Tribulation Payday

Weekly Thought – August 19, 2025

Fred spent his last years immobilized by physical incapacity. For over 7 years he underwent dialysis treatment three times weekly. Until the last months he continued to speak, mentor, and develop while seated in his wheelchair. Even in the last week of his life he hosted dozens in his Saturday morning “Fred in the Bed” sessions. This excerpt from a Sunday School lesson was delivered before his Saturday events took place.

Tribulation Payday

Until I spent several months on my back, unable to move I didn’t really appreciate the development of patience through tribulation. Perhaps I could have given you “three points of managing a patient attitude,” but I didn’t come with three points and a poem about patience. I do want you to know what I learned (and am still learning). Now I know that true patience reduces unhealthy distress without diminishing healthy stress. Patience brings poise to our life, enabling us to discern between important and unimportant. Tribulation is the soil in which patience flowers.

The Apostle Paul writes to the church at Rome and reminds them: “Tribulation brings about perseverance; perseverance, proven character’ and proven character, hope.” In his epistle we see the direct line between tribulation and hope – and the blessings in the process as character is developed.

Brother Lawrence prayed for tribulation in order to become stronger so that he might endure even more tribulation. He saw suffering as “God’s gymnasium.” My Type A friends always demand results – and quickly. Tribulation has no regard for personality types! It has its own rhythm and pace. Personally, I found patience to be the only answer to the frustration in these months. And, if honest, I recognized much of that restlessness and aggravation was related to the attack on my ego through dependence on others and extreme physical limitations. I wanted my own way; I wanted my own independence.

I know the response to tribulation can be a choice. We may not control the circumstances, but we can manage our attitude as Dr. Frankl taught us in “Man’s Search for Meaning.”

Patience, like most of our highly valued qualities, is slow growing. It is an oak tree, not a cornstalk. It is available to all of us when we are willing to pay the price. Our decision to face tribulation in faith and fortitude makes the difference.

In times of tribulation we must always remember sweating it out in God’s gymnasium is hard work, but we know our Coach has the plan for our maturity and transformed character.

This week think about: 1) Where is tribulation serving as gym time? 2) How can I practice spiritual discipline in troubled times? 3) Who can I encourage with Fred’s words this week?

Words of Wisdom: “Patience, like most of our highly valued qualities, is slow growing.”

Wisdom from the Word: “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness.” (Colossians 5:22 NET Bible)

Being Used By God

Weekly Thought – August 12, 2025

Fred believed God had a purpose for his life. Knowing he didn’t start out with a privileged background (in socio-economic terms), he became acutely aware of God’s plan for his usefulness. He spent time developing his gifts and making sure they were properly employed.

Being Used By God

I met Torrey Johnson when he was a young man first starting Youth For Christ. At that time I was asking certain people I admired for their photo and autograph. He gave me his with the inscription: “To Fred Smith, God’s man in God’s place.” I never felt I could hang that on the wall. I kept it in my desk drawer. I felt condemned by how seldom I felt that I was truly God’s man in God’s place.

During the times I felt that God was using me, I felt extremely small and extremely secure. When I felt big I felt insecure because I was depending on my own strength.

Recently when I asked a friend the usual question, “How’s it going?” he answered in the best possible way. He said, “Fred, I feel God is using me as I use my time to do the things that He wants done. It doesn’t get any better than this!” What a wonderful feeling to realize God is using us rather our using God. So long as we keep that spiritual dimension in our leadership, people will see God in us.

A great many people want to use God as a credit reference. They include their church work on their resume. They mention it in their bio so people will think them honest or reliable. They put fish symbols on their business cards, and car decals hoping others will believe they are more trustworthy than most others. Unfortunately, they can be relied upon to use God, but can God rely on them to be used?

An international evangelist once commented, “Everybody wants to be used by God but very few want to be prepared to be used.” The old gospel song line accurately describes the process: Melt me, Mold me, Fill me, Use me.

When I was growing up in a Southern Baptist pastor’s family we sang a hymn with this line: “I am satisfied with Jesus. But the question comes to me as I think of Calvary. Is Jesus satisfied with me?” Wanting to be God’s man in God’s place is the desire to satisfy Him.

This week carefully consider: 1) When do I feel God’s pleasure? 2) What can I do this week to bring beauty to my purpose? 3) What words comes to mind when I know I am being used by God?

Words of Wisdom: “Most Christians want to be used by God, but considerably fewer want to be prepared for His use.”

