12/2023 The Psychology of Happiness Page 14 Conquering the Enemy Within Page 16 Visions of Wholeness and Mission Page 24
The Struggle Within
10 Under Siege
Five Times By Justin Kim
Ron Coffen
12 Emotional Health Matters JongKeun Han
14 The Psychology of Happiness Darren Morton
16 Conquering the Enemy Within Candis Braxton Cover image: Vitaliy Gavrushchenko
19 Millennial Voices When God Calls Us to Change Lynette Yoon 20 Global View A More Abundant Life Ted N. C. Wilson 22 Faith in Action The God of Abraham, Samson, and Nebuchadnezzar Patricia Gustin 24 Discovering the Spirit of Prophecy Visions of Wholeness and Mission Theodore Levterov
26 Bible Questions Answered A Hymn and the Cosmic Christ 27 Health & Wellness Living Life to the Fullest 28 May I Tell You a Story? Box 231
Five times. There are few topics where Jesus says the same thing five times. In most cases, the same thought is quoted in multiple places, as in Matthew, Mark, and Luke. But in Matthew 6 Jesus repeats something five times (verses 25, 27, 28, 31, and 34)—and in one setting, too. And that is? “Be not anxious.” Don’t worry, Jesus says. It’s easy to say, but quite difficult, if not impossible, to live out. How can one not worry? Within the 24-hour news cycle, how can one not think of smaller conflicts becoming global wars; or of another pandemic, or a new biological disaster; or of economies edging toward ruin? Or all of these—and more. Maybe you are the type who ruminates over such personal questions as “What is going to happen to my life? my finances? relationships and relatives? children and grandchildren? marriage, future, retirement?” (Maybe you were good until you read this article.) Toward the end of Matthew 6, Jesus states His famous verse, “Seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you” (verse 33, KJV). Seek denotes searching earnestly for something that you did not have to begin with. First denotes order and the priority given, whether in time, focus, amount, and/or intensity. In short, kingdom and righteousness point to living Christ’s life outward and inward, with the fruit and character of Jesus. The phrase of interest, though, is all these things. Verse 32 says the Gentiles seek them and, by inference, true followers of God do not. Second, the Father knows that we have need of “all these things.” And if we seek these things, we again by inference are stating that the Father does not know this fact. In other words, the anxiety of the children denies the omniscience of the Father. Does our emotional state dictate our inherent theology? What are all these things? Matthew 6:19, 20 says these are earthly treasures. The problem is, whether by moth (biological decay), rust (environmental corrosion), or theft, these earthly things diligently sought after will, ultimately, be lost. Rather than our seeking them anxiously, God will give all these things if we seek Him first. He and all these things do not mix; one master must be chosen. As Jesus says, “true Jews” seek God, but “Gentiles” seek all these things. “Be not anxious” means to invest in heaven with the best interest rate in the universe. This isn’t a command or advice, but a promise (five times) with creative power to reorganize the spiritual life, if we only embrace Jesus’ words in faith. As light emerged out of nothing, may His peace emerge out of our anxiety.
30 Growing Faith “Hope’s Bright Light” We believe in the power of prayer, and we welcome prayer requests that can be shared at our weekly staff worship every Wednesday morning. Send your requests to prayer@adventistworld.org, and pray for us as we work together to advance God’s kingdom.
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News Moment
Ana-Marija Bulajic, a content creator from Montenegro, records Williams S. Costa, Jr., Communication Department director of the General Conference, while he prays during the GAiN Europe event in Budva, Montenegro. Tor Tjeransen / Adventist Media Exchange (CC BY 4.0)
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News in Brief
“Filmmakers are modern-day storytellers, bridging the gap between the secular and religious worlds, ultimately guiding people toward God’s kingdom.” –Heshbon Buscato, Southern AsiaPacific Division communication director, shared at the four-day filmmaking and acting workshop. More than 50 participants from Central and South Philippines gathered in Cebu City. Attendees were exposed to various aspects of filmmaking and acting, including cinematography theory and practices, basic directing principles, production management and workflow, drone operation, screenplay writing, plot development, visual storytelling, acting, hairstyling, and makeup techniques in filmmaking.
80
The number of people that gathered at Fulton Adventist University College in Sabeto, Fiji, to attend the 2023 Digital Discipleship Training. The event was promoted by the youth department of the Trans-Pacific Union Mission and emphasized the necessity of leveraging the digital era’s tools while staying anchored in faith. The program explored the multifaceted area of technology, highlighting its potential for both advancing the gospel and posing challenges. 4
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The Adventist Health Message and Mental Health Church members were asked if they agreed to the following statement: The Adventist health message emphasizes physical health, mental health, emotional well-being, social support, and relationships as a part of spiritual growth.
“This institution has not only prepared students academically but has also instilled in them the values of service and compassion. It is a beacon of hope and enlightenment in our region.” –Roger Caderma, president of the Southern Asia-Pacific Division, about Lakpahana Adventist College and Seminary’s 100-year celebration of mission and service. The school, which is located in Mailapitiya, Sri Lanka, celebrated its incredible journey for five days.
59% Strongly Agree 33% Agree 6% Not sure 1% Disagree 1% Strongly Disagree
Use the QR code below to read a PDF of the complete report.
N=56,715 Source: 2017-18 Global Church Member Survey, p. 66-67 Data provided by the General Conference Office of Archives, Statistics, and Research
“We want participants to learn two things at our center: how to adopt an optimal lifestyle for achieving their best self and how to keep moving forward with a positive mindset. . . . To me, it’s what medicine should look like. It’s about spending quality time with patients, working with them, and taking a wholistic approach.” –Andrea Matthews, ELIA Lifestyle Medical Centre (ELMC) medical director. The South Pacific’s first ELMC has emerged as a beacon of hope for individuals grappling with lifestyle-related health issues. The center, located at Sydney Adventist Hospital, has already produced notable results in the months since its official launch on March 26.
News in Brief
“People in large cities live alone and many times without a support or social group. . . . What we have seen across the Inter-American Division is that small group ministries can help emotional and spiritual needs in a positive way not only for church members but for people in the community.” –Melchor Ferreyra, personal ministries director of the Inter-American Division (IAD) and an executive producer of the TV series called Conocidos, a new TV series on Hope Channel Inter-America. This eight-episode series shares the story of several characters who meet and get to know each other through a Bible study group. Conocidos was created to point to a network of healthy friendships that can be experienced through a small group.
More Than 100 The number of Hispanic coordinators and leaders from across the North American Division (NAD) that met to share effective regional ministry efforts and to help strategize new ways of reaching Hispanic communities. Each day during the meetings Hispanic ministries union and conference leaders shared ministry initiatives and church growth experiences from the territories that they serve in within the NAD’s nine unions.
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More Than 194,000 The number of baptisms that took place after the Hope for Africa evangelistic series. The September series, sponsored by Hope Channel, in collaboration with the East-Central Africa Division and Adventist World Radio, saw the unprecedented establishment of 20,000 downlink locations in 11 countries throughout the region. The series had broad distribution over two satellites, terrestrial television on national Hope Channel outlets, websites, the Hope Channel app, the YouTube video platform, and several social media platforms. (->) Photo: Hope Channel AdventistWorld.org December 2023
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News in Depth
GC Secretary Calls for Refocus on Mission
Erton Köhler suggests transforming challenges into opportunities.
Marcos Paseggi, Adventist World
God has called the Seventh-day Adventist Church for this time of unprecedented changes, challenges, and opportunities, General Conference secretary Erton Köhler said in his secretary’s report during the 2023 Annual Council on October 8. “Changes are not new to us,” Köhler said in his message to the hundreds of members of the GC Executive Committee gathered in Silver Spring, Maryland, United States. “But today’s changes are different: they are rapid, they are impactful, and they are profound.” He added, “We can’t be afraid of changes, but they can compel us to leave our comfort zone, be awake, and use all our resources, and the best initiatives to share our biblical message of hope to this world.” Against this new reality, Köhler celebrated the ongoing mission refocus of the 22-million-strong denomination. At the same time, he called the church to continue tackling challenges with the power of the Holy Spirit and bold, mission-driven actions.
time,” he emphasized, referencing an initiative of the world church that seeks to redirect planning efforts and funds to reach others for Jesus, particularly in challenging areas of the world. Mission Refocus is not only about sending missionaries and integration, Köhler explained, but also about “adjusting how we accomplish the mission to efficiently reach a world facing profound changes.” Results are trickling in, Köhler reported. “After a few months of prayer, discussion, and evaluation, many of our organizations and institutions have established plans to adopt and send missionaries to some challenging places worldwide,” he said. “It is impressive to see how different organizations and institutions thought beyond their geographical borders and made sacrifices to be part of this worldwide initiative. Some of our attached fields that need extra support to accomplish their mission are now also contributing to help others.” PRESSING CHALLENGES
THE ROLE OF MISSION REFOCUS
“Mission Refocus is one of our priorities to face this changing
Köhler spent considerable time listing some of the pressing challenges the Adventist Church is
General Conference secretary Erton Köhler presents his report at the 2023 Annual Council in Silver Spring, Maryland, on October 8. Photo: Lucas Cardino / AME (CC BY 4.0) 6
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facing as it tries to accomplish its mission. He mentioned the fallout of COVID-19 and the ongoing wars that have increased global political instability and skyrocketed the number of refugees. He also mentioned an unprecedented ecological crisis and challenges to the world economy, as well as social challenges, including a generation of digital natives who are “emotionally weak but, at the same time, eager to defend justice and constantly seeking to live a meaningful life,” Köhler said. Another challenge is related to society’s understanding of human sexuality, Köhler said, the social polarization and cynicism toward all authority, and the challenges brought by technology. OPPORTUNITIES FOR MISSION
The challenge, Köhler emphasized, is to see these global changes and challenges as opportunities for mission. Regarding the church’s financial investment in mission, “if God sends more, let’s invest more,” he said. He also emphasized the importance of keeping our identity alive. Against that context, the best way to approach today’s generation is by highlighting our biblical message of hope, Köhler said. “A hopeless world is looking for a hopeful church,” he said. Technology is also a game changer for mission because it can reach everybody, everywhere, at any time. “We have everything we need to move forward with a sense of urgency,” Köhler said. “Let us promote God-led changes [and] Bible-based changes. This is what we call Mission Refocus in a time of change.”
