A WOMAN’S PERSPECTIVE

Distracted By Life

thing and birds of the air, for I am sorry that I have made them.” But Noah found grace in the eyes of the Lord.” Genesis 6:6-8 NKJV

Rhoda

TURNER

My oldest daughter preached a message entitled Survival Guide. You should truly go and listen to it. You can find it at www.cffcaz. com Season 4 episode 17. I’m telling you it will change your life. In her message she talked about Noah’s Survival Guide, and out of her message birthed this article. Distracted By Life. God has given each of us an assignment. His horrific crucifixion bridged a pathway for His children to come back to Him. Our assignment is simple. Because of His death we now have eternal life. Our declaration as His children is to tell a dying world about a living Christ. How do we do that? We do that by telling our story. Noah was given an assignment and that was to build an Ark. A little background about Noah. Noah was a drunk that lived in an area that hadn’t received rain in a long time. The people truly thought Noah was crazy. You can imagine how he was treated. I know that we all have a crazy drunk uncle that clearly hears from God especially when that uncle is drunk (insert sarcasm!). Well, maybe not you, but I know I did. I can now identify that uncle in my family because of Noah’s story. I was inclined to listen to him particularly because occasionally that drunk truly heard from God. Noah kept to the work that God had told him to do. At that time in history, God was a tad bit disappointed with man, but He found favor in Noah.

“And the Lord was sorry that He had made man on the earth, and He was grieved in His heart. So the Lord said, “I will destroy man whom I have created from the face of the earth, both man and beast, creeping “And God said to Noah, “The end of all flesh has come before Me, for the earth is filled with violence through them; and behold, I will destroy them with the earth. Make yourself an ark of gopherwood; make rooms in the ark, and cover it inside and outside with pitch.

And this is how you shall make it: The length of the ark shall be three hundred cubits, its width fifty cubits, and its height thirty cubits. You shall make a window for the ark, and you shall finish it to a cubit from above; and set the door of the ark in its side. You shall make it with lower, second, and third decks. And behold, I

Myself am bringing floodwaters on the earth, to destroy from under heaven all flesh in which is the breath of life; everything that is on the earth shall die. But I will establish My covenant with you; and you shall go into the ark—you, your sons, your wife, and your sons’ wives with you. And of every living thing of all flesh you shall bring two of every sort into the ark, to keep them alive with you; they shall be male and female. Of the birds after their kind, of animals after their kind, and of every creeping thing of the earth after its kind, two of every kind will come to you to keep them alive. And you shall take for yourself of all food that is eaten, and you shall gather it to yourself; and it shall be food for you and for them.”

Thus Noah did; according to all that God commanded him, so he did.”

Genesis 6:13-22 NKJV In spite of ridicule and his own persecution Noah pursued, and he kept working. Noah was given an assignment, an instruction, and tools for the job. Noah, himself, brought the willingness to work. Those are the exact things that God has given you. What’s your ark? What promise are you holding on to that God said was going to happen? Don’t allow the doubt and the disbelief of others stop you from finishing what God told you to do. YOU were given the assignment. Others won’t see it because God didn’t show them; He showed you. Don’t get distracted by life. GO BUILD YOUR ARK. While you do your part, watch God do what He said He’s going to do. Stay focused on the assignment and build. You may be wondering why God chose to use Noah. It's simple. It’s because He could trust him. Just like God trusted him He also can trust you, and He has chosen you. “But God has chosen the foolish things of the world to put to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to put to shame the things which are mighty; and the base things of the world and the things which are despised God has chosen, and the things which are not, to bring to nothing the things that are, that no flesh should glory in His presence.” I Corinthians 1:27-29 NKJV You've got this. You've got everything you need. Don’t Get Distracted!

Pastor Rhoda Turner

Christian Faith Fellowship Church Chandler, AZ www.cffaz.org

health matters

Mental Health Issues in Youth and Young Adults

The Covid-19 pandemic had an emotional effect on many of us. Many adults have to cope with various losses, grief, isolation, and anxiety regarding the future. Recent data suggest that adolescents and college-age students also experienced similar emotions caused by the isolation and insecurity of the pandemic.

