resilience | lent devotions

“The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to set the oppressed free, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favour.” Luke 4:18-19, NIV

Sally and I are at the coffee machine at work when she tells me her sister-in-law has terminal cancer. Sally and her husband - Rob - have visited her and Sally tells me her sister-in-law said a terrible thing: "I couldn't believe it, Loraine. Rob's sister said, ‘No wonder I’m dying of cancer. Everyone in our family dies of cancer.’ Well. Ever since, Rob has been worried sick that he's going to die of cancer, too. He’s in a terrible state, and I don’t know what to do.”

Sally and Rob don’t know Jesus and they’re not keen on “religious stuff” so I said: “There’s a proverb that says, ‘Death and life are in the power of the tongue’ and I believe that’s true. She didn't mean to, I'm sure, but Rob’s sister spoke a negative word and it has had a negative effect. But the proverb tells us what we need to speak instead. You have to start speaking life. Every time Rob repeats what his sister said or talks about dying of cancer, you have to counteract what he says with positive, life-giving words.”

When I saw Sally next she told me she had done what I suggested, and Rob had turned a corner. The simple discipline of speaking life to her husband saw an improvement in his mental health.

Part of proclaiming the good news is to find ways to speak the truth even when people don’t want to know the source of the truth. I would love Sally and Rob to know the One whose heart for them is for health, victory, blessings, purpose, peace, abundance, and freedom. But while they're closed to the love of God now, I can do something to open them up to it later. Whether you think you’re impacting their lives or not, keep speaking the truth in love. It will help build your resilience. And, one day, they will know the Truth and he will set them free.

Let’s pray
Thank you, Lord, that I am your treasured possession, the sheep of your pasture, I know your voice. Fill me with the wisdom and words I need to help me reveal your heart to those who need it today. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Want more? Order my new book Developing Kingdom Resilience here!