Things don't always go as planned.

The past weekend I led a group of junior higher's up to Hume Lake for winter camp. Things were going great.  The pre-registration went well.  The number of those attending was right where it needed to be.  The leaders were all in place, pumped and ready to go.  Everything was going smooth and I was just going through the motions.

The day before we were going to leave there was the normal drama.  Late applicants, drop-outs and a leader getting hurt and not being able to go. Everything was still cool and this was to be expected.  After all, I was a veteran and had planned ahead for situations just as these.

The day of our departure had come and there was nothing but the normal anxiety and anticipation before camp.  Everyone was on time getting on the bus and there were no last minute distractions.  During the bus ride all I could think about was how cool and easy this weekend was going to be.

I thought I would be able to hangout in the coffee shop, read some books for my up coming classes, and help orchestrate a replay and keep intact the dynasty TCC had begun the year prior.  Let me explain; the previous year my kids had won both the boys and girls broom hockey tournaments, the Bob Sled Blitz--the "Glorious Mail Box", and come close in many other tournaments.  My ego was soaring on that bus ride up the mountain.

As we came around the final bend approaching the entrance to the camp my ego along with many other things fell through the floor-board of the bus.  The camp was dark and the office was closed.  I had half expected a band waiting to greet the oncoming conquerors of Hume, but there was nothing.  I tried to calm my fears, but my mind began to race and filter through all the planning and prep to make sure everything was right--I could think of nothing that was wrong.

I tried to act like nothing was wrong and I prayed no one be able to see the utter horror on my face as I stepped off the bus to check our group in.  I walked up to the office noticing from a long way off that there was no there and a closed sign kept catching my eye making my heart race faster.  I kept telling myself that this must be a mistake or and oversight on their part.  As I walked around for about a half hour my deepest fears began to be realized and I kept asking myself two questions, something was wrong and is this the right weekend?

(to be continued)

 

Give your fear to Him

Have you ever had those times in your life where everything seemed to be going great and everything was right as it should be.  You were in control and it was smooth sailing.  Then BAM!  Something happened.

Something happened that you weren't ready for and you were no longer in control of the situation.  You name it; financial trouble, health problems, family or relationship issues.  The problem isn't the most significant thing.  The bigger problem lies in the fact that you are no longer in control of what is happening around you.  You are in a situation where you don't know what to do or how to fix it.  

The next question that soon arises is, "So what do I do now?"  You try to do what ever it takes to fix the situation and get things back to normal.  Sometimes, I'm talking anything.

Then the fear starts to set in when you realize you can't fix the situation.  Again the question is asked, "What do I do?"  In these times I go into freak-out mode.  When this happens some people have panic attacks, become rude to people through frustration, and finally do very irrational things.  This is when you see people do things they would have never thought of before in order to relieve some of the fear they are experiencing.  

What happens when the panic thing doesn't work?  And it usually doesn't.  Do you give up when you don't know what else to do?  Sometimes I do and the depression starts to set in and I begin wallow in my self pity.  Some of us, only then will turn to God for help and relief.  

Here's where you hear the classic Christian cliche, "That's when God showed up!" The real truth and reality is that God has always been there with His hand outstretched to help you or me and we did not choose to take it.  I know in my case, I finally stop trying to fix things on my will and power and turn to the one that can truly handle the situation.  He helps me up off the ground.  I always need to remember to give my fear to Him.

Just like in the story I mentioned in the post previously, in Mark 4:35-41, Jesus was right there with the disciples in the boat when they were experiencing great fear and distress. All they had to do was to call on His name and to realize He was ultimately in control.  "So we can say with confidence, 'The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid.  What can man do to me?"  Hebrews 13:6  Give your fear to Him.   

Why are you so afraid?

My 401K lost 40% of its value, mortgage foreclosers are at an all time high, the unemployment rate is the highest its been in 30 years.  The media is doing nothing to calm the fears and if anything they are adding fuel to the fire to gain higher ratings.  Is there anything the President Elect can really do to stem the tide?  Are we getting a little worried yet?

What do you fear?  

As I was working on a lesson this week I was surfing the internet for phobia's. That's the fear of something and the list is a mile long.  Well not really that long, but the list is incredible.  Have you ever heard of the phobia, Arachibutyrophobia? This is the fear of peanut butter or it sticking to the roof of your mouth.  What is that?  How about Papaphobia?  This is a fear of the Pope.  Crazy!

But in all seriousness, the fear I think we have to deal with the most is losing control.  I know I do.  We try to tell ourselves we can handle a situation and in turn this becomes our fear.  Then we go into freak out mode and we try to tighten our control because we are scared.  Our behavior is controlled by our fear.

Here is an example.  Have you ever been burned when you tried to step out your comfort zone and the situation back fired?  Maybe you tried to do something you really love to do and you messed up big-time and ended up looking like fool.  It doesn't feel good and the next time the situation presents itself you don't venture out because of what might happen again.  You lose the ability to take risks and in turn you control things so you are not embarrassed again.  Our behavior is controlled by our fear.

There is an account about Jesus and his disciples in the Bible.  It is found in Mark 4:35-41.  In this story Jesus wanted to go to the other side of the Sea of Galilee. As they are making there way across the water a storm comes up and the disciples get really scared.  All the while Jesus is sleeping in the front of the boat.  Sleeping. All the guys on the boat think they are going to die.  Finally they wake up Jesus and say, "Teacher, don't you care if we drown?"  Jesus says to them, "Why are you so afraid?  Do you still have no faith?"  No must realize, the disciples have been with Jesus for awhile and have seen him heal people, drive out evil spirits, and say incredible things yet they still don't fully understand the extent of who He is.

The disciples actions were dictated by their fears.  They had seen the great things Jesus had done.  They knew He was the Son of God.  He was sleeping right there yet He was the last option.  Their faith was tested and so our faith is tested through situations we cannot control.  That is how our faith is strengthened. Although it is hard sometimes to overcome human nature and I am the guiltiest at times.  Just know this, Jesus can handle it.  

How's your faith?