Surviving a Personal Crisis with God's Help - Part 3

Everyone experiences challenges to what they expect from life. Sometimes these challenges are minor and relatively easy to manage. At other times we're tested to the point where personal survival appears uncertain. Challenges that result in spiritual failure can be so devastating and overwhelming that recovery seems impossible.

Even if you've cratered in the face of a crisis and abandoned everything you believed in, all is not lost. God has not given up on you. Psalm 147:5 reassures you that survival is possible. "Great is our Lord, mighty in power; his understanding has no limits." And that's not all. Listen to Psalm 145:14. "The Lord upholds all those who fall and lifts up all who are bowed down."

Passing through the torrential waters of a crisis opens the door for needed change. Surviving requires resuming faith in Christ Jesus and being vulnerable to the unlimited understanding of the Lord God. He will cleanse and forgive you and provide faith which assures that survival is possible.

Surviving a Personal Crisis with God's Help - Part 2

If survival only involved food, clothing, and shelter, the majority of us would be OK. Most people in our country believe they should enjoy the abundance of our society and what the government provides. I'm sure you know individuals who believe they're beyond failure and that their survival is assured. This cavalier attitude can blind a person to an inevitable crisis.

In the eighteenth century the British Empire was so confident in its naval and military supremacy, its leaders believed they were undefeatable. Yet a rag-tag army led by General George Washington was eventually victorious over the mighty British military. Sin, though seemingly insignificant, can bring disastrous consequence to the most ardent believer.

God brings his people back from the edge of disaster when they're willing to make significant life changes. Listen to 1 John 1:8. "If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and there is no truth in us. But if we confess our sins, he forgives and purifies us from all unrighteousness." This is a choice God makes available to everyone.  

Surviving a Personal Crisis with God's Help - Part 1

Can you imagine life without electricity, indoor plumbing, and the automobile? How would you survive? It's impossible even to consider how radically your life would change. Personal crises can be so disruptive that your very survival appears questionable. Seldom does anyone get to cruise through life without having their world personally turned upside down.

Franklin Delano Roosevelt, the thirty-second President of the United States, had to struggle for survival when he was struck down by polio. Following this attack which left him paralyzed in both legs, he spend months in despair and depression. Food, clothing, and shelter were never an issue, but survival reaches beyond these basics needs.

God permits us to experience personal crises so we can realize his plans and purpose for us. Change and growth inspired by personal crises open our hearts to God's unconditional love. Experiencing his love gives us courage to make needed changes. God never permits you to be tested beyond your ability to survive, but gives you strength to endure any crisis.  

Finding God's Purpose in Difficult Times - Part 3

Surviving or just getting by isn't an acceptable lifestyle for most people. Striving for something better is driven by a need to succeed. Marginal existence is unacceptable because it violates an internal code that says we're capable of reaching higher. Parents want their children to excel, for under-achieving creates sadness and frustration for most parents.

Survival is defined differently by those who comprise each socioeconomic class. Survival can be an issue even for those living in opulence. The 1960's produced a generation of young people who found little meaning in their parents' lifestyle. Survival meant rejecting the status quo as well as the conventionality of their parents.

For survival to have a full, rich meaning, it must include an acceptable purpose for life. Jesus said, "I have come that you might have life, and have it to the full." Jesus is referring to a rich spiritual life that anchors the heart and soul.  He challenges us to seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness. This objective gives survival a new meaning and purpose.  

Finding God's Purpose in Difficult Times - Part 2

A nation's moral and spiritual values seem to ebb and flow with the character of its leaders. Great Britain evolved into a great nation during the nineteenth century because of innate inventiveness, which was the moving force behind its manufacturing industry. Naval supremacy gave Britain a political edge in the affairs of the world during that century.

However these points of power did not define Britain's total character. Personal values derived from a strong Christian faith defined their integrity, as hard work was a benchmark for success. These character strengths gave rise to a concern for the welfare of mankind. During World War II, their faith and trust in God got them through the dark days of war.

Personal crisis eventually will visit everyone. Surviving a crisis demands change in the arrangement of priorities. Coming back to God by giving Christ Jesus first place in your life is required for making healthy choices. Surviving the consequences of a crisis takes endurance and a resilience that faith in God provides. Faith is God's gift to you.  

Finding God's Purpose in Difficult Times - Part 1

Personal failures can have such long-term consequences that survival may seem questionable. John Edward Pine-Coffin, a military surgeon, served aboard an English ship during the Boer War. Following this war he tried to establish a private practice in England, which resulted in failure and initiated a personal crisis. Survival meant re-enlisting in the military.

