If you live in the greater Madison area, I would like to encourage you to join Steve Freitag or myself as we spend five weeks discussing the dynamics of spiritual freedom beginning the week of June 19. Details on my class here. Details on Steve’s class here (pdf).
Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God-children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God. — John 1:12-13
My two boys are learning karate. We are blessed to have worked out an arrangement with a good school and an outstanding instructor. After several months of learning the basics, they’ve reached the point where they are beginning to attend sparring classes. They don’t yet have their protective gear (I’m working on that), but theoretically, it shouldn’t matter. Sparring was never meant to involve doing any real damage. Instead, at least at this level, the kicks and punches never make contact to the head, and make only the slightest tap to the rest of the body. It’s more like a game of tag, than it is a fight.
Of course, there’s always one in the class who never seems to get the memo on that. One boy seemed to make up in aggression what he lacked in technique. He charged into the fray and commenced punching and kicking with abandon. (Of course, if the instructor catches it, he puts a stop to it – but his eyes can’t be everywhere at once.) Anyway, my younger son was paired up with this fellow one day. Keep in mind that my son was wearing no protective gear at all.
After the sparring was over, I asked Alan, my son, how it went. He was quiet for a while, and then he said, "Dad, he was hitting me with everything he had."
Decision time. I could call the school and complain. Or I could work with my son.
I chose the second option for a whole variety of reasons. My son wasn’t seriously hurt, he was just a bit rattled. He will face bullies the rest of his life, and I want him to be able to deal with them.
"Alan," I said to him, "you gotta outsmart this guy. I’ll show you how to do that." Every couple days, I spend a few minutes with my 10 year old son out in the back yard sparring. While I’m not an expert at sparring, I can put two and two together and see how my son can use this other boy’s aggression to his own advantage. I’m showing him how to step out of the way, let the guy charge, and then tap him as he goes hurtling by. I see my son’s confidence rising and his skill improving. Next time he gets paired up with this fellow, I think he will hold his own.
Part of being God’s child is being coached by Him. He doesn’t always take the bullies out of our lives – sin, Satan, sickness, trial, hardship, persecution – but He does coach us on how to deal with those bullies. Why? Because His kids triumph.
Please notice that I didn’t leave Alan to figure it out on his own. I did intervene. And, likewise, God will intervene for you. Sometime he will take the trial away. More often He will coach you to triumph through it.
Be encouraged!
Dwight
Dwight Clough is the author of four Christian books and is an active member of Lake City Church in Madison. This devotional is also available via email and you may review the archives back to 2002. Dwight and his wife Kim provide prayer ministry for inner healing / transformation and coaching in prayer ministry. He is available to speak to your group or church. To contact Dwight or Kim, use their contact form. You may also support their ministry.