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What options do we have today? Sometimes the answer is to reach
out to our genuine Christian friends, and let them help us for a
time. We also need to take time out to rest. Often we've worked
so hard, done so much, gone off to conquer so many dragons, that
we are exhausted. Like Elijah, we need a safe place and a time
to rest to regain our strength for the journey that lies before
us. The hardest word I've had to learn is "NO". I've
had to realize there are boundaries to how much I can do, which
means I have to say "No" more often. When we set
limits, some may think we've grown lazy or become inactive. Pray
for them in their misunderstanding. Perhaps we may have to
distance ourselves from them for a time, so we'll have more
energy to do positive things for the Lord, others and ourselves.
Today God does not intervene directly, but expects us, as His
children, to help bear one another's burdens (Gal. 6:2). It's a
privilege to be able to bear our brother or sister's burdens.
But it is so scary (and hard for some of us) to reach out and
ask for help, which is why we need our special friends (where we
can feel secure). We may think we are weak when we ask for help,
when in reality it is strength. How
can anyone follow God's command to bear one another's burdens if
we don't share them with each other? Too often we don't reveal
our troubles and concerns, and
that isn't good. We believe we are alone in our struggles, and
that we should be able to find a way out of them by ourselves.
But we all struggle, and by remaining silent, who are we
helping?
If, in a safe
environment, we shared more, together we could all be stronger
and our faith could grow even more. This very point was brought
out in a Bible study attended by a small, close group. One of
the women spoke up about how growing up with an alcoholic parent
had been so hard, and how it still affected her today. A young
man talked about the car accident he was in that took the life
of his friend, and the impact that tragedy had on his life.
Another shared the shame of his past when he drank, and how he
felt he could never make up for the lost time and influence. To
this day, and I expect forever, the ones who were there are tied
together in a special way that we will always treasure.
We can't, and
shouldn't, go around telling all Christians our deepest
thoughts, but God knew how important it would be that we have
someone to confide in. My grandmother had a special saying:
"I didn't find my friends, the good Lord gave them to
me." Are you one of those special friends? If so, what a
blessing you are in my life!
I'm one who likes facts and certainty, but life hasn't quite
worked out that way. I've faced serious marriage problems, and
have lost several that were near and dear
to me. Age and illness are taking their toll. My financial
situation is trying. People I thought were good friends have
hurt me. Dragon after dragon after dragon. My faith at times has
stumbled. What is left to hang on to? Then I think of Job. He
lost
everything, yet he would not give up his faith. So I start
counting my blessings. I have good friends, a roof over my head
and transportation. Eventually even those may be lost, but for
now, I am still better off than Job. But what if I end up on an
ash heap? Will I fall to the ground and worship God saying:
"Naked I came from my mother's womb, and naked shall I
return there. The Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away;
blessed be the name of the Lord" (Job 1:20-21)? After all, God
has promised to never leave or forsake me (Heb. 3:5-6; 1 Chron.
28:20).
I have had to
accept (kicking all the way) that it's not within my control to
KNOW what I want to KNOW about my future and what it holds. Far
better is to TRUST in the One that knows my destiny and watches
out for me, and just live my life TODAY the best I can. Only
then can I echo Job: "Though He slay me, yet will I trust
Him" (Job 13:15). Easy for me? NO! Why? I think it's because I'm
still stubborn and haven't completely surrendered. Maybe I've
been put in this position where I need to ask for help, so that
I can see that I can not be sufficient unto myself (1 Corn.
3:4-5). There are still things I need to change in my life, and
this may be God's Fatherly way of helping me become the person I
need to be so I can go to heaven (Ps. 119:67,71). He may also be
testing you to see if you are genuinely kind and caring.
Is my only option to just blindly follow God? The scriptures
teach us faith is not some "leap into the dark", but
rather belief and knowledge go hand in hand (John 6:69, 17:8, 1
Tim. 4:3, 2 Tim. 1:12, Rom 10:17). Thus, if I wish to increase
my faith, I need to be diligently studying the words of Jehovah.
Do I have the answers on how to best slay dragons? NO! But I do
believe as we live our lives and search for the answers TOGETHER
(Eccl. 4:9-10, 12), our faith will grow stronger and God can be
glorified.
"Therefore we do not lose heart....for our light
affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far
more exceeding and eternal weight of glory, while we do not look
at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not
seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the
things which are not seen are eternal" (2 Cor. 4:16-18).
"For I consider that the sufferings of this present time
are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be
revealed in us" (Rom. 8:18).
Who am I? I could be in your family. You might sit by me in
worship or you may count me as your friend. You will probably
encounter several of "me" over your
lifetime. Far more important than who I am is what will your
response be towards me? If I come to you in need, please listen
to me. You may be the very lifeline that keeps me from going
under.
Just one last closing thought: I've found many of the dragon
slayers to be some of the best, most spiritual people on earth.
They are giving, caring, active Christians. They have had to
endure far more than most, and yet go on cheerfully and busily
about the Father's business. That may be why it is surprising to
some when these good people falter at times. It has been my
pleasure and joy to know some of these
extraordinary people. Thank you for sharing your exceptional
lives and experiences! Your courage and diligence to remain
faithful against huge odds, has given others the hope and
strength they need to continue their journey. May God abundantly
bless you!
Author
would like to keep her identity private, copyright 2001
This article is copyrighted by the author. All Rights Reserved. No part of this article may be reprinted without permission of the author.
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