In 1842 on a military ship bound for New South Wales, depressed and confused, he was forced to assess his faith in God. He described his faith as "a belief that every life event and action follows the plan and will of God." Sorrow for sin and its consequences was endurable through his love and trust for Christ Jesus. This gave him hope for the future.

Changes that occur during crises often prove to be temporary in duration. Edward Pine survived personal crisis through making choices that demonstrated commitment for permanent change. With God's help and the power of Christ in you, hope exists for permanent change. Trusting God with all your heart is a choice worth making.

The Conscience As an Alert System - Part 3

Many homeless people survive by begging, borrowing, or stealing enough money to satisfy a daily appetite for food and whatever addictions he or she must support. Addictions exist across all classes of society. Statistics disclose that  numerous stay-at-home wives and mothers secretly survive the day by devouring alcohol or non-prescription drugs.

The appetite for alcohol is astounding, and if it evolves into an addiction, it weakens the conscience and integrity while interfering with sound judgment.  Listen to Isaiah 56:12. "Come, let us get wine. Let's drink our fill. And tomorrow will be like today, even better."  This verse reveals how alcohol becomes an obstacle to sound judgment choices.

Escaping responsibilities by numbing the brain works only for a while. Your conscience and integrity cry out for change and healthy choices, such as dependency on God's word and the wisdom of Christ for guidance and strength to manage daily living. Christ Jesus is knocking on your door and waiting for an invitation to come in. Choose Christ Jesus now.  

The Conscience As an Alert System - Part 2

There's never been a time in modern history when mankind's survival was not an issue. Initially, Adam and Eve did not worry about survival, but their utopia ended with a careless choice. Although they were expelled from the garden, God did not cut them off from his love and protection. No, he still loved and cared for them and made sure they survived.

Have you given thanks to God for your survival, for your blessings? We work and pay taxes so others can have food, clothing, and shelter. We give away clothes that are longer in fashion and support programs to help people all over the world. Generosity is possible because we're so blessed and do not struggle to survive physically.

However, survival is a multi-faceted issue. Because we're complex, fragile, and sensitive, we often strive to survive emotionally, spiritually, and mentally. As God loved and cared for Adam and Eve, he loves and cares for you. So invite Jesus to fill you with his presence. This is a wonderful, healthy choice for survival. So give thanks to God.

The Conscience As an Alert System - Part 1

Most people believe they have a conscience, an inner value system designed to keep them within safe boundaries. The conscience sounds an alert when values are in imminent danger of being violated. But how do you get a conscience? A ten-year child gave this answer, "I really don't know. It's something you get without asking for it. It just seems to happen."

Can you imagine a society whose inhabitants have not developed  consciences to guide and control their thoughts and behaviors? Psychopaths and sociopaths are defined as being without a conscience. Everyone then would be subject to their criminal acts because they lack love and compassion for others.

Parents play a major role in the development of a child's conscience. The positive, healthy parent/child attachment based on love, guidance, and correct boundaries is significant to the evolution of a child's conscience. God's word encourages parents to "teach children how to live and they will remember it all their lives." This choice will never be regretted.  

Listening to Your Inner Voice - Part 3

Good management systems prevent the world from disintegrating into chaos. Each of us has an internal management system that directs our thoughts and actions. One of the main features of this internal management system is our conscience. Think of the conscience as an office manager who makes sure everything stays on track.

The conscience plays a major role in determining our success or failure, so  we are born with the potential for conscience to develop in conjunction with what we're exposed to in our environment. Adam and Eve experienced a serious violation of conscience by crossing the boundary line of God's instructions. They felt fear, shame, and guilt.

The development of conscience begins early in childhood. God's word instructs parents to bring up children in accordance with what is good and godly and they will keep it as a guide for life. We're created in God's image and designed to act, think, and believe as he does. God transforms your conscience as you choose to trust Jesus as Savior and Lord.  

Listening to Your Inner Voice - Part 2

Most people want to rise above self-centeredness at some point in life's journey. Self-centeredness promotes self-indulgence and eventually creates a void within the heart and soul. What are you getting from your relationships, from the world of entertainment, or from a successful career? Sooner or later each person will have to ask, "What gives meaning and purpose to my life?"

There's an interesting paradox to this issue of self-indulgence. The incongruity lies in the connection between a deeper, underlying self-hatred and the drive to fill up one's life with everything possible. Self hatred, low self-esteem, and a wounded conscience go hand in hand. One reason for self-hatred is guilt.

