Leadership Tips & Training How to Get Your Member Through a Bad Week!

This past month I heard a sermon that has impacted my life more than any in my recent memory. Jay Strack shared a sermon entitled, "How to make it through a Bad Day." I have actually taken the key principles presented in the sermon and applied them to my life several times since hearing the message. When that happens, I know that I am supposed to share it with others. So, I recently shared the key points to "Making It Through a Bad Day" with my First Place class, and with a leader on the phone who needed a word to encourage a very discouraged member. Please take these very practical steps and apply them to your difficult situation or use them to give hope to those in your First Place class.

Focus on the Facts
When a difficult circumstance comes into your life, instead of focusing on the problem, focus on the facts. Jeremiah 29:11 states these facts: "For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." No matter the problem, difficulty or crisis, God has a plan that will benefit you and bring you hope. Many times we allow our thoughts to linger in despair as we focus on all the challenges that surround us, instead of taking those thoughts captive and bringing them before the throne of God. Once we bring the difficulty to God and focus on His Word, we begin to have hope. Cling to the words of Romans 15:13 - "May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace and you trust in Him, that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit."

Feed Your Faith
      We not only need to focus on the facts, but also believe the facts. Through taking God at His word we build our faith. Feed your faith with this truth in Ephesians 3:20, "Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us." God is bigger than your problem and He is able to handle anything that life throws our way! Believe it!

Fight Your Fears
      Jay Strack shared a precious story of how his daughter was experiencing fear. She was scheduled for surgery the next day and was sharing her fears with him. Jay shared a verse with her from Isaiah 43, which says "Fear not: for I have redeemed thee, I have called thee by thy name; thou art mine." She felt the fear leave her, but she did ask, what if the fear comes back tomorrow. With this question burning in his heart he went to an exhaustive concordance and discovered that in the King James translation of the Bible that the phrase "Fear not" is found 365 times. That would be one for each day of the year! The Lord must have known we would struggle with fear for Him to say it that many times in the Bible. Jay also had the entire congregation write this quote down and encouraged us to remember it. I haven't forgotten it yet---"Do not crucify your today between two thieves; the thief of yesterday and the thief of tomorrow." In other words, quit worrying about what happened yesterday and what may happen tomorrow. Live your life to the full, focusing on truth and believing God's Word.

Forgive Your Foes
      Forgiveness is key if we are to make it through a bad day or week victoriously. In fact, Hebrews 12:15 says, "See to it that no one misses the grace of God and that no bitter root grows up to cause trouble and defile many." When we begin to blame others for the difficulties in our lives, we are only causing bitterness to rear its ugly head! Instead of pointing fingers, come together with others to clasp hands in prayer. Therefore, confess your sins to one another, and pray for one another, so that you may be healed. The effective prayer of a righteous man can accomplish much. (James 5:16) What will forgiveness and prayer accomplish? It will bring about victory in the midst of a seemingly bad day! If you find yourself experiencing a difficult day or you find your First Place member in despair, remember to focus on the facts, feed your faith, fight your fears and forgive your foes.

Here's to a Really Good Day!

Love,

Nancy Taylor
Leadership Training Director



Nancy Taylor is the First Place Leadership Training Director and joined the First Place staff in 1997. Nancy teaches leadership principles to First Place Leaders throughout the country and at Houston's First Baptist Church where she coordinates all the First Place groups. Nancy also speaks at First Place workshops, rallies, retreats, and conferences, where she delights her audiences with humor and encourages them with boldness. She writes a monthly article, which includes helpful tips for leaders, for the First Place E-newsletter, and was a contributing writer to the Today is the First Day devotional book. Nancy is the resident First Place Bible Concordance because of her love for Scripture memory.