From Lvebob@aol.comFri Aug 16 17:55:11 1996 Date: Thu, 15 Aug 1996 22:54:34 -0500 From: Lvebob@aol.com Reply to: garyslist@creature.tn.org To: Multiple recipients of list Subject: S: How To Handle Difficult Circumstances, By Bob Lovelace HOW TO HANDLE DIFFICULT CIRCUMSTANCES By Bob W. Lovelace Introduction: Scriptures replete with situations that are both dangers and difficult. Need to see these as opportunities ---- to develop our potential; to encourage others; to save souls. I. To Develop Our Potential, 2 Cor. 12:7-9. A. How did this benefit Paul? 1. Answer: It kept him humble. a. When are we most likely to depend upon God? To become arrogant and feel self sufficient? 2. Answer: It produced strength. Paul was not without strength as a result of this. 3. Paul well understood Peter's point in I Peter 5:5-6; God's kindness, favor, "is" connected with humility. II. To Encourage Others, Phil. 1:12-14. A. How often do we fail to realize that our circumstances are not nearly as important as what we do with them? 1. Paul "did something" in unpleasant circumstances. In what Paul did we see: a. The furtherance of the Gospel. b. Palace Guards knew something about what it meant to be an "apostle" of Christ. c. Brought courage to other Christians. d. Right state of mind. Don't overlook "joy" that was his that he speaks of later in this same epistle. 2. I can see preaching, conversions, confidence instilled in others to speak out without fear, and joy all in this difficult circumstance. 3. Question: Do we need Paul's example applied to some of our less fortunate circumstances? B. While on vacation this summer of '96 I arranged to be able to worship one Sunday morning with a good friend and fellow preacher in New Mexico. He lives in a small town. The church is very small. Neither they nor the church have much money. I looked closely at him while he was teaching class that morning and thought to myself that he looked tired. I had this brief and private thought -- "I wonder if he's worked all night?" He taught an excellent class and preached a fine sermon afterwards. On the way to get some Kentucky Fried, and then to go on to his house for a visit he mentioned his Radio Program that he'd done earlier before class. While on the way I asked (he never mentioned this before I asked), "You didn't work all night last night did you?" His reply was "Yes, but I only have to do it in the summer time here; things are better after school starts." That's right, he'd worked all night long in a Motel, then went straight to the radio station to preach the Gospel to a small community where it was sorely needed, and from there to worship to teach and preach again! I saw no sulking or feeling sorry for oneself. I saw (and I truly appreciated and loved him for what I saw) a brother who was "doing something" in spite of unpleasant circumstances in his life and his family's life. As we finished eating lunch together he sat at the end of the table and began to nod while catching himself each time. To rest and then preach again Sunday evening was an expected and ordinary thing for him. I might add that I thank God for men like him daily, and for all of the encouragement that they offer us. For the example they set for us all. For the joy that they give and receive in their service to our Lord. Without strong preachers there would not be a strong church! III. To Serve God With The Mind, Rom. 7:24-25. A. Stressful situations give more emphasis to "the mind." It is here we see the importance of "understanding and applying" God's Word, rather than giving in to emotions and the flesh! B. Today: 1. Job/Financial burdens. a. Do "I" make the proper application based upon the proper understanding? 2. Family problems/ health/ unfaithfulness within/ etc. 3. Church is "family of God" and therefore at times must "discipline" members -- what if one in need of discipline is one of "my own" family? 4. NOTE: What do I do in these situations? Do is sulk and pout? Do I say "Woe is me!";"Poor me!"? 5. Let me tell you about my cousin and his wife. Just at the time when his wife had undergone a mastectomy for a serious cancer, and when all were told that she needed all of the encouragement she could get in order for her to heal both physically and mentally, their eldest child (their one and only son) walked in one night and got him up to tell him that he was "coming out" and he was gay. As if one major crises were not enough then this! They withdrew from their one and only son, and asked the elders to initiate the process. But neither he nor she ever lost their faith or "service" to God. He's a excellent song leader and deacon in the church. He's the kind of guy that you'd call to help you when you needed someone and he'd be right there. He's the one you're apt to see at the church building fixing things. He's a simple man --- nothing special, but oh so extraordinary in his service to the Lord! And they in their unwavering faith! How do you and your mate react when one crises is followed by another? C. Difficult circumstances do not exempt us from serving God. So then, what is the danger of difficult circumstances? 1. When Christians do not serve God during such by making the proper applications based upon understanding then: a. They turn to "emotions" only. They pout, sulk, and pass blame to others. b. They turn to the "flesh" --- anger, resentment, envy, jealousy are just such emotions. Are these not the "flesh" according to Galatians 5? What if we had seen this in Paul in prison in Philippi? or under guard in Rome? Is "this" what Paul left us to read and study and apply to ourselves? c. They turn to "carnality" -- they seek temporary relief by "drinking" or by indulging themselves in lasciviousness. Like the Vet who comes home from the war in a wheel chair and tries to drown his bitterness in alcohol and dope. Or like the person today who turns away from duties and responsibilities to their mate and family in order to "find themselves." Conclusion: We have the examples set before us in God's Word, and in the precious lives of men and women such as I've describe in this lesson. We truly "need" to see difficult circumstances as opportunities to develop our potential; to encourage others; to save souls. Bob W. Lovelace 137 W. 23rd St., Yuma, AZ. 85364 520)783-1991 preacher for the Valley Church of Christ 2255 E. Burr Street, Yuma, AZ. 85365