Self-hatred and guilt tell you you're bad, but God provides an escape from  condemnation. Genuine sorrow for wrong-doing is what God expects within the heart of the person. Ask God to help you seek the promise of Psalm 126:5. "Those who sow in tears will reap with songs of joy." This choice is the pathway to change.  

Listening to Your Inner Voice - Part 1

Every modern civilization to some extent sanctions self-indulgence. In our society self-indulgence is endorsed in every way imaginable. But is it wrong to indulge yourself since most people participate? Because of long term negative consequences, I would suggest it is wrong.

I read about a man who early in his career decided to give away half of his earnings to church groups and organizations whose mission was to improve the lives of less fortunate people. What do you think would happen if you chose to follow his example? Is it possible even to give serious consideration to this idea?

Do you believe the words of Jesus from Luke 6:38? "Give to others and God will give to you a generous helping, poured into your hands - all you can hold." Self-indulgence and self-absorption eat away at your conscience and integrity. Generosity rebuilds the conscience and strengthens integrity when it's expressed with thanksgiving and love. Such a choice is fostered by the love of Christ Jesus for us. 

The Voice of Conscience: Turn It Back On - Part 3

Most people struggle to stay in line with the dictates of their conscience. We know that impulsive decisions often indicate we're out of compliance with good judgment and are vulnerable to damaging our integrity. Still we find it difficult to override the tendency to self-indulge, even though self-indulgence ultimately leads to negative consequences.

Our conscience attempts to remind us that self-indulgence is not suitable for good health. Succumbing to self-indulgence causes our integrity to suffer. We become manipulative and controlling in an effort to fulfill our desires, but still we feel empty and like Ezekiel 37 describes as "a dessert full of dry bones, with no life, direction, or purpose."

Yet what God can do with faith the size of a mustard seed has no bounds! God told Ezekiel to say to those dry bones, "Dry bones, hear the voice of the Lord: 'I will make breath enter you and you will come to life.'" Permit God's power  to penetrate your life so your conscience and integrity can be restored and healed. This is a wise choice.  

The Voice of Conscience: Turn It Back On - Part 2

Losing the battle of conscience ultimately causes prolonged suffering. A clear conscience enlightened by the presence of Christ Jesus, however, brings freedom from shame and guilt. Everyone can choose to tune out the voice of conscience and allow it to grow cold and hardened, but the freedom they're searching for is never realized.

The saddest consequence of the progressive deadening of conscience is a loss of connectedness to the Lord God and those who love you. Perdition is a strange word derived from Latin that means to throw away or lose the soul. Willfully shutting down the conscience and the voice of Christ within you can be devastating.

How long has it been since you felt connected to God or others? God sent Jesus to save you from bad choices. His purpose reaches beyond this objective. He sent Jesus to save you from eternal separation from himself, so choose to let God save you by committing your life to Christ Jesus. This is the most important decision you will ever make.  

The Voice of Conscience: Turn It Back On - Part 1

Every person is subject to self-indulgence at some level. Self-indulgence can range from food to video games and is not reserved for what money can buy. Anything taken to excess is an indulgence and tends to cross all socioeconomic lines. Queen Marie Antoinette, wife of King Louis XVI of France, was known as the queen of self-indulgence.

During the French revolution when poor people were begging for food, the queen's insensitive response was, "Let them eat cake." She was so obsessed with food, nothing satisfied her taste and cravings. She was so captivated with self-indulgence that her conscience and integrity disintegrated.

Jesus' parable of the rich man and Lazarus, found in Luke 16, reveals the startling, sad truth that self-indulgence blinds us to compassion and the realistic needs of others. Perhaps God is speaking to you and prompting you to make important changes before it's too late to turn things around. Ask Christ Jesus to help you do that right now.  

Conscience, Your Inner Voice: To Heed or Not To Heed? - Part 3

Is it possible to silence the voice of conscience? Personal conduct is managed by our value system, so overruling the voice of conscience is possible,  but not advisable. Alcohol and street drugs are a deterrent to heeding what our  conscience tries to communicate. Anger, resentment, and bitterness also play a major role in silencing the sounds of conscience.

As you consider these words, what parallel thoughts are you aware of right now? Parallel thoughts can be significant messages that your conscience is trying to convey. Do these thoughts signal danger you need to heed? History verifies that misfortune is related to weakness of character and conscience.

