The 5 Minute Check-Up

There is a point for every Christian when they will get caught in a difficult situation without time to sit down and study their Bible or engage in deep meditative prayer. A certain coworker is having a bad day and is taking it out on everyone else, your child just broke something expensive or seemingly indispensable, or maybe your car broke down as you were on your way to work. How do you handle these moments?

Well, this is not the end all of suggestions for getting through those moments, but this is a tactic that I use that I have found to be helpful. Perhaps, some reader might come across this post some day and it might be helpful.

1. Quickly ask God for wisdom. James 1:5 tells us that God will give us wisdom if we ask for it. He has all the knowledge of the universe, and even more importantly, He wants to use it to interact with you. Asking God for wisdom is your way of acknowledging that He should be allowed to call the shots in your life.

2. Focus on scripture that you have studied and memorized. Psalm 119:11 tells us that memorizing Scripture can help keep you from sinning. In every situation of your life, it is important to learn to apply and utilize the Bible in how you respond. By so doing, you will fulfill the concept of meditating on the Word of God day and night as presented in Psalm 1.

3. Thank God for being there, and for things past He has brought you through. By taking time to reflect on God in thankfulness, you will find yourself less worried about the situation at hand. Also, Philippians 4:6-7 shows us that thankfulness is part of how we let go of our anxiety to approach God in prayer.

These steps are only effective if you live a disciplined life and make regular time to seek God in His word and talk to Him in prayer. Basically, the suggestion of these steps help you refocus in a situation so that you can get through God's way rather than letting your natural flesh respond. Maybe it will help some of you, maybe it won't. But, it is something that helps me... when I am wise enough to remember to do it. We've all still got a long way to go.

Blessings