Change, Challenge, and Convictions of Steel - Part 2

People who are able to endure life's hardships tend to view change as a challenge rather than a tragedy. These people believe change is imminent.  For others, change must come at a deliberate pace to activate coping skills and keep change within acceptable boundaries. For some, change is seen as a challenge to explore new frontiers.

Loss of employment can be seen as an opportunity to find a job that's more compatible with one's personality and skills. Or consider the elderly couple who must sell their home because upkeep is too difficult. While this may create grief and anxiety, moving to assisted living can instill feelings of relief and security.

It's imperative to believe that God will help you face troubles and resolve any issue. The Holy Spirit's job is to put steel in your convictions as you submit to him. God gives you faith that becomes unshakable. Hardiness of character, a blessing from God, enables you to view change as a challenge rather than a tragedy. 

Change, Challenge, and Convictions of Steel - Part 1

Stress is an inescapable fact of life. Too much stress interferes with job productivity and personal effectiveness in relationships. Physical pain and illness can be stress-related. Research indicates that it isn't situations that overload a person with stress, but how situations are perceived. Resilience, the ability to flow with life's events, is a major factor in limiting the effects of stress.

Resilience is attributed to emotional and physical hardiness. Hardiness indicates toughness of character, strong convictions, and the ability to endure change. People with hardiness of mind and soul have the ability to perceive change as a challenge that's intertwined with their convictions.

What builds convictions made of steel like those possessed by the Christians at Thessalonica? The Apostle Paul attributed this to their unrelenting, passionate faith in Christ Jesus. This gave hope for the future and determination to do the work Christ Jesus assigned them. While this is energizing, it also keeps stress at an acceptable level.

Never Give Up! God Will Send Help - Part 3

Recently a friend related that he was sure God called him for an important purpose. Seemingly impossible obstacles had appeared immediately from every- where. Whatever could go wrong did as a test of his determination to stay on task. He knew God's purpose for him was good and do-able, and this enabled him to rebuke every negative thought and resist every temptation Satan hurled at him.

No matter how determined the forces were to sidetrack him, the certainty of God's call gave him courage to stay focused. A compelling factor was a godly hope for the future - hope of God's blessings for others and himself. Hope gives resilience power to stand firm, regardless of disturbing distractions.

The Apostle Paul gave these encouraging words to the Christians at Thessalonica. "It's clear that God loves you and has put his hand on you for something special. When we preached to you, it wasn't just words. Something happened in you. The Holy Spirit deposited steel in your convictions." Where there's steel in convictions, there's hope for the future.