Author: Christine Wyrtzen

Crying Out Is a Holy Expression of Faith

Published on by Christine Wyrtzen1 Comment

I cried to him with my mouth, and high praise was on my tongue.  Psalm 66:17

         There are many times I don’t know how to pray because I don’t know what God’s purposes are for a certain situation.  If I know I’m going to lose my job, do I bear down in prayer to keep it, or do I just assume God is using that loss to lead me somewhere else?  If I’m experiencing a tragedy, do I ask God to take it away or do I assume that, like Job, God has ordained this chain of events to further His glory in some way?

This is where a prayer life gets stuck.  I don’t know what to pray for because I don’t know the will of God.  Because I don’t know, I can abandon prayer altogether.  That would be, and has been for me, a mistake.  Continue reading “Crying Out Is a Holy Expression of Faith” →

Empowering Your Personal Mission

Published on by Christine Wyrtzen2 Comments
The Lord will fulfill his purpose for me. Psalm 138:8
         When God chose to birth Daughters of Promise through me, I was sure He picked the wrong birth mother.  He gave me a mission that immediately exposed my sense of inadequacy.  I knew I lacked the wisdom and skill that the calling required.
         I felt like Moses who, after God gave him his orders, reminded God that he was not eloquent. He felt that one fact alone disqualified him. In response, God asked him one simple question. “Who made your mouth? I will be with your mouth and teach you what you are to say.” When Moses’ objections ceased and it became evident that he would indeed obey, I wonder if God sat on the edge of His seat, anxious for show to begin. He knew what Moses would accomplish with His power behind Moses’ efforts. He had already planned the future and written the last chapter of Moses’ life.  The Trinity had already thrown a party over the parting of the Red Sea.
         I am continually comforted by the truth that God is not wringing His hands in despair over any of the things that rob me of peace. Why should I worry about anything in 2016 since my life is in His hands? God’s wisdom has already conceived a solution to every single thing that troubles me today, every single thing that He has called me to do.  It it were not overwhelming, it wouldn’t be God’s mission.
        As I watch the parade of my life, I only see what passes in front of me. From this vantage point, it’s easy to despair because I can’t see what’s coming nor how long it will be until the end comes my way. God looks down, however, and views the beginning and the end of the procession. He not only knows tomorrow’s challenges but also has already made provision for the answers. He is a King who rules with kindness.
My inadequacy is irrelevant. I rest in anticipation of Your provision, God. Amen

What Will Come Out Of Your Mouth?

Published on by Christine WyrtzenLeave a comment

WHAT WILL COME OUT OF YOUR MOUTH?

My soul magnifies the Lord.  Luke 1:46

Words of faith do not originate from a vacuum.  What spills out during the times when I am stretched to my limit reflects the kind of faith I have cultivated previously.  A well known bible teacher said, “Who I am when hard times hit is really who I am.”   True!  The words I speak during my most painful moments are mirrors that reflect the foundation of my life.

Hannah endured the scourge of barrenness.  When she was finally touched by the divine hand of God, she delivered a famous discourse that spanned a dozen verses.  It is one of the most prophetic passages in all of scripture.

Elizabeth also suffered the heartache of being childless yet through it, she also cultivated her faith.  She learned the Word of God, built the precepts of it into the fabric of her life, and when God visited her with a child in her old age, she also rose to prophesy.

Eloquence is not just confined to adults either.  Mary was merely a teenager when she was visited by an angel. Given a task that would have crushed most grownups, she rose up to deliver the famous Magnificat.  The fact that such words could flow from a twelve year old is astounding.  She didn’t speak shallow words of praise.  She reviewed God’s history, the ‘ways of God’ that could only be known by one who immersed herself in the stories of her ancestors.

Human nature wants to coast during the good times, only drawing close to God when the fires of adversity get hot.  God is gracious and will certainly answer us whenever we cry out for help but there is a better way.  I can fortify my heart today.  If feeding my spirit is a priority, I create a storehouse of spiritual food that will serve me well when there’s a famine.  When everything appears to have fallen apart, I will not hear patterns of hopeless and fearful words come out of my mouth.  Ultimately, I’ll hear the language of faith.

