God Has Much Better Things In Store For Us

In summary of Romans 8:18 it says, "I believe that the present suffering we experience now is nothing compared to the glory he is going to reveal to us."

Bottom Line:
Any suffering we experience now will be nothing compared to the glory that God will reveal to us in time.

What this means to me:
God has so much better things in store for me if just continue to persevere and strive to achieve his will.  He tells me that in the end, when I look back at what I had suffered it will seem so insignificant and will make what he has in store for me all worthwhile.  It’s sometime hard for me to imagine what God ultimately has in store for me.  This life is all about learning to have a relationship with him and preparation for what he will have me do.  It would be worthwhile for me to reflect on this from time to time.  It is a glory that will awesome and beyond any good thing that can happen here.  

An Everlasting Source Of Strength

In summary of Isaiah 40:28-31 it says "Have you never heard, never understood or been listening?  God doesn’t come and go, he is the everlasting God, the creator of all you can see or imagine.  He never grows weak or weary, he won’t get tired.  He knows everything, inside and out, no one can measure the depths of his understanding.  He’ll energize those who are tired, he’ll give power to the weak, and give fresh strength to the powerless.  Even young people will tire, become weak, and fall in exhaustion.  But those who wait and trust in God will find new strength, they will spread their wings and soar like eagles, they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint or fall behind."

Bottom Line:
If you don’t understand or had not been listening, know that God is the everlasting God, and he is always present (he doesn’t need to sit back and take a break.). He is the creator of all you see or could even imagine is possible.  He will never grow week or become tired.  He knows all and no one can measure the depths of his understanding.  He will energize those who are tired, he will give power to those who are weak he will provide strength to those who are powerless.  Even a young person will eventually tire, and succomb to exhaustion.  But those who decide to trust in and wait for God will find new strength in which they will be able to spread their wings and soar like eagles, they can then run and not grow weary, walk and not get faint.

What this means to me:
God reminds me in this scripture that he is everlasting, nothing will take him off duty or make him tired / exhausted.  He is the creator of all things and as such I cannot even comprehend or measure the depth of his knowledge and understanding.  He does promise me that if I put my faith and complete trust in him that he will provide the energy and the fresh strength I can use to do his will.  I will find such freedom that it will be like flying on the wings of eagles.  And with this I will be able to keep going, even when things seem to be going nowhere.  This is really a key understanding for me to take in.  On my own strength I will get tired, impatient and likely be ready to just give in.  I need to look to Him all the time (the one who never tires or grows weary) for renewed strength to keep going.  When I feel myself starting to tire, I need to look to see if I’m trying to do things on my own strength and then look to God for the energy and strength to face what ever he decides to put in my path for this day.  I need to remind myself that I serve the one who created all things and his knowledge and strength are never ending.  He is a power source that will never be depleted.

Trusting In God For Guidance, Not My Own Understanding Or Desires

In summary of Proverbs 3:5-6 it says, "Trust in God with all our heart, don’t try to figure out everything on your own or depend on your own understanding of it.   Submit yourself to him, seek, listen to his voice in everything you do or everywhere you go; he will show you which path to take and keep you on track."

Bottom Line:
Trust in God with all you have (don’t waver in your trust.)  Don’t try to figure it all out on your own depending on your understanding of it.  Seek and submit first to him, listen to his voice for anything you do.  He will guide you and show you a safe and productive path.

What this means to me:
God gave me a brain and wants me to figure things out, however, to not get initial guidance from him and to proceed based on our own understanding/desires can lead to unwanted consequences.  So instead of being “big-headed” I need to seek and listen first his Word (what he says about something), then the guidance he will provide will lead me in a safe path and ultimately serve to further his kingdom and work here on earth.  This of course will require a deep dependence / trust in God knowing that he always intends the best for me (and will not rip me off.)  So moving forward, I need to continue to work on scripture memory for key areas / decision points in life.  I can use his word in my memory to help guide and understand his take on things.  I can also use short burst prayers that can ask for his wisdom on the spot.  In the next several days I will seek out verses that deal with life’s decision points and how to handle situations.  I will work first to study in my quiet times and then incorporate them into memory verses.

Learning To Be Patient With Growth

In summary of Ecclesiastes 3:1 it says, "There’s an opportune time to do everything, a right time for every activity, matter or purpose on the earth (under the heavens.)"

Bottom Line:
Everything that happens or that I do or learn has its own opportune time and its own season.

What this means to me:
God is never in a hurry, he is always on time.  He will use my entire life to prepare me for my ultimate role in eternity.  Through this verse, I need to remind myself and believe that he is work in my life, even when I don’t feel it.  My spiritual growth will not happen overnight, it happens one small step at a time.  I need to get rid of my Microwave (in an instant) mentality.  I should learn to just expect gradual improvements as the norm.  There will be seasons in my spiritual life, some will be short, intense bursts of growth followed by periods of stabilizing and testing.  Best thing for me to do is to continue to keep a journal of lessons learned like I’m doing here.  What I record here is not just a diary of events, but a record of what I’m learning, my insights and lessons God teaches me about him, my life and everything else.  For me, I’m sure one of the reasons that I must continually relearn things is that I too easily forget.  I can use my spiritual journal to help remind myself.  I have to remember not to be frustrated with what seems like slow progress in my life.  God has his perfect timing for everything.  What seems to frustrate me the most right now is my slowness in meeting folks and sharing about him.  I need to learn to slow down.  My life always seems to be based on the clock and the next event or meeting, I’m trying to get to.  I need to factor in times of just casual enjoyment where I can meet others and get the opportunity to develop relationships in which I can share.