News in Depth
Panama Children and Teens Are Challenged to Depend on Jesus
Event seeks to help them make good choices and become leaders.
Kayc James and Libna Stevens, Inter-American Division News
Edith Ruiz de Espinoza (left), children and adolescent ministries director of the Inter-American Division, prays on stage during the opening ceremony. Photo: Panama Union Mission
Hundreds of children and teens ages 7 to 14 traveled from every corner of Panama to take part in a countrywide congress, where they were taught biblical principles and learned more about Jesus’ love and purpose for their lives. Youngsters came with their teachers and leaders to spend two days taking part in a series of spiritual messages, prayer, and social activities at the Metropolitan Adventist School’s auditorium in Panama City, Panama, September 22-23. “For us this is a crucial and very important event to help children and adolescents grow their faith and strengthen their relationship with God from an early age,” Rosalinda De Gracia, children and adolescent ministries director of the Adventist Church’s Panama Union Mission, said. It’s about investing time and resources so they can learn to trust in God, gain confidence to lead as they grow, and become spiritual leaders, she added. JESUS IS A SAFE REFUGE
Themed “Jesus, Our Eternal Rock,” the event was intended to give a clear message and provide tools so children and adolescents can make wise decisions and be
assured that Jesus as the “Rock” is their protection and salvation. “We wanted to reaffirm to them that Jesus is a safe refuge, our strength, our helper, comforter, defender, and the best guide and friend they could have,” De Gracia said. The young delegation represented the nearly 13,000 children and adolescents spread across churches and groups in Panama, De Gracia said. Nearly 50 of the children in attendance were not Adventists, she added. The congress saw the young delegation dressed in white and each wearing a crown during the opening night program, pointing to the white robes the redeemed will wear in heaven. “I loved how we all looked dressed in white,” 9-year-old Sofia Hernández said. “I want to go to heaven and see all the children and see Jesus dressed in white like me.” It was about leaving lasting impressions, De Gracia said. Youngsters learned about the benefits of hug therapy, creation, and the importance of Sabbath rest, the use of social media and its dangers, and the importance of marriage as a biblical institution established by God between a man and a woman.
AT THE PRAYER TENT
Young delegates lined up for the prayer tent, where pastors were ready to listen and pray for their specific concerns and requests. “The line became so long that two more pastors had to assist in the prayer tent,” De Gracia said. Many of the prayer requests included prayer for their parents to find employment or not to divorce, and prayers for healing, she said. “One particular child asked for prayer so that he and his family could have food because his parents had not been able to find work and were starving,” De Gracia. Soon after, Adventist Development and Relief Agency (ADRA) Panama leaders were notified to visit the home with food and assistance. JESUS AS THE FOUNDATION
Keynote speaker Edith Ruiz de Espinoza, children and adolescent ministries director for the Inter-American Division of the Seventh-day Adventist Church, challenged young delegates to cling to Jesus and make Him the foundation and source of wisdom in their life as they navigate through their daily activities. “You are a light for Jesus and need to shine to those around you,” she told them. AdventistWorld.org December 2023
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News in Depth
Adventist-managed Skills Training Center Opens in Zambia
New facilities will help fight the labor shortages in the area.
Ezra Muntanga and Noel Sibanda, Southern Africa-Indian Ocean Division, and Adventist World
On October 8, members of the Dorcas and Adventist Men Organization (DORCAMO) societies celebrated the official opening of the first phase of the new DORCAMO Skills Training Centre in Choma, Zambia. Hundreds of church members and leaders from the South Zambia Conference (SZC) attended. The facilities, which are expected to run various survival skills initiatives when finished, were commissioned by Zambia’s Science and Technology minister Felix Mutati. In a speech delivered on his behalf by assistant director of planning Michael Inambao, Mutati said, “This is a momentous occasion that marks a significant step forward in our commitment to education, empowerment, and community development as a nation. . . . On behalf of the president, Hakainde Hichilema, the government is grateful for the sacrifice and dedication in building these facilities.” Mutati added that the government of Zambia is very interested in seeing organizations such as the Seventh-day Adventist Church work hard to supplement govern-
ment efforts in reducing unemployment. “I am grateful to see the Seventh-day Adventist Church improving the lives of individuals and communities,” he said. “[This is] a testimony to the unwavering commitment to making a positive impact not only in the spiritual realm but also in the practical aspects of life.” He explained that the new facilities are “a reflection of our shared belief in the importance of equipping individuals with the skills and knowledge they need to thrive in an ever-changing world. It embodies the Seventh-day Adventist Church belief and commitment to wholistic development,” Mutati said. Zambia and Africa at large currently face the challenge of unskilled labor, government officers explained. “Today we are happy to see some of these challenges being addressed by the Seventh-day Adventist Church,” they said. Mutati made the most of the moment to advertise the courses that will be eventually run at the center by qualified personnel, including metalwork, mechanics, catering,
One of the classrooms where community members in Choma will be able to acquire sewing and tailoring skills. Photo: Ezra Muntanga 8
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tailoring and designing, plumbing, bricklaying, and plastering. He also mentioned other future offers, such as electrical and entrepreneurship courses, preschool programs, and gym and counseling options, in addition to initiatives to benefit the needy. The hundreds of church and community members who attended the commissioning ceremony included selected DORCAMO leaders and members, who came to witness “their long-awaited dream in the province” come true. Former SZC Dorcas president Miriam Scott also attended, and donated an ox to feed the delegates at the end of the commissioning ceremony. Well-wishers from various corners of SZC also attended. Among them was conference president Gladwin M. Mang’watu, all department directors, and district leaders. SZC personal ministries director Bednock Banji shared the history of the initiative. He explained that the center was initiated in 2005 with the purchase of the plot of land. “Because of a lack of funds, works could not start immediately,” he said. “Out of the 15 plans approved by the Choma Municipal Council, the one opening first is the Tailoring and Catering classroom block,” Banji shared. The current structure was built by the DORCAMO organization through contributions raised during rallies, he shared. “So far, about 26,000 members have contributed to raise these funds for this noble project,” Banji said. “We praise God for [these new facilities] that will bring development and equip and empower the local community as well.”
Mission Focus
Marcos Paseggi, Adventist World
General Conference leaders hold a special ceremony to dedicate the Contero family, from Spain, who will serve in Switzerland. Photo: Lucas Cardino / AME (CC BY 4.0)
Adventist Mission Is Alive Members across the globe are committed to sharing hope in Jesus.
According to Jesus, His followers can choose their response when they think their Master “is delaying his coming” (Luke 12:45). On the one hand, they can fall asleep (see Matt. 25:1-13) or start beating the Master’s servants (see Luke 12:45). On the other hand, they can keep watch (see Matt. 25:13) and stay active, managing the Master’s estate and doing His bidding (see Luke 12:35-44). Seventh-day Adventists can be thankful that a significant percentage of members and most leaders have chosen the latter option. Seventh-day Adventists have been uniquely chosen for mission, General Conference president Ted N. C. Wilson reminded Executive Committee members who gathered for the 2023 Annual Council at the church’s headquarters in Silver Spring, Maryland, United States. It is a comprehensive mission that for 160 years has propelled missionaries to go from everywhere to everywhere to share God’s message with people looking for hope. “God’s global work is flourishing because we are chosen for mis-
sion,” Wilson said. “Nothing can stop God’s mission.” In 2024 the Adventist Church will commemorate 150 years since the organization sent its first overseas missionary. In the words of David Trim, director of the church’s Office of Archives, Statistics, and Research, those would be “150 years of the Adventist Church putting the world first, ahead of parochial interests.” Even the current unprecedented changes and challenges, GC secretary Erton Köhler said, should be seen as opportunities for mission. “Everybody can do something to keep the focus on the mission and to help us face our vast worldwide challenges,” he emphasized. Official programs and initiatives of the world church and incidental comments and reports show that many faithful Adventists are keeping the passion for mission alive. Those mission-minded followers of Jesus are not circumscribed by a region or even an age. From young Caleb Mission volunteers in Puerto Rico to medical missionary workers in Chad to ADRA workers in Romania and retired volunteers across the U.S., thousands of church members keep getting out of their comfort zones to serve and help change lives through the power of the Holy Spirit. Adventist leaders continue to work in partnership with other
organizations and companies to find innovative ways of doing mission. They are even training a robot to give Bible studies and share Bible-based Adventist beliefs. New tools have been developed to connect and match missionary hopefuls with service opportunities. No matter how many programs and initiatives church organizations and supporting ministries come up with, however, the needs are still enormous. And yet, no program or initiative would be successful without the members’ buy-in. It is that passion for mission instilled through global mission stories, but also in every Sabbath School, in every local church, in every classroom, clinic, food factory, and media center that keeps Adventist mission moving forward. And during the 2023 Annual Council, an October 6 mission program served for church leaders to learn, reflect, and recommit to Adventist mission. From time to time, doomsayers proclaim that Adventist mission is dead. Naysayers decry the funds spent on mission while collecting funds to spread their pessimistic views even further. Those who love the Lord’s mission press on, because there’s still a world thirsty for hope, dreaming of a way out. It is every member’s privilege to get involved in such a heaven-mandated enterprise. AdventistWorld.org December 2023
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Focus
Under Siege Battling the foes of emotional and cognitive distress BY RON COFFEN
Image: PDQ1000 / iStock / Getty Images Plus / Getty Images
H
ebrews 11 lists Bible heroes commended by God—people of faith. What does it mean to be a person of faith? Were they flawless? fearless? “By faith,” did they avoid all physical adversities,1 emotional turmoil,2 and cognitive distress?3 No, as a quick review of their lives reveals. Yet God praises them in the faith chapter; describes them as having a heart like His; collaborates with them in a celebration of their faithfulness while they simultaneously faced daily unrelenting, unrelieved emotional turmoil, cognitive distress, and maladaptive behaviors. Similarly, Jesus indicates those who die in tragic accidents are no more sinful than anyone else (Luke 13:4), and rain (both physical and metaphorical) falls on the just and the unjust. In a world embroiled in the great controversy’s pull to chaos, time and chance bring distress to everyone (Eccl. 9:11). There is no promise, this side of heaven, that physical adversity, emotional turmoil, and cognitive distress bypass the faithful.
