Discouraged?… Depressed?…..Look Up!

My coaching practice involves guiding people to see the possibilities ahead instead of the obstacles…to steer the ship by the stars not by the wake.

The Israelites in the desert, on the way to the Promised Land, encountered poisonous snakes that killed.  God told Moses to erect a tall pole, topped with a brass snake, and commanded those bitten should look up to that brass snake and they would be healed. Peter, in a storm racked boat, saw Jesus walking on the water towards him, got out of the boat, started walking towards Him. Peter was making progress until “he saw the wind and waves,” looked down, and started sinking.

I am privileged to be life coaching people in the Puget Sound area and Ethiopia, many of whom are discouraged or distressed by circumstances (e.g. snakes and rough water). As 2012 begins I know God will bring into my life athletes, professionals, students, pastors, housewives and homeless men who have common challenges and many will be looking down not up.

We are in a constant battle with the world, the flesh and Satan.  Every action begins with a thought.  Every opportunity will carry with it an obstacle.  Every difficult situation has a way out.

My website lists 10 key principles and two are helpful here:

Principle No. 2:  Transition and Transformation require capturing every thought and renewing of the mind.  Romans 12:1-4

Principle No. 4:  There is always God’s answer to every situation. There is always direction for those seeking a decision, action or a way out of a crisis.  I Corinthians 10:13

How about beginning a disciplined LOOK UP for 2012:  10 minutes of prayer (another 5 or 10 with your spouse), 15 minutes in the Bible, and join a small Christ centered group to pray and talk through life issues.  Such discipline helps us to generate and capture thoughts that are honoring to God and allows him to direct our path….one might say our own personal brass snake.

Recommended Book for January:  The Pursuit of God    A.W Tozer