“We went through fire and flood, but You brought us to a place of great abundance.” (Psalm 66:12 NLT)
“You give [us] peace and quiet from times of trouble….” (Psalm 94:13 GW)
Home of the writing and speaking team of TOM and WILMA ENGLISH, Messengers of Love, Truth, Hope & Hospitality
A “Ziklag” (as previously discussed) is an overwhelming challenge or problem, a daunting set of circumstances, an impossible situation, or any major storm we may face in life. “Ziklag” events also include slow-burn situations that have been building for months or years — like the proverbial “last straw that breaks the camel’s back.” We creators and dreamers may eventually face just such a crisis: another rejection, a closed door, a setback, a betrayal, or simply a lack of support and encouragement from the people we were counting on the most.
As discussed in our last session, we should respond to these events the way David did, who “encouraged himself in the Lord” and came through his “Ziklag” victorious (1 Samuel 30:6)
Here are some practical, Biblically-based and time-tested tips to help creators and dreamers stay encouraged while they’re waiting upon the Lord for the answer to a prayer; for a divine connection; for a door to open; for a “Barnabas” (a friend and facilitator, as in Acts 9:26-31); for their breakthrough; and ultimately, the realization of their hopes and dreams. Most of these were previously discussed in other Boot Camp sessions, but because staying encouraged is so important, we want to review them and admonish readers to implement them.
We can also minimize the slow-burn items before they explode into Ziklag events:
When you find yourself getting down and mopey, it’s time to refocus:
Here are the most important spiritual steps:
Will you be a victor or victim? Well, what do you think? No, literally, what’s in your head?
Our thoughts and resultant attitudes will determine our quality of life. They are the deciding factors between success and failure, between reaching our goals and realizing our dreams … or NOT!
So, make up your mind! (Pun intended.) Decide whether you will live in victory or defeat. This is easier said than done, of course. Living in fear and defeat comes natural to most people, because they never do anything to change their faithless, hopeless, uninspired, negative, pessimistic, “what-can-go-wrong-will-go-wrong” way of thinking.
On the other hand, having the right mindset — a faith-filled, positive, optimistic, “I-can-do-all-things-through-Christ” attitude (Philippians 4:13) — requires training, discipline, and a “proper diet”! Remember the saying, “Garbage in, garbage out”? We must be careful (and mindful) of what we feed our brains, which is why the Apostle Paul states, “Set your mind and keep focused habitually on the things above….” (Colossians 3:2 AMP)
Hyperbole? King David, the quintessential giant-killer and history-maker frequently speaks of the inherent power of God’s Word. In the longest psalm in the Bible, David describes the miracle-working wonders of God’s principles, precepts, and wisdom:
“Your word is like a lamp that guides my steps, a light that shows the path I should take.” (Psalm 119:105 ERV)
“Establish my footsteps in [the way of] Your Word; Do not let any human weakness have power over me….” (Psalm 119:133 AMP)
“You are my hiding place and my shield. My hope is based on Your Word.” (Psalm 119:114 NOG)
“How I love your instruction! It is my meditation all day long.” (Psalm 119:97 CSB)
“I will never forget Your precepts, For by them You have revived me and given me life.” (Psalm 119:93 AMP)
Wow! Precious stuff, right? Which is why the psalmist also declares, “Your word I have treasured and stored in my heart, That I may not sin against You.” (Psalm 119:11 AMP)
Of course, David didn’t have the full resources to which we have access. He had only a large portion of the Old Testament, the writings that foreshadow the coming of the Jewish Messiah, Yeshua (Jesus). We’re blessed with an extra helping of God’s Word, the New Testament. And for
the record, it’s all one complete narrative about the nature of God and His creation and ultimate salvation of humankind. “All Scripture is given by inspiration of God and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness….” (2 Timothy 3:16 KJ21)
Doing this is how we flush out the negative, stinking thinking of failure and defeat. It’s also the surest way to develop the mind of a winner, and be victorious in any “Ziklag” event. It’s the key to pursuing and realizing your dreams, and sticking to your creative endeavors — even when the going gets rough!
“This Book of the Law shall not depart out of thy mouth, but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein. For then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success.” (Joshua 1:8 KJ21)