Flourishing in troubling times

By Peter J. Briscoe

In his book Flourishing in Troubling Times, author Bruce Witt strives to help followers of Jesus to do well in difficult times in their lives, and strikes a good balance between the importance of being and doing. Being is inwardly focused and concerns our thinking, attitudes and motivations. Doing concerns taking action. If we want to flourish in troubling times, we need to make sure that our actions flow from a right frame of mind.

Both being and doing are essential, but what we do grows out of what we are.

Shakespeare described this tension between being and doing in his play, Hamlet.

To be, or not to be, that is the question:

Whether ’tis Nobler in the mind to suffer

The Slings and Arrows of outrageous Fortune,

Or to take Arms against a Sea of troubles …

We can be sure that the ‘arms against a sea of troubles’ are the arms of Jesus Himself! It is his activity in us and through us which will help us to flourish in times of trouble.

After Jesus calmed the storm on the Sea of Galilee, he asked the disciples, “where is your faith?” He knew that the answer to flourishing in the midst of the storm was faith in Him!

In this book, Bruce helps you navigate the storms of life with both timeless principles and practical action. Click the link above to download a free version of the book.

We live in troubling times, from corona viruses to computer viruses, from financial uncertainty to political instability, from physical war to cyber war. Every person faces struggles whether it is relational, spiritual, or physical. In spite of the gloom and doom, the Bible gives us hope that not only can we survive, but we can flourish. We can thrive, grow, multiply, and bear fruit in spite of any circumstance. Our lives can be satisfying and rich in relationships and in accomplishments. How you may wonder? There is a great promise in John 16:33, “I have told you these things, so that in Me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”

Christ is present to work in us and through us to give us an abundant life and experience victory.

In times of challenge especially, we must remember that we are on a spiritual journey. That doesn’t dismiss, however, the practical process of being responsible with our time, our finances and our exposure to those things that have tripped us up in the past. The practical measures we take are parallel with the spiritual journey, where God is transforming our hearts and relationships. It guides us in gaining order and maturity in the use of all our resources so we can engage in God’s Kingdom purposes.

Think and Pray

Make wise use of the opportunities you have to go deeper with the Lord, engaging (even remotely) with others who will encourage you and support your efforts to make wise decisions. By stimulating the heart, we are able to tackle the challenges, sustain our spiritual lives in the journey, engage in God’s purposes, and glorify the Lord.

Lord, as my normal routine has been disrupted right now, draw me close to You. Let me see what You want to show me and help me put into practice the things that please You and are healthy in our relationship. Let me be a blessing to others and an ambassador of Your love, grace and hope. I pray this in Jesus’ name, Amen.

------------------------------------------ 

Peter Briscoe serves as Chairman of the European Board for Compass – Finances God’s Way. He is passionate about helping people learn to live and work in God's economy, training churches to help others in the area of business and finance. He lives in Leiden, South Holland Province, Netherlands. The book he referenced in this post is made available for free download through the Compass website at https://www.compass1.eu/coronavirusresources