Triggers are events occurring just before the onset of distress. A psychological trigger for someone with a reactive temperament might be the unexpected death of a close friend, which could cause broad emotional distress leading to worries about the death of other loved ones, potential illnesses, or potential financial crises. Maintaining factors are events that keep the distress going. A psychological maintaining factor might be skipping work whenever one worries about possibly being judged, not fitting in, or making social blunders at work. When work is skipped, the reduction in immediate distress is attributed to avoiding work; so one avoids work more and more when distressed, which maintains anxiety. God created emotions to strongly alert us about unmet needs. Emotions do not tell us how to the solve the problem, but they do signal a problem and provide energy. Neglecting the signal exacerbates distress. FINDING SOLUTIONS
CONTRIBUTING FACTORS
So what are the causes of mental health distress? Living in a world hundreds of generations away from God’s perfectly ordered creation puts us all in a battleground in which three major factors are behind mental health distress: long-standing factors, triggers, and maintaining factors. Long-standing factors may be genetic or inborn, or may occur early in life. Although they may cause distress directly, they often just put one at risk for developing distress. An example of a physical long-standing factor is being seven feet tall—it does not cause concussions, but it puts one at risk for concussions in a society in which doors are typically six feet eight inches high.
When a person of faith experiences cognitive distress and emotional turmoil, God sometimes resolves the issue miraculously, but these quick resolutions are not promised. Rather, God declared that being alone is not good, and He provided for a supportive community of individuals who take care of others with wisdom, knowledge, and discernment for the healing of those who are distressed (Eph. 4:11, 12; 1 Cor. 12:7-11). These helpers often employ modes of solutions, including internal change, such as learning something new or shifting to a different skill; external change, such as implementing medication, exercise, and diet to help one’s body and chemicals get back to
God created emotions to strongly alert us about unmet needs. ideal functioning; managing, which includes developing mental and emotional skills for managing chronic distress (e.g., developing humor related to the challenge, adjusting expectations, or regularly talking to supportive people about the difficulty). Earth is the battleground of the great controversy. Even when people of faith are on the winning side, we will experience distress until God brings the battle to the final end. Until then, be a safe support for yourself and those who are under the siege of emotional turmoil and cognitive distress.4 For this article, my working definition of physical adversity is a bodily state interfering with optimal functioning. This working definition describes the opposite end of the continuum of the physical element of the World Health Organization’s definition of health: “a state of complete physical . . . well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity” (https://www.who.int/about/ governance/constitution). 2 For this article, my working definition of emotional turmoil is a psychologically generated physiological state creating behavioral urges and that interferes with optimal functioning. This working definition builds off the American Psychological Association’s definition of emotions: “conscious mental reactions . . . subjectively experienced as strong feelings . . . typically accompanied by physiological and behavioral changes in the body” (https://www. apa.org/topics/emotions). 3 For this article, my working definition of cognitive distress is a mental state that interferes with optimal functioning in which one’s thoughts lead one to anticipate undesirable outcomes. This working definition builds off the American Psychological Association’s definition of distress: “stress that results from being overwhelmed by demands, losses, or perceived threats. It has a detrimental effect by generating physical and psychological maladaptation” (https://dictionary.apa.org/distress and cf. https:// dictionary.apa.org/stress). 4 See Ellen G. White, Patriarchs and Prophets (Mountain View, Calif.: Pacific Press Pub. Assn., 1890, 1908), p. 218. 1
Ron Coffen is a licensed psychologist and professor at Andrews University and director of the Community Counseling Center, which provides services with the compassion and care of Christ. AdventistWorld.org December 2023
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Focus
Emotional Health Matters Receiving comfort to offer comfort BY JONGKEUN HAN
A
few years ago I met a woman who had been an Adventist for many years. She came to my church to visit her niece. She looked very smart and sang well. After worship we had a short conversation. She told me, “I lost my husband several months ago. We went to bed together the previous night, but when I woke up, I found him lifeless next to me. After the funeral service was over, I felt anxious every night, afraid that someone might come and take my life.” A few months after I met her, I heard that she had succumbed to dementia. DISCOVERING MY EMOTIONAL HEALTH NEEDS
For more than 30 years I have been a pastor in the Seventh-day Adventist Church. I have faith and a passion for the gospel; I have led people to Christ and served God’s people. Believing God’s Word and living by faith are at the center of my life. As I reflect on my years of service, I see that most of my sermons have been about faith. In my pastoral counseling I’ve talked about faith. I believe faith should be applied to all aspects of life. But this led me to ignore and suppress my deepest emotions. 12
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Image: SeventyFour / iStock / Getty Images Plus / Getty Images
My spouse is a dutiful woman. She has a thoughtful character and relates well with others. As a pastor’s wife she carries quite a heavy burden, and she has managed it with a good spirit. There were times, in the past, that I yelled and expressed anger toward her in private. After the fact, I would realize there was no reason to behave that way. Yet while I apologized to her, the guilt would not disappear, because I thought that if I had enough faith in Jesus, I would never have mistreated her. At the time, I did not realize that I had unhealthy emotions that had not been addressed. I thought that faith and emotional health were the same thing. So if I had a strong faith, then I would not feel anger, anxiety, depression, disappointment, and frustration. If I felt those emotions, then I thought that it meant that I did not have a strong faith. My doctoral degree is in family ministry. My dissertation was entitled “Prevention and Education for Domestic Violence.” While studying domestic violence, I researched physical and emotional abuse in intimate relationships. At the same time, I looked at myself and found that I was emotionally abusive to my lovely wife. I yelled at her, ignored her, and violated her space. I was surprised to find that I was an emotionally unhealthy spouse and pastor, even though I believed myself to be a pastor with a solid faith in Jesus. DISCOVERING WHOLISTIC BIBLICAL HEALTH
Emotional responses to difficulties are found in the Bible. Fear is the first emotional response to a negative situation mentioned in the Bible. Adam ate the fruit prohibited by God and hid from God because of fear (Gen. 3:10). After Adam experienced it, fear became a common emotion in the human experience. Job, a man of faith, expressed his emotional struggle: “sighing,” “groans,” “[fear],” “[dread],” “no peace,” “no quietness,” “no rest,” “only turmoil” (Job 3:24-26, NIV). Moses became so overwhelmed that he asked to God kill him because “the burden” of leading the complaining Israelites was “too heavy” for him (Num. 11:14). As God’s creation, human beings respond to negative events with emotions: fear, anxiety, anger, disappointment, depression, regret, and guilt, for example. Emotions are natural responses arising from deep within, but when those emotions are left unaddressed, they lead to an unhealthy emotional state. Eventually they will give us mental diseases, such as anxiety and depression. It is important to take care of our emotional health. Paul writes, “May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ” (1 Thess. 5:23, NIV). There is a trinity for health: physical, spiritual, and emotional—
I was surprised to find that I was an emotionally unhealthy spouse and pastor, even though I believed myself to be a pastor with a solid faith in Jesus. three elements, distinct but closely intertwined. Just as faithful Christians can lose their physical health, they can lose their emotional health, too. I have come to understand that often when I, or other sincere church members, demonstrate unacceptable manners, it is because of unhealthy emotions that have not been addressed. STARTING THE EMOTIONALLY COMFORTING MINISTRY
Peter Scazzero sums it up well when he writes, “Christian spirituality, without an integration of emotional health, can be deadly—to yourself, your relationship with God, and the people around you.”* After studying counseling psychology, I became a nationally certified and licensed professional counselor. My church, Santa Maria Korean Seventh-day Adventist Church, voted in 2022 to establish a Center for International Mental Health Evangelism, and started “emotionally comforting ministry,” a mental health ministry focusing on emotional health. The prophet Isaiah writes, “Comfort, comfort my people, says your God” (Isa. 40:1, NIV). The emotionally comforting ministry seeks first, to encourage members to find comfort for themselves; second, to comfort their families; and third, to comfort their neighbors. Our goal is for every member of the church to become a comforter. Paul says in 2 Corinthians 1:3, 4: “Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God” (NIV). We all need comfort from God and from other people, too. * Peter Scazzero, Emotionally Healthy Spirituality: Unleash a Revolution in Your Life in Christ (Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 2006), p. 9.
