When you face your greatest disappointment, your deepest grief and loss, will you be prepared?
THE BIBLE TEACHES COPING SKILLS: Number one—pray. Sounds obvious, but it is too critical not to mention. See, for example, Philippians 4:6-7.
Number two—PRAISE GOD. This coping skill is not well known. But it makes such a difference. To praise is to tell God all about His own greatness. Of course, He knows—but it is a critical reminder for you. When you are ravaged by grief, or a broken relationship, or a broken dream, or when your plans appear hopeless or you are terrified because of imminent disaster, STOP what you are doing and spend time praising God. If that means choking out a list of His qualities through your own tears, do it, because “He inhabits the praise of His people” Psalm 22:3. God comes so near when you praise Him. Not only that, but praise takes your mind off of your problems, and helps you focus on the God who is the Lord over your problems—the God who can change it, or give you the hope you need to get through it.
Do you have problems today? If not, you will have them tomorrow, right? When I was a college student, I memorized all the verses I could about coping with problems—because problems are the most difficult, but also the most common part of every life. Rich, poor, young, or old—we ALL have to cope, and PRAYER and PRAISE are the keys. Read these verses from Isaiah and tell them to God—use these verses to praise Him:
“I am [say “You are”] Yahweh, and there is no other. I form light and create darkness. I make success and create disaster…. There is no other God but Me, a righteous God and Savior; there is no one except Me. Turn to Me and be saved, all the ends of the earth. For I am God, and there is no other…. Every knee will bow to Me, every tongue swear allegiance.” Isaiah 45:6,21-23.
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