Deliberate Health

S

(Isaiah 62:1) For Zion's sake, I will not keep silent, and for Jerusalem's sake I will not be quiet, until her righteousness goes forth as brightness and her salvation as a burning torch.

O

Following this verse, Isaiah revealed his justification for making all of his public declarations. This justification served as motive, method, and goal: his positive and irresistibly beautiful goal motivated him keep speaking and it shaped his words. It kept him from giving up and withdrawing into silent despair. In verses 1-5, his justification for prophesy, Isaiah listed eight divine destinations (note that he did not list eight condemnations). Love, therefore, spoken well, keeps people's focus on God's goals.

A (Personal)

When I'm frustrated by myself or others, I want to reconstruct my words so I focus on what Isaiah focused on: being a living demonstration of God's (1) righteousness, (2) salvation (wholeness), (3) glory, (4) fitting title (name), (5) beauty, (6) benevolence, (7) delights, and (8) joys. Now that is worth talking about. That is good news indeed.

A (Psychological)

DeShazer, whether intentional or not, has developed a therapeutic model on that basic concept (Prochaska & Norcross, Systems of Psychotherapy: A Transtheoretical Analysis. 2003, p. 463). "Therapy begins by focusing on goals in the present that can construct a better future." Once the problem story is told, the therapist is prepared to shift the focus to solutions ("When the problem is solved, what will you be doing differently?) and exceptions ("How is what you will be doing differently happening some now?" or "When isn't the problem happening"). The all-significant difference, though, is that that God's goals many not be immediately apparent to clients or therapists who are focusing merely on the client's goals ... although that may well lead to the insight that God's goals are the hidden roots of everything good that people desire.

P

Lord, in the midst of failure and disappointment, it's all to easy to focus on the problems instead of the destiny You provide. You are so encouraging! Help me to be an encouragement to others today, too.