Have I painted a picture that fails to embrace my own humanity?  No.  I’m not naive enough to believe that each of our spiritual heroes failed to have low moments.  Hannah wailed in the temple and was so distraught that the priest accused her of being drunk.  I’m also confident that Elizabeth wept her way through the scourge of barrenness.  A lifetime of longing unearths pretty strong emotions.  And Mary?  We’re not given a lot of details but I can’t believe that she didn’t worry about abandonment, and about being hauled before the elders to face harsh punishment.  I need to remember that there is no judgement against, what Job calls, ‘words for the wind.’  Each of us utter feeling statements when the fires are hot.  “This will never work out!”  “I’m headed for ruin.”  “I’m so angry, I could kill him.”  “I can never forgive this.”  What proves or disproves our faith is what happens after the initial crisis.  Will we embark on a lifestyle characterized by fear and unbelief or will we engage in some rugged introspection to place our feet, once again, on the Rock of Ages.

Lord, I walk in the shoes of Hannah, of Elizabeth, and of Mary.   I may have my low moments but You raise me up to do what I was created to do ~ love You, worship You, and praise You.  Bless every righteous seed planted in my spirit.  Amen

Journal Question:  Write a short script for yourself for your next crisis.  What would you like to hear yourself say when trouble comes?  Craft a short paragraph that contains the language of faith.  Keep it close and begin to re-shape your defaults.

I Should Second-Guess Myself

Published on by Christine Wyrtzen2 Comments

I SHOULD SECOND-GUESS MYSELF

There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death.  Proverbs 14:12

            A twenty-four hour day is filled with dozens of decisions; some minor, some major.  Most decisions won’t appear to present a challenge.  I will think I know the right thing to do.  I will argue that it’s pretty obvious.

            But, what if my own common sense is leading me astray?  Scripture says it will and I might take the wrong course of action completely unaware.  My ‘take’ on things, though it seems so right, can be flawed and lead me to unpleasant outcomes.

            I face ministry decisions daily that could be made by the laws of marketing.  I tried that on and off for twenty-two years and the success left me void of spiritual confidence and void of a God-connection. In 1997, I made a vow unto God to never do ministry like that again. The difference has been huge.

            Jesus, who was perfect, didn’t move without praying to discern the will of His Father.  If He didn’t do it, how can I pretend to think I can!  He didn’t heal everyone who needed it.  He didn’t go everywhere He was invited. He didn’t spontaneously announce, “I think I’ll go to Capernaum today.”  Everything was guided by a Father’s agenda who saw how all things fit together.

  • Someone today will seek a promotion.  They will assume they need to advocate for themselves or risk getting lost in the lineup.  God may tell them to do nothing and trust Him.  That course will feel disastrous to their flesh and they will need to flex new faith muscles.
  • Some will have grounds to discipline their children.  Without guidance, they will assume they know the right measure of severity.  God may say, “Probe, listen, understand. The root of their disobedience is not what you think.”
  • Someone will be wronged in a close relationship and it will feel like the last straw.  Their first instinct might be to deliver that speech they’ve been saving for just such an occasion.  God may say, “It’s not time to talk.  It’s time to fast for their turnaround and your perseverance.”

Continue reading “I Should Second-Guess Myself” →

How Far Will I Go To Earn Other’s Respect?

Published on by Christine WyrtzenLeave a comment

HOW FAR WILL I GO TO EARN OTHERS RESPECT?

And Pharaoh called Joseph’s name Zaphenath-paneah. And he gave him in marriage Asenath, the daughter of Potiphera priest of On. So Joseph went out over the land of Egypt. Genesis 41:45

         I can learn a lot from watching the lives of heroes like Joseph and Daniel. Both stood strong in a foreign land. Both paid dearly. But both were eventually honored by heads of state and given new names. They graciously accepted them but managed to keep themselves from embracing a pagan religion. To further honor Joseph, Pharaoh gave him a wife from a region called On. This city was the worship center for the sun god – Ra. Joseph was surrounded on all sides by people who lived and practiced idolatry. How could he rule this nation without becoming like them? To be followed, wouldn’t he also have to be popular?

