What to do when 'it' hits the fan!
Nearly 14 months ago, our lifestyles went under an unexpected change. Weeks before, I was going to the pub for a pint, heading out to the shops and making plans for the weekend.
That all still feels as though it was a lifetime ago now.
Sports were cancelled, shops were shut and even the pubs closed their doors, something that didn't even happen during the blitz!
More importantly, some people started worrying for their jobs and businesses, while others were concerned about their own health and the health of their loved ones.
And for good reason... We were living in unprecedented times with a virus that we couldn’t see that was affecting every aspect of our lives.
But just as we faced and continue to face an invisible threat, we also have an invisible God who is still in control and still on His throne.
So my question to you is, what do you do when it all hits the fan?!
- Worry?
- Stress?
- Drink?
- Clean?
All totally natural, normal and acceptable things to do, but what if I told you that there is another way?
You see, it’s easy to think as a Christian that you won’t have any issues. Just trust Jesus and your life will be lovely and easy, but that simply isn't the case!
Check this out…
Jesus said “In the world you have tribulation and distress and suffering, but be courageous, be confident, be undaunted, be filled with joy, I have overcome the world. My conquest is accomplished, My victory abiding.” John 16:33 (AMP).
Firstly, Jesus literally told us it would all hit the fan! He said we would have hassle, distress and suffering.
That sounds like he’s been watching today’s news, with the worry about jobs, health, the elderly, the NHS and so on.
But thankfully He didn’t stop there, He went on to say that despite us having trouble, we should…
- Be courageous!
- Be confident!
- Be undaunted!
- Be filled with joy!
But if you’re facing trouble, why would He say be confident and filled with joy?
SPOILER ALERT!
He has overcome the trouble himself! He has won! Like Lewis Hamilton, Tyson Fury or Anthony Joshua, but on an infinitely larger scale.
That is why the name of Jesus is so powerful, actually, the name of Jesus is the most powerful!
‘Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name.’ Philippians 2:9 (NIV)
When you put your faith in Him, the victory that He has won, becomes your victory, that you can apply in all situations you face.
Whatever crisis you have been confronted with, Jesus is bigger.
We have a saying, ‘God’s word, God’s way’.
Be confident that whatever you’re facing, no matter how big or small, Jesus is in charge. Get hold of his cast-iron guarantee that He has overcome it.
Ok, so in theory, this can all sound good, but what about in practice?
Good question!
Firstly, be strict on what you allow to influence you. It’s like when you're dieting to lose weight, eat a tub of ice cream and a share bag of Doritos to yourself, you’ll probably feel lousy! It’s the same with your mind, what do you watch and listen to? Is it helping you to progress to where you want to be?
The news and social media can make us all feel anxious, so instead, switch things up with some good, reassuring stuff!
Personally, I love the promises that God gives us in the Bible. I find them really encouraging and reassuring, and are often enough for me to be motivated enough to keep progressing through challenges that I am facing. Everyone can find their own promises from God in the Bible that are specifically helpful for them when they are struggling, but below are some of the key ones that I have turned to throughout the years. I might quickly read over them before I go into a difficult meeting or before I enter into something I've been dreading, and they remind me that I'm not going through anything on my own.
- ‘Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; He will never leave you nor forsake you.’ Deuteronomy 31:6
- ‘He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak.’ Isaiah 40:29
- ‘The righteous cries out and He hears them, He delivers them from all their troubles.’ Psalm 34:17
- ‘He who did not spare His own Son, but gave Him up for us all – how will he not also, along with Him, graciously give us all things?’ Romans 8:32
Next, it's so important that you get yourself around good people, who encourage you, love you, rate you. Gow here you’re celebrated, not tolerated.
Finally, plug into church. It’s God’s tool for us all to live our best lives. He knows that if we are left to our own devices and motivations, we can start to spiral and struggle so He created an environment for us to be in community with others, like a gang but with some subtle differences…
At Global we build communities, not church services. A place/group where people can come as they are and belong before they believe.
So, I’ll finish where I started…
What do you do when it all hits the fan? Why not give God a go!
Everyone is looking for more in life. At Global Church in York, we exist to help people find it (and much more!)
Getting started is the key!
This year, I’m trying to lose weight and get fit. Aren’t we all? Well, most of us are.
I’ve really struggled with this throughout my adult life, and it seems that the older I get the more difficult it is to turn around. This became even more difficult two years ago when I was seriously ill and went into a coma. Thankfully, the prayers of my family and friends helped and I was able to make a miraculous (literally!) recovery. The only real physical consequence of this illness is that I’m now a double ‘below the knee’ amputee. In spite of this, I believe that God has plans for me to succeed in life and that I can accomplish great things.
Therefore, I’ve set myself some goals that I’d like to achieve within the next few years. Some examples of these goals of mine include riding the coast-to-coast cycle route in the UK, climb a 4000m peak in the alps and to cycle up Mount Ventoux in France. These are ambitious targets, and nice dreams, but I want to make them real! And I’ve not just been imagining them, I’ve been working on the steps that I need to take for me to achieve them.
Getting started is the key! So how do I start training to climb an alpine peak? It starts with walking to my mate’s house. If I can’t walk to my mate’s house, then I’ve no chance of walking up a mountain! These are just small steps (no pun intended), but nevertheless, they are important, and after a lot of these small steps have accumulated, I will find that I have arrived at the destination, and it’s the same for you. The bible says, “Don’t despise the day of small beginnings” (Zechariah 4:10) and that’s so true. Whatever your quest is, get going on the journey, and be ok with taking small steps. Vincent van Gogh once said, “Great things are not done by impulse, but by a series of small things brought together.”
Another thing to remember is that everybody starts from a different starting point. The foundations of these goals were formed a year and a half ago where I had to learn how to walk again. This took a lot of willpower and perseverance, but by getting through that first challenge it has allowed me to have the confidence and the conviction to believe that I can tackle more challenges that are in front of me.
Tom Smith
Everyone is looking for more in life. At Global Church in York, we exist to help people find it (and much more!)