God's desire is to cleanse your conscience so that your conduct gives witness to his power in your life. You can choose to change and conform to God's purpose for your life. 2 Corinthians 1:12 reminds us, "Our conscience testifies that we have conducted ourselves in ways that witness the holiness and sincerity that are from God." This is a worthy objective.  

Conscience, Your Inner Voice: To Heed or Not To Heed? - Part 2

The inner voice of conscience is alive and alert, even when a person's wants, desires, and passions speak so loudly that it can no longer be heard. To live with a clear conscience is to harmonize your integrity with your thought patterns and behavior. Listen to the Apostle Paul's words from Acts 24:16 regarding his conscience. "I strive always to keep my conscience clear before God and man."

The conscience is an alarm system that warns of imminent danger. The voice of conscience is persistent since its mission is to bring us to confession and repentance for violations and sinful choices. Failure to heed your conscience may seem OK initially, but disregarding this voice can be devastating.

God will restore and renew a damaged integrity and conscience so you can experience peace with him and fellowship with Christ Jesus as well as peace with those who love you. Choosing the path of positive change is not always easy, but the Holy Spirit makes a way to do so when you are willing to ask for help. Would you give this a chance to work for you?  

Conscience, Your Inner Voice: To Heed or Not To Heed? - Part 1

How much power and control do you allow your conscience to have in directing and guiding your thoughts and actions? Conscience is defined as an alarm system or inner voice whose purpose is to alert us against committing behaviors that violate our moral, social, and spiritual values. Your conscience is most vulnerable when you stubbornly refuse to listen to its voice.

The conscience works in partnership with your integrity to guide you toward what is good and pleasing to God. Permit Christ Jesus to empower and strengthen your conscience as a guard against temptation that confronts each person. You will then be dissuaded from making bad decisions capable of taking you to the brink of unhappiness or disaster.

Christ Jesus enlightens the conscience to help you make choices that save your integrity from damage. If your choices have acutely injured your integrity and conscience, prayer and patience are required so that forgiveness and cleansing are free to heal you. Ask Christ Jesus to give you to strength to set boundaries on choices that violate your conscience.  

Choosing Integrity for the Family and Beyond - Part 3

God's word provides several examples of individuals who harden their hearts and refuse to cooperate with God's purpose for their lives. To harden your heart means to choose evil over righteousness by doing what is contrary to your conscience. It takes determination to harden your heart and deaden your integrity.

You suffocate your integrity by turning away from godly values and  refusing to accept responsibility for bad choices. Then it's easy to blame others for a weak or dead conscience. Jesus said, "Wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction...But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life."

Integrity is closely aligned with the heart and mind to give you guidance for  life's choices. Leonardo da Vinci observed, "Iron rusts from disuse; stagnant water loses its purity; even as inaction depletes the vitality of the mind." Jesus can, with your permission, create in you a clean your heart and give your integrity new life. Then you can stay on the narrow road that leads to life. 

Choosing Integrity for the Family and Beyond - Part 2

Throughout history men and women with leadership skills help to meet the challenges of their generation rather than to allow spiritual and moral decay to get a foothold. The Old Testament book of Judges illustrates how God's people cycled from integrity and uprightness into moral and spiritual collapse.

Civilization needs leadership that begins in the family and extends outward to all niches of society. The Lord God is concerned about leadership. 1 John 3:7 warns about letting others lead you astray. Ultimately, the quality of a person's  integrity defines leadership style and objectives.

Lyndon Johnson's aide Jack Valenti speaks to us concerning leadership integrity. "In the Normandy countryside of France is a little cemetery. Atop one of the graves is a cross etched with these words; 'Leadership is wisdom and courage, which means that leaders must risk their political future to do what is right for the long-term interest of those they serve.'" Yes, it's a tough choice, but doable, when Christ Jesus is your source for strength and courage.  

Choosing Integrity for the Family and Beyond - Part 1

To feel anger is not a choice, but learning how to manage it constructively is a choice. Where love exists between a husband and wife, parent and child, or a deep friendship, frustration will sooner or later be experienced. Two people in a shared relationship have different views, needs, and desires, so the potential for frustration is certain.

To manage anger productively acknowledge the existence of frustration. Frustration is experienced when your rights are being violated or if your needs and  wants are being denied. If frustration is not dealt with on this basic primary level, then anger takes its place. Anger demands change because your integrity is jeopardized or put at risk.

To better manage your anger, ask, "Why am I angry?" Be honest. Letting unchecked anger fly diminishes integrity, but allowing others to express what they think and need enhances integrity. Jesus would not permit the anger of others to deter him from constructively expressing his own, as substantiated by Mark 3:5. Let Jesus be your help for all of life's problems.  

