Well, if you’re reading this today you made it to week 8 of the STRENGTH Approach to Christian Wellness with me! H stands for hold onto the Holy Spirit as He guides you in the change process!  I don’t know about you, but I find myself failing daily and hanging onto the promises of scripture as my Helper and Counselor guides me.

He reminds me gently in my spirit to think twice, be softer in my words, love like the Father and the Son love, and show grace. The more I fill my mind with God’s Word, the easier it is to submit my will to Him. I hang onto the Holy Spirit as those times of heated emotion emerge too. In the bible, I learn:

 “My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart my portion forever”

Psalm 73:26

The helpful words found in His life-giving book are just what I need when dealing with areas of strong emotion and habitual behavior. Especially when the temptation to lash out, allow fear to take over, or lose self-control when eating is present and persistent.

Scripture memory is so vital in this process because the Living God is speaking to me through His living Word!

““For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.”

Hebrews 4:12

God, in the form of his Holy Spirit, is for me and you and not against us! He wants each of us to be whole in mind and body so we can live the abundant life Jesus calls us to live. I love how John Owen describes the Holy Spirit in a compilation of his work titled, “The Holy Spirit, His Gifts and Power”, he says:

“So, it is said of God, ‘God is a Spirit’ (John 4:24) his is a pure, spiritual, immaterial nature; not confined to a place, nor regarding one more than another in his worship. The reference of the Third Person of the trinity, as ascribed to him, declares his special manner and order of existence; so that wherever the Holy Spirit is mentioned, his relation to the Father and Son is included, for he is the Spirit of God. Herein there is an allusion to the breath of man; for as the vital breath of man has a continual emanation from him, and yet is never so utterly separated from his person, as to forsake him, so the Spirit of the Father and the Son proceeded from them by a continual divine emanation, still abiding with them.”

(Christian Heritage Imprint, 2004)

On a personal and spiritual level, as a believer and follower of the Lord Jesus, I take this to mean that the Holy Spirit is as much a part of me as my own breath.

Also, when I think of all the times I try to breathe in anxious moments, rising tempers, during exertion and activities, or when raising my voice to be heard among screaming kids….I NEED MORE of it.

Therefore, the same is true of the Holy Spirit, I need more of Him in those same moments.

So, how do you and I hold onto the Holy Spirit in these situations?

1. We take a super deep breath as we say, “Lord God, please take every thought captive to obey Christ (2 Cor. 10:5)
2.  We hold tightly to the apostle Paul’s teaching before taking every thought captive: He says, “For though we walk in the flesh, we are not waging war according to the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds. That divine power is Jesus’ extended presence in the Holy Spirt. We understand we have no power, but God in us, DOES have great power!
3. Recognize the event causing turmoil and breathe through the emotions it evokes. At the same time accept the presence of the Holy Spirit with confidence and submit to Him the emotions, while processing the situation, being very specific in prayer as to what you need help doing as related to the following:

• Controlling Fear/Anxiety/Anger/Depression
• Battling the temptation to gossip/complain/criticize/argue with others
• Overcome hurtful words, disrespect, sadness of a fallen world, laziness, or apathy
• Honor the body (the tent of the Holy Spirit) by resisting addictive substances of sugar, alcohol, tobacco products, processed foods, or the temptation to overeat. Ask for the power to resist things that are harmful to the body instead of restorative.

A couple of examples of this from my daily failings are as follows. First, the chances of me seeing a deer on the side of the road as I start my commute are good, since I’ve hit nine of them in ten years. So, instead of succumbing to worries that escalate my heart rate or cause me to grip the wheel tightly in anticipation, I begin proactively praying. Before I get into my car I pray, “Lord Jesus, I ask for your angels to guard my path, my car, my life and the lives of others from destruction as I drive this car today.”

Second, I’m prideful and I’ve been around a few years, so most of the time I think I’m right. It is, therefore, a daily battle to humble myself, submit my mind and thoughts to Jesus, and think of others more than myself.  I start my day with, “Lord, please give me a pure heart and a steadfast Spirit, forgive me for______, and help me put You and others before myself and my desires.

The bottom line to holding onto the Holy Spirit as He guides you and I daily is trusting His  power to change us. We can face irrational thoughts or behaviors coming in swiftly, with intentionality. As we breathe and pray for help with emotions, we recognize our usual unhealthy coping measures full force and say stop. I’m not that person anymore. Yes, I have a weakness, but I am facing it and drawing upon God’s power to behave honorably. He loves me and works all things for my good (Romans 8:28).

In conclusion, I hope this eight-week series to the STRENGTH Approach to Christian Wellness has been helpful for you. I know it has been a good exploration for me mentally, physically, and spiritually. Therefore, I plan to develop it further as a resource for my clients. Please leave me a comment if you are interested in this resource, or if you would like to talk more about wellness. Take care, and God bless you.

