“Enlarge the place of your tent, stretch your tent curtains wide, do not hold back; lengthen your cords, strengthen your stakes”

Tough Times Life doesn’t always work out Problems | Fears | Worries | Concerns Past | Present | Future Regrets | Words said in haste Resolutions | Reactions Choices Crises | Doubts

Trial & Error Trials Errors Scientists experiment to learn None of us is exempt from difficulties Errors We all make mistakes Scientists experiment to learn Curve ball from left field Allows us to develop and grow Catalyst to increased dependency

On Learning to Do Better – Portia Nelson I walk down the street. There is a hole. I don't see it. I fall in. I am lost. . .I am helpless. It isn't my fault. It takes me forever to find a way out. I walk down the same street. There is still a deep hole. I pretend I don't see it. I fall in again. . .I can't believe I am in the same place. But it still isn't my fault. It still takes a long time to get out. I walk down the same street. There is still the same deep hole. I see it is there. I still fall in. . .It's a habit. My eyes are open. I know where I am. It is my fault. I get out immediately. I walk down the same street. There is a deep hole. I see it. I walk around it. I don't fall in. I walk down a different street. . .

Refocus | Recalibrate Our parents disciplined us for a little while as they thought best; but God disciplines us for our good, that we may share in His holiness. No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it Hebrews 12:10-11 (TNIV) It is always God’s plan to bless us Get back to baseline – press the reset button

Refocus | Recalibrate “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future” Jeremiah 29:11 (TNIV) And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose Romans 8:28 (NIVUK)

Repent | Renew Two primary tactics: Three weapons: Accusation: “accuser of the saints” (Revelation 12:10) Deception: “father of lies” (John 8:44) Three weapons: Pride Unbelief Fear Humility 2Corinthians 12:9 Faith Hebrews 11:6 Love 1John 4:18

Repent | Renew Humble yourselves, therefore, under God's mighty hand, that He may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you. Be self- controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that your fellow believers throughout the world are undergoing the same kind of sufferings. And the God of all grace, Who called you to His eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will Himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast 1Peter 5:6-10 (NIVUK)

Repent | Renew “Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord” Acts 3:19 (NIVUK)

Remember | Recall His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and goodness 2Peter 1:3 (NIVUK) The only temptation that has come to you is that which everyone has. But you can trust God, who will not permit you to be tempted more than you can stand. But when you are tempted, He will also give you a way to escape so that you will be able to stand it 1Corinthians 10:13 (NCV)

Recognise | Realise All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is our merciful Father and the source of all comfort. He comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others. When they are troubled, we will be able to give them the same comfort God has given us 2Corinthians 1:3-4 (NLT) Recognise what Stretching achieves What we go through can be used by the Holy Spirit To develop us To witness to others To bring God glory