         Throughout history, God has been generous with instructive protocol when we find ourselves living in alien territory. Learn to dwell in the land and cultivate faithfulness. These seem mutually exclusive but it is possible to be among the people but not of them. To dwell and still be faithful. Poor leaders, however, feel they must blend in and become like the people they serve. Otherwise, they fear they won’t be respected and certainly won’t be elected again.

         I don’t have to move to a foreign country to feel like a foreigner. I can feel that way in my church, at work, and I can also feel that way in my own family. I am God’s daughter before I am anyone else’s friend, employee, daughter, wife, or sister. Continue reading “How Far Will I Go To Earn Other’s Respect?” →

Why Anger Explodes

Published on by Christine WyrtzenLeave a comment

WHEN ANGER EXPLODES

A quick tempered man acts foolishly.  Proverbs 14:17

            Take a glass that is mostly full of water, add a little more, and it will spill over.  Take a man or woman who is already full of rage, add one small incident, and their anger will also overflow.  Many who erupt today over the smallest issues aren’t really reacting to the incidents at hand.  They were simply filled to the brim with rage before the episode ever occurred.  The ‘straw that broke the camel’s back’ got all the attention because there was no more room left in their container for any more anger.

            Each of us was created with a lot of elasticity in our spirit to withstand the pressures of life.  Many have plenty of stretch left in their elastic in their early twenties but by the time they experience multiple injustices and disappointments, that elastic is stretched to the limit when they reach mid-life.  With no more ‘give’, it’s pulled taut and it snaps easily.

            What is the answer for any angry person?  He must discern what it is he’s really angry about and take the initiative to deal with it.  Living in perpetual rage is not fair to friends and family.  Children live with an angry parent and never know when the lid is going to blow.  It is usually over a gallon of milk left out on the counter or something else equally as insignificant.  Husbands live with an angry wife and tiptoe around the house, not knowing what it will be that will set her off.  The angry one usually holds everyone around him hostage. Continue reading “Why Anger Explodes” →

Am I Lazy and What Is The Cost?

Published on by Christine WyrtzenLeave a comment

AM I LAZY AND WHAT IS THE COST?

The way of the sluggard is as a hedge of thorns.  Proverbs 15:19

Life happens to the lazy man as opposed to being shaped by him.  He will see challenges come but, because of his slothfulness, he will not massage each one with prayer and problem solving.  He will sit and let his problems slowly overwhelm him.  One challenge is then joined by another, and sooner or later, he is beset by a hedge of thorns too numerous to tackle.  At this point, he usually throws up his hands in defeat.  Inevitably, he lives overwhelmed and with a sense of futility.  He will often give a martyr’s speech.  “I just can’t win! Nothing good ever happens to me.”

The way out of such a mindset is a heart change.  Laziness is a spiritual problem, not a mere character flaw.  The one who is lazy fails to answer Christ’s call to discipleship.  A follower of Jesus redeems the time for he knows the days are evil.  Each moment wasted is time and opportunity lost.  Never do we read that Jesus was prompted by His Father, only to respond, “I don’t feel like doing that today.”  Not that He never rested.  He did.  Not that He was never led into solitude for restoration.  He was.  The point is that rest is for those who work.  Restoration is for those who are poured out for others.  Rest is for those who are weary in obedience. Continue reading “Am I Lazy and What Is The Cost?” →

When a Friend of God Speaks

Published on by Christine Wyrtzen2 Comments

WHEN A FRIEND OF GOD SPEAKS

Anxiety in the heart of a man weighs it down, but a good word makes it glad.  Proverbs 12:25

            I’m not a stranger to pain. I’ve lived long enough to recognize the foreboding fronts on the horizon that often heads my way.  I’ve felt the change in the atmosphere and remember bracing myself for what I knew was coming.   Since I have survived similar storms before, it’s somewhat comforting. At least I’ve gained a little experience that will help me navigate the next one.

