans 8:31
What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?
2. Reach out to others but choose carefully who you turn to:
3.Make prayer to God….. Grumbling is a typical problem because it makes us feel that we have something in common with someone, such as a similar dissatisfaction with something or a desire to right a wrong. We believe that we should air our discontentment to the world in order
to get things done, especially when we perceive there is a significant
gap between expectations and perceptions.
Venting is a way of making ourselves feel better by making someone else feel worse. It’s the worst kind of selfishness, and it’s extremely damaging to people’s lives and relationships. When we’re compelled to rant, we must question ourselves, “What are my motives here?” If we’re venting to make ourselves feel better or “get even” with someone who we believe has mistreated us, we’re most certainly acting contrary to God’s will, which is sin. “In your anger do not sin: Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, and do not give the devil a foothold.” (NIV).
“Whoever thinks himself religious but does not maintain a tight check on his speech deceives himself, and his religion is useless,” the Bible states. (James 1:26) If we have surrendered our lives to God, we no longer have the right to express our unpleasant feelings in the same way that the rest of the world does. God expects us to confront others about their wrongdoings at times, but we should pursue his insight and guidance.Our mindsets and purposes must be pure. Let me encourage you to pray about your circumstances, like David in Psalm 25. Ask Him to show you how to properly address these feelings and resolve them in a productive way.
It’s simple to whine and complain when we’re unhappy, but allowing negativity to overwhelm us leads to a complete lack of joy. In Philippians Chapter 1, Paul exhorted the Philippians to be firm in their faith in the face of external challenges. He admonished them to act in a way that was worthy of God, rather than murmuring amongst themselves. Then, in Philippians 2, Paul showed them how to stand firm in the face of internal strife. Today’s key verse, Philippians 2:14 says, “Do everything without complaining and arguing.”
4. Avoid negative people: Paul states that we should not permit any unwholesome talk to escape your lips, but only what is necessary for the development of others according to their requirements, so that those who pay attention can learn.
5.keep a positive attitude: Don’t trust the lies that are blocking you from progressing. “Always rejoice in the Lord,” Philippians 4:4 says. “Rejoice!” I’ll say it again. (NIV) Praise and thanksgiving help us keep our lives in perspective and see the world from God’s perspective. We can be praisers instead of complainers, declaring our faith in Him rather than complaining about our problems.Fix our gaze on the Lord and consider whether it is worthwhile. Believe that no matter how difficult life becomes, our Lord can deliver us for his glory and our good.What are our motivations, we must question ourselves? 4–5 Psalm 25:4–5 “Teach me Your methods, O LORD; / Show me Your ways.”
6.Our identities are shaped by our perceptions. David desired to walk in the footsteps of the Lord, to discover the routes that God intended for him to go. David asked to be led into more truth, so he waited for God’s guidance. David possessed a teachable spirit, which is something we all need to mature and grow in the Lord. In the Kingdom of God, a teachable person who hungers for God will undoubtedly bear fruit.”.It is really a sad day when someone begins to think they have already arrived.
7. Figure out how you feel about the situation. In these situations, we must exercise self-control. “You’re familiar with the command to the ancients, ‘Do not murder,” Jesus added. Anyone who is even slightly enraged with a brother or sister is guilty of murder. We must maintain our composure. Anger itself is not a sin, but our response to it is. 4:26–27 (Ephesians 4:26–27). 16:32 (Proverbs) Storing anger is unhealthy, but we should effectively manage our emotions Romans 1:8 exhorts us to live in harmony with all people.The Bible does not outright forbid all sorts of rage. There is such a thing as “righteous wrath,” the kind of rage that Jesus displayed when he flipped the tables in the Temple. (James 2:14-16) Showing the appropriate level of rage can communicate that we are serious, and it can motivate us and others to take positive action. However, this type of constructive rage is more uncommon than we might imagine. Our words have a lot of weight, and we will be held accountable to God for whatever we say, Jesus cautions us. “Avoid silly discussions that lead people into the sin of enmity with one another,” warned the apostle Paul.
