Just the other day, as I was wiping up pee on the floor I had a realization about life. (Odd time I know, but it seems most fitting for my life).
Have you ever noticed that in the midst of cyclonic activities or intense situations that people respond in basically two ways? Either you get anxious and loss your bearings (i.e. making irrational decisions, bouncing between ideas, nothing congruent, poor communication) OR you see a sense of calm and steadfastness. Now, I am not going to say that fear is not present in either case, because I believe that fear still has its role. I am just observing that people respond clearly in those two ways.
I think I know what's the difference. I believe that a person who has gone through a situation knows at least from the previous experience the liberation from the event and a possible end result solution. For instance, I have been to the hospital numerous times to visit sick people, counsel a soldier who just lost a spouse, and even watched several fellow brothers in arms pass. I have seen blood and have heard cries. I get calls at night, just about every week with some counseling or event that needs my presences. Years ago, I would freak out,...make it into something out of proportion and just about have a wreck trying to get to the situation...but now...I know how and what to expect...even though they are all very different situations.
I remember in Ghana Africa one other instance where I just about lost it. We had arrived into a city, where the bus driver basically just dropped us off with no direction or connection on where we would meet our connecting ride. In a split second, I thought I had just lost 9 youth and a Doctor in some remote city in Ghana. Then a much wiser Doctor (Tom Ashburn), who has done 100's of mission trips, just smiled and laughed and seemed to take it in stride. It astonished me then, and it strengthens me to this very day. I want to be that calm reposed man in the midst of the storms, not because I am smart/experienced but I trust ultimately God's hand of providence.
I finished up Clorox-ing the spot where Heidi peed, I resolved that even in this instance I need to take the same initiative. Whether its hospitals or wiping up pee, 'self-control' is what I need. God grant us 'self-control' in the midst of chaos. Grant us assurance to know that the end result is in your hand. Let us make people marvel of our 'calm' in all circumstances, so that they would ask us why we have such 'faith' and 'hope'. Let us not make a mockery of your Sovereignty by losing our true bearings in Christ.
Have you ever noticed that in the midst of cyclonic activities or intense situations that people respond in basically two ways? Either you get anxious and loss your bearings (i.e. making irrational decisions, bouncing between ideas, nothing congruent, poor communication) OR you see a sense of calm and steadfastness. Now, I am not going to say that fear is not present in either case, because I believe that fear still has its role. I am just observing that people respond clearly in those two ways.
I think I know what's the difference. I believe that a person who has gone through a situation knows at least from the previous experience the liberation from the event and a possible end result solution. For instance, I have been to the hospital numerous times to visit sick people, counsel a soldier who just lost a spouse, and even watched several fellow brothers in arms pass. I have seen blood and have heard cries. I get calls at night, just about every week with some counseling or event that needs my presences. Years ago, I would freak out,...make it into something out of proportion and just about have a wreck trying to get to the situation...but now...I know how and what to expect...even though they are all very different situations.
I remember in Ghana Africa one other instance where I just about lost it. We had arrived into a city, where the bus driver basically just dropped us off with no direction or connection on where we would meet our connecting ride. In a split second, I thought I had just lost 9 youth and a Doctor in some remote city in Ghana. Then a much wiser Doctor (Tom Ashburn), who has done 100's of mission trips, just smiled and laughed and seemed to take it in stride. It astonished me then, and it strengthens me to this very day. I want to be that calm reposed man in the midst of the storms, not because I am smart/experienced but I trust ultimately God's hand of providence.
I finished up Clorox-ing the spot where Heidi peed, I resolved that even in this instance I need to take the same initiative. Whether its hospitals or wiping up pee, 'self-control' is what I need. God grant us 'self-control' in the midst of chaos. Grant us assurance to know that the end result is in your hand. Let us make people marvel of our 'calm' in all circumstances, so that they would ask us why we have such 'faith' and 'hope'. Let us not make a mockery of your Sovereignty by losing our true bearings in Christ.
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