During times when our world is upside down and overwhelming, it is important that we stop and process what we are experiencing and discovering. Professor Zlaten of Colorado Mesa University gives her thoughts on how the book of Psalms can help us balance our emotions during chaotic times.
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 It is not always easy to know what path to take, especially when so many different people are telling you how you must change if you want to be a better person who cares about the world we live in.
This is the situation I see our country in right now. Many people with very strong opinions are demanding that we all choose their path because any other path is not only wrong, it is stupid and dangerous - and they have the facts to back up their reasoning. The one thing we know for sure is that things need to change. But how? How do we know what is truth and which path is right? This is a hard question that no one can answer for you. But the Bible does offer some advice: Ask God. “But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him.” - James 1:5 Do your research. “Make your ear attentive to wisdom, Incline your heart to understanding;” - Proverbs 2:2 Trust God’s leading. “I have directed you in the way of wisdom; I have led you in upright paths.” - Proverbs 4:11 Be willing to change your opinion. “When pride comes, then comes dishonor, But with the humble is wisdom.” - Proverbs 11:2 Seek advice from others. “The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, But a wise man is he who listens to counsel.” - Proverbs 12:15 Don’t just follow the crowd. “You shall not follow the masses in doing evil, nor shall you testify in a dispute so as to turn aside after a multitude in order to pervert justice;” - Exodus 23:2 As you choose your path and how to navigate the minefields of opinions that await you, take time to reflect on what you know and what you are hearing. Don’t blindly follow the crowd you find yourself in. Think for yourself and be willing to hear the opinions of others. Trust God and learn to step out in love, even among those that do not agree with you. This is how you change the world in a positive way. The world is waiting.  What do you need to let go of in order to be hatched? Be changed and let God lead you to Love. The world is waiting.
We are not living though ordinary times and it is not uncommon for stress and anxiety to overwhelm each of us. Hannah gives her thoughts about how to handle stress and anxiety through the use of Biblical promises.  I remember an episode of The Simpsons that I thought was not only funny, but thought provoking.
Just before a long weekend, as everyone was leaving work, Homer stops at a vending machine for a snack. Not wanting to pay, he reaches through the slot to snag a candy bar, but finds himself stuck. After a while he realizes that he is close to a soda machine and decides to try to get a free drink. He again reaches through the vending machine slot and gets suck. Now he is stuck in two machines with no one to help him because his coworkers had already left. Finally, three days later, as people begin to return to work, they find Homer and call for the fire department. They free Homer from this trap and as he is carried away, one of the firemen revealed that he could have freed himself at any time if he had only let go of the candy bar and soda. Change can be a hard thing. We want to hold tight to the things that we have always known rather than face the unknown - even when what we have is bad for us or others. We are living through a time of extreme change and some of it can be difficult to face. There are tough questions to answer and tough choices to be made by all of us. Paul said that we must be changed. He said, “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.” (Romans 12:2). When our world is changing, it is time to ask the tough questions like “Have I been wrong about this?” Or “Have I hurt others because I was holding so tight to my own opinions that I missed their pain?” What do you need to change? Let go of your pride and let God lead you to Love. The world is waiting. An update on the changes happening at CMU in preparation for the fall semester opening and a really good discussion on why we should be wearing masks (not just at CMU). When we find ourselves overwhelmed by life, it is not uncommon to freeze up - or become stuck - not knowing what to do next. This can be a terrible thing, especially when it comes to deciding our future and our education. Professor Zlaten of the CMU Mass Comm department, gives some advice on how to become "unstuck" and to move forward with your life and your goals. |
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September 2020
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