Chaplains Corner July 2009

Greetings friend: This is a multi-part teaching on "The Bible in Times of Crisis". It contains sections of Biblical teachings from other sources along with my para-phrasing and inserts.

Biblical Wisdom:

Every crisis occurs just before an opportunity of change in our lives. Crisis is the avenue of growth. It can either make us stronger in our faith, or for some it can cause us to run the other way, i.e. "Blame God". God schedules movements or opportunities to show us how great He is. If we would take the time to study the crisis and either look into God's Word, or talk to a mentor, someone who has walked through this crisis, or pray for wisdom, we would gain wisdom, knowledge and joy through it. Now, I know that sounds easy to do. Especially when you are facing a crisis you have never been through. This "ease" comes from consistently facing crisis with a Biblical view. Most negative things that happen in our lives are brought on by ourselves through improper handling of crisis.

Ask anyone, "What would you rather be: happy or rich?" Almost everyone will answer "I'd rather be happy." However, most people work at being rich far more than they work at being happy.

Two Misconceptions

1. It is possible to know how to be happy, to be convinced that these tools will work, and not do a thing about it. This is because learning any new skill requires effort and some discomfort. There's no magic potion. So, don't mistakenly assume that just because you can't put something into action, this means you don't believe it. You can think it'll work...and still be lazy.

2. People often think that the secret of happiness must be some hidden mystery or exotic activity. The truch is that it's simple and easy to understand. It's something every person knows, but just doesn't focus that he knows it.

The Secret

Imagine standing on the 70th floor of the Empire State Building. Suddenly a man opens a window and says, "I'm going to jump!" You call out, "Stop, don't do it!" He replies, "If you try and stop me, I'll take you with me!"

The guy is 6'5" and weighs 260 pounds, so you say, "Ok..but any last messages? Perhaps there's someone I should notify?" He says, "You seem like an intelligent, friendly person. I'll give you fifteen minutes to try and dissuade me, but first let me tell you my troubles, so you'll understand why I want to jump".

For hours you listen to him tell you about the most horrific misfortunes and tragedies. You've never heard stories like this. By the end, you're crying your eyes out. Finally, he turns to you and says "I'm miserable. Why should I go on living?"

What can you possibly say? Suddenly you get a flash of inspiration! "Sir, if on top of all your troubles, you also happened to be blind, would you be more or less miserable?" He replies, "Certainly more miserable!" You then continue, "So you would then definitely jump?" "Of course!", he replies.

"Now imagine that you're leaning out of the window, about to jump, and suddenly there's a miracle! You can see! You see people, the sun, clouds, birds flying in the sky! Would you jump...or would you wait a week to look around?"

The man answers, "I suppose I'd stick around for a week". "What about all of your troubles and miseries?", you ask. "So what, now I can see!"

If a person really appreciates that he can see, then all of his miseries are nothing. On the other hand, if you take everything you have for granted, nothing you'll ever receive in life will bring you lasting happiness. The secret of happiness is to really appreciate what you have.

Count Your Blessings

Here's how it works. Everyone has a cousin or an aunt who loves to complain. Let's call her Aunt Sophie. The next time you visit your Aunt Sophie and she wants to tell you her miseries for two hours, say to her, very respectfully, "Auntie, I came to suffer with you. But, before we suffer, please tell me about five pleasures you had today."

"Pleasures, what pleasures", she responds. "Auntie, I'm going to leave right now if you don't share with me some of todays pleasures!" She's stuck. "Tell me, did you have a cup of coffee this morning?" "Yes, I had a coffee", she says. Make her focus on the pleasure. "Did you close your eyes and take in the aroma? Was the coffee warm and sweet? Did it give you energy?" Relive the pleasure with her. She'll have to do it because she wants to satisfy your request so that she can start to complain.

"Okay, it was sweet and nice" she says. "Now can I complain?" "Not yet, Aunt Sophie. Tell me four more pleasures." "I didn't have any more", says she. "Did you wash your face? Did you have a warm shower? Did that feel good? Were you out in the sun today?" Relive it for her. After walking her through five pleasures, her complaints will be far less bitter.

Appreciating the pleasures we have is simple and effective. Every evening when you sit down with your family or friend, discuss five pleasures each of you experienced that day. Incorporate this into your daily ritual-especially if you have children. Eventually, those around you will be focused throughout the day on what pleasures they had so they can share them with you.

I love you all and pray Blessings on you. Chaplain John

 

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