Dealing With Trials

As I watch the snow continue to fall, I have to admit, it doesn’t feel like I’m living in San Antonio, Texas. It was just a few weeks ago, it was 80 degrees! I would never have believed we’d experience a major snow week that would affect almost everyone in the state.

And who said that 2021 would be better? I was so very happy to say goodbye to 2020, and then 2021 began. To be honest, I haven’t felt particularly encouraged by the events of 2021. I am sobered by the stories I’ve read about what Texans have gone through this week. How do we deal with ongoing trials in our life?

I’ve been thinking a lot about the Apostle Paul this week. He had a unique perspective on suffering as he had suffered so much! Take a look at his perspective below:

”But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us. We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned, struck down, but not destroyed…… Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly, we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unsee. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.” (2 Corinthians 4:7-9, 16-18)

Paul was a wanted man because of what he was for Christ. People wanted to murder him for his faith. He lived with stress every single day. Paul was a man who suffered more than you or I will ever suffer. Yet he didn’t let the stress and ongoing challenges crush him. That’s where I think we struggle…we allow the ongoing stress and anxiety crush us. We tend to cave in to our circumstances. Here are some of my thoughts on this scripture:

1.Triumph of Christ in Paul’s life- Paul was hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned, struck down, but not destroyed. Did you see what Paul is NOT experiencing? Look at the triumph in Paul’s life. He got it! He was in so many difficult circumstances that he realized that it was only the power and victory of Jesus that could meet his need.

2. We don’t lose heart- Paul probably knew what we’d want to ask him: “How can you NOT lose heart, Paul?” It’s easy to lose heart and want to quit when trials mount up. Don’t let pain, fatigue or even criticism of others stop you from persevering with Christ! Will you trust God in the midst of your crushing circumstance? Please, do not lose heart. 

3. Fix your eyes on what is NOT seen- We humans tend to live in the here and now. But Paul saw that this life is not all there is! Because of Jesus in his life, he lived with eternity in his heart. He knew that this life was temporary and he lived with that in mind. It helped him get through a bunch of trials! 

We don’t know what 2021 will bring. But, please, do not lose heart. And if you are, please feel free to email me: Nancya@ymcasatx.org. I'd love to encourage and pray for you.

Nancy Abbott is the Chaplain of the YMCA of Greater San Antonio.

Famous For

Most people watch the Super Bowl for the commercials. I’ll pay close attention to the game when the Dallas Cowboys make it. Sigh.

I already had my pick for the best commercial even before the Super Bowl- Lawn and Garden Giveaway! Like most Super Bowl commercials, I could care less about the advertisement, it’s what happens in the commercial that's cool.

I relate to John Travolta. I’m pretty slow with techy things too. But, I’m also a Travolta fan from way back. In college, I worked at a place called Dixie Electric Company, the best disco around at that time. Saturday Night Fever and Grease were some of the songs we danced to again and again and let me add, one more again.

Years later, when biking up the coast of California, my girl friends and I actually met Mr. Travolta in a restaurant in Carmel. The waitress whispered “Don’t look now, but John Travolta is sitting over there.” Of course, I couldn’t help but to “look now.”

We all love a touch of fame. But, I wanna tell you, we sometimes miss that our God is way more famous than any human being on the face of this earth. In the Bible, we see countless stories of God doing God-like things. He brings hope when we’re hopeless. He gives strength when we’re weak. He works miracles when we see no other way. He answers prayer after prayer after prayer. He is God and always has been and will always be. He’s worth getting to know… personally.

I’ll probably never know John Travolta and all the other famous people out there, but I can know God personally. I can tell you countless times he’s made a way for me when their seemed to be no way. I can speak of many times where He was the God of abundance and did more than I could ever ask or imagine. Yes, He is famous. He is worthy of our worship. He is God. He is like no other. Let’s celebrate that on this Monday after the Super Bowl.

Famous For (song by Jenn Johnson and Tauren Wells, 2020)

“There is no fear, ‘cause I believe
There is no doubt, ‘cause I have seen
Your faithfulness, my fortress, over and over

I have a hope found in Your name
I have a strength found in Your grace
Your faithfulness, my fortress, over and over

Make way through the waters
Walk me through the fire
Do what You are famous for
What You are famous for.

Shut the mouth of lions
Bring dry bones to life and
Do what You are famous for
What You are famous for.

I believe in You. God, I believe in You....."

https://youtu.be/hLCYTUaoqDM

Nancy Abbott is the Chaplain of the YMCA of Greater San Antonio. 

Much More

Google search 'Stress related to COVID 19.' You will get way more information than you care to read. Most of us have had our share of stress in this last year brought on by COVID. We already know the stress that COVID 19 has caused.

How are you doing with that stress?  How has that stress affected your personality? Your relationships? Your outlook on life? How work?

Jesus lived a perfect life as a human and He actually dealt with way more stress than we ever will. He gave us instruction in how to walk through these times. Tucked away in the Gospels, Jesus has something to say about this very thing:

“If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.” Matthew 6:30-34

Consider the words of Oswald Chambers “Every time we have gone back in spiritual communion it has been because we have impertinently known better than Jesus Christ. We have allowed the cares of the word to come in, and have forgotten the 'much more' of our Heavenly Father.” (Oswald Chambers, My Utmost for His Highest, January 26. Note: Chambers was an evangelist, teacher and also a YMCA chaplain in Cairo, Egypt.)

This week, I’ve been pondering the words 'much more.' To my regret, I too easily forget how much more my God will take care of me! Why do I suddenly get worried or anxious about something? It can happen like a drop of a hat! However, when I start my day in God’s Word, take time to pray for the many things happening that day, I have a better perspective. I don’t tend to worry because my focus is on Jesus. I still find just talking to God throughout the day invaluable. Bottom line: I need spiritual communion with God non-stop.

Honestly, there are so many other things that compete with God in our lives. Whether it’s relationships, work life, life’s circumstances or even anger or disappointment towards God, these things keep God at bay in your life. As you reset for this new month of February, why not do a reset with God?

Nancy Abbott is the Chaplain of the YMCA of Greater San Antonio.