The New Year is here, and it moves along each day! Now what? Given all life has thrown at us in the last year or so, it is important to sit back, reflect, plan, and do. Joshua held on to the importance of reflection and meditation. In the first chapter of Joshua, verse eight, he clearly stated:
“This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success.”
As leaders, spoken words of stillness are often easier said than done. Many in Christian leadership are pulled into countless dimensions such as specifications for deep resolutions, and even consistent confusion. The Bible we know is the main resource to remove such burdens into light. Yet, humanity with all its complexities, can create suffocating bubbles of stagnancy filled with complicated thin air. Breathe, we must. Meditate on the words of God… we should always do. Putting these guidance into practice…heals.
Occasionally, we all feel stuck specifically when focus lay in current circumstances. In these moments, it is tough to see beyond the veil of popular thinking. Even as leaders, instances of despair still compel the states of producing, teaching, and doing. We complete all, because of what is expected even though deep down, the thoughts of not being good enough, remains. Nonetheless, the Bible still teaches us new ways to challenge these thoughts with concrete direction on how to move from them.
While studying the rich words of the Bible, what is often thought about as the driving cells of one verse, may reveal a whole new meaning, which often complements the original understanding itself. These complements serve as interruptive patterns, which disrupts confusion, in meaning. Every word in the Bible is coded in a way to meet the specific needs of each one of God’s children. Some Bible teachers proudly profess that they have known the Bible and have been in its classroom since the day of their birth. However, deep care must be given to such statements in the context that the living word breathes life into every situation for every man and every woman. The living word! Not only the mere words and understanding of said teachers.
A.W. Tozer’s profoundly wrote: “Our meditation must be directed toward God; otherwise we may spend our time of retiral in quiet converse with ourselves. This may quiet our nerves but will not further our spiritual life in any way.”
According to solutionfocused.net, “Solution-Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT) is a short-term goal-focused evidence-based therapeutic approach which helps clients change by constructing solutions rather than dwelling on problems. In the most basic sense, SFBT is a hope friendly, positive emotion eliciting, future-oriented vehicle for formulating, motivating, achieving, and sustaining desired behavioral change.”
On solutions, from Biblical perspectives, Matthew 18:15-18 wrote this:
“If your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault, between you and him alone. If he listens to you, you have gained your brother. But if he does not listen, take one or two others along with you, that every charge may be established by the evidence of two or three witnesses. If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church. And if he refuses to listen even to the church, let him be to you as a Gentile and a tax collector. Truly, I say to you, whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.”
This specific verse is one aligned with this note, because it is predicted probability that in most cases, common issues leaders face is often grounded in human-to-human interactions. These forms can be the most trying. Yet, the Bible teaches us how to move through such difficulties.
In general, we know the Great Book as the foundation of superb lessons. Yet, it has been studied that when human existence takes precedence, reaction instead of pro-action can become common-day normalcy.
Next steps in relocating inner truth. How to even start? Here are some suggestions:
- In taking on the process of Christian mindful processes, write down why these steps are important (Psalm 8:4)
- With God’s guidance, ask Him to make your hope be fulfilled (John 14:13)
- Take steps in removing distractions from current environments (Isaiah 55:12)
- Envision who you will be, without such burdens (Matthew 11:28-29)
- Be kind to yourself through the process (Proverbs 11:17)
- Spend time noticing God’s wonders in your daily life (Psalm 145:5)
- Remove competition from your everyday existence (Philippians 2:3-4)
- Stay on track (Jeremiah 29:11)
The relationship between worry and inner strife, is evident in most leadership applications. Remembrance of Joshua 1:8 in his writings, is vital in these times.
“…for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success.”
Leaders, the Bible is a book of wide-open spaces to explore and to renew. Stars and light are more prevalent when internal congestion is removed. These are notable strengths to the renewal of daily work and responsibilities and in you.
Reflect, meditate, do…
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