Doctor, Doctor
Doctor, Doctor,
Carter has been diagnosed with social phobia, he wants to be a missionary. Can he lead a fulfilling life?
Carter being a missionary means that he will need to meet new people. If Carter willingly wants to be a missionary, knowing he has to meet people, that means that his social phobia is not that serious. He has chosen to overcome, or wants to try to overcome his social phobia for the Lord. In that case, I would not worry so much about his social phobia because I know the Lord will help him overcome.
When you see Carter struggling with social phobia, remind him of the story of Moses of how Moses struggled and was scared to speak, but God helped him. Remind Carter that God will help him. Carter may still get nervous around new people, but an environment around fellow believers who are kind to carter will make him less afraid.
If Carter meets and approaches non-believers, he should not do so alone. He should try to approach the non-believers along with someone he is comfortable with, so he knows that there is someone he can trust. However, if Carter is alone, he should try to get to know the non-believers more. He can ask them questions instead being asked, which might make Carter afraid to answer, but after getting to know the non-believers, there might be a mutual trust between them that Carter is able to feel comfortable around them.
we got a Problem
& the
Solutions!
Problem:
Chandler, a missionary, is raising money to go to Africa. His expenses include travel, food, and Bibles. He has a time limit so his wife says that maybe they should ask for financial help from his family, but Chandler feels that God WILL provide for them within the time limit and without outside help. Both Chandler and his wife are getting nervous because even after they get the money, they still need to buy what they need.
As missionaries, you might constantly not have a lot of money to go to different places around the world. Money is constantly your problem. You might be part of an organization of missionaries, or you might be a solo missionary, but money is still an issue either for transportation, travel, food, resources like Bibles, or musical instruments for worship music. You might have a family you have to raise and that needs money as well. He will supply all your needs if you ask Him whole-heartedly (Philippians 4:19), but sometimes God’s timing is not your timing. He might not give you the money you want when you ask for it. But He will still provide. He might provide people to help you with your expenses instead of directly giving you the money. As missionaries, it is always good to pray to God about your problems.
Needs:
Money is the main problem. Chandler lives in a community which is not really wealthy. There are only a few friends who can help financially support Chandler. His wife wants to ask Chandler’s family for money because Chandler’s family would be willing to and able to support their financial needs. There is also a need for Chandler to listen to his wife that maybe God’s help for them is Chandler’s family. Also another need might be for Chandler’s wife to listen to Chandler that God WILL provide for them in time.
Anxieties & concerns:
Chandler and his wife get the money in time, but still anxious if it is enough, or if there is enough time to get what they need (traveling, expenses, resources…) They are also anxious that if they have enough money and they can follow out with the plan.
Fears:
If Chandler had to go through this without asking God about what he should do, Chandler would probably fear a lot. He would fear that they would not get enough money within the time limit. Chandler and his wife might also fear the result of not getting enough money. They have prepared a lot in order to go to Africa and money is their problem.
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