JongKeun Han, D.Min., is a pastor and president of the Center for International Mental Health Evangelism in Santa Maria, California, USA. AdventistWorld.org December 2023
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Focus
The Psychology of Happiness Choosing to flourish BY DARREN MORTON
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n 1997 Dr. Martin Seligman was voted the president of the American Psychological Association and decided to invest his energies and influence into a new field of psychology. Seligman noted that traditionally, psychology had concerned itself only with the negative—devoting all its attention toward remedying dysfunctional psychological states—so he determined instead to investigate and promote what he referred to as positive psychology. Initially, the positive psychology literature focused on happiness: What causes it? How do you achieve it? What it is good for? However, while happiness is a worthy pursuit, the field of positive psychology has noted that it takes more than just smiles and giggles to thrive in life. More recently Seligman has suggested that there is a higher ideal: to flourish. Let’s consider five comprehensive ways to flourish. THE FIVE DOMAINS
Positive Emotion. Positive emotions are foundational to a life that flourishes. Positive emotion represents much more than just cheap thrills or pleasure, though. Trying to build your well-being and happiness on pleasure alone is problematic. Pleasure is never permanent, and laughter is never limitless. To create a flourishing life through the pursuit of pleasure, you would need to con14
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stantly busy yourself seeking it. In fact, several studies have found that pleasure does not contribute to people’s assessment of their overall life satisfaction as much as the other factors discussed below. Engagement. A pioneering researcher in the field of positive psychology, Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi has intensively studied an experience he refers to as “flow.” Flow is a state of heightened focus and enjoyment that occurs in such activities as art, play, and, believe it or not, even work. Unsurprisingly, individuals who report high levels of flow that lead to engagement in their daily activities also report higher levels of life satisfaction and flourishing. Image: Catalin Pop
Given that “engagement” is a powerful contributor to your ability to flourish, it is ideal to find employment that engages you because you spend so much of your time at work. I hope that you are engaged in your work, but if not, and circumstances prevent you from making a change, it is even more critical that you engage in regular play—things you do for sheer enjoyment, with no extrinsic reward required. Accomplishment. A sense of accomplishment, achievement, success, or mastery helps people flourish. Sometimes accomplishment is measured through agreed standards, such as competitions or awards, or through performing at a particular level. Having a sense of accomplishment can enrich your life independent of positive emotion or engagement. Relationships. Together feels better, and God designed us to thrive in community. Humans are relational creatures, and our deepest levels of well-being seem to be realized by loving and being loved. We seek connectedness, and that connectedness helps us to flourish. Meaning. Having a sense of meaning is a fundamental human need. It’s difficult, perhaps impossible, to live a truly flourishing life without meaning. In this regard, it could be considered the most important of all the ingredients. You can live a life filled with fun times, be engaged in your daily activities, achieve noteworthy accomplishments, and have positive relationships, yet in your quieter moments wonder What’s the point of it all? Seligman defines meaning as having a “feeling of belonging to and serving something bigger than yourself.”1 More recently Emily Esfani Smith expanded upon Seligman’s definition in her book The Power of Meaning by exploring four paths to meaning.
FOUR PATHWAYS
Pathway one is belonging, which involves being connected to others and feeling that we belong to something bigger than ourselves. As we have discussed, we are designed to exist in community, and this gives meaning to our lives. For me, holding a belief that I belong to something or Someone bigger than myself creates a strong sense of self-worth and a robust identity. You need to know that you are a person of value, too. When my middle child—Elijah— was just a toddler, I would kiss him each evening as I tucked him into bed, and I would say, “Daddy loves you.” And each evening he would ask me, “Why?” It became something of a game, as each evening I would give him a different reason: “Because you are so good at climbing trees” or “Because you are so clever.” It was only after a month or so that it dawned on me how inadequate my responses were, and I realized how I should reply. That evening, as I kissed him good night and said, “Daddy loves you,” he predictably came back with “Why?” Without hesitating I said, “Because you are mine. And there is nothing you can do—good or bad—to change that.” We find this idea emphasized in Scripture in Isaiah 43:1: “But now, thus says the Lord, who created you, O Jacob, and He who formed you, O Israel: ‘Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by your name; you are Mine.’ ” Understanding and acknowledging the love of God gives us purpose. Purpose involves contributing to and serving something bigger than yourself. It is interesting that having purpose in life is associated with living longer. In one study people with a high score for “purpose in life” were nearly 50 percent less likely to die2 from all causes.
It takes more than smiles and giggles to thrive in life. The third pathway is transcendence, which refers to experiencing something bigger than yourself. People experience transcendence in different ways—through nature, art, music, or religious practices. Transcendence leads to moments of awe and wonder, and it reminds us that there is more to life than the ordinary. Finally, the fourth pathway to meaning is through storytelling. Storytelling has been part of human civilization since antiquity, and storytelling features among indigenous communities. Storytelling helps us make sense of the world and our experience in it, and this is one way in which storytelling cultivates meaning. Stories shared with others can be deeply meaningful. What story are you telling? What part are you playing? Whether you are intentional about it or not, you are telling a story through the way you live your life. How do you want your story to be told? How do you want your story to end? It’s never too late to write a new chapter. Martin E. P. Seligman, Flourish: A Visionary New Understanding of Happiness and Well-being (New York: Atria Books, 2012). 2 P. A. Boyle, L. L. Barnes, A. S. Buchman, D. A. Bennett, “Purpose in Life Is Associated With Mortality Among Community-dwelling Older Persons,” Psychosomatic Medicine 71, no 5 (June 2009): 574-579. 1
Darren Morton is an author, part-time professor, and director of the Lifestyle Medicine and Health Research Centre at Avondale University. This article is adapted from a lesson he wrote for The Lift Project, a profit for purpose organization whose mission is to “lift 10 million lives” globally. AdventistWorld.org December 2023
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Focus
Conquering the Enemy Within
My struggle with negative self-talk
BY CANDIS BRAXTON
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stood in the shower and started to sob. It had been a week since my oral surgery, and I was struggling to be still. It was a lot easier when the comatose-inducing pain medications gave me no other option. But now the meds were too much for the low-level pain I was experiencing, and I was left to chart the course for needed rest myself. The internal dialogue in my mind that raged over my need of rest, though, was becoming taxing. I found myself again in a mental boxing match with Negative SelfTalk, who was swelling in strength.* He wasn’t a new contender in my mind’s ring. No, rather an old foe. And from his perspective this rest my body thought it needed was unwarranted. Things that week weren’t particularly hard. Surgery had been straightforward. Loving hands had provided me comfort when I awoke disoriented. Strong arms had held me, ensuring that I made it safely home. Friends had delivered meals and visited to make sure my family and I were doing all right. And I had had 24 hours of quiet, uninterrupted, opioid-induced sleep while the kids were graciously whisked away to give me the rest I needed. The love extended and poured into our family made recovery lighter. So there was no need for rest. “There’s nothing to rest from. Get up and get going. Back to it!” Negative Self-Talk (NST) urged. But each time I listened to him and attempted to cook, or do laundry, or help a client or two, my body and mind let me know I was fatigued. Time and rest were still needed for the wounds in my mouth to heal and my body to fully recover from the drugs that were pumped into it. NST, though, refused to acknowledge this reality. His efforts were instead focused on guilting me into action, minimizing the implications of the surgery I had undergone, much as he did with significant events in my childhood that strengthened his reign in my life. THE LITTLE BIG EVENTS
I was in the checkout line of our neighborhood grocery store one Friday afternoon when the person with me casually mentioned, that before I could even speak, I had been sexually violated. Sexual violence was an unspoken reality that touched so many branches of my family tree, so I wasn’t too shocked by the news. What did strike me, however, was the idea that because it had happened so long ago, it should not affect me. From my informant’s perspective my marriage was healthy, and I had a stable home and a beautiful family. Clearly I had been spared from any “real” damage. But they did not know about my internal struggles surrounding physical intimacy and my tendency to dismiss my feelings about my struggles. You see, long before I knew his name, NST had established a voice in my life that was echoed by the sentiments of people around me. Even though professionally, theologically, and experientially I disagreed with my informant’s assessment that I was not affected by the abuse, deep down I was struggling to reject their conclusion. “It’s not that big of a deal,” NST sneered when I got into my car to drive away. “You can’t even remember anything. Image: Golubovy / Marjorie Anastacio / iStock / Getty Images Plus / Getty Images
The fact that my past experiences were finding their way into my present, however, signaled that they had impacted me much more deeply than I had allowed myself to admit.
What is there to feel bad about? Others have experienced far worse than you have. Stop crying.” But my husband’s embrace when I arrived home communicated something much different. I was safe here. I didn’t have to be strong; his arms could hold my weight. When I eventually went to see a therapist, I realized an encounter I had been downplaying since it happened in my adolescence was, in fact, a sexual violation, and that I was displaying symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Mental pictures from that adolescent encounter would occasionally flash through my mind, making me especially uncomfortable when nursing my child, or during intimate moments with my husband. These were not experiences someone should simply grit their teeth through, but were signs of unprocessed trauma. I was often easily agitated and felt on edge, anticipating danger at any moment. Consequently my responses to even the most minor of infractions were drastically magnified. Angry outbursts and withdrawal were my regular modes of interaction. Because of my outbursts, I’d often feel that I didn’t deserve to be around my husband or children and AdventistWorld.org December 2023
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If Jesus says I can have a sound mind and honorable influence, then I want it!
