The Intention

He spoke slowly and methodically.  English was his second language, so it wasn't easy for him to convey all of his emotions while translating at the same time.  He was from Sierra Leone, and he told stories of war, disease, and unthinkable cruelty upon invasion of rebel forces.  He lost twelve of his family members in one night when their city was overtaken.

Once called the "forgotten continent", Africa has persevered through the most frightening of realities.  I was completely absorbed by the story of his life.  He was a pastor of a Christian church in Sierra Leone.  He talked about the horrors of Ebola.  He told us about how he walks past a mass grave containing twelve of his family members, murdered for no reason.  He sadly recalled the assaults on the women in his city, and how he's working to change the culture from women are seen to women are heard.

During the invasion of his city, he stayed to minister and be with his people while the remainder of his family fled for safety.  Every day was uncertain.  Rebel forces would not be kind to a Christian pastor.  Would he live, or would he die?

I wondered if I would be so obedient.  I don't know. 

While sitting in our church, sharing his story, he mentioned he was anxious to return home.  

"I want to help my people, and I miss them." he said with a slight smile.  

The luxuries of America didn't tempt him.  He knew his calling.  "Wickedness is temporary," he said.  "What is lasting is Jesus."

After the service was over, I wanted to find him.  I wanted to tell him that his story mattered to me, and that I needed to hear about his faith.  I wasn't even sure why, but my soul needed it this week and tears stung my eyes as I listened to him talk.  I needed to be reminded about a God who is faithful, regardless of our circumstances.    

I had to stand in line to talk to him.  As I waited, I thought about how many celebrities we would stand in line to talk to, yet very few people were in line to talk to this hero of the faith.  

Finally, my turn came.  "Thank you for coming here to see us," I said.  "And thank you for sharing your story.  You are a warrior for Christ."

He nodded kindly.  "I am leaving America so encouraged."

I was glad I mustered up the courage to share my gratitude.  It was the least I could do.  As we walked away, my son said, "He reminds me of Paul in the Bible,".  

I learned a lot from this great man from Africa today.  His lessons around how to persevere through stressful situations really hit home for me.  While I haven't experienced nearly the horrors he's lived through, the daily battles against fear and the strongholds of trauma are also real in my life.  

From Fear to Faith:  In the midst of a dark and broken world, prayer is an exercise of faith and a weapon against fear.  I can recall the first few months of being on my own after my ex-husband and I separated.  I'd never known fear like it came for me during that time.  I felt like I couldn't breathe, and it threatened to overtake me.  When we are deep in the grip of fear, life can feel hopeless.

But, God's power in us helps us to overcome fear.  When we fear, we need to go to God with our prayers.  We can be very intentional with our prayers.  There's nothing wrong with asking God for a new house, a car, or a promotion.  But something happens when we are intentional with our relationship with God.  Things feel different when we pray God I want to conquer this fear by knowing you more.  I want to read my Bible not for what I can get out of it, but because I want to know you.  Open my eyes to see people the way you see them.  Teach me who you are.

During those tumultuous years of my life, my world was so upside-down that I didn't trust myself to make good decisions.  My confidence was shot, and I wasn't even sure if I could lead myself and my kids out of this gigantic mess.  I remember being so tired of questioning myself and worrying about whether I was right or wrong.  I asked God, Just teach me your ways, Lord.  I'm tired of mine.  I'm tired of wondering if I'm doing things right or not.  Your ways are always the right ways, so please just teach me Your ways.

In times of great stress, be intentional with prayer and desire God more than ever.  

From Noise to Silence:  The devil brings noise, chaos and confusion.  When I was hurt deeply through my divorce, sometimes the anger was so loud in my ears I could barely hear anything else.  My flesh was screaming for revenge.  My mind meditated on the confusion, trying to make sense of it all.  What should I do?  What is the next move?

Be still and see what God is doing.

In times of great stress, the distractions are overwhelming.  When we're distracted, Christ isn't at the center anymore.  Our center moves from one thing to the next, focusing on an area that needs attention until another problem surfaces.  It creates instability, and we feel like we're adrift at sea, floating from one big wave to another.  Emotions rise and fall, and we're along for the ride just trying to hang on.  

But, we can be still.  

We can make Christ the center, our One and Only, the Lord of our life.  It doesn't mean things won't become difficult, but we don't have to be at the mercy of those waves any longer.  Christ stands above all problems, above all waves in our lives.  He walked on water, after all, on the same waves that would drown you or I.  

From Envy to Contentment:  Envy is simply wanting what someone else has.  Maybe you wish your marriage was like theirs.  They have a nice house.  A better car.  Maybe they're more attractive.  They receive more love than you.  They're never rejected.  They always land on their feet, no matter the situation.

Whatever it is, envy is the pain of wanting what someone else has.  Envy is multiplied in times of great stress, because our joy is already under attack.  But, when you really think about it, envy is truly wanting what you feel you lack.  No one wants a new vacuum if they already have one (I'll be honest, I never want a new vacuum).  No one wants a new toothbrush when they have twelve at home.  We want what we don't have.

Or more precisely, what we don't think we have.

God can fill any void and in face, God is the only true solution to the voids in our life.  When we perceive life knowing God fulfills our needs, we can move from envy to contentment.  We don't have to look at the world, trying to figure out how it will fill our needs.   Our neighbor with the new car doesn't stir jealousy, because we don't need a new car to compete (or whatever the reason).  In fact, we may drive our old car because its affordable.  I mean, who are they to judge our old car?  Hypothetically?

A life of contentment is a life of peace.  Not wanting or needing what others have is a form of spiritual freedom, and frees us from the stress of needing to compete.  

Psalm 37:4  Delight yourself in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart.

Remember, in the most dire of all circumstances, be intentional in seeking Jesus.  He will carry you through.