References:

https://biblegateway.com

Owen, John, The Holy Spirit His Gifs and Power, Christian Heritage Imprint (2004) Christian Focus Publications, Geanies House, Fearn, Tain, Ross-shire, IV20 1TW, Scotland, UK

Week 7 of the Strength Approach to Christian Wellness begins with T. T= Thank God for His faithfulness as we actively express our gratitude. God loves us despite our continually turning to the things of this world to satisfy our longings. The good news is we can tell him in prayer our deep desires, and our struggles. At the same time, when we feel that hot shower in the morning, sip on a brewed beverage, and break our fast, we find God is faithful.

Thankfulness and actively showing gratitude for our daily provision and in our communities has a way of filling us with assurance. A warm flow of contentment spreads instead of anxiety when we trust Him. Sometimes we may say, “You know I’m not feeling it yet God, but I know you’ve got this!” But God listens and understands, as he stands beside us along the way, providing our greatest needs.

Take the example of King David for instance. In his prime, he experienced the pressure of cruelty and unjustness. In his old age, feeling spent of strength, he pours out his heart to God. Apprehension almost overtook him as he was scorned, accused, and conspired against by his enemies. Yet, he praises God as each of his basic needs were met. Do we react the same way today?

His example of thankfulness in times of distress and turmoil are impressive. Although the pressure from his adversaries’ mounts, he says, “I will hope continually and will paise you more and more. Oh God from my youth you have taught me, and I still proclaim your wondrous deeds. You who have made me see many trials and calamites will revive me again. I will praise you with the harp for your faithfulness. O my God; I will sing praises to you; my soul also, which you have redeemed (Psalm 71: 9,13,17, 20, 22,23).

A grateful heart recognizes God is still worthy of praise when circumstances are out of control. In our comfort filled lives of convenience and ease we sometimes forget to praise Him when we feel defeated and weak.

The life-threatening enemies chasing down our abundant living are stress, and poor lifestyle choices in the land of abundance.  We’re not remembering the hardships of hiding in caves, or scavenging for sustenance from local farmers.

Our biggest battle is self-control.

A fruit of the Spirit we attribute to niceness, and kindness in a land of opportunity, buffets, and technology. However, for us, this age of information also comes with long work hours, and the stress of balancing work life with home life. Therefore, we are primed and ready for losing self-control in our down time.

The harmful nutritional and mind-numbing choices we make reflect our need for rest. Take for example, cell phones loaded with distracting games, puzzles, or videos, or the enticing draw of the local fast-food joints. The choices we make are ones easily available that don’t require deep thought on our part. However, they do offer a short escape from the day.

But what message does this repetitive mindless activity send to our souls or the people we love? Could it be nourishing a healthy body is too much work and down time is coveted more? How valuable is my health or my children compared to this device or this meal? What activity for myself or with them would build closer connection, physical health, and community?

Thankfulness In Action

Perhaps a short game of kickball, basketball, or soccer would boost energy levels for the caregiver, while releasing energy for kids after a long day at school. Following the activity with a family devotion, over a lovely fruit and vegetable tray, offers them sharing time with God at the center.

Even if we are beyond the caregiver role, we can find opportunities to be thankful and active in someone else’s life. Our church does a pray and go once a month, we pair up with another person and pray for specific house numbers on different streets in our neighborhood each month. This is a great activity for people of all ages to incorporate in their neighborhoods.

Maybe you love to cook, yet don’t want to cook for one person. Begin a soup or dinner exchange with a few close single friends and bring your dishes to a gathering, with a set of trays. Divide the meals or soups into the trays and you’ll each have a wonderful time together while taking home a different (and healthy) dish for each day of the week.

Activities together create a sense of thankfulness because we are stronger together. The Holy Spirit works in and among us when we love this way. We are more grateful, carefree, and lighthearted. Therefore, a stronger sense of self comes with faithfulness to our own small community.

The more involved we are with others, the less we think about our battle scars of self-doubt, self-reproach, and just getting through the day. We have an active plan to make a difference.

In the process, our focus is on God’s plan of unifying a family. A family of neighbors, churches, communities, and individuals.

Moreover, thankfulness in prayer and action allows us to move beyond our weaknesses. Trusting Him with every anxiety, binge moment, or stressor brings about His thoughtful plan to make us more like His son.

He knows failures train our hearts to trust him more, because we’re still here, still trudging through. Yet, victory over despair is won with each act of faithfulness on His part.

“We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed; always carrying in the body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be manifested in our bodies.”

2 Corinthians 4:8-10

biblegateway.com

Therefore, thanking him for his faithfulness and asking Him to teach us how to be actively grateful in our communities is something, we can begin practicing today. I think, God is eager to hear and see us proclaim His wondrous deeds in our lives. My prayer is that you see it too.

Week five’s STRENGTH Approach to Christian Wellness theme is one of hope. It is also one of setting a date to release desires for worldly things to God.

Let’s face it, we are focused on numbers. It doesn’t matter if the number relates to our bank account, retirement plan, grocery bill, or the number on a scale, our minds associate success with numbers.

They are also important for helping people control their blood pressure and blood sugar. Numbers on lab results identify problems inhibiting abundant life. Things like chronic kidney disease, heart disease. and autoimmune disease benefit from attention to numbers.

