Managing Tough Times

Good Morning!

Note: The fuel for this devotional came from an article I read by Dr. Tony Alessandra. I simply added Scriptural content and other personal thoughts of my own. Dr. Tony Alessandra has authored numerous books, recorded over 50 audio and video programs, and delivered over 2,000 keynote speeches since 1976.

Everyone experiences tough times, that is just how life goes. How you react to those times can change how your family and those close to you react. How you handle tough times will impact how you and those around you, (your employees, if you’re a business owner or supervisor or your coworkers) produce. How you handle tough time will also impact how those you influence or mentor at church or elsewhere grow and mature or how they react to similar circumstances in the future. How you deal with tough times will impact how you personally feel physically and emotionally.
Tough times can be described an isolated situation or a combination of issues (child in trouble, parents, spouse, close family member, or child ill, money problems, mergers or drastic changes at work, relocation, etc ).

It is easy to fall into the trap of going into automatic pilot and reacting as you always have. The silent treatment towards everyone, the drama queen/king, the pity party whine fest, or perhaps the martyr syndrome. None of these behaviors helps to resolve the issues, in fact they just make matters worse.

Each of the behaviors described above are driven by self centeredness. It is all about me! The truth is the issues aren't about you at all. You and only you are making it about you.

Too often people only focus on what is going wrong in their world, what they don’t have, and not about what is working right. The challenges at work aren’t about you...its just business. Your child's trouble isn't about you or because of you... its about him and his choices. Family illness certainly isn’t about you, it just happens in life or it’s about their health and life choices.
So what can you do about tough times?

First, change the focus of your life. Focus on what is right in your life, at work, in your marriage, with your child, etc. What is working right, what is profitable, what are they doing well? If you can’t find anything good (you may have a mental block) ask someone else more objective to help you.
A man who kayaks says that he finds when he is in treacherous if he focuses on the rocks he crashes, yet when he focuses on the open water he avoided crashes. Change your focus.

The Apostle Paul wrote in Philippians 4:8 "Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable--if anything is excellent or praiseworthy--think about such things. (NIV) Paul is simply saying change your focus.

Second, take time to really appreciate what you do have. Do you appreciate all that you have? Sometimes we get so busy looking ahead at where we are going that we forget to look behind from where we came. The Apostle Paul again, "give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus." 1 Thessalonians 5:18 (NIV) He is just saying see the things that are right and be thankful for them. Many have erroneously interpreted this to mean "be thankful FOR the circumstances." That results in a martyr syndrome and it becomes self centered again, all about you. What he said what "give thanks IN all circumstances." The circumstances of life should never blind us to many other blessings of life not connected to the present pain we are experiencing.

Third, help someone get what you want. For instance, if is tight then help someone else’s business make money by referring business. Need a car, find someone who needs transportation and help them. Struggling with you own self respect? Then encourage someone else and help them with theirs. Feeling unloved and unappreciated? Demonstrate love and appreciation to someone else you know needs it. Zig Ziglar said it this way, "You can have anything you want in life if you help enough other people get what they want." The greatest teacher in history, Jesus Christ, said it like this, "Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven. Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you." Luke 6:37-38 (NIV)

Change the focus of your life. Take time to appreciate what you have. Help someone else.

Prayer: Lord Jesus, Thank you for all You have given. You have even given me a grateful heart. I just need You to wake it up and renew that right spirit in me. Help me as I go through these tough times (I know I will come THROUGH them) to be an example and blessing to others. AMEN.

Blessings!
Pastor Roger