that it was better for everyone if I weren’t. Thoughts such as What’s the point of my being here, anyway? would eventually spiral into more self-criticism, further isolation, and, when it got really bad, suicidal ideation. “What’s the matter with you, Candis? Your life is good! Get yourself together!” NST would command. But I couldn’t get myself together, so I reached out for professional help. If you were like me at that time, seeking professional help would not have been a priority. Sexual violence, from my limited perspective, equated only to rape, and my experiences were not as severe. If you were like me, you probably would have thought that since I wasn’t raped, I had nothing to complain about—I should be fine. The fact that my past experiences were finding their way into my present, however, signaled that they had impacted me much more deeply than I had allowed myself to admit. NST was pleased because these events gave him power to create narratives that influenced my core beliefs about myself, informed how I engaged with the world and how I related to others. NST tried to minimize these events because they were the source of his strength. 18
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MY VOW AND HIS
I decided to fight back against NST when I realized that if left unchecked, my worst fears would come true; my NST would eventually influence my children’s thinking. When I grew in my awareness of how my own unaddressed childhood traumas were contributing to the emotional deficits I was operating from, and how they were contributing to patterns of dysfunction in my relationships with my children and husband, I knew I had to do something. I was not going to be used to proliferate such harm to my kids. I refused to be the mediator of dysfunction in their lives as much as I possibly could. It was then that I vowed to break the cycle of abuse and dysfunction that persisted over generations in my family. NST gained strength from sexual violations in my childhood that, like massive power surges, short-circuited my ability to appropriately process the violation and make sense of the damaging messages that accompanied them. To destroy NST’s power, I had to adequately process the violations, assess the emotional, social, and spiritual implications of what was done, and correct their corresponding messages. If I know that NST’s messages are riddled with lies and are of no merit, then I have to fortify myself with what God had been telling me is actually true. Facing NST was an essential part of how he would lose power and influence over me. Each time I battled him, his lies would lose ground, and he in turn would get weaker. There were times, as my emotional breakdown in the shower revealed, when, though committed to the process, I grew tired. I grew tired of resisting NST’s paralyzing grip on my mind during the day. I grew tired of the doubts he’d often stir up around decisions I had made, desiring to
make me believe that my choice was wrong yet again. I grew tired of his reinforced lies that I was not enough, that productivity validated my existence, and that dismissing my own feelings was the only way to secure intimate connection with others, my husband and children included. I grew tired of having to regulate and reset my emotions to feel personally validated. What helped me get out of my blues and pick up the banner again was God’s counsel to me: Depend on My perfect strength in this fight (2 Cor. 12:9). Don’t give up; I won’t let you down (Ps. 37:7), because a sound mind free of NST is My desire for you (2 Tim. 1:7). If Jesus says I can have a sound mind and honorable influence, then I want it! INVITATION
Dealing with past trauma is not an easy process. It takes time. It takes feeling less than put together. It takes grit. It takes dedication. It takes commitment. It takes prayer. It takes cooperation with those prayers. It takes outside help. It takes support from healthy relationships in your life. It takes a miracle. It takes God. Yes, resolving trauma from your past is hard. But, my friend, if God says something better after this trial is over, then it is so worth it. God is extending an invitation to make your mind whole, to take inventory of what thoughts and beliefs about yourself and how you relate to others are awry and transform them. Weeping may endure for a night, but please don’t get it twisted—joy will come in the morning. * Negative Self-Talk (NST) refers to thoughts within the author's mind that cause her to be discouraged or afraid. In this article she characterizes NST to be like a person living in her head, but no real person is intended.
Candis Braxton is a marriage and family therapist based in Fayetteville, North Carolina.
Millennial Voices
When God Calls Us to Change
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eacher Lynette, I love you. Don’t go. Don’t go. Don’t go!” My heart broke a little as I read my student’s words scrawled above a picture she’d drawn of the two of us. I had been getting a lot of these notes and drawings from my students lately, as the countdown on my whiteboard reminded us that the day of my departure was near. After two years as a missionary English teacher in this school, it was time for me to move on. It was bittersweet. I was glad I had made a difference If God is calling in these precious young lives. I was you to a change, rejoicing that I could finally move in with my husband after several months don’t be dismayed of being a “weekend couple” while I if it’s a harder finished my mission commitments. But I was also going to miss my children. And transition than I was sad to lose the community and you expected. structures that had shaped my time in Korea up to that point. Ready for something new, I was excited for the chance to craft a different chapter in my life. Yet I also felt somewhat overwhelmed by all the changes—moving and unpacking (the third time I was moving house within a year); getting used to a new church where I sometimes felt isolated by language and cultural differences; and finding my way around a new community. My husband was very supportive, and the church was kind, but I sometimes felt frustrated, irritated, or simply drained as I processed
all the new things. Internally I wrestled with “the way things should be done.” In reality, it was simply the way I preferred, or the way I was used to doing things. I knew it was a protective reaction, and I wanted to have more grace for the differences I was now encountering, while also holding to my personal values and boundaries. After a particularly emotional day I found myself looking up the stages of transition. According to the Bridges Transition Model it was normal to feel discouraged, apathetic, and disoriented in the zone between an ending and a new beginning. These feelings wouldn’t last forever. Being in a challenging emotional place didn’t mean that I was on the wrong path. God often guides us to change. A change of heart, location, career, or lifestyle. He says to us, “Do not remember the former things, nor consider the things of old. Behold, I will do a new thing, now it shall spring forth; shall you not know it?” (Isa. 43:18, 19). But sometimes we forget that change is hard. Even good change. If God is calling you to a change, don’t be dismayed if it’s a harder transition than you expected. It doesn’t necessarily mean that you heard God wrong or went the wrong way. Change is just hard. It is normal to move through excitement, grief, resistance, anxiety, exploration, and hope on the journey. In all the ups and downs of transition, God is ever-present with strength, support, and good gifts to encourage us along the way. In all the changes of life, He remains constant. “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever” (Heb. 13:8).
Lynette Yoon, originally from England, makes her home in Korea and teaches English.
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Global View
A More Abundant Life Offered in God’s Word
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erhaps one of the most profound passages in Scripture is in found in John 1: “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. . . . All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made. In Him was life, and the life was the light of men” (verses 1-4). There is power in that Word! It creates life, and it is in Him that we “live and move and have our being” (Acts 17:28). This Word “became flesh and dwelt among us” (John 1:14), and He did not stop speaking once He ascended on high. This Word has been speaking to us since the beginning. From His first recorded words in Genesis 1:3, “Let there be light,” to His benediction in Revelation 22:20, “Surely I am coming quickly,” the Word has not 20
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left us without His voice. God’s Word speaks to all aspects of life, and it is there we read: “Beloved, I pray that all may go well with you and that you may be in good health, as it goes well with your soul” (3 John 2, ESV).1 Our Creator wants us to experience good health—physically, mentally, spiritually. “The relation that exists between the mind and the body is very intimate,” wrote Ellen White. “When one is affected, the other sympathizes. The condition of the mind affects the health to a far greater degree than many realize. Many of the diseases from which men suffer are the result of mental depression. Grief, anxiety, discontent, remorse, guilt, distrust, all tend to break down the life forces and to invite decay and death.”2 As we consider the important
aspects of mental health, I would like to suggest three ways the Word of God can contribute in a powerful way in promoting good mental health. CERTAINTY
The Bible provides a reliable, unchanging guide in an uncertain world. The world around us is literally falling apart. We see this in health pandemics, social unrest, weather-related disasters, unbridled violence, and many other daily challenges making people afraid about security and personal safety. Life has become uncertain for everyone now caught in cataclysmic destruction. They need to hear the message of hope and healing that God’s Word, the Bible, provides. What is needed is not a political, military, or social solution, but a passionate return to the biblical
foundation—God’s sure Word. “The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of our God stands forever” (Isa. 40:8). We have all experienced storms in life, and will, no doubt, experience more . But God’s Word provides the solid foundation upon which we can build our faith. Jesus tells us: “Therefore whoever hears these sayings of Mine, and does them, I will liken him to a wise man who built his house on the rock: and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it did not fall, for it was founded on the rock” (Matt. 7:24, 25). PEACE
The Bible provides peace in the present. According to the World Health Organization, “anxiety disorders are the world’s most common mental disorders, affecting 301 million people in 2019.”3 People are worried as they anxiously watch the world crumbling around them. Inspiration tells us, “Abiding peace, true rest of spirit, has but one Source. It was of this that Christ spoke when He said, ‘Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.’ Matthew 11:28. ‘Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you.’ John 14:27. This peace is not something that He gives apart from Himself. It is in Christ, and we can receive it only by receiving Him.”4 Christ speaks to us through His written Word today. It is by spending time in His Word, listening to His voice, and following Him that we can find His peace. We read in The Ministry of Healing: “We are not to let the future, with its hard problems, its unsatisfying prospects, make our hearts faint, our knees tremble, our hands hang down. ‘Let him take hold Photo: Allef Vinicius
of my strength,’ says the Mighty One, ‘that he may make peace with me; and he shall make peace with me.’ Isaiah 27:5. Those who surrender their lives to His guidance and to His service will never be placed in a position for which He has not made provision. Whatever our situation, if we are doers of His word, we have a Guide to direct our way; whatever our perplexity, we have a sure Counselor; whatever our sorrow, bereavement, or loneliness, we have a sympathizing Friend.5
God’s Word provides the solid foundation upon which we can build our faith.
HOPE
second coming and to the magnificent place He has prepared for us. “Now I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away. . . . And I heard a loud voice from heaven saying, ‘Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people. God Himself will be with them and be their God. And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away’ ” (Rev. 21:1-4). Friends, the Word of God provides us with the hope and assurance we need. I encourage you to spend time with it daily, listening to what God has to say to you today for your spiritual, physical, social, and mental health.