I get it, because I’ve seen the results dash the hopes and livelihoods of hundreds of people over the years! And I don’t want that to be me and you.

Although we cannot prolong our lives any longer than they were determined by God, we can choose items that give us live life to the fullest.

 A circumstance Jesus wants for us (John 10:10). Adjusting our attitude towards others in love is a start. Reducing chronic pain with fruits and vegetables, and not relying on processed food is another.

We have the scientific research at our fingertips on how we view life and what we eat affects us mentally and physically.

Scientific Facts

“The new field of nutritional psychiatry provides evidence for diet quality as a modifiable risk factor for mental illnesses.” (1)

“Meta-analyses of observational studies have shown that a healthy diet and Mediterranean diet are associated with lower risk of depression. People with mental illness have been identified as having poorer diet and other lifestyle behaviors that impact health, and less understanding of the impact of lifestyle behaviors on health (2)

Refined sugar and white flour carbohydrates increase chances for heart disease while whole grain, high fiber foods are protective. Saturated fat is not the cause after all (3).

Individuals with a stronger network have better heart health, neurological, endocrine, and immune function than less supported individuals, thus lowering disease risks and extending long-term health. (4)

We are Better Together and Embracing God’s Plan in the Garden

Moreover, consuming more whole grains, beans, and eating less meat; will provide substantial protein and fiber to remove toxins from the body. The toxins create free radicals that are damaging to cells and contribute to disease, anxiety, and pain. The results of which alter mental stability, and lab values.

 Heads up! Something is wrong when our culture accepts altered food bathed in unrecognizable preservatives as nurturing to our bodies! We also fall for the lure and lies of material possessions for satisfaction.

Therefore, numbering the days of reliance on comfort food, material items, gossip, getting even, or whatever is hindering vitality and life will bring new life to the hope within. 

More importantly, don’t let lasting change intimidate you. It may mean taking baby steps to get where you want to be and not changing everything at once. I can help you with this in individual Wellness Coaching, since I’ve seen it multiple times and battle it myself.  

A point of hope to remember is King Hezekiah. When he was sick and dying, he pleaded with the Lord and the Lord gave him fifteen more years (2 Kings 20). I imagine as the leader of a nation; he had a great deal of stress and his own struggles with lifestyle choices.

However, Hezekiah’s feeling of hopelessness brought him to complete surrender. The same place repeated failures bring you and me. But glory to God! His plea to God brought him through, and it will bring you and I through times of difficult change too.

Remember, God is faithful, and He gives us the strength. His love enables us to bear all things, believe all things, hope all things, and endure all things (1 Corinthians 13:7). I am with you too and will pray for you! Just leave me a comment or contact me for a free consult.

References:

Nutritional psychiatry: the present state of the evidence | Proceedings of the Nutrition Society | Cambridge Core

Marx, W., Moseley, G., Berk, M., & Jacka, F. (2017). Nutritional psychiatry: The present state of the evidence. Proceedings of the Nutrition Society, 76(4), 427-436. doi:10.1017/S0029665117002026

Full article: A Mediterranean-style dietary intervention supplemented with fish oil improves diet quality and mental health in people with depression: A randomized controlled trial (HELFIMED) (tandfonline.com)

Natalie Parletta, Dorota Zarnowiecki, Jihyun Cho, Amy Wilson, Svetlana Bogomolova, Anthony Villani, Catherine Itsiopoulos, Theo Niyonsenga, Sarah Blunden, Barbara Meyer, Leonie Segal, Bernhard T. Baune & Kerin O’Dea (2019) A Mediterranean-style dietary intervention supplemented with fish oil improves diet quality and mental health in people with depression: A randomized controlled trial (HELFIMED), Nutritional Neuroscience, 22:7, 474-487, DOI: 10.1080/1028415X.2017.1411320

Fat, Sugar, Whole Grains and Heart Disease: 50 Years of Confusion (nih.gov)

Temple N. J. (2018). Fat, Sugar, Whole Grains and Heart Disease: 50 Years of Confusion. Nutrients, 10(1), 39. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu10010039

The health consequences of stress in couples: A review and new integrated Dyadic Biobehavioral Stress Model – ScienceDirect

Shrout, Rose M. Department of Human Development and Family Studies, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, 47907, USA b Center on Aging and the Life Course, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, 47907, USA Received 12 May 2021, Revised 3 August 2021, Accepted 9 August 2021, Available online 13 August 2021, Version of Record 24 August 2021.

Mysty Pfeffer, RN BSN, Certified Health Coach

The STRENGTH approach to Christian Wellness places Christ in the center of the mind, will, and emotions. God’s Word is the lens through which we view our world, our relationships, and our bodies. Therefore, as we receive his divinely inspired Word, it changes our mind will, and emotions from an inward, self-seeking focus to a God-focus.

When you and I gladly submit our lives to a wiser, loving Father, we see more clearly, His plans are for our good and His glory. Also, when we learn the value of intentional eating, we’ll begin to appreciate the tender heart of our loving Father. He provides everything we need to sustain us.

