What do you say when a young person asks you the "tough" questions? Oh, it is EASY to give the encouraging word to situations that are not so bad...."It will be alright, honey", "Joy comes in the morning", "Keep holding on...". The stock answers work and you can go on to the next need ... resume our schedule without too much pause.
But what happens when the situation or need requires real "divine" consideration? What is your planned response to the really "tough" questions? Throughout my life, I have encountered many of these "severe" cases. I have wondered if I have responded correctly to the various needs.
What do you say to someone~
~Who has a father that gets drunk almost every day of the week?
~Who has a baby by her father?
~Who gets so "traumatized" in school and in "life-situations" that they cannot function or "handle" mingling with the rest of the world?
~Who was abused as a child and wonders if it was their fault?
~Who is so hooked on substance abuse (alcohol, drugs, tobacco...) and it is causing them to loose their family?
~Who really struggles with homosexuality?
~Who has an addiction (Ex: porno, gambling, self-mutilation, anorexia/bulimia, ...)?
~Who has a self-confidence issue that is affecting their life in a very negative manner?
~When their rebellion is so strong, they are self-destructive?
~When their family is falling apart around them?
~Who has just lost a spouse/parent/child?
How do you jump in and "save the day"? YOU are the teacher, leader, parent, friend that these hurting souls are looking to for help! How do you begin to start?
When I look at the needs listed in this manner, I am overwhelmed. I realize that within myself, there is nothing I can do/say to "fix" these problems. Without "divine intervention", the outlook for each of these cases would be dire, bleak and hopeless..... and I do not like the "places" that these options take me to!
Your heart may be bruised, you are totally confused, you have exhausted all the options.....But, hold on....WAIT! Don't give up or give in! I have an answer.....it is NOT a magic wand or "self-help" manual! Hold on.....
I need you to be HONEST with God!
Honest? Is that all?
Yes, pure, repentance.... a cry for HELP!
Have you ever wondered why the first step to overcoming ANYTHING, is to first confess that you have a problem? Without acknowledgment, there is NO possibility of correction....NONE!
"Hello, my name is Brenda, and I have a problem with forgiveness." All of heaven says, "Hello Brenda, welcome! Come join the ranks of all the ages who have confessed and received help from our Heavenly Father".
Heaven does NOT shun or refuse a contrite heart. The Word says,
Psalm 51:17
The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise.
A wise man of God told me on MANY occasions, "Be honest with God, he already knows how you feel anyways." Oh, words so true.....
So, what did I say to the heart that was tired and weary of the family problems that they were crying, hiding out in their room to "escape" the hurt any longer? I told them to go tell Jesus how they feel.....I mean, "Tell him how you REALLY feel!"
(Singing)
Go and tell Jesus on me
When my faults and failures you see
If you are my brother, don't go tell another
Go and tell Jesus on me
When you are "seeking" the answer to the "tough" questions, I go through a process I call the "honesty loop".
~ I start out by telling God HONESTLY about the problem....whether it be mine or another's.
~ I then let him know how great he is and how "capable" he is to answer/handle this need.
Many times spending prayer in these two areas, until my faith is fully "satisfied" and a joy comes in my spirit....a "knowing" that all will be well.....complete faith that the problem/issue is at the feet of Jesus and he is "working it out". Trust.
Sometimes, I have one more step to overcome... I have to place it in the #2 spot after my telling God about the problem...my "Admitting I am really upset".....Saying, "Lord I am so Mad right now!" Honest words...you are feeling them....true honest confession is good for the soul.....time to "bear it all"! Oh my, now I am being so honest that YOU ARE SURPRISED! Yes, everyone gets mad sometimes! If you think you don't....well, we won't go there, because you are not human or living on the same Earth that I am! Be angry and sin not.....telling it to Jesus ALONE, keeps you out of so much trouble!
As this young person was asking me the initial questions that I began this message with, I told her to start the "loop". Tell God the problem, Be honest and tell God how hurt you are, believe in his answer! Keep it up until YOU get relief, joy and answers in Christ.
AND....I will do the same. All the work cannot be placed back on that young ones lap! No, I will do as I have instructed. I will go into my secret place/prayer closet (wherever this "place" may be) and SHARE in obtaining the answer...the scripture says...
1 John 3:16-18 (King James Version)
16Hereby perceive we the love of God, because he laid down his life for us: and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren.
17But whoso hath this world's good, and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him?
18My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth.
Do the deed....don't just love in words. Show love in all manners possible: smile, give, hug, laugh, encourage, listen, uplift, forgive, and be truthful.Honesty is the best policy and will get the best results.
Go ahead....tell HIM how you REALLY feel, OK? Remember, he already knows....
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I can not get over how truthful this blog is, Bren... I never grasped the concept of TELLING God how I really feel. Sure He knows, but it changes the atmosphere of the situation when that connection is made! A deeper understanding of where I'm at and how God is helping me is suddenly present when I know He knows exactly how I feel - be it angry, upset, confused, or lost in life's problems. He's there, as long as I'm willing.
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