I lowered the car’s sun visor to shield my eyes from the bright orange glow of the morning’s rising sun. Next, a quick turn of the temperature knob to force heat to warm the winter’s day. Hot air began flowing about my feet. Beautiful day, I thought. I checked the clock, 20 minutes until the meeting. Expected driving time around 15 minutes. I’d be on time as long as the traffic played fair.
A little earlier than expected I arrived at the client’s premises. On leaving my car, I grabbed my Ultrabook and proceeded to the boardroom where the meeting would take place.
My friend "Blake," busy setting up the projection system, greeted me as I entered the room. I took a seat at the end of the rectangular table, large enough to seat 12 people with ample elbow space.
On opening my notebook, I heard Blake curse as he attempted to configure the computer that controlled the projector. I met Blake several years ago. He never used to swear in my company. It was a habit he appeared to have formed which I only recently noticed in his behavior. Out of character for him, especially with his Catholic background. A faith, from past discussions, he took seriously.
Spiritual Struggles Behind Your Actions in Business and Life
“Swearing lets the darkness in,” I said.
“What?” Blake replied as he turned to me.
“Cursing. You never used to.”
“I know. I’m sorry,” he replied, his voice lowering.
“It’s characteristically a sign not all is right in your life.”
“How do you mean?”
“Well, if we look at why a person swears, we see the push typically comes from frustration, aggression, or fear. Things not of the Holy Spirit.”
“Yes.” He clenched his left fist. “This computer is frustrating me.”
“Typically the situation causing the immediate annoyance isn’t the root cause.” I closed my Ultrabook’s lid. “Deeper in our soul, emotions are likely stirring that require addressing.”
Blake leaned back in his chair as his expression straightened to a serious tone. “How do you mean?”
“Something bothering you?”
“Possibly.” He rubbed his chin. “I’m not sure how to fix it though.”
“Attend a pleasant old church, pray, and ask God to help you with the troubles.” I paused, smiled, then added, “And/or, find a good psychologist with a Christian faith.”
“I have been trying on my own.” The ends of his lips downturned, allowing his buried sadness to surface for a moment. His voice slowed. “Times have been tough.”
The Toll of Tough Times on Christian Faith
Times had been tough for Blake over the past few months. His 17-year-old son had been diagnosed with leukemia. Not the bad sort, the good sort that had a 95% cure rate. I never realized there were sorts until leukemia touched his family.
During that time, as expected, Blake’s son underwent chemo. He healed, is in remission, and is doing well. Nevertheless, the situation scarred Blake. How could it not? No loving parent wants to see their child knock at heaven’s door before they leave this Earth. They would give their own life for their child if given a choice.
Though his son healed, I knew Blake was experiencing vulnerability. In life, we tend not to perceive how vulnerable we actually are. An inherent belief in us, more so in males, is that we are supermen. Nothing can hurt us; we are resilient; we are tough, indestructible.
Until, that is, something terrible happens. The illusion shatters, revealing our susceptible side. Fear then creeps through the cracks, increasing our anxieties. Followed by darkness, which can lead to depression. After that, allowing the darkness to consume them, a person may attempt to self-medicate through alcohol or other vices.
Some atheists say that people believe in Christ because they need a crutch. A perplexing statement, if Christ isn’t real, how could he be a crutch, and work? However, the statement is true. Some people do use Christ as a crutch. Better Christ than alcohol or other vices that lead to long-term problems. Christ does support people in need. Why wouldn’t a loving Father?
Hence, I agree with the atheists’ declaration; people do use Christ as a crutch. Christ is more than happy to assist the wounded walk, or carry them through difficult times.
“Do you know any good psychologists?” Blake asked.
“I do,” I replied. I’ll shoot you her details when I get back to the office.”
Our conversation finished as the other meeting attendees arrived.
Healing the Aches of a Wounded Soul
Tell tales. There are signs we can look out for. Negative thoughts, swearing, a change in behavior. All signals something is not right in our lives.
But when we catch the darkness forming, we can flood the issues with Christ’s light. Prayer helps. The mind is a complex creation of God. Prayer aids the aches in our soul, while psychologists, preferably Christian, can assist us with our thoughts.
What we should never do is believe we are indestructible and make the journey on our own. Easy to drown solo. Less likely with Jesus by our side.
And so we must: “Pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people” (Ephesians 6:18).
What are signs that your friend or coworker might be struggling? How can Christians help support each other through tough times?
Article originally published on Faith Driven Business. Used with permission.
After a difficult childhood, Steve Goodwin developed a fascination with the nature of the supernatural, spiritual and physical words and how they affect the lives around us. This led him on a journey spanning two decades of studying, experiences and discovery. As well as demonstrating a profound respect for faith and the battles of doubt, he seamlessly mixes reality with creativity, inspired by biblical concepts and personal understandings. Steve's successful faith driven software development career allows him to juggle being a Christian author while still creating compelling software solutions for his clients. He tweets from @sg_author.
Publication date: August 7, 2014