Problems and Priorities — Week 2
By Teresa Norman, Associate Pastor and Pastor of Women’s Ministries,
Mt. Olive Church of God, Cleveland, TN

Scripture:  “I am overcome with joy because of Your unfailing love, for You have seen my troubles, and You care about the anguish of my soul” (Psalm 31:7).

One of the most valuable lessons that I have learned in my Christian walk is maintaining proper order in all my affairs.  I once saw an acronym for the name of God—“Good Orderly Direction” and have often referred to this when seeking His guidance.  Psalm 18:30 says, “As for God, His way is perfect.”  Therefore, whenever I begin to get a sense of unrest and my peace becomes disturbed, I can generally pinpoint an area of my life that has gotten out of proper order.  God intends for our lives to run in an orderly fashion and nothing demonstrates this more than the Creation in Genesis, chapter one where each creation day laid the foundation for the next day.  Personally, I love the way that my life flows when I earnestly subscribe to His principle and truth. 

I remember all too well the fall of 1991.  My son was in the seventh grade and had not made a smooth transition to junior high school.  I had made more trips to the guidance counselor's office in two months than the other six years of his school life combined.  He seemed distant and not interested in anything, especially school, and was failing every subject past third period.  I had talked with him on several occasions, but to no avail.

During this time, my mother had two total knee replacements, and as the caretaker of my parents, I was dividing my time between work, hospital visits, and my responsibilities at home as a single mother.  While my mother was recuperating, my father, an insulin-dependent diabetic, became ill and could not even prepare his meals.  Since my brother lived 450 miles away, I had sole responsibility for my parents’ care.  The day my mother came home from the hospital, I admitted my father to the hospital through the emergency room.  After he was admitted to his room, I went home for the evening to regroup and get ready for the next day.

I had no idea what the next twelve hours would hold for me, but here is the series of events.  My son decided to talk with me about his problems at school.  During third period gym class he and other students were smoking marijuana.  My father's physician informed me that my father had inoperable cancer in all his major organs.  My mother was in a wheelchair and unable to care for herself at home.  Added to the routine stress of a full-time job, I became frozen in my circumstances and numb to my surroundings.  My world started crashing in around me and was spinning out of control.  I remembered the words in Proverbs 3:5, 6, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding, in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths.”  I definitely needed His guidance and direction to make correct decisions for the days ahead.  What problem should take precedence?  Which one of my loved ones needed me the most?

The Lord gave me direction to make sound decisions and I put my trust in Him.  I took my son out of school until I could talk with school personnel, I called in a neighbor to help with my mother's care, and I made my father my priority.

My dad only lived ten days after his diagnosis, and I cherished the time I spent with him during the last days of his life.  My mother recovered and is healthy today, and my son is a responsible husband and father, completely drug free.  Praise the LORD for giving me the wisdom to hear His voice; His direction is perfect!

Are you struggling with priorities today?  On the space provided below, make a list of the top five relationships in your life with number one being the most important.

1.________
2.________
3.________
4.________
5.________

Now, prioritize your “to do” list.  What accomplishments do you want to fulfill today, this week, or this year?

1.________
2.________
3.________
4.________
5.________

After you have made your list, ask yourself these questions:

1. Where do I spend my time? ________
2. Where do I spend my money? _______
3. Am I doing the next right thing for the next right reason with the next right attitude? ______

Now look back at your priorities.  Do they reflect what is most important in your life?  Do they reflect where you spend your time and money?  If not, ask God to help you realign your day, your week, and your year.  If your answer is yes, praise God that you have been listening to His still small voice of guidance and direction.

Prayer:

Dear Heavenly Father, help me to stay focused on my loved ones, my purpose, and my calling.  I don’t want to be distracted or confused as I live out Your plan for my life.  When I’m faced with difficulties, remind me to seek Your face and listen to Your voice as You guide and direct me according to Your will.  In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.

Site by WinWorld