The Bible provides hope we can claim now and into the future. Major depressive episodes and feelings of hopelessness are on the rise. While it is difficult to obtain worldwide statistics, the National Institute of Mental Health in the United States reports that in 2021 an estimated 23 million adults (aged 18 or older) in the United States “had at least one major depressive episode.” Further, it reports, “The prevalence of adults with a major depressive episode was highest among individuals aged 18-25 (18.6%).”6 People, especially young people, are looking for meaning, for purpose in their lives, and hope for the future. They are asking, “Why am I here?” “What is my purpose?” “Is this all there is to life?” God’s Word points to hope we can claim now and into the future. Jesus tells us, “I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly” (John 10:10). “For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope” (Jer. 29:11). And in addition to knowing God wants us to have an abundant life here and now, we can look forward to the ultimate hope of His soon
Scripture quotations marked ESV are from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version, copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a division of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved. 2 Ellen G. White, The Ministry of Healing (Mountain View, Calif.: Pacific Press Pub. Assn., 1905), p. 241. 3 “Anxiety Disorders,” World Health Organization, www.who.int/ news-room/fact-sheets/detail/anxiety-disorders, accessed Oct. 5, 2023. 4 E. G. White, p. 247. 5 Ibid., p. 248. 6 “Major Depression,” National Institute of Mental Health, www.nimh. nih.gov/health/statistics/major-depression, accessed Oct. 5, 2023. 1
Ted N. C. Wilson is president of the worldwide Seventh-day Adventist Church. You may follow him on X (formerly Twitter): @pastortedwilson and on Facebook: @Pastor Ted Wilson. AdventistWorld.org December 2023
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D
uring the morning prayer time at a Global Mission training program in South Sudan I had a totally unexpected experience. As we asked attendees for prayer requests, a young man near the back of the room raised his hand. “Let’s pray for Al Shabaab.” Al Shabaab? I thought, remembering that this extremist group was responsible for many terrorist attacks in East Africa. Then another man raised his hand and added, “Yes, and Boko Haram and ISIS, too.” Really? I assumed they meant for us to pray for protection from the terrorist groups that have plagued Africa and other parts of the world. It made perfect sense. A few moments later I knelt with my prayer partner, one of the regional Global Mission directors. He began to pray, “Lord, this morning we are praying especially for Al Shabaab and Boko Haram. We know that You are the God of Nebuchadnezzar. We know You sent dreams and visions and changed the heart of this terrorist king. I pray for You to reach the hearts of these evil groups in our world today just as You did with Nebuchadnezzar. Send dreams and visions; reach them with manifestations of Your power.” He wasn’t just praying for protection from terrorists, important as that is. He was praying for their transformation. And the story that gave him the courage to pray with such faith was the story of God and Nebuchadnezzar (see Dan.1-4). PRAYING FOR TERRORISTS?
Faith in Action
My mind began to process this whole idea of praying for terrorists. Nebuchadnezzar wasn’t the only terrorist that God cared for and transformed. There was Naaman, the Syrian (2 Kings 5). God went way “outside the box” for Naaman. He used one of Naaman’s own captives
The God of Abraham, Samson, and Nebuchadnezzar He’s the God of us all.
from a terrorist raid, a young Israeli slave girl, to witness to him. And what about the Ninevites? (See Jonah.) The documented list of their cruelties and atrocities makes ISIS’ activities look mild. In addition, God had to work with a stubborn, prejudiced, reluctant prophet, Jonah, to give Nineveh a chance to know Him. Jonah didn’t care, but God did. Remembering how much God cared for these evil people humbled me. I had never thought to pray for present-day terrorists. Like Jonah, I never expected God to save them. I had never cared enough to pray for them. This prayer experience in South Sudan infused my prayers with a new focus and a new kind of power. I began praying regularly for terrorists all over the world, knowing that the God of Naaman, of the Ninevites, and of Nebuchadnezzar cares for them and wants them to know Him. Their stories remind me that nothing is too hard for God. They also reveal that He has ways and means to reach people’s hearts that would surprise us all. Those of us who have grown up Christian are frequently reminded that we serve and pray to the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. When I pray to the God of these patriarchs, I am reminded that my faith is rooted in the God who calls ordinary people and leads them through good times and bad. He forgives and guides. He can also do the impossible.
The hundreds of stories in the Bible reveal how God worked with all kinds of people in all kinds of situations. EXPANDING OUR PRAYERS
Since that day in South Sudan, I’ve expanded and enriched all my prayers by remembering and applying the stories of other people in the Bible who interacted with God. Rooting my prayers in the God who is revealed in these amazing stories has increased my faith immeasurably. The stories referenced below are examples: For impossible situations, focusing on the stories of how God blessed Sarah (Gen. 20; 21), Hannah (1 Sam. 1), and Elizabeth (Luke 1) has been powerful. God’s willingness to work with imperfect people and bless them despite their flaws is clear in the stories of Gideon (Judges 6), Samson (Judges 13-16), and Peter (John 21:15-19). The stories of God’s calls to Moses (Ex. 3) and Isaiah (Isa. 6) and Jeremiah (Jer. 1) reinforce my faith in God’s ability to make up for my deficiencies. When feeling abandoned, I remember the God of Joseph, of Elijah, and of David. The unbelievable story of God and King Manasseh (2 Chron. 33) reminds me that God can forgive even the most heinous sins when we return to Him. There is the God of Jonah, as well as James and John. He is patient with imperfect, hotheaded, even vengeful disciples. The God of Mary Magdalene, Zacchaeus, lepers, and the woman at the well in Samaria is the God who cares about the outcasts of society. This list is only the beginning. The hundreds of stories in the Bible reveal how God worked with all kinds of people in all kinds of situations. These stories are a wealth of faith-building “prayer material.” Through these stories we can remind ourselves of what He has done in the past and is more than willing to do in the present and future. He really is the God of Abraham, Samson, and Nebuchadnezzar, the God of us all.
Patricia Gustin, now retired, previously served as director of the Institute of World Missions, Andrews University, Berrien Springs, Michigan.
Photo: Sergey Pesterev
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Discovering the Spirit of Prophecy
Visions of Wholeness and Mission 160 Years of the Adventist Health Message
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ince 1863, Seventh-day Adventists have become gradually known for their promotion of healthful living and lifestyle. Several recent studies have demonstrated that Adventists are significantly healthier and live on average seven to 10 years longer than the general population.1 Ellen G. White, a cofounder of the Adventist denomination, has played a critical role in the establishment of the distinctive Adventist lifestyle practices that stand behind many of these recent findings. She received her two major health visions in 1863 and 1865. In a way, the two visions proved to be the turning point for the new Seventh-day Adventist denomination. Adventists not only became health reformers but also incorporated health into their overall mission to the world. The health message became a part of their distinctive identity. THE 1863 HEALTH VISION
Sabbathkeeping Adventists officially organized into the Seventh-day Adventist denomination on May 21, 1863, in Battle Creek, Michigan. About two weeks later, on June 6, Ellen White received her first major vision on health. Its message contained general “core” principles related to the importance of healthful living, as well as some specific instructions to James and Ellen White. The overall message of this first vision was rather simple: Seventh-day Adventists, including James and Ellen White, were to pay better attention to their health. Health was important. Moreover, the vision depicted health in comprehensive terms. Good health was to be a wholistic experience. It was dependent on one’s entire lifestyle. This marked the beginning of Ellen White’s health emphasis in both her thinking and writing. A year later she wrote down and elaborated further on what she had been shown. In her lengthy exposition, published under the title “Health” 24
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in Spiritual Gifts, volume 4, she wrote about diet and the dangers of intemperance, the importance of controlling appetite, the prohibition of eating swine’s flesh, the benefit of a vegetarian diet, the poisonous effect of using tobacco and other stimulants, the importance of hygiene and fresh air, the balance in working and resting, the benefits of water, the use of natural remedies for healing instead of the regular “drug-taking,” the importance of a belief in God, and some other practical health applications.2 She began to describe health in wholistic terms–connected to the physical, emotional, and spiritual essentials of life.3
The health message is a part of our distinctive identity.
THE 1865 HEALTH VISION
Curiously (or maybe not so curiously), few Adventists responded to Ellen White’s (or rather God’s) message to make health their priority. After all, Jesus was coming soon, and health was not a part of the Seventh-day Adventist mission, they thought. On December 25, 1865, Ellen White received a second major health vision in Rochester, New York. “I was shown that our Sabbathkeeping people have been negligent in acting upon the light which God has given in regard to the health reform,” she penned, “. . . and that as a people we have been too backward to follow in God’s opening providence as He has chosen to lead us. I was shown Photo: Juliane Liebermann
that the work of health reform has scarcely been entered upon yet.” Then she noted that many believers were either indifferent, did not believe in the importance of health, or simply had made their “taste” and “appetite” their god.4 The 1865 health vision was not only a warning against negligence, however. Ellen White was shown that health was to become a critical part of the Seventh-day Adventist overall mission. “The health reform, I was shown, is a part of the third angel’s message, and is just as closely connected with it as the arm and hand with the human body. I saw that we as a people must make an advance move in this great work,” Ellen White explained.5 Not only were Seventh-day Adventist believers to practice health reform, but the church had a spiritual obligation to teach others of its significance and benefits. This second vision urged Seventh-day Adventists to establish their own health institutions that would support denominational medical missionary endeavors. In fact, Ellen White noted that medical evangelism had the potential to reach people that could not be reached by other types of evangelism. “Our people should have an institution of their own, under their own control, for the benefit of the diseased and suffering among us,” she wrote. “Such an institution, rightly conducted, would be the means of bringing our views before many whom it would be impossible for us to reach by the common course of advocating the truth. As unbelievers shall resort to an institution devoted to the successful treatment of disease and conducted by Sabbathkeeping physicians, they will be brought directly under the influence of the truth. . . . By thus being placed under the influence of truth, some
will not only obtain relief from bodily infirmities, but their sin-sick souls will find a healing balm.”6 In a way, Ellen White emphasized the relationship that was to exist between the gospel and health ministries. After all, Jesus was doing both—teaching and healing—but devoted “more time to healing” than to preaching.7 Moreover, His healing practices transcended the healing of the physical afflictions only. He made “each work of healing an occasion for implanting divine principles in the mind and soul. This was the purpose of His work.”8 Jesus’ healing ministry included the healing of the whole person, and Seventh-day Adventists were to follow His example. With time Seventh-day Adventists responded to Ellen White’s visions and appeals, and the denomination eventually became a leading entity of promoting wholistic health and healthful living around the globe. Today the Seventh-day Adventist Church has the largest Protestant health system in the world, with hundreds of hospitals, clinics, and nursing and retirement homes around the world. But it all began with a simple message 160 years ago that health was to be a part of the Seventh-day Adventist identity and mission to the world. See, for example, Gary E. Frasier, Diet, Life Expectancy, and Chronic Disease: Studies of Seventh-day Adventists and Other Vegetarians (New York: Oxford University Press, 2003); Dan Buettner, “The Blue Zones: Lessons for Living Longer From the People Who’ve Lived the Longest” (Washington, D.C.: National Geographic, 2008), pp. 123-165. 2 Ellen G. White, Spiritual Gifts (Battle Creek, Mich.: Seventh-day Adventist Pub. Assn., 1864), vol. 4, pp. 120-151. 3 Herbert Douglass has made a rather comprehensive list outlining the principles found in Ellen White’s first vision in his book Messenger of the Lord. See Herbert E. Douglass, Messenger of the Lord: The Prophetic Ministry of Ellen G. White (Nampa, Idaho: Pacific Press Pub. Assn., 1998), pp. 283, 284. 4 Ellen G. White, Testimonies for the Church (Mountain View, Calif.: Pacific Press Pub. Assn., 1948), vol. 1, pp. 485, 486. 5 Ibid., p. 486. 6 Ibid., pp. 492, 493. 7 Ellen G. White, The Ministry of Healing (Mountain View, Calif.: Pacific Press Pub. Assn., 1905), p. 19. 8 Ibid., p. 20. 1
Theodore Levterov is an associate director of the Ellen G. White Estate in Silver Spring, Maryland.
