“Wisdom has built her house; she has carved its seven columns.”
–Proverbs 9-1 (NLT)
I don’t think that it was any accident that Jesus came to Earth as a carpenter, when you read what he said about building. For example, look at Luke 6:48 (NLT) with me please. It says this about wise people: “It is like a person building a house who digs deep and lays the foundation on solid rock. When the floodwaters rise and break against that house, it stands firm because it is well built.”
If you compare this passage to the one at the beginning of this blog entry, you will see that they are both about support. One talks about the pillars that support a building, and the other talks about the foundation that is laid for a house. In your case the building in need of support is your life.
As a hospital chaplain, I see people every day that need support. Their lives have been built on the wrong foundations, or they have had weak pillars supporting them. During stormy times, their means of support collapse.
This isn’t limited to the hospital alone. What you have chosen to build your own life upon is crucial, and you need to ask yourself if this foundation will support you in your current storm. If not, you might want to use these three simple steps. I’ve formed them into the acronym ART.
The letter A stands for anchor. Entrust your heart to God’s firm protection every day. Even if you aren’t a morning person, spend a few minutes alone with God at the start of each day. Tell Him what your plans are for the day, and ask Him what His will is regarding those plans. Tell him about your trials too, talking to God just like you would a close friend.
Next, the letter R stands for Read. Study God’s word, letting it speak to whatever situation you are going through. If you are new to this God’s word thing, you might want to start with the Gospel of John, since it is simple and straightforward. It also tells the wonderful story of God’s son, which makes a wonderful foundation in itself.
Now comes the T, which stands for time. Now that you’ve told God about your cares and plans asked for His will and read His word, spend time listening to what He has to tell you. God’s method of speaking to me has surprised me many times, and He will do the same for you.
So, discover the art of building a structure that will withstand the storms of life, and see how rich your life can become!
Thank you for reading this, and may the Lord give you a wonderful week! We are trying to reach people who are hurting, so if God lays it on your heart, please consider becoming a partner with us. If you would like to make a donation, please visit www.hcmachaplains.org and click on the Donate Now link. You can also send donations by mail to HCMA (Healthcare Chaplains Ministry Association). Our ID number is 560. The address is 101 S Kraemer BLVD, Suite 123A, Placentia, CA 92870.
Finally, you’re always welcome to join our Tuesday night Bible study. These studies are conducted by conference call, and they take place at 5:30 PM Arizona time. Our conference number is 313-209-8800. Our PIN is 8699032. We hope to talk with you soon!
If you have questions, comments or prayer requests for Timothy or Stephanie Burdick, please call 507-369-6861.