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HAVE YOU REACHED THE END OF YOUR ROPE?

4/26/2012

4 Comments

 
“Yes, I have!” you say?
Well, good for you!
That’s where we become willing to make hard choices, 
where we finally decide  
to do something to change our situation.
 
Another word for this place is crisis, 
the place where a turn must be made, 
for better 
or for worse. 
 
“But wait!” you say,
“I certainly don’t need something worse!”
Great! 
At this point we become willing to listen.
 
Three times in scripture we're told, 
"God opposes the proud 
but gives grace to the humble.” 1
What does it mean to be humble?
It means that we are well aware of our limitations.
We realize that we are not God
and that we desperately need Him.
Our panic breaks down the barriers of pride and self-sufficiency
so that we cry out for help, 
hollering like a desperate child.
 
In mid-April I taught two workshops at the CMTA Convention in Pasadena:
Secrets to Thriving in a Stressful World
and Strategy for Saving Our Society.
The classes’ engagement and affirming responses encouraged me, 
but attention and agreement will not be enough to change their lives--
either by helping them deal more effectively with stress 
or by increasing their impact on society.  
  
Which attendees will benefit deeply from what they heard?
The ones who have truly reached the end of their rope,
the ones who say, 
“I’ve had enough!  
I’m going to do whatever it takes 
to improve my life 
(or my society)!
 
What about you?
If you still believe you can do it yourself,
God will let you do it your way.
But what if you’re ready to cry out to God?
If so, you can be sure God will give you grace, 
both the desire and the ability to do His will.
With God’s grace at work in you,
He’ll guide you in the way that will set you free
to be the person He meant you to be. 
The Lord will give you strength to follow His plan, 
enabling  you to take one step at a time
toward living your life to the full.2

 
If you would like to see what this kind of desperation looks  like,
you might like to read my novels--
Hannah’s Promise and Transformed in Bethany.
In these books many readers have found timeless treasures, 
insights that shine wisdom into their own life situations.

 
Feel free to make comments on this blog for public reading 
by pressing COMMENT near the title of this article 
or, to make a personal comment, 
go to the CONTACT tab at the top of the blog page. 

1   Proverbs 3:34, 1 Peter 5:5  and James 4:6
2   John 10:10


 
 
4 Comments
Evangeline
4/27/2012 12:43:23 am

A very timely article and beautifully written! May God continue to bless and use you through this ministry.

Reply
Diane
4/27/2012 01:07:37 am

Great post, Arlene.
Also, the truly wise person knows that they can depend on God even BEFORE they reach the end of their rope. They know that they can depend on Him on every stage of the climb.

Reply
Arlene Ussery
5/5/2012 01:28:07 pm

Very, very true! Thanks for that important addition.

Reply
Arlene Ussery
4/27/2012 12:38:18 pm

I just got a wonderful email from an attendee at the stress workshop. She's been using the information on control and living in the present to help her deal with big issues in her life. Go Girl!!!

Reply

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    Author/Speaker

    Arlene Pinkley Ussery shares insights and research concerning  the power of the story to change values of individuals and societies. Relying on research, she shows how good literature improves readers relationships, mental, emotional, and spiritual health.  From her experience of living in Israel and studying the Bible, history, and culture, she deepens readers understanding of Biblical times. Her stories challenge and comfort.

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