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Bible Questions Answered
A Hymn and the Cosmic Christ
Q
I read that Colossians 1:15-20 is a Christian hymn. Is this true, and if so, what is its purpose?
A
It is generally believed that Colossians 1:15-20 is an early Christian hymn expressing, in a succinct, elegant, deep, and poetic way, the magnificence of Christ as Creator and Redeemer. If it is a hymn, it contains two strophes: Christ the Creator (verses 15-17); and Christ the Redeemer (verses 18-20). 1. THE COSMIC CHRIST (VERSES 15-17)
The first strophe gives us an important glimpse into Christ’s cosmic work. He is introduced to us as “the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation” (verse 15, NASB; “first” in the sense of supremacy over creation).* The significance of these two titles is developed by stating that all things were created “through [en, “in”] Him”—He is the Creator of the cosmos, meaning that He created all things in heaven and earth, whether visible or invisible, as well as all heavenly beings (“thrones, or dominions, or rulers, or authorities” [verse 16, NASB]). Three prepositions are used to describe the act of creation: All was created “in Him” (in oneness with Him; in the absence of sin, verse 16, NIV), “through [indicates agency] Him” (verse 16, NASB), and “for Him” (oriented to Christ as its center) (verse 16, NASB). The hymn goes on to clarify that the Son of God was not a creature, because He was “before all things” (verse 17, NASB) and because they were “created through [dia] Him and for [eis] Him” (verse 16, NASB). The text finally specifies that “in Him all things hold together” (verse 17, NASB)—Christ is the one who holds the cosmos together and preserves its existence. The first strophe tells us who the Son is with respect to creation (He is the image of the invisible God, the Creator, and the Sustainer), and indicates His superiority and supremacy over all creation (the firstborn of creation) as its Creator and Sustainer. 26
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2. CHRIST THE REDEEMER (VERSES 18-20)
The second strophe identifies the Son as the head of His body, the church, and as the beginning of a new humanity. The title “firstborn from the dead” (verse 18) emphasizes His supremacy among those who will be resurrected, for without His resurrection there is no resurrection from the dead. The concept of supremacy is further defined by the words “He Himself will come to have first place in everything” (verse 18, NASB), that is to say, the Son will restore what was His when He created everything. This is possible because of His incarnation: “It was the Father’s good pleasure for all the fullness to dwell in Him.” The purpose of the Incarnation is stated: To reconcile all things—in heaven and on earth—through His sacrificial death. In one way or another, the whole cosmos will be reconciled to the Son (Phil. 2:9-11). 3. COMMENTS ON THE HYMN
The first strophe presents the Son as the Creator who is essentially different from creation—He is divine. His supremacy over and His primary role within creation are clearly indicated. He is the image of the invisible God within the cosmos. He is the image of God and the firstborn of creation whose primary responsibility is to reveal to the cosmos the goodness of God. It is at this moment in cosmic history that He assumes this most important role. The first strophe describes the condition of the universe in the absence of a cosmic conflict. The second strophe presupposes the cosmic conflict and describes the work of the Son as consisting in the reconciliation of the whole cosmos. The effectiveness of this work is now visible in His supremacy within the church and will reach cosmic dimensions though cosmic reconciliation. * Scripture quotations marked NASB are from the New American Standard Bible, © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. All rights reserved.
Ángel Manuel Rodríguez, Th.D., is retired after a career serving as pastor, professor, and theologian.
Health & Wellness
Living Life to the Fullest Does following the health message ensure salvation?
I have been a practicing Adventist for the past 10 years. I accept the Bible teachings on clean and unclean foods and the church’s position on tobacco and alcohol. I otherwise pick and choose the parts I wish to follow from the Adventist health message. I have heard there are Adventists around the world who believe that strictly following the health message ensures salvation. Is this so, and on what grounds can this be justified?
I
n the Seventh-day Adventist Global Member Survey it was reported that 47 percent of those surveyed believe that complete adherence to the health message assures salvation. There is no biblical or Spirit of Prophecy counsel that supports this view, which is clearly contrary to our formal doctrine as summarized by the apostle Paul: “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast.” (Eph. 2:8, 9, NIV). Our works do not ensure salvation: it is the gracious gift of God! Our prayer is that there will be no confusion in the future on this point. Some additional details from the survey may be helpful. The survey confirmed that more than 80 percent of those surveyed accepted the wholistic Adventist health message and that it is core to the beliefs of the Adventist Church. They further agree that it is confirmed by health science and may improve both quality and length of life. More than 90 percent of members abstain from alcohol and 97 percent from all forms of tobacco. Despite the church’s strong recommendation of a balanced vegetarian diet, only 19 percent of respondents reported being vegetarian or total vegetarian (vegan). From Creation, God placed an emphasis on wholistic well-being starting with our parents in the Garden of Eden—spiritual care, physical exercise, nutritious food, and tender relational ties between the members in the first family. After the Fall and the Flood He gave instruction on clean and unclean foods, hygiene, and cleanliness. Jesus developed wholistically in stature (body), knowledge (mind), and favor with God (spiritual) and fellow beings (relational; see Luke 2:52). He clearly stated that He came that we may have life “to the full” (John 10:10, NIV). Photo: Eduardo Barrios
When asked why the fledgling church had been given the health message, Ellen White answered that it was because our work was not yet done.* Health is important so that we may be of service, but also that we may have a clear mind and discernment of eternal truths. We are not saved by the health message. Healthful living can help give us mental clarity so that we can more clearly hear the voice of the Holy Spirit and sharpen our understanding of God’s Word. This is especially true when our minds are not clouded by alcohol, tobacco, and other drugs. Living the health message can strengthen our spiritual journey. Let’s not just accept it—let’s embrace it! “Have faith in the Lord your God and you will be upheld; have faith in his prophets and you will be successful” (2 Chron. 20:20, NIV). *Ellen G. White, Selected Messages, vol. 3 (Washington, D.C.: Review and Herald Publ Assn., 1980), p. 279.
Peter N. Landless, a board-certified nuclear cardiologist, is director of Adventist Health Ministries at the General Conference. Zeno L. Charles-Marcel, a board-certified internist, is an associate director of Adventist Health Ministries at the General Conference.
