Dysfunction is rampant, at least in America. And those who consider themselves Christians aren’t exempt. No one gets a free pass.
More families than ever before are at risk of divorce. That means another generation of children more likely to experience a failed marriage themselves. More promiscuity. More sexually transmitted diseases. More teenage pregnancies. More abortions. Not a very pretty picture. And divorce is just one pressure that’s squeezing the life out of us.
So why do we have so many problems? There are a lot of reasons. Here’s a short checklist to help you identify some of the sources of your stress.
1. YOU’RE TRYING TO BE SOMEONE YOU’RE NOT. You’re afraid others won’t like the real you, so you pretend to be who you think they want you to be.
2. YOU’RE TRYING TO PLEASE THE WRONG PERSON. That might be a parent, a child, a boss, a teacher, a pastor, or even yourself.
3. YOU DON’T HAVE A CLEAR PURPOSE. Consequently, you live under the tyranny of the urgent and rarely under the influence of what’s important.
4. YOU PURSUE PLEASURE RATHER THAN HAPPINESS. The former is momentary; the latter leads to a life of contentment—with whatever you have, in good times and bad.
5. YOU LIVE WITH UNFULFILLED DREAMS. Hope has disappeared or at least it’s fading fast.
6. YOU LIVE WITH UNPLEASANT CIRCUMSTANCES. Life is out of control. Your bus is headed toward a cliff and you’re not driving.
7. YOU LIVE WITH AN UNCERTAIN FUTURE. You doubt things will get better and you’re almost convinced they will get worse.
There are other causes of pressure, but once you know where the root of the problem is, you know where to dig. However, maybe you need a bigger, stronger shovel.
If you’re like me, you may have more than one problem at a time. If so, start with the biggest weed in your yard. It may take awhile to eradicate all of them, but the progress you make today with just one will make you feel better now—and tomorrow.
Want to learn more? Visit http://praisechapelkingman.podblaze.com to hear a sermon by Senior Pastor Howard Pennington or any of our pastors or guest speakers.
