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| Totally Free Ministries | May 2012 |
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Dear Friend,
He was three, almost four, at the time. Our handsome grandson was having a hard day. After all, growing up is hard to do! His father was trying to teach him to be polite even when he felt upset, and it was a difficult lesson. Finally in frustration he sighed, "It's so tough!"
Perhaps all of us feel like that from time to time, especially when we're trying to do the right thing. And there are times when it seems tough to even know what the right thing is. Add to that the stuff life throws at us, and it's no wonder we sometimes feel like whining and sighing, "It's so tough!"
What happens with you when things get tough? Do you crumble? Do you collapse? Do you complain? Do you quit? Do you mature? Life can be difficult: what then? Think with me about that today: if you're not in the middle of a problem right now, you will be soon!
This month our program and ministry family are growing, and it's exciting! Be sure to read the Ministry Update section at the end of this letter. We especially love hearing from you. There is much to share with you. So keep reading!
Sincerely,
Carol Tanksley
Totally Free Ministries |
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It's So Tough!
- Persistence Through Pain
Unmet Expectations
Perhaps you're not one of them, but somehow some people got the idea that if you're a Christian, things should always be A-OK. You shouldn't be sick, poor, or unhappy. And if you ARE sick, poor, or unhappy some people would have you think your faith is faulty.
Yes, I believe God DOES desire His children to be "healthy, wealthy, and wise," and He often gives extravagant miracles to bless us. I've experienced them, seen others experience them, and continue to pray for them!
 But I've also seen people become disillusioned and lose faith when they buy into the mindset that your relationship with God is measured by how healthy or wealthy you are. Those blessings and miracles God gives are like the gifts a father gives his children, or a husband gives his wife. Yes, we appreciate them! Yes, God gives them! But when we measure our relationship with God by how many "goodies" we get, we miss the point.
And remember: Jesus' disciples were right with Him in the boat when the storm came up. A storm may mean you're with Him, and right where He wants you to be!
When Things Get Tough
Now that you've heard my thoughts on keeping such things in perspective, what DO you do when things get tough? When you think of it, there are actually a whole array of possible responses to extremely difficult circumstances:
- Ignore the truth of the situation
- Blame someone else, or some institution
- Become emotional - cry, mope, and whine
- Get angry - at anyone close enough to get to
- Try doing the same thing harder and harder
- Become immobilized, unable to act or respond
- Change directions immediately, constantly changing
- Blame God, or His church
 - Get stuck in bitterness and criticism
- Walk away, refuse to do anything about it
Any of those sound familiar?
While any of us can respond in some of those ways from time to time, we need to grow beyond them. At some point we must do the hard work of growing up and do something positive.
There was a point in Christian history where simply saying, "Jesus is Lord" could get you killed. And in some parts of the world it's still that way today. Something about understanding the cost of being a Christian has become quite lost in our relatively easy society. We forget that people died for what we take for granted.
That doesn't mean we seek out trouble. There's no need: "Each day has enough trouble of its own." (Matt. 6:34, NIV) But when trouble does come, we have more choices in how we respond than we realize.
Instead of the ways listed above, here are some other possible ways of responding to trouble:
- Ask someone else for help
- Change an unhealthy habit
- Learn something valuable - about yourself, about life, about other people
- Gain new skills
- Develop strong character traits
- Spend more time talking with God
- Make careful adjustments in your life direction
- Develop compassion for others in trouble
Trouble is no guarantee you will become wiser, stronger, more loving - unless you choose to use trouble rather than allowing trouble to use you. Your mental, emotional, and spiritual muscles can grow stronger - if you choose to exercise them
God With Us
The same illness can lead one person to become bitter, and another to know God's presence intimately. The same relationship pressure can lead one person to become angry, and another to  become resilient and compassionate. God doesn't make that choice for you: YOU make the choice about how trouble will change you.
But although God will not choose for you, He WILL be with you. Always. In the good times and the bad times, the mountain tops and the valleys, the days and the nights.
And there's something about quietness that can help us hear His voice in a deeper way. When trouble comes, resist the urge to panic. Put the brakes on your run-away soul. Beg and cry if you must for a short time. But then get quiet. Listen. He'll be there.
And whether tomorrow's circumstances are better or worse than today's, He'll be there too. That much you can count on!
Until we speak again, in Christ's love and freedom,
Dr. Carol Tanksley
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Ministry Update
We continue to hear from people in trouble: physically sick, emotionally tired, and relationally lonely and frustrated. And whenever they leave with a sense of hope, we know we're helping them realize a priceless gift from God. We so appreciate your prayers and support. And we'd love to hear from you if we can help YOU find hope in some way.
Our Weekend Edition has become a wonderful part of our radio program. The Dr Carol Show can now be heard Saturdays, 1-2pm Central, on 100.7 KKHT in Houston, TX, 1400 KTEM in Waco/Temple, TX, and 1090 KAAY, Little Rock, AR. And Dallas/Ft Worth is coming in June. So if we're not on a radio station in your area, just wait. We may be there soon! And why not let us know about your favorite radio station where you'd like to hear the Dr Carol Show.
Do check our website regularly, www.drcarolshow.com. Helpful links, articles where you can comment, and more, are constantly updated. And if God speaks to you to financially support this ministry, you can donate there on our website, or send it to the address on this letter. That would mean so much to us!
And now, I pray you know God's presence every day - whether circumstances are easy or hard. May His wisdom guide you, and His power transform the difficulties in your life into milestones of growth. May His grace sustain you and His love fill you with peace and joy. |
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Final thoughts
We would love to hear from you at any time. You are the reason Totally Free Ministries exists! Let us know how we can help you, or how these letters have made a difference in your life. You can reply to this email, or use the contact information here to get in touch with us.
You can also check out our website at www.totallyfreeministries.org. We encourage you to forward this email to your friends, and let them know about Totally Free Ministries. Invite them to sign up to get the newsletters as well. And if you know of a friend who cannot receive these letters by email, let us know their postal address, and we will be happy to forward a paper copy.  You can also make a tax-deductible donation to Totally Free Ministries. Use this link to make your donation now. 6101 W Courtyard Drive, Bldg 1, Suite 150
Austin, Texas 78730
Totally Free Ministries
512-358-6733
Copyright (c) 2012 |
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