            Regardless, the anxiety you and I experience when our world stops is profound.  These moments will come to each of us. Like those who attended the soccer match in Paris, or those who casually had dinner at a sidewalk cafe, we can’t conceive that our world is about to change. When it happens to me, I wonder if I’ll ever breathe easily again.  There’s a new edginess in my gut and I know I need to cultivate a deeper relationship with God in order to survive it.  I look inside for Jesus, my Anchor, and know I must hold on tightly.

            What can make the greatest impact are the reassuring words of others who are connected to God and close to me.  When I have reached out to selectively share my burdens with them, the other person’s response made the difference between drowning and pressing on.  What they passed on to me was what I needed most.  FAITH.

  • “Christine, God is not stunned by this nor has He forgotten you!”
  • “Let me lend you my faith right now. I know yours is weak.”
  • “I don’t know how God will redeem this, but I’m waiting to see it with you.”  

            Continue reading “When a Friend of God Speaks” →

It’s Called Redemption

Published on by Christine WyrtzenLeave a comment

IT’S CALLED REDEMPTION

The wealth of the sinner is stored up for the righteous.  Proverbs 13:22

            Look at Solomon’s words. Do you believe this outrageous claim?  Could it be true that when others deprive you of what is rightfully yours and hoard it for themselves, that God wants to repay it to you another way?  Could it be true that the losses you experience, even when inflicted by those in a position to intentionally hurt you, will be restored down the road?  God says that the answer is yes.  It’s called redemption.  Take Romans 8:28, erase the damage done by those who have recited it to us as platitudes, and consider this golden promise again.  “God makes all things work together for good who are called according to His purpose.”

            Live long enough and you will experience pain. For many, their innocence is shattered in childhood. For others, it is fractured in marriage when the one they believe loves them like no other discards them without much thought. Add to these losses the death of parents and children, the disintegration of dreams, the erosion of financial security, and we can end up believing that our best years have already been lived. We begin to mark time to just make it until glory.

            Once, while in the pit of disillusionment, God spoke to me about new beginnings and His power to redeem ashes.  I was to grieve the losses, trust Him to be my Redeemer, and stand in the promises until I could see them come true.  Some, I’ve already experienced and I’ve been astounded how God can mastermind a fresh start when I can’t begin to envision it. But, I am still waiting for redemption regarding other losses. God may choose to redeem them here on earth but just as often, redemption happens in eternity.  No matter, it’s promised, it’s coming, and it’s a sure thing.   Continue reading “It’s Called Redemption” →

How Others Feel In My Space

Published on by Christine WyrtzenLeave a comment

HOW OTHERS FEEL IN MY SPACE

Much wealth is in the house of the righteous.  Proverbs 15:6

            The wealth Solomon is referring to has nothing to do with net worth.  He speaks of an abundance that can be felt in one’s spirit. How do others feel when they’re in my space, whether home, office, car, or Sunday School room?

            Have you ever driven by a certain house and felt that something is wrong?  The house felt dead, even dark.  Sadness, trauma, anger, and perversion all left their mark on a property.  I have stayed in many homes where there has been a lot of arguing.  I could tell just walking in the door that the spirit of anger had a foothold.  Tension knotted my stomach just minutes after arriving. I have also been the guest in homes where depression ruled.  I felt my energy decline the longer I was under their roof.

            God’s children are not to be held captive to sin, nor a prisoner to the things of darkness that seek to rule all men.  We are to know how to get free from such chains to walk in freedom and joy.  The effects of that on our home, whether we live in a palace or a small room in a nursing facility, are simply profound.

            Some years ago, I had the chance to visit a certain woman’s house for the first time.  It was the home of Elizabeth Guthrie, my dear friend and co-laborer in this ministry. It was Christmastime and I was invited for lunch along with two other friends.  I didn’t know Elizabeth well back then so when she answered the door and I took a step inside, I felt I had stepped into such a peaceful space that it literally took my breath away.  It was obvious that someone firmly connected to God lived there.  A holy calm marked her territory and it spoke volumes to me about her private world. While I conversed over lunch about other topics, I never stop pondering the feelings of being in her space. Continue reading “How Others Feel In My Space” →