goforwardinfaith Christianity, Religion, Theology

Friends or Enemies

By Linda Tancs

We’re taught to not only to do good to those who are good to us but also to do good to those who are disdainful toward us, discontented with us, hostile to our plans or who insult us (Luke 6:27-31). This is how we overcome evil with good (Romans 12:21). There’s an additional benefit to this; namely, those who hurt us become, in a sense, our allies because the more we endeavor to be good to them, the less we suffer from self-pity, which is sinful (Romans 12:3). In the end, the good we show our adversaries provides an opportunity to increase our heavenly reward (Galatians 6:9), so they’re a better friend to us than we might otherwise think. 

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As part of FOOT FORWARD MINISTRIES (a teaching and speaking ministry), Go Forward in Faith represents faith-based meditations for personal and professional growth. Join the Facebook group @goforwardinfaith.

goforwardinfaith Christianity, Religion, Theology

It’s Okay to Wobble

By Linda Tancs

If you’re of a certain vintage, you probably remember the Weebles toy—“Weebles wobble but they don’t fall down.” Think of that toy as a metaphor for life. Each of us needs to bounce back in the face of setbacks. Maybe you’ve fallen short in some area of your life—marriage, career, parenting. Just don’t settle for lack; get back on the horse, as the saying goes.

Discouragement scourges and oppresses progress. Consider the Israelites, whose grumbling and complaining kept them out of the Promised Land, ultimately for 40 years even though the journey was roughly only 11 days (Numbers 14:2-4; Deuteronomy 1:2). And then there’s Abraham’s father, Terah, who set out with his family in tow for Canaan but then settled for Haran (Genesis 11:31). In each case, the parties outright surrendered to discouragement and thwarted the progress God intended for them.

Wobble if you must, but don’t surrender (see Proverbs 24:16). Don’t settle for less than God’s best. Pray for the strength to hold on and not give up (Luke 18:1). You can’t reap a harvest without tending to the field (Galatians 6:9).