God wants to meet with you this week

Following the 4th of July, we were reminded of an inspiring quote from Thomas Paine: "These are the times that try men's souls. I love the man that smiles at trouble, can gather strength from distress, and grow brave by reflection."

That’s a strong way to kick off this week and a great transition into the powerful truths we’ve been reading in Two Chairs by Bob Beaudine. If you haven’t read it yet, we highly recommend grabbing a copy. Last week, we shared the three questions the book challenges us to ask when life hits hard:

1. Does God know your situation?

2. Is your situation too hard for God to handle?

3. Does God have a plan for you?

Let those sink in. If the answer to all three is yes—and we believe it is—then that changes how we face difficulty.

As we kept reading, this verse from Proverbs stood out:

"To humans belong the plans of the heart, but from the Lord comes the proper answer of the tongue." – Proverbs 16:1

God has a plan for you. Even if you don’t feel it. Even if it looks like chaos right now. He’s not confused. He’s not surprised. He’s ready to meet with you every single day.

That’s what the concept of two chairs is all about. One chair for you. One for God. You sit down. You talk. And more importantly, you listen. Beaudine encourages us to follow the 80/20 rule. For every minute you talk to God, spend four just listening.

Because He has things to say to you. And they’re good. One of the ideas that stuck with us this week was the concept of a “Who Friend.”

• Who’s the guy that shows up when you’re struggling?

• Who doesn’t flinch at your mess, your pain, or your questions?

• Who lifts you when you fall?

“Two are better than one, for they have a good return for their work. If one falls down, his friend can help him up. But pity the man who falls & has no one to help him up!” Ecclesiastes 4:9-10

Life’s going to throw punches. As Mike Tyson once said, “Everybody has a plan until they get hit.” Maybe you’ve just been hit. Health. Marriage. Finances. Career. Faith. Whatever it is, you are not alone.

“A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for a time of adversity.” Proverbs 17:17

Don’t have a “Who Friend”? Maybe it’s time to become one. Zig Ziglar said it best: "If you go out looking for friends, you’re going to find they are very scarce. But if you go out trying to be a friend, you’ll find them everywhere."

Have a great week, gentlemen. We’re praying that God will meet you in your two chairs—and that He makes His plan for you unmistakably clear.