In this eight-week series, I hope to present the STRENTH approach to you and walk with you if you are interested in getting out of a rut. The senseless cycle of feeling dejected and like a failure because change is so intimidating.

Lifestyle choices are so habitual, developing new ways of thinking takes courage and support. Getting to a place of confidence may require outside help because we don’t always receive the foundational reinforcement from those we care about the most.

There is good news!

I offer a 30-minute free consultation via zoom to help support you and get you started. If you need more coaching assistance, we can discuss further appointments.

By subscribing to this website, you will receive a weekly newsletter with the latest posts of encouragement and recipes to help you incorporate the STRENGTH approach every day.

Below is an explanation of what STRENGTH stands for and what to expect in the coming weeks. I am so excited to start this journey with you!

You and I don’t’ need a new year to begin a new way of living in victory, it can begin any day! Below is a brief description of the process. We can cover each step in more detail each week as we will have a fully prepared agenda!

Strategies for Change

Strategies begin with small steps that lead to big changes. The first strategy is to pray for more of God and less of self. A focus on self will always find discontent because it is on wants instead of needs. Second, we’ll pray about what God is calling us to change in our lives. It may be in an area of relationship in the workplace, church, or home. Or it may be the failure to grow in faith due to fear/anger/anxiety in a toxic culture.

Tastes that Satisfy

Tastes are powerful motivators and distractors! Did you know our taste buds replenish themselves every ten days? New cells can develop new tastes as we begin to learn the value of intentional eating and why God’s Garden is so Good.

Receive benefits of God’s provision

In scripture and the garden God provides a healing plan to restore and repair cells. Mind, body, and spirit are renewed when we walk with him daily. You and I can explore filling our minds with promise, purpose, and strength.

Engage family and friends for support.

Although it would be nice, we truly cannot do these things alone. How many times have we started a new plan and someone close to us unwittingly tempts us to take three steps back?  We’ll learn how to confront and command respect for our choices… in a nice way! They may even want to join us!

Never give up hope.

We’ll number the days of relying on ourselves to do everything and focus on needs and not wants. Numbering the days of reliance on comfort food, material items, gossip or whatever is holding us back will bring new life to the hope within us.

Grace to self for times of weakness.

Let’s face it we all have setbacks, obstacles, and moments of weakness. Grace doesn’t condemn but realizes change is a process. Victory comes in permanent lifestyle habits that build a stronger mind and body. But it doesn’t always happen in one or two weeks. It takes repeated failures to learn and grow.

See, more good news! We’ll learn to look at failure in a whole new light!

Thank God for His faithfulness as we actively express our gratitude.

God loves us despite our continually turning to the things of this world to satisfy our longings. We can tell him in prayer our deep desires, and our struggles. Thankfulness and actively showing gratitude in our communities will fill us with assurance. God listens and understands, as he stands beside us along the way.

Hold onto the Holy Spirit as He Guides Us in Change.

Scripture memory is so helpful in this area, especially when temptation is present and persistent. He is for us and not against us! He wants our mind and body to live the abundant life Jesus calls us to live.

There! We now have the eight-step process to make lifelong change. Does this sound like a plan?

Stay tuned for the next eight weeks as we break down the eight steps of this plan to help us get started on a cleaner, clearer, healthier, way of living.

Maybe we can keep Psalm 73:26 in mind today as we begin this new journey–

My flesh and my heart may fail,

    but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.

I look forward to walking alongside you on your STRENGTH journey! Be sure to let me know how I can better serve you in the coming weeks as we begin.

“After these days his wife Elizabeth conceived, and for five months she kept herself hidden, saying, Thus, the Lord has done for me in the days when he looked on me, to take away my reproach among people.”

Luke 1:24-25

I can’t help but wonder how a woman in advanced age would feel about not meeting her husband’s expectations. Years of waiting and hope are met with no results, yet she is still admired and cherished. She must be proud he has been chosen, by God, to go into the most Holy place, a high honor for his priestly service.

I get this sense of affection and high regard for one another when I read the account of Zechariah and Elizabeth in Luke chapter one. The text describes their genealogy and how they are “both righteous before God, walking blamelessly in all the commandments and statues of the Lord. But they had no child, because Elizabeth was barren, and both were advanced in years.” (Luke 1:5-7).

“What do they say about me? Are those whispers pity for my inability to conceive?” are some questions Elizabeth may have asked herself as time passed with her beloved Zechariah. The two of them are very aware of the culture’s expectations. They lived in a time where her value as a woman depended on giving her husband a son and keeping their home.

 The aching lack of producing a child gave her a sense of defeat and shame. Although barrenness was often attributed to some hidden sin or flaw in this agrarian culture, we know this is not true of her in Lukes’s description (Adalmen, 2021). Watching, and perhaps helping, women bring their children into the world through the years brings a bittersweet experience into deeper reflection.

However, this couple’s relationship is solid. Zechariahs’ doubt about the angel’s promise ends in speechlessness. He finds comfort in Elizabeth’s arms and the promise comes to life!