Adolescent mental health issues are often overlooked and are disregarded. Some parents, educators, and youth pastors consider the moodiness and anxiety that signal some emotional disorders as a phase of development.

Studies show young adults and adolescents with mental health conditions are particularly vulnerable to social exclusion, discrimination, and stigma (affecting readiness to seek help). Many young adults with emotional issues experience educational difficulties, engage in risk-taking behaviors, and exhibit physical health problems. Unfortunately, many young adults with mental health issues are undiagnosed. Diagnosis and treatment are delayed until several years later when they can no longer effectively cope in social situations and experience problems in relationships—common mental health issues, including anxiety disorders and suicide.

Anxiety disorders are the most common mental health disorders in adolescents. Anxiety disorders are clinically significant when they interfere with important areas of functioning, such as school, work, or relationships with family and peers. They often occur in conjunction with depressive disorders or attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and are associated with an increased risk of suicide. Extreme poverty, physical or cyberbullying, physical or sexual abuse, and loss contribute to the development of various anxiety disorders. Signs and symptoms of anxiety can include sleeplessness, panic attacks, and alcohol and substance abuse. Physical symptoms are common for many anxiety disorders. Symptoms may include chest pains, palpitations, shortness of breath, dizziness, syncope, nausea, vomiting, recurrent abdominal pain. Social scientists identified that anxiety-related disorders increased during the Covid pandemic. Lack of interaction with school activities and friends contributed to feelings of isolation.

Suicide is the second leading cause of death in young people aged 15–24 years old. Contributing factors that increase the risk of suicide include poor academic achievement, family and relationship dysfunction, problems with sexual orientation, gender identity, and involvement in abusive relationships. Young adults and adolescents dealing with similar issues feel trapped without a means to escape the situation and start to question life itself. Negative social media acceptance and lack of positive social relationships can also lead to depression in young people. Some young people are capable of masking their feelings to friends and family. Suicide attempts and successes come as a shock to those around them.

What can we do as friends, family, educators and church leaders? We must be sensitive to the feelings of our youth. Although Philippians 4:6 admonishes us to be anxious for nothing, our young people are anxious. We must direct young adults and teens to find the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, to guard [their] hearts and minds through Christ Jesus, as stated in verse seven. Provide an atmosphere where young adults and teens can express themselves without judgment. Listen to their concerns. Validate their feelings. Engage professional help when emotional issues are complicated, continue, and not resolved. Health care providers with experience and training in treating adolescents with mental health disorders should be selected to care for young clients. Become familiar with online tools and resources to support youth mental health. Be an advocate and support youth mental health services. Be sensitive and acknowledge that the Covid-19 pandemic significantly affected the emotional stability of our youth and young adults. Your support and encouragement Dr. Denyce Watties-Daniels Assistant Professor at Coppin State University may save a life. DWatties-Daniels@coppin.edu healthytips025@gmail.com

KINGDOMWORSHIPCENTERINVITESYOUTO

PROCLAIM

JOIN WITH US AND OTHER MINISTRIES ACROSS THE BALTIMORE METROPOLITAN AREA AS WE COME TOGETHER AS ONE TO CHANGE THE NARRATIVE OF OUR CITY. ON RESURRECTION SUNDAY WE WILL PROCLAIM THE HEART OF GOD FOR BALTIMORE!

"(As it is written, I have made thee a father of many nations,) before him whom he believed, even God, who quickeneth the dead, and calleth those things which be not as though they were." Romans 4:17 KJV

Sunday, April 17, 2022 Sunrise at 6 AM

Baltimore Inner Harbor Corner of Pratt St & Light St

Kingdom Worship Center Bishop Gregory & Pastor Tonya Dennis, Senior Pastors Baltimore, MD | Columbia, MD | E-Campus www.kingdomworshipcenter.org