A Good Word Is Refreshing

People enjoy giving good advice.
    Saying the right word at the right time is so pleasing.

Proverbs 15:23 

 

Remember the Peanuts specials where Lucy had her Psychiatrist Booth set up to give advice for a nickel?  She loved giving advice!

 

Let's look at a premise: God brings us through many difficult situations in our lives.  Therefore, we should be willing to help others who are enduring a challenge similar to the ones we have faced to encourage them and walk with them through their struggles.

 

Did you know that when a person is struggling, a kind encouraging word can make all the difference?  Most of the time the best counsel we can offer is to remind someone that they are not alone in their struggles.  Sometimes the best encouragement for someone is you just being there for them.  Advice doesn't have to always contain words, sometimes a simple smile is enough.  Think about that.

 

 

Down Deep

People’s thoughts can be like a deep well,
    but someone with understanding can find the wisdom there.

Proverbs 20:5 

 I remember fishing with my Grampa and all I seemed to catch were the "throw backs" that were too small to keep.  I watched as my Grampa carefully put his bait on the hook and then lowered the hook in the water, I tried to imitate him but while he caught several "good eatin'" fish, I just kept catching the throw backs.  

Finally, I asked him why couldn't catch the big fish too.  He looked at me with the wisdom of a lifetime and said, "You need to seek deeper for the bigger fish."  Then he put some of Gramma's fig preserves on my hook, adjusted my line and weights, and told me to try again.  Sure enough, I caught a 5 pound "good eatin'" fish.  And I was amazed!

Grampa told me, "Experience is a hateful teacher, but if you listen to those who have been in her school long enough, you'll learn the lessons before she can ruin your day.  Big fish are usually in deeper water, just like the right answers are usually found deep inside you.  You just have to learn to look."

Rescued....Are You Grateful?

The righteous person faces many troubles,
    but the Lord comes to the rescue each time.

Psalm 34:19 

 

The photo is of our dog Woody Bear who was a rescue.  He's had a difficult life and was not sure if he could trust us for a while.  But slowly, little by little, he is understanding that he is loved.  In fact, when I have my morning coffee, I sit on the couch and rub his tummy and remind him that he is loved (hence the expression on his face).

 

Now if we shift gears for a moment, how many will volunteer that they have been through some rough times in their life?  I will.  I still struggle with some of them. And even though there are few people who have any idea what it's like in my head and heart, I know they struggle too.  You see, God created us to be social.  In fact, if you remember in Paul's Letter to the Church in Galatia, he reminds us to "Share each other’s burdens, and in this way obey the law of Christ."  

 

Why do I bring that up?  Because even thought we face many troubles, God has a way of bringing people into our lives that can help us through our struggles.  God has a plan for each of us and sometimes that plan involves being the one reaching out to help and sometimes that plan involves being the one reaching out for help.  

 

We are in this together, whether we like it or not, so let's help each other and ask God to open our hearts, souls, ears and eyes for opportunities to help rescue someone. And also ask God to open our hearts, souls, ears and eyes so that we are not afraid or embarrassed to ask for help.  God comes to the rescue every single time, sometimes we merely have to be aware that help comes in God's way, which is probably not the way we expected.

 

Ponder that. 

"You're Right, But I'm Not Listening"

Listen to advice and accept correction,
    and in the end you will be wise.

Proverbs 19:20

Have you ever had someone tell you that you're counsel was correct and then kept to their "comfort zone" because actually implementing the counsel would create a conflict?  Or you try to help someone stop being a doormat, yet they choose to remain a doormat?

 

Why is that?  Why do we seem to insist that wisdom is irrelevant?  Why to we lie and say "I agree" knowing that everything will remain the same?  Why do we claim to respect wisdom yet refuse to heed it?

 

Because we are a stubborn bunch.  Because we don't like conflict.  Because it's easier to live miserably and just roll on being used than it is to change for the better.

 

Here's an analogy that was used on me: 

 "If you break your leg, you have a choice to make: go to the doctor and have it set or ignore it and hope it will heal on its own.  If you choose to ignore it, you could get gangrene which you will have to either go to the hospital or die.  If you choose to let the doctor set your leg, it's going to hurt, but it will heal properly.  You will have to endure some discomfort for a bit, but eventually you will be able to walk, run, dance and enjoy life.  It's YOUR choice!"

 

I've used this analogy several times when counseling others.  Some have listened and made some tough decisions.  Some have decided to hear but not listen, and are still miserable.

 

Remember when Jesus told the Rich Young Ruler what he must do to receive eternal life?  Jesus told him to make some tough decisions and changes, but the man refused and walked away miserable.

 

Consider today if there are some tough decisions that need to be made and are you willing to make them.