After these days his wife Elizabeth conceived, and for five moths she kept herself hidden, saying “Thus the Lord has done for me in the days when he looked on me, to take away my reproach among people.”

Luke 1:24-25

Reproach among her people is Elizabeth’s perception of herself as she reflects on the miracle within her. Her statement echoes that of Rachel as she bore her firstborn, Joseph. Her “reproach” had been removed as well. The longed-for baby happening now in Elizabeth’s advanced years removes the disappointment of barrenness.

But can she grasp the intense reason of this new life, at this time in history? His purpose and the special instruction given to raising him without any impurity is clear. Knowing from the angel, Gabriel, that “many will rejoice at his birth, he will be great before the Lord, and he will be filled with the Holy Spirit,” even in the womb, is a longed-for treasure (Luke 1:14-15)!

Awe and appreciation for the Lord fill her in this time of blessing that removes her perceived shame.  She is aware of the proverb,

“Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but a desire fulfilled is a tree of life (Prov 13:12).

The most beautiful desire of the heart is to know and be known by our Lord. Although she didn’t fully experience being known during her infertility, she feels it now as sure as she feels the child moving within her.

Oftentimes, we lose sight of our position with him in the heavenly places (Eph. 2:6) because our focus is on what we don’t have here on earth. The continual battle in our mind revolves around the desires of our flesh. We, like Elizabeth, long for the approval of others and to bestow the fullness of our love onto another without risk.

I believe our perception of what people think of us is based on our unmet expectations in life. It is often skewed as we project our own disappointment on another’s thoughts of us. We see Elizabeth’s intuition meet the truth of her actual status in her neighbors’ and relatives’ eyes as they rejoice with her at John’s birth (Luke 1:58).  

They’ve been rooting for her all along.

My strong sister, I bet your close friends and relatives are too! So, if this truth helps relieve some pressure to preform today, take it to heart. God may have another plan for your life that is more fulfilling.

 He may even prolong the dream until you realize your value as a woman has nothing to do with bearing children or being accepted by many. It has everything to do with being filled with the Holy Spirit and living in humility. Elizabeth’s joy and humbleness in greeting Mary is contagious:

“Why is this granted to me that the mother of my Lord should come to me? Blessed is she who believed that there would be a fulfillment of what was spoken to her from the Lord (Luke 1:43,45).  

Desire satisfied is indeed, a tree of life.

It is also a heart-filling moment in scripture to accept and receive today as an example of biblical womanhood and a devoted couple. Zechariah did not cast her aside but remained committed and intimate. May you and I boldly hold onto our relationships as cherished reward as well. In them, we learn how to please our Savior.

References:

Adalmen, Rachel (June 23, 2021) “Barren Women in the Bible” The Jewish Women’s Archive

Week 1 of Jesus and Women by Kristi McLelland.

Our Tuesday study group is beginning the first week of, “Jesus and Women” by Kristi McLelland. Her approach is that of a college professor comparing the Middle Eastern way of learning to the Western way.

So, I am already hooked and loving the study!

One big difference we’re taught in the two cultural approaches to scripture is they encounter the text expecting to be fed a feast; while for us, it is to acquire knowledge (2019).

However, as much as that may be true, “generally “I don’t like blanket generalizations. It happens in medicine far too often. Besides, that is not my, or my study groups, approach to scripture.

My deepest desire (and I think, theirs’ too) is to know my Father in heaven better and relish his presence, his plans, and his Word. Like, the Psalmist, I take delight in his laws. Why? They keep me straight. I have a clear picture of God and his holiness and my need for his mercy every day.

Therefore, when McLelland states, “We tend to stare at our lives and glance at God. We want to stare at God and glance at our lives,” I am immediately convicted (McLelland, 2019). Although, an hour or two is spent reading and studying His word every morning, I must ask myself through the rest of the day, “Am I a woman who glances at God?”

I hope not. However, I often find myself longing for more time with grandchildren, getting caught up in the latest news headline, or getting preoccupied with starting a new career. Then I realize, staring at my life is not helpful in building up others. Therefore, the “staring at my life” statement is a timely reminder to keep my eyes toward heavenly things and not earthly things.

McLelland further states, “We want to live like rivers, not lakes. We want the Word to travel to us, through us, to others (2019).”

It is a natural flow of renewal and hope that we carry with us and are excited to share. When we are set free of sin and death, we want others to be free as well. Furthermore, when there is sickness and disease surrounding us, we have a picture of a day with no illness. A day when all death, destruction, and evil is conquered.

Although we don’t see it yet…it’s coming!

When my girls were in nursing school, I always reminded them, “Keep your eye on the prize” meaning it will all be worth it in the end, and you’ll have valuable skills to help you navigate the rest of life.

 How true is that for people of faith too? When we have a biblical perspective of health, disease, difficulty, distance in relationship, or trials; we can embrace those times as opportunities to draw closer to God and make what we are studying real and personal.

I pray you have that opportunity today! Get your book at Lifeway.com and study with us!