Wisdom from the Word: “But I am full of the courage that the LORD’s Spirit gives and have a strong commitment to justice.“ (Micah 3:8(a) NET Bible)

Viewing Our Values

Weekly Thought – August 5, 2025

Fred made no effort to excel at all endeavors. He established his core values early in life and designed his goals to be in sync with them. He had clear priorities and held to them in respect to the investment of his time, energy, and financial resources.

Viewing Our Values

The simple life is balanced. It is not necessarily devoid of tensions, but the stresses are balanced. The wife of my good friend John Bullock told me she always wanted her husband to have two irritations at a time. Why? Because, while having one just about drove him crazy, with two he could oscillate between them and keep his balance. She was a wise woman.

If our core values were manifested physically we could see the grotesqueness of imbalance. Years ago I saw a man with elephantitis. It was hard not to notice his distorted features. I started thinking about the impact if our value systems resulted in a physical representation. What if people could see externally who we are internally? What would a person given over to greed look like? How difficult would it be to overlook the deformity of self-absorption, uncontrolled lust, or unchecked ambition? On the other hand, we often do see an external demonstration of self-sacrifice, loyalty, truthfulness, and love, don’t we? Have you ever thought about the external presentation of your values?

Great sculpture has to be balanced. Skilled artists can look at a mass of stone or clay and see where the center of gravity is – where the balance exists. A mistake can result in destruction of that balance and cause artistic disaster. Purpose is shown through the balanced life, just as the purpose of the artist’s material is displayed through his capable, disciplined work.

Remember the great story of the statue of David? When Michaelangelo was asked how he carved such a splendid work out of a flawed piece of marble. “Simple,” he replied. “I just cut away everything that wasn’t David.” A balanced, healthy life is the result of having a values vision and consistently cutting away everything that doesn’t fit. Sometimes it is tedious, even sacrificial, but it is essential. A life driven by Godly values reflects the nature of the Holy.

Balance doesn’t mean devoting equal energy and resources to each and every endeavor… that would pull us apart. Identifying our purpose and designing life habits to maximize our gifts creates a life of beauty. Living with values that allow our outer person to reflect our inner being results in consistency.

This week think carefully about: 1) How satisfied am I with the inner person’s values? 2) What can I do this week to bring beauty to my purpose? 3) Where do I need to rebalance?

Words of Wisdom: “Balance doesn’t mean devoting equal energy and resources to each and every endeavor… that would pull us apart.”

Wisdom from the Word: “An honorable man makes honorable plans; his honorable character gives him security.” (Isaiah 32:8 NET Bible)

Fiscal Fidelity

Weekly Thought – July 29, 2025

Fred understood the stewardship of everything he had… everything! He and Mary Alice taught their children the responsibility – and the joy – of giving. They also encouraged them to understand how God designed them and how to best use those gifts to His glory.

Fiscal Fidelity

The truth about money has been known for a long time. Aristotle called money “barren.” Not because it doesn’t bring benefits, but because the emotions it evokes are among the lowest on his the ancient philosopher’s hierarchy of values. The feelings invoked by money just don’t compare with the nobler emotions of love, patriotism, and religion. The men and women whose greatest emotional energy is reserved for money knows nothing of the higher emotional life.

Money can bring fun – even happiness – but not ultimate joy if it is only money for money’s sake. After all, it has no intrinsic ability to elevate the intellect or spirit. In fact, the pure, exclusive love of gold often blocks the love for all else that is higher and nobler. How pitiful the struggle for wealth becomes when compared to the struggle for freedom, the search for truth, the drive for fulfillment in serving each other.

However, money is one of life’s greatest necessities. To disparage money out of hand and per se is to demonstrate an ignorance of life’s fundamental rules. When people what I think about money I tell them, “I think of it like I do blood – I make blood to live, not live to make blood.” I do not live to make money, but I fully understand I must make money to live.

In my mind money has always represented option. The options that money make possible are part of its utility. It is important to understand the principle: having an abundance of choices (options) doesn’t necessarily mean that we have the ability to use them well.

Mary Alice and I tried to instill this into our children. Unlike our backgrounds, our children were raised in an affluent neighborhood. We wanted them to have a healthy view of money – and understand the responsibilities, as well. They grew up hearing me say, “Remember – money is a tool, not an idol.”

I have been poor, and I have been financially comfortable – I would be kidding if I didn’t say I preferred the latter. But having money and loving money are poles apart. Money requires discipline as do the decisions that money makes possible.

This week consider carefully: 1) What makes the difference between money as a tool, not an idol? 2) What are the appropriate uses of money for me, and my family? 3) Who models the healthy, mature use of money?

