Over the past term, as part of my role as Group Life team leader, I’ve had the huge privilege of visiting some of the groups that run across King’s Arms Church and it has been a revelation and an encouragement in some of the most surprising ways:

The Beauty of Unseen Faithfulness
One of my first visits was to a longstanding life group who, without attention or applause, have met weekly together for years upon years. Even as I arrived at the hubbub of chats, hugs and coffee, I could feel the history of friends who have walked through life together — through sickness, bereavement, new jobs, new children, the highs and lows and the everyday mundane.

And then they prayed. And my goodness do they pray! They prayed like they really knew each others’ needs and really believed in a God willing to answer. People walking through sickness themselves led the rejoicing, thanking God for others who had been healed.

This group has a prayer record going back around a decade of all they’ve asked of God and how He has answered. Few of us will know these men and women, or think about their group, but I wonder how many of us are unknowingly benefitting from their faithful prayers over this church?

Lesson 1: We can make an impact by being faithful, even behind the scenes. Being a part of a steadfast community that faithfully engages in fervent prayer carries a lasting legacy that goes beyond our now.

The Breadth and Diversity of God’s Goodness
I visited groups of all kinds, varying in size and purpose; groups for women, for the over 65s, for toddlers and for newcomers. In each one of these groups you can trace the threads of the faithful goodness of God.

Across our groups there are different expressions of His love. It’s just as evident in the coffee and tissue offered to a struggling new mum, as in the listening ear offered to an elderly, lonely neighbour.

Lesson 2: God is as much in the fun of playing games together, tidying toys, or serving meals as He is in the moments of prayer or bible study. He is the God of our everyday and embraces diversity — and that is wonderful!

The Unexpected Face of Courage
“Courage doesn’t always roar” as Mary Anne Radmacher (writer and author) says, but it certainly is powerful and I’ve witnessed it in spades across my group visits!

One lady in particular stands out in my mind. She’d been asked to lead the prayer time at a life group and opened up by sharing, very honestly, that whilst she felt able to pray to God in her own time with Him, she found the idea of praying in front of others quite overwhelming. She was apologetic that she had written it down to read out. It was such a joy to see the rest of the group rally around her and shower her with encouragement. And then she went for it!

For others, the idea of turning up on their own to a new group full of people they didn’t know, had been terrifying. But, they would now say that they found people who love them and they feel like they found their place as a part of a family.

Several of those who now lead thriving groups had once told me they could never possibly lead; they didn’t know how to or they didn’t think anyone would sign up. However, they stepped up, took a risk and now are flourishing in their leadership gifting!

Lesson 2: There can be tremendous breakthroughs and reward on the other side of courage. Even though it can be scary to step out of our comfort zone, God is faithful to meet us and He always comes through.

Building genuine community and relationships requires authenticity and vulnerability. Sometimes it is more than a little bit scary but the fruit of it is beautiful. As we are about to start another 6-month cycle of groups, what does it look like for us to take a risk so that we can reap the benefits of courage?

Much love,
Claire John and the eFocus team

Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank Him for all He has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds all understanding. His peace will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.

Philippians 4:6-7

There are times when we can feel disconnected or distant from God. We may feel duty-bound to spend time with Him saying to ourselves that we should pray or read our Bible; other times our worries and concerns block us from coming to God.

Rather than providing a formula that fixes anxiety or a list of tasks that need to be achieved in order to feel peace, this scripture gives us guidance on how to reconnect relationally to God in times of feeling anxious; it’s about our relationship and connection to God when we feel anxious.

So, what does that look like? Here are some ways we can do that:

Pray about everything

Often when we’re anxious or worried we can look to other things to help us. This might include things that distract us such as being busy, socialising, spending time on our phones, finding comfort in food or alcohol or looking to escape our reality through TV or the books we read.

Action steps

What difference would it make if you were to talk to God before you reach for one of the above comforts?
What if you could find comfort in your relationship with God?
Try speaking to God like He is a friend. Tell Him the things you are concerned about and be honest, which might look like, “I don’t know where to start God but I’m having a tough time and I need your help.”

Tell God what you need

In order to do this we must take a moment to notice what we do need. Sometimes it’s not always the obvious thing. For example, if it’s a financial concern the obvious need is money but what about community and the encouragement and support of others around us?

Action steps

Have you taken the time to really notice what you need right now?
Take a moment to be quiet before God and notice your emotional, physical, mental, social, financial and spiritual needs. Make a list of what comes to mind and bring those things to God.

Practise thankfulness

Thankfulness is a great practice to help remind us of the good that is around us. It can be easier to focus on the things that are difficult but, even in anxious times, there are still things we can be thankful for. Practising thankfulness can help build our hope levels even when we feel challenged by our circumstances.

Action steps

Take time each day to thank God for 3 things. You could also make a note of them to read through at the end of each week to remind yourself that there is hope.

God’s peace exceeds our understanding

This peace goes beyond something we can work out with our mind. It’s something that we experience — a peace that settles in our soul, in the deepest part of who we are as a person. It’s knowing who God is and what He will do with the expectation and hope of ‘good’ even when times are tough and letting that truth soak into our spirit.

Action steps

Take a moment to receive God’s peace and imagine it soaking into the deepest part of yourself.

God’s peace guards our hearts and minds

God’s peace acts like a protective filter that we view the challenges of life through. It doesn’t mean that we won’t experience anxiety at times or feel low but this peace allows us space to connect with God and to receive hope.

Action steps

We don’t have to wait until we’re struggling to practise receiving God’s peace. Try taking time out in your week to connect with God and be still before Him, take some deep breaths and feel His peace around you and in you.
Why not share that peace with others who may need it?

We understand that January, in particular, can be a challenging month for many due to various reasons. If you find yourself struggling, please know that you are not alone. It takes a lot of courage to ask for help. Please reach out to your church community, family and friends if you need support.

May God’s peace and love surround you today, and may you hold onto His hope. He is with you.

With love,
Philbe Kellett and the eFocus Team