Exodus Chapter 18

“If you do this, God will direct you, you will be able to endure, and all this people also will go to their place in peace.”

We are finishing Exodus chapter 18 today and learning about how to endure with God’s direction. It’s a wonderful lesson, friend, so hang in there as we trudge through scripture with our hearts open to receive God’s word.

There will be a short break in the Exodus study until Jen Wilken’s second half of Exodus is released in January 2022. This way, the ladies stay on track with our study plans and I can keep you updated on what we learn from studying each chapter.

Please take a moment to read Exodus 18.

Moses’ father-in-law, Jethro, heard of all God had done for Moses and Israel in Egypt. He brings Zipporah and her two sons to Moses and greets him with profound respect and admiration. Moses shares the miraculous feats of the Lord to Jethro and how describes how the Lord delivered them. Jethro responds with a newfound understanding of who God is,

“Blessed be the LORD, who has delivered you out of the hand of Pharaoh and has delivered the people from under the hand of the Egyptians. Now I know that the LORD is greater than all gods, because in this affair they dealt arrogantly with the people.”

We don’t know what kind of “priest” Jethro was, but we can ascertain from this statement, He believed in more than one god, and was not a priest of the One True God. However, he becomes a believer, doesn’t he? He makes a sacrifice to God, and the elders of Israel come out to eat bread with him before God.

Jethro’s Direction Mirrors God’s in Numbers 11

The next day, Jethro witnesses Moses judging disputes between the people from sun-up until evening. We already know from reading Numbers chapter eleven the other day, that Moses had cried out to the Lord because of the burden of the people. At that time, they were given manna and quail to eat.

Furthermore, the Lord told Moses to gather seventy elders at the tent of meeting and said, “I will come down and talk with you there. And I will take some of the Spirit that is on you and put it on them, and they shall bear the burden of the people with you, so that you may not bear it yourself alone.” 

He was not meant to bear the burden alone, and neither are we! Moses was to listen to the direction of God and endure with the help of the elders. A lesson we could learn too.

Moses’ newly believing father-in-law agrees. The New Testament writers also agree. Please look at the following verses.

Hebrews 10:24-26

And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.

Acts 1:13-15

13 And when they had entered, they went up to the upper room, where they were staying, Peter and John and James and Andrew, Philip and Thomas, Bartholomew and Matthew, James the son of Alphaeus and Simon the Zealot and Judas the son of James. All these with one accord were devoting themselves to prayer, together with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and his brothers.

Acts 15: 32-33

And Judas and Silas, who were themselves prophets, encouraged and strengthened the brothers with many words. And after they had spent some time, they were sent off in peace by the brothers to those who had sent them.

The apostles gathered together in prayer, met in counsel to discuss disputes, and encouraged one another with their words. They would never have endured persecution without that treasured time together. We need our time together too, as we face an anti-Christian and challenging culture.

Christ unites us in faith and purpose; to lead the nonbelieving to him and to strengthen one another in service to Him. We know he is before all things, and in him all things hold together (Col. 1:17). Not only that, but when we live as God directs, we will be able to endure whatever trials come upon us…together.

It’s a hopeful promise, friend, and one to remember as we face the days ahead. I look forward to completing Exodus 19-40 with you in January 2022 with the release of Jen Wilken’s next study! Until then, we will explore Jesus and Women by Kristi McLelland for a few weeks.

Exodus Chapter 17-

Have you ever been so angry you lashed out and hit another person? Understanding our anger can be a challenge. My sister and I got a thorough lesson in a boy’s need to wrestle, banter, and fight growing up with an older brother. Throughout our childhood, he picked at us until we lost our cool and retaliated… or cried and complained to mom.

 Now that I have six grandsons and see they cannot keep their battling hands to themselves, I understand why.  God’s way of protecting the family and preparing men for battle starts very young. It is instilled in a boy’s DNA, because God knows there will be bigger battles ahead.

Israel’s Anger

We see this for Moses today in Exodus chapter 17, as his battle in the wilderness intensifies. Please take a moment to read this chapter before the discussion below.

“All the congregation of the people of Israel moved on from the wilderness of Sin by stages, according to the commandment of the Lord, and camped at Rephidim, but there was no water for them to drink. Therefore, the people quarreled with Moses and said, ‘Give us water to drink’. And Moses said to them, ‘Why do you quarrel with me? Why do you test the Lord?“
Exodus 17:1-2)

The dry, uninhabitable land has smacked around Israel as they wander from the bitter water of Marah to the 12 Springs of Elim, and set out for Rephidim. They’re angry, and the target of their anger is Moses. The quarreling begins because they are not getting what they want.

Once again, the weakness of their flesh has caused them to forget the Lord’s hand of provision.  His power in parting the Red Sea, the (dead) water of Marah made sweet, and the 12 springs of living water at Elim is fading in their eyes as thirst invades their tongues. However, with their bellies full of manna from the morning provision, they have energy to quarrel with Moses to the point of stoning him (vs 4).

