“Enlarge the place of your tent, stretch your tent curtains
wide,
do not hold back; lengthen your cords, strengthen your
Tough Times
Life doesn’t always work out
Problems | Fears | Worries | Concerns
Past | Present | Future
Regrets | Words said in haste
Resolutions | Reactions
Choices
Crises | Doubts
Trial & Error
Trials
• None of us is exempt from difficulties
Errors
• We all make mistakes
Scientists experiment to learn
• Curve ball from left field
• Allows us to develop and grow
• Catalyst to increased dependency
On Learning to Do Better – Portia
Nelson
I walk
down the street. There is a hole.
I don't see it. I fall in. I am lost. . .I am
helpless. It isn't my fault.
It takes me forever to find a way out.
I walk down the same street. There is still
a deep hole. I pretend I don't see it. I fall in
again. . .I can't believe I am in the same
place. But it still isn't my fault.
It still takes a long time to get out.
I walk down the same street. There is still
the same deep hole. I see it is there.
I still fall in. . .It's a habit. My eyes are
open.
I know where I am. It is my fault.
I get out immediately.
I walk down the same street. There is a
deep hole. I see it. I walk around it. I don't
fall in.
I walk down a different street. . .
Refocus | Recalibrate
Our parents disciplined us for a little while as
they thought best; but God disciplines us for
our good, that we may share in His holiness.
No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but
painful. Later on, however, it produces a
harvest of righteousness and peace for those
who have been trained by it
Hebrews 12:10-11
(TNIV)
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It is always God’s plan to bless us
Get back to baseline – press the reset button
Refocus | Recalibrate
“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”
Jeremiah 29:11 (TNIV)
And we know that in all things God works for
the good of those who love Him, who have
been called according to His purpose Romans 8:28
(NIVUK)
Repent | Renew
Two primary tactics:
1. Accusation: “accuser of the saints” (Revelation 12:10)
2. Deception: “father of lies”
(John 8:44)
Three weapons:
1. Pride
2. Unbelief
3. Fear
Humility
2Corinthians
12:9
Faith
Love
Hebrews 11:6
1John 4:18
Repent | Renew
Humble yourselves, therefore, under God's mighty
hand, that He may lift you up in due time. Cast all your
anxiety on Him because He cares for you. Be selfcontrolled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls
around like a roaring lion looking for someone to
devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because
you know that your fellow believers throughout the
world are undergoing the same kind of sufferings. And
the God of all grace, Who called you to His eternal glory
in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will
Himself restore you and make you strong, firm and
steadfast
1Peter 5:6-10 (NIVUK)
Repent | Renew
“Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your
sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing
may come from the Lord”
Acts 3:19 (NIVUK)
Remember | Recall
His divine power has given us everything we
need for life and godliness through our
knowledge of Him who called us by His own
glory and goodness
2Peter 1:3 (NIVUK)
The only temptation that has come to you is
that which everyone has. But you can trust
God, who will not permit you to be tempted
more than you can stand. But when you are
tempted, He will also give you a way to escape
so that you will be able to stand it
1Corinthians
10:13 (NCV)
Recognise | Realise
All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus
Christ. God is our merciful Father and the
source of all comfort. He comforts us in all our
troubles so that we can comfort others. When
they are troubled, we will be able to give them
the same comfort God has given us 2Corinthians
1:3-4 (NLT)
Recognise what Stretching achieves
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•
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What we go through can be used by the Holy Spirit
To develop us
To witness to others
To bring God glory