Managing Anger with Integrity - Part 3

Understanding the purpose of anger in everyday life and relationships is critical to sustaining a healthy integrity. The American Heritage Dictionary defines anger as a feeling of extreme displeasure, hostility, indignation, or exasperation toward someone or something. This could include feeling anguished, troubled, or distressed. David Mace said, "Anger is feeling displeasure toward a person or object with a desire to remove the cause."

Anger turned inward creates depression. However, anger can be healthy and helpful when used to correct a bad situation while concurrently saving your integrity from guilt and shame. Counseling can help anyone manage anger in an open, honest way without damaging relationships and integrity.

Mark 3:5 portrays Jesus expressing anger while taking positive actions to correct a situation which included healing a man's shriveled hand. Managing anger for healthy constructive good is choosing to change in ways that please and honor God.  

Managing Anger with Integrity - Part 2

Anger can be such an uncomfortable emotion that some people pretend it doesn't exist. Anger is often disguised or hidden, rather than acknowledged, since ownership could produce devastating repercussions. Internalizing anger can generate negative symptoms such as fatigue, depression, and anxiety. Sleep deprivation and poor anger management are often related.

While anger is an inescapable emotion, are you one of those who manage anger by internalizing it? Have you tried keeping track of how many times during one day you become frustrated, angry, or get your feelings hurt? Refusing to manage anger in an acceptable way can negatively affect your integrity, your sense of self, as well as your relationships.

God intended for anger to be felt and expressed, but expressed in ways that produce healthy, positive results. At stake is your integrity, so don't justify anger or blame others. By taking responsibility for what created your anger and  confessing it to God and others, your integrity will be enhanced. You then fulfill the scripture that instructs, "Be angry, but do not sin." 

Managing Anger with Integrity - Part 1

Anger is a predictable response to stressful or threatening situations. There are a number of people who believe anger is a sin when expressed in any form or for any reason. If allowed to become destructive and out of control, anger should be certified as sinful. Your integrity plays a major role in determining if anger is right or wrong, good or evil.

During the Exodus of God's people from Egypt, some were seduced into sexual immorality by an indigenous group of Moabites. Phinehas, a Jewish priest motivated by anger, took decisive action to end this sinful behavior. Then God said to Moses, "Phinehas has turned my anger away from Israel, for he is as devoted to protecting my honor as I am."

Numbers 25:11 illustrates how anger can be expressed for the right reason from the depths of one's integrity. Choosing to search the depths of your integrity before expressing anger is a safeguard against sin. When anger has gotten out of control, your integrity comes to the forefront to redirect your behavior in ways that honor and please God. 

Integrity: Aligning Actions with Words - Part 3

The reason for conflict is a clash of personality differences. Differences include how we communicate, what we believe to be true about each other, and what we need and want. We need to feel accepted, and likewise, we must accept others as they are and learn to love them for who they are. Respecting each other's integrity allows for individual differences and beliefs.

The alternative is frustration and emotional alienation, if not physical separation. This is where anger plays a major role. Fights, prompted by anger, are about who controls whom and what. Integrity is wounded when control becomes a major issue in a relationship. Anger then is an impediment to the health of a relationship.

An important choice you can make is to respect the integrity of others. That means respecting a person's right to be different. The alternative is conflict. You can choose to let conflict be the motivation for changing. God is described as being slow to anger, abounding in love, so He respects our integrity and appeals to us to follow his example.

Integrity: Aligning Actions with Words - Part 2

Nothing creates despair like guilt. Guilt is a negative, uncomfortable feeling designed to move a person toward action. The purpose of guilt is to inform the conscience that an unacceptable violation of values has occurred and that appropriate action needs to take place. Choosing to make amends or apologize for wrong behavior may be avoided or ignored.

To ignore guilt's purpose is to invite despair. A healthy attitude can't co-exist with unresolved guilt and damaged integrity. Healthy integrity motivates us to do what is right regardless of embarrassment or humiliation. To act with self- respect and integrity can be painful, but bearable, when measured against the penalty of unresolved guilt.

When  Zacchaeus, a tax collector, met Jesus, he felt convicted of his sinful behavior. Listen as he speaks to Jesus about his desire for reconciliation. "Lord, here and now I give half of my possessions to the poor, and if I have cheated anybody out of anything, I will pay back four times that amount." His choice absolved his guilt and healed his wounded integrity.