Reconciliation: Being An Agent Of Peace

In summary of Matthew 5:9 it says, "God blesses the ones who work for peace (show others how to cooperate instead of compete or fight.)  That’s when you discover who you really are, and your place in God’s family (called one of his children.)"

Bottom Line:
God will bless those who are showing others how to cooperate instead of compete or fight (working for peace.)  When you do this you’ll discover who you really are and the place you have in God’s family (to be called one of his children.)

What this means to me:
God will provide blessings to me when my goal is to work with others to cooperate / reconcile instead of fight / compete.  The peace alone from the lack of conflict is a blessing in and of itself, as all can rest easier and not be preoccupied with selfish desires.  God tells me that when I conduct myself in this manner I’ll begin to discover who he really made me to be and the place he has for me in his family.  Of course if I’m not focused on God’s peace always then my natural reaction is quite the opposite.  So with God’s help each day (having daily time with him in prayer and his word) I need to stop and reflect when I’m facing a conflict situation.  I should concentrate on reconciliation rather than resolution.   A reconciliation will re-establish a relationship that would otherwise be torn down.  Resolution may not always be possible as each of us is wired differently, so we won’t always agree.  We can however disagree without being disagreeable.  Scripture points out that is wise to compromise in order to preserve the relationship.  So I need to focus more on the relationships, when I do so, the actual issue will likely be more insignificant.  In a world where everyone wants their own way I need to commit to becoming an agent of reconciliation.  It will always be more rewarding for me to resolve a conflict that it would be to see a relationship get dissolved.  Currently at work, I’m facing a situation where two of my direct reports are at odds with each other.  I am currently working on helping each of them see each others side and style.  They can disagree without be disagreeable.  They can use their differences to benefit the organization.

When Facing Conflict, Remember To Look Inward First

In summary of Matthew 7:3-5 it says, "Why do you notice and worry about a speck (a little piece of dust) in someone else’s eye, but yet not notice and see the big piece of wood in your own eye.  How can you say, let me help you get rid of that speck, when you can’t see past the big piece of wood in your own eye.  Don’t be a hypocrite!  First get rid of the big piece of wood in your own eye; then perhaps you will see well enough to deal with someone else's speck."

Bottom Line:
Why notice and worry about a speck in someone else’s eye, but not notice or deal with a bigger piece of wood in your own eye.  You certainly can’t point out things when you aren’t seeing clearly enough about yourself.  First deal with the big piece in your eye, then you may be able to see clearly enough to deal with someone else’s issues.

What this means to me:
God is good and he understands my selfish nature.  He has provided his word to help guide me.  In it Jesus tells me that I need to deal with my own issues before I can try  dealing with those of others.  Jesus tells us that the small speck is nothing compared to the large plank that we need to deal with that is keeping us from seeing clearly.  It is so easy to see a smudge on your someone else’s face and yet be oblivious to the ugly smear on my own.  It’s often easier for me to play a holier-than-thou part instead of just considering and living as God suggests.  I really need to be cautious in conflict situations.  Instead of me accusing, attacking, or blaming the other person God’s Word tells me I am to begin with humility, even if I think it’s their fault.  I have blind spots and responding wrongly will contribute towards increasing the conflict.  I need to be frank with myself and ask, “how much of this is my fault?”  I need to be honest and admit my part (when I’m wrong - admit it.)  Also it may be prudent just to stay quiet and remember the verse, “when words are plenty, sin is not absent.”.  Moving forward some things I can consider is to ask, am I being: unrealistic, insensitive, over-sensitive, demanding or ungrateful?  My default nature is to be self-centered and stubborn, unwilling to change.  So instead, I need to lead with humility, think through my part and ask for forgiveness for my part.  It is real easy for me to get caught up in conflict at work as I work with my client (our competitor) and dealing with their personalities and ways of thinking.  I pray God that you help me to stop and consider your guidance and look at myself and my shortcomings before I even try to deal with those of others.

Using Words To Benefit Others

In summary of Ephesians 4:28-29 it says, "Watch the way you talk; don’t be foul, dirty, abusive, unwholesome or harmful in what you say.  Let everything be good and helpful, building up according to, or saying what they need.  They should be words that help them to be stronger or be of an encouragement / benefit to them.  Make each word a gift."

Bottom Line:
We need to watch the way we talk to others, especially in how we provide correction..  Don’t be foul, dirty (or unwholesome), abusive or harmful in what you say.  Instead, let your words be good and helpful, ones that will build them up, saying what they really need.  Your words should be help them be stronger.  Let them provide encouragement.  Be of a benefit to them.  

What this means to me:
God wants me to use what I say to others to be a benefit to them.  My words need to be full of grace and be helpful.  They need to be ones that will build up instead of tear down.  Unfortunately in times of anger or disappointment, or even if I’m trying to make myself look better, what comes naturally are selfish harsh words that tend to tear down.  If I can learn and remember to correct others in a loving way it can really make a positive difference in their lives.  If I do this the way God wants me to it will build that person up, If I don’t do this correctly it will just tear them down.  The biggest thing for me to watch out for is my attitude.  If my focus is on only pointing out faults or respond out of anger or hurt then before speaking I need to stop myself and ask what my motive is in this interaction.  Am I correcting them for my benefit (ego) or for theirs.  I need to proceed by with correction by first affirming the person and their worth, letting them know their value, then presenting the behavior that needs some adjusting in a kind way (adding in what impact they are having with their behavior to others or to the group.)   I really need to keep this in mind as I am completing my mid-year reviews with my team this coming week.  When I come across behaviors I feel need correction, I should stop and ask God for guidance.  After consulting with him on the situation and my attitude I can then proceed in way that will help them out.