Therewillbe spoken words that will sting and hurt for a long time.” (2 Timothy 2:16-17) We should make an effort to be blameless and pure: Phillipians2:14-15
Unrest develops as a result of feeling stuck. Unrest leads to worried thoughts. Then nervous thoughts begin to feel as though the walls are closing in on them and there is no way out.When we recognize the sentiments involved in our negative train of thoughts , we must look for hope and direction from God’s perspective to help uspause and find real rest from it all.
Irritability is yet another emotion: when I’m irritated, I’m carrying the bad weights of egocentric selfishness and interpersonal discord. My irritability spreads to others, burdening them as well, because my harsh comments offend them (Revise Proverbs 15:1). We try to pin our irritability on someone or something else, but Paul diagnoses it as a heart condition brought on by a lack of love: “Love is not irritable” (Revise 1 Corinthians 13:4–5). When God is angered, he moves at an excruciatingly sluggish speed (Revise Exodus 34:6). Whenever God is provoked, he becomes annoyed. When the grandeur of his holy righteousness and justice is ridiculed and broken, he becomes enraged for legitimate reasons.Our impatience has no roots in the righteousness soils. It grows quickly from the soil of selfishness, much like weeds of sin. We become impatient or easily provoked when what we desire is denied, delayed, or disrupted, instead of when God’s holiness or justice is insulted.
Thank you for listening, Lord.Please show me how to convey my sentiments as well as frustrations in ways that are pleasing to you. Thank you for instilling in me a sense of self-control so that I may respond virtuously when others cause me harm. I confess that I am more concerned with what I cannot control than with trusting you. Please forgive me for forgetting how trustworthy and good You are. May Your Spirit lead me to be at ease in Your presence and to focus my thoughts on worship and thankfulness. God, help me to become a quick listener, a slow speaker, and a slow angerer.Change my heart to look like yours. Father, you are the basis and forerunner of great gifts. Assist us in being thankful and content. Please forgive us when we grumble, and lead us to happiness through you. “Teach us Your ways today, and guide us on Your path,” we pray. Amen
8.We need to pray to God about it.
What am I pursuing that is being denied, delayed, or disturbed is beneficial? We should immediately repent of our wrongdoing. To overcome temptations like annoyance, collect promises like Philippians 4:11–13. Keep in mind that your emotions are indicators, not directives. Don’t allow irritability get the best of you (Romans 6:12). We must make preparations. Planning can be a spiritual practice as well as a tool for combating sin. “When am I most easily irritated?” ask yourself. Based on the responses, try to establish some methods and routines that will help you avoid stumbling blocks. Pursue the Lord’s offer of deliverance from temptation (1 Corinthians 10:13).
9.We must have patience.
2 Corinthians 4:16-18.
Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.
10.Know when to let go. Romans 8:28 – And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.
11.Humbly admit your own imperfections: Remember that none of us are perfect and we should take realistic steps to be les contaminating.
. Proverbs 16:9 – In their hearts humans plan their course, but the Lord establishes their steps.“Humility is perfect quietness of heart. It is to expect nothing, to wonder at nothing that is done to me, to feel nothing done against me. It is to be at rest when nobody praises me, and when I am blamed or despised. It is to have a blessed home in the Lord, where I can go in and shut the door, and kneel to my Father in secret, and am at peace as in a deep sea of calmness, when all around and above is trouble.” Andrew MurrayPsalm 46:10 tells us, “Be still, and know that I am God.”
Thoughts to ponder about
Does God remove sins/ all the consequences of sins when we repent, why?
Does my feelings currently affect me from seeking God’s guidance?
Are there painful moments where you know your own mistakes and sins have created rifts between you, God and others, and for which you have not repented?
Have you, like David, acknowledged both your own sin and God’s sovereignty?
When wronged, it’s tempting to tell the world about our injustice, although in the Christian community, we like to cloak it as a prayer request, venting, or “seeking wise counsel.”
But is venting biblical or could it, in fact, lead to destructive division in the body of Christ?