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“May I Tell You a Story?” BY DICK DUERKSEN
Box 231 E
very day, just after mail call, Art went down to the school lobby and walked slowly toward the wall that held the brass-doored mailboxes. The door on each of the boxes was about four inches square, and had a complex lock mechanism to make sure the contents were safe. Box 231 was his, and it had been empty every day in December. Today was December 24, the day before Christmas. Art stood in front of the boxes for a long time, almost choosing to walk away; yet he was determined to check his box, just in case today’s result might be different. Finally he stepped forward, stretched high, and twisted the dials in the special code that would open Box 231. His heart was sad yet hopeful. YEARNING FOR HOME
Art was 13 years old, a Native American boy from the Mohican tribe, attending a government residential school in Lawrence, Kansas. He would have preferred living with his parents, three sisters, and two brothers back home on the Menominee Reservation in Wisconsin, but there were no schools on their reservation. The United States government had chosen to contract with Haskell, a private school in Lawrence, and the tribal council leaders had agreed that the children could go. Except for the hot summer months, and two brief weeks at Christmas, the Haskell school became Art’s home. The school was run with a harsh militaristic hand. The food was second-class, nothing like what Art’s mother made for the family back home. Every day he had to wear the required uniform shirt with its bright red-and-black squares that signified he was an “Indian,” a person supposedly of less value than his teachers or the other people in town. 28
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Art felt demeaned and lonely. His heart hurt so bad that he thought it might be broken. He tried not to look at any of the other students, sure they would see the tears that were welling up in his eyes. Every moment he wished he could be home with his family on the Menominee Reservation. Especially this Christmas. “Home” was not really in Wisconsin; “home” was far to the east in the mountains of what was now called the state of New York. But since the government wanted that land, his entire tribe of Native Mohicans had been “removed,” and “transplanted” into the strange forests and wilderness of Wisconsin. When they arrived, each Mohican was given a new name, and the family was given 90 acres of land. When Art’s grandfather stood before the Indian agent at his new reservation home, the man said that all the new names had been taken. “So I’ll give you my name,” the agent said. “I’m from England, and my name is Church. You will be Mister George Church.” Someone was assigned to teach the American Indians to become farmers, but that didn’t work out very well. Art’s father chose, instead, to become a builder, a master carpenter who used native trees and readily available slate blocks to construct strong Photo Courtesy of the Author
houses for his fellow Indians. He was a careful contractor, but building stone buildings was hard work that required the skills of Art and all his sons. They worked long hours, very slowly building a successful business. When he turned 11, Art asked if he could go to school. It was hard for Mother and Father to let him go, but the family finally agreed he could accept a train ticket from the reservation agent and travel to far-off Kansas. Art was glad to be learning, but lived for the vacations. Especially for Christmas. THE BEST PRESENT
This year, his third at the Haskell school, there was no Christmas vacation. A great influenza epidemic was overwhelming the world and causing many deaths across America, especially among Native Americans on the reservations. The school administrators, fearful that vacationing students might bring the illness back with them, had closed the school, quarantined the students, and canceled all vacation travel. No one was going home for Christmas. Art felt as if Christmas itself had been canceled, and worried that he might never get home again. The dials finally clicked, and the door to Post Office Box 231 swung open. Inside, a small envelope waited. Art saw his mother’s rough printing on the envelope, pulled it quickly from his box, buried it deep in one of his jacket pockets, and sprinted into the cold Kansas afternoon. His heart was exploding with happiness, and his feet were dancing in a rhythm of joy! A letter from home! From Mother! For a moment, everything seemed OK. He ran to his special quiet place deep under the dormitory stairwell, a place where no one would find him, and carefully opened the envelope. Inside he found a very simple Mommade postcard. “Merry Christmas, Son,” Mom had written with a dark crayon. Then she had drawn a beautiful heart and the
It was a fortune for a boy who was dressed in red and black, crying for joy beneath the stairs.
Publisher The Adventist World, an international periodical of the Seventh-day Adventist Church. The General Conference, Northern Asia-Pacific Division of Seventh-day Adventists®, is the publisher. Editor/Director of Adventist Review Ministries Justin Kim International Publishing Manager Hong, Myung Kwan Adventist World Coordinating Committee Yo Han Kim (chair), Tae Seung Kim, Hiroshi Yamaji, Myung Kwan Hong, Seong Jun Byun, Dong Jin Lyu Associate Editors/Directors in Silver Spring, Maryland, USA Sikhululekile Daco, John Peckham, Greg Scott Assistant Editors based in Silver Spring, Maryland, USA Enno Müller, Beth Thomas Editors based in Seoul, Korea Hong, Myung Kwan; Park, Jae Man; Kim, Hyo-Jun Digital Platforms Director Gabriel Begle Director of Systems Integration and Innovation Daniel Bruneau Operations Manager Merle Poirier Editorial Assessment Coordinator Marvene Thorpe-Baptiste
words “We can’t wait till you come home.” Beneath the heart Mom had written two more words, family words that summarized everything Art knew about God and Jesus and Christmas and family. “Love. Mother.” There was one thing more. Mom had carefully stitched a bright silver dime to the card. She didn’t tell him how to spend it or why she had sent it or to say anything about it. She just stitched it tightly so it wouldn’t fall off in the mail. What he did with it was up to him! Ten whole cents. It was a fortune (at that time) for a boy who was dressed in red and black, crying for joy beneath the stairs. He rubbed his thumb gently over the dime and read the words again and again and again. Christmas wasn’t about presents; It was about family! They loved him! They wanted him to come home! The Mom-made postcard—the joy of his family’s love—Art often said was the greatest gift he ever received! He never spent the dime.
Advisor E. Edward Zinke Financial Manager Kimberly Brown Distribution Coordinator Sharon Tennyson Management Board Yo Han Kim, chair; Justin Kim, secretary; Hong, Myung Kwan; Karnik Doukmetzian; SeongJun Byun; Hiroshi Yamaji; Joel Tompkins; Ray Wahlen; Ex-officio: Paul H. Douglas; Erton Köhler; Ted N. C. Wilson Art Direction and Design Mark Cook, Brett Meliti, Ivan Ruiz-Knott /Types & Symbols To Writers: We welcome unsolicited manuscripts. Address all editorial correspondence to 12501 Old Columbia Pike, Silver Spring, MD 20904-6600, U.S.A. Editorial office fax number: (301) 680-6638 E-mail: worldeditor@gc.adventist.org Web site: www.adventistworld.org Unless otherwise indicated, all Bible references are taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved. Texts credited to NIV are from the Holy Bible, New International Version®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide. Bible texts credited to NRSV are from the New Revised Standard Version of the Bible, copyright © 1989 by the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the U.S.A. Used by permission. Adventist World is published monthly and printed simultaneously in Korea, Brazil, Indonesia, Australia, Germany, Austria, Argentina, Mexico, South Africa, and the United States. Vol. 19, No. 12
Dick Duerksen, a pastor and storyteller, lives in Portland, Oregon, United States. AdventistWorld.org December 2023
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Growing Faith
Fun-filled pages for younger ages
“Hope’s Bright Light”
S
arah was a sweet girl, always ready with a smile and a cheerful greeting. But one day a dark cloud seemed to settle over her heart, and she couldn’t explain why. She felt sad and worried all the time, and her friends and family noticed that something was wrong. One sunny morning, as Sarah sat alone under the shade of a big oak tree, her grandmother, Granny Ruth, approached her with a gentle smile. Granny Ruth had a way of understanding things that no one else did. “Sarah,” Granny Ruth said, “I can see that you’re carrying a heavy burden in your heart. Would you like to talk about it?” Tears welled up in Sarah’s eyes, and she nodded. “I don’t know, Granny. I just feel so sad and scared all the time. I don’t know what’s wrong with me.” Granny Ruth put her arm around Sarah and led her to a cozy spot under the oak tree. She took a small Bible from the 30
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pocket of her skirt and opened it to a verse she knew would bring comfort to her granddaughter. She read aloud from Philippians 4:6, 7: “ ‘Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus’ [NIV].” Sarah listened carefully to the words and wiped away her tears. “But how do I do that, Granny? How do I stop being anxious?” Granny Ruth smiled warmly and replied, “It’s a journey, my dear. Just like any other journey, it starts with a single step. First, we pray together and give all your worries to God. He cares for you deeply, and He wants to help.” So Sarah and Granny Ruth knelt under the oak tree and prayed together, pouring out all Sarah’s fears and worries to God. She felt a glimmer of hope,
like a small light shining in the darkness of her heart. As they got up from their knees, Granny Ruth took her hand, and they began to walk up the path toward home. They were quiet for a moment before Granny spoke again. “You know, Sarah, you are not alone. There are many other people in the world who have had the same type of feelings you have! Even strong heroes in the Bible like David faced times of sadness and fear. In the book of Psalms David talked about his struggles. In one verse he wrote, ‘The Lord hears his people when they call to him for help. He rescues them from all their troubles’ [Ps. 34:17, NLT].* Just remember, sweetie, you are never alone in your struggles. God is always with you, ready to listen and help.” Sarah listened intently, her eyes filled with hope. Granny Ruth told her about another person from the Bible, a young Illustration: Mugi Kinoshita
BY BETH THOMAS
boy named Joseph. “Sarah, Joseph had many difficult times in his life too. His mother died when he was very young; his brothers were so jealous of him that they sold him as a slave; and he was accused of something terrible he didn’t do and thrown into prison for it! But in Genesis 50:20 he said, ‘You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good’ [NIV]. Somehow Joseph could see that even when things seem tough, God can turn them into something beautiful.” As Sarah thought about these stories, she felt a glimmer of hope in her heart. Maybe, just maybe, God had a plan for her sadness too. Over the weeks and months that followed, Sarah continued to pray and seek help from her parents and a caring doctor. She learned to share her feelings with her friends, too, and they offered her their love and support.
One day, as Sarah stood under the same oak tree, she realized that the heavy cloud that had settled over her heart was gone. She remembered another verse Granny Ruth had shared, from Psalm 34:18: “The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit” (NIV). Sarah knew that God had been with her all along, guiding her through the darkness of anxiety and sadness and leading her toward the bright light of hope and healing. She shared her story with others, reminding them that even in their darkest moments they were never alone. With faith, prayer, and the support of loved ones, they too could find peace and healing. * Scripture quotations marked NLT are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers,
Beth Thomas is assistant editor for Adventist Review Ministries.
QUESTIONS:
1 2
Have you ever felt sad or worried, as Sarah had?
What did Sarah’s grandmother tell her about God’s presence and help in difficult times? How can you remember this when you’re feeling down?
3
Can you think of a time something that seemed bad turned out to be good, just like Joseph’s story?
4
What are some ways you can talk to God and ask for help when you’re feeling sad or anxious?
5
How can talking to trusted family members or friends, just as Sarah did, help you feel better when you’re going through a tough time?
6
Remember that God loves you and is always there to listen and help, just as in Psalm 34:17. How does knowing this make you feel? AdventistWorld.org December 2023
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PRIORITIES OF FAITH January 10 –20, 2024
“He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?” MIC AH 6:8, ES V
W W W.T E N D AY S O F P R AY E R . O R G
]