Moses says, “Why do you test the Lord?”  (vs.2)

Testing the Lord in Our Anger

In the matter of anger, we too, test the Lord every day. It is evident in our sarcasm, sins of omission (knowing we need to talk to someone and we don’t), in our attitudes and tone of voice, and most of all in our lack of praying for Him to take it away.

James, the brother of Jesus, says, “What causes quarrels and what causes fights among you? Is it not this, that your passions are at war within you? You desire and do not have, so you murder. You covet and cannot obtain, so you fight and quarrel. You do not have, because you do not ask.” (James 4:1-2)

Picture this, a million people on their knees humbling asking God for water in a dry and parched land. He smiles regarding their reverence and need, as every rock in the wilderness begins to spray water for their parched tongues to be saturated.

But that is not what happens, is it? No. Much like you and I, the Israelites are ready to go to war and start blaming the closest person within proximity. However, the better response is to get down on our knees and ask God for help.

Brian S. Borgman, in his book, “Feelings and Faith, Cultivating Godly Emotions in the Christian Life” talks about sinful anger. He asks this powerful question, “What am I not getting that I am elevating to idol status and willing to go to war over?” (2009).

I’ll admit, it takes courage to ask and find the answer to this question. But, my friend, how wonderful would it be to finally put it to rest? Borgman suggest an anger journal to record times of struggle, and placing scripture beside it to pray through the process. Please take heart, God’s compassion and mercy is available to you and I, the same as it was to Israel. Let’s see what happens next.

“Behold, I will stand before you there on the rock at Horeb, and you shall strike the rock, and water shall come out of it, and the people will drink’ And Moses did so, in the sight of the elders of Israel.” (Exodus 17:6).

I have such an appreciation for the completeness of scripture and God’s plan! We honor God and draw closer to Him knowing and understanding the books of the Old Testament, just like the writers of the New Testament did. Paul says,

“For I do not want you to be unaware; brothers, that our fathers were all under the cloud, and all passed through the sea, and all were baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea, and all ate the same spiritual food, and all drank the same spiritual drink. For they drank from the spiritual Rock that followed them, and the Rock was Christ. “ (1 Corinthians 10:1-4).

Do you see the mercy of God in scripture? God did not strike Israel in their anger and unbelief any more than he does us in ours. Instead, he struck the rock. The rock of Christ, as Paul describes it in Corinthians. He, who took our thirst upon his shoulders in the wilderness, just as he took our wrath on the cross. He who satisfies the physical thirst of our bodies is the only one who can quench the ever-longing thirst of our souls. And He has no problem understanding anger.

Consequently, being God, he also gives Israel an outlet for their aggression. We see them flex their physical muscles against the Amalekites in verses 8-16. If Moses holds up his hands, Israel is victorious, if his arms fall, defeat sets in. Wilkin attributes this posture as a picture of Christ on the cross (Lifeway, 2021).

Furthermore, it’s a picture for us. We can stand with our hands outstretched to God in confidence of victory over the sin of anger or we can put our hands down and be defeated by it. The choice is ours. Bold faith is a picture of humble remorse and repentance for anger to those who we have wronged, and more powerfully, forgiveness to those who have wronged us.

In the meantime, let your little boys battle out their aggression on one another. They need an outlet for energy and training for being the protectors God designed them to be. The girls can go cry to momma.

Love you, all. God bless you all as you too begin understanding anger. If you need further assistance working through anger, consider Christian Wellness Coaching with me.

References:

Lifeway.com, Exodus 1-18, God of Deliverance by Jen Wilken (2021) Video Session 9.

Review of Exodus Chapter 16

What do you hunger for?

We learn in our study of Exodus the wilderness is not a place of wild terrain, trees, and roaming animals. Instead, the picture is of dry barrenness and scarce resources. It is uninhabitable, with very little water or food.

The estimated million-people march through this territory causes the whole congregation of Israel to grumble against Moses and Aaron.

“Would that we had died by the hand of the Lord in the land of Egypt, when we sat by the meat pots and ate bread to the full, for you have brought us out into this wilderness to kill this whole assembly with hunger. “(16:3)

What Does Hunger Make us Forget?

Does an empty belly and not getting what they want blind them to their past slavery? Is the harsh labor from sunup until sunset so easily forgotten? Losing their newborn sons in the Nile’s murky waters is no longer a threat, but lack of food and water is. But is the past preferable? We’ll never know… until we’re that hungry.

The miracle of the Red Sea parting is fading fast in the presence of fatigue, thirst, and discouragement. As doubt sets in, the evil one whispers convincingly, “He doesn’t really care about you”. The same whisper familiar to our ears in times of spiritual famine.

Oh, but he is wrong, because God does care!

“Then the Lord said to Moses, ‘Behold, I am about to rain bread from heaven for you, and the people shall go out and gather a day’s portion every day, that I may test them, whether they will walk in my law or not. (16:4)”

Although, seemingly ungrateful with the grumbling mentioned seven times in this chapter, I feel sorry for the Israelites. Looking back at the known and not-so-comfortable is easier sometimes than floundering in a new kind of difficult and unknown. God is peeling those psychological layers of false identity back like an onion, one layer at a time. It is something I can identify with easily, because he has to do it for me quite often.

It’s a hard concept to accept when they’re hungry and dehydrated. And it’s hard for me when I’m prideful.

What happens next is something they will continue to see, “The glory of the Lord appeared in the cloud.” He provides the amazing bread from heaven (manna—what is it?) that tastes like honey and coriander seed. Flocks of quail also begin to encircle their camp to provide meat to eat.

It appears, instead of wrath for ungratefulness and unbelief, they majority of them are shown mercy and grace. However, that does not mean there are no consequences. Numbers chapter eleven describes God’s fury and the punishment of the “rabble” rousers as they consume the quail and a plague falls, killing many.

It is now clear, testing God is a very unwise course of action for the unbelievers of their day; however, may it also be a warning in ours.

What if We Hunger to Be More Like Christ?

It makes me wonder what we as Christians hunger for when our needs are so readily met. There is plenty to eat and drink, and we have choices that are filling and nutritious. But we often choose artificial and man-made items over God’s provision many times. If it’s not a lifestyle of convenience, it is sometimes materialism.

What if we just rested in His care and stopped reaching for things that temporarily satisfy?

I can’t help but think of Jesus telling his disciples when they returned from Samaria with food, after he spoke to the woman at the well. He said, “My food is to do the will of him who sent me and to accomplish his work.” I have to ask myself sometimes, “When will God be enough?” The world, as you and I know it, is fading fast and freedom is changing dramatically. It’s time to look heavenward more often than earthly for my satisfaction.

Today, may we say together, “You are enough, Lord, and I hunger be more like you, every day.”

Thank you, for joining me on this journey! You can read further posts on our study of Exodus with Jen Wilkin on this site.

Review of Exodus Chapter 14 & 15

When I study profound passages like this one, I have to wonder, “What is God teaching me in this moment? Of course, He is showing me new things on a biblical level, but even better, a sharper view of Him!

The first part of our Exodus study, chapters 1-18, by Jen Wilken, is wrapping up this week. Israel has survived the ten plagues and a new nation is born. The institution of Passover takes place as the firstborn is delivered from death with the blood of the lamb splayed over the doorpost.  God is faithful and true to his word, not only in the passing over of the death angel, but also in Abraham’s descendants multiplying and becoming a great nation.

Exodus 12:37 says, “And the people of Israel journeyed from Rameses to Succoth, about six hundred thousand men on foot, besides women and children.”

.” It is reasoned there were about a million people leaving Egypt at the time of the Exodus. As this multitude faces the tremendous Red Sea with Pharaoh and his army in hot pursuit, they feel trapped.  If you want a fresh word on how earthly circumstances look bleak and impossible to us, yet well under control in the hands of God, take a moment to reread Exodus 14, and revel in the glory of God’s power and provision.

We see they are not trapped at all!  I love how the glory of God shines in the darkest of times for them and us!

“The Lord said to Moses, ‘Why do you cry to me? Lift up your staff, and stretch out your hand over the sea and divide it, that the people of Israel may go through the sea on dry ground.’ (vs 15)

I pay close attention to how God works in the darkness at this point, because the Israelites, feeling desolate and defeated with a slave mentality, are terrified.  However, God shows his glory!

“Then the angel of God who was going before the host of Israel moved and went behind them, and the pillar of cloud moved from before them and stood behind them, coming between the host of Egypt and the host of Israel. And there was the cloud and the darkness. And it lit up the night without one coming near the other all night. (vs 19-20).

They survive the night and are led into the wilderness. The Song of Moses in chapter 15 is a beautiful song of worship and thanksgiving for they see The LORD will reign forever.

Unfortunately, three days of traveling without water get to them and they start grumbling. When they do find water at Marah, it is bitter.  We learn from Jen Wilkin in the teaching time, this water is stagnated. The ancient people called it “dead water”.  This is contrary to the twelve springs of Elim that provide “living water.” Anything flowing and abundant is considered alive (Wilken, Lifeway, 2021).

Sound familiar?

Don’t you love how the bible uses the ancient culture’s understanding of their surroundings to bring home the lesson of spiritual renewal? I sure do!

God is testing them and says, “If you will diligently listen to the voice of the Lord your God, and do that which is right in his eyes, and give ear to his commandments and keep all his statutes, I will put none of the diseases on you that I put on the Egyptians, for I am the Lord, your healer. (vs 26)

There are times when you and I will be tested too. The question I often ask myself when things don’t go my way is, “What is God teaching me in this moment?” Do I truly trust him to take care of me and love me when I am scared or doubtful?

 I may not understand why someone I love distances themselves from me, because it hurts too much.  But I can take comfort knowing God is working on them, the same as He is working on me. All I must do is keep praying and be watchful as he removes the earthly things (and people) I’ve loved above him all these years, to the status beneath him where they belong.

I pray he does the same for you! Stay tuned as my small group finishes the first part of Exodus with Wilken, through chapter 18. Then we will finish chapter 19-40 as her second part of the Exodus study is released in January 2022.