Words of Wisdom: “Money is a tool, not an idol.”

Wisdom from the Word: “For the love of money is the root of all evils.” (I Timothy 6:10 NET Bible)

Responding to the Almighty

Weekly Thought – July 22, 2025

Fred held the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit as the most high God. He always spoke in the most respectful language, never using flippant phrases. He taught his family to worship.

Responding to the Almighty

Someone asked me to define “joy of the Lord.” I think of it in four words: “awe, praise, thanksgiving, and obedience.”

When I sense the awe of God, I feel His reality. For example, when I read about DNA, the mind that created it evokes awe. Watson and Crick received the Nobel Prize for identifying God’s work. Think of the intellect that created all that is. When I consider He numbered and named each and every star, I am astounded.

He is worthy of our praise. When I lift up His name I am acknowledging His worthiness. When I think of His common grace, I praise Him for who He is and what He has done. When I praise I experience His presence.

Thanksgiving, to me, is more personal. It is not just giving assent to His worthiness but also giving an offering for His manifold blessings. I magnify His name for all He has done for me as an individual. Through our personal relationship, I feel His presence.

Certainly, in obedience I acknowledge His authority. In this area I truly experience His presence. When I respect the traffic laws, I recognize the presence of civil authority. In the same way, when I obey scriptural mandates I am recognizing I am in the presence of genuine authority. When I bow my knee to Him I am saying “You are sovereign and I am in your presence.”

When I think of understanding the joy of the Lord and what it means to be in His presence I go to Brother Lawrence: “There is not in the world a kind of life more sweet and delightful than that of a continual conversation with God. Those only can comprehend it who practice it and experience it.”

This week think about: 1) How would I answer, “what is the joy of the Lord?” 2) Which of Fred’s four words has the greatest meaning for me? 3) Who needs to hear about His presence?

Words of Wisdom: “He is worthy of our praise. When I lift up His name I am acknowledging His worthiness.”

Wisdom from the Word: “The LORD strengthens and protects me; I trust in him with all my heart. I am rescued and my heart is full of joy; I will sing to him in gratitude.” (Psalm 28:7 NET Bible)

Keeping the Engine in Gear

Weekly Thought – July 15, 2025

Fred understood the gifts God gave him. He called them his “uniqueness.” He challenged others to identify and nurture their own. He firmly grasped the concept of rhythm in life and leadership writing and speaking about its effective use.

Keeping the Engine in Gear

During times when we have no great career accomplishments, it is important to have outside achievements. This is the way to re-attach our ego and grow again.

A friend came to see me after selling his company. He was experiencing the “what’s next” low. I suggested he find satisfaction through a non-career endeavor. Several months later I saw him. To my surprise, he was 40 pounds lighter and walking with a distinctly positive gait.

“Fred, I took your suggestion. Not only have I lost the 40 pounds I carried around for so long, but I am the club doubles tennis champion.” He rediscovered the joy of achievement.

Every career has its dead spots. Inevitably, there are idling times as we hit plateaus on the climb. It is critical to remember we haven’t failed – just our plans have. Rather than throwing us off track, we can redirect our productive energies in an avocational direction. For example, we can channel our drive into ministry, or community leadership. It is important to acknowledge the value of productivity.

The lull in the career won’t extinguish the proper use of ego gratification. Of course, it is key that these ancillary accomplishments don’t become an escape. Recognizing that they are part of career rhythm should always be uppermost. Running away and hiding is not the healthy use of avocation during vocational valleys.

The overriding principal: keep on experiencing a productive rhythm in life in order to contribute. Accomplishment and achievement are the mature use of our God-given uniqueness which is to be used for the good of others.

If we miss the opportunity to grow in the plateaus we end up simply going round and round without forward progress. The proper use of these times is to refocus, clarify, and strengthen in order to keep climbing.

The mature man or woman recognizes achievement breeds achievement.

This week carefully consider: 1) How do I satisfy my need for accomplishment? 2) What strategies do I use in the plateau times? 3) Where are my avocational as well as vocational growth areas?

Words of wisdom: “Running away and hiding is not the healthy use of avocation during vocational valleys.”

Wisdom from the Word: “Then they will realize this is your work, and that you, LORD, have accomplished it.” (Psalm 109:27 NET Bible)

Prepared By Hope

Weekly Thought – July 8, 2025

Fred grew up during the depression, the son of a Baptist pastor. The small southern churches offered very little hope beyond the faith that formed the foundation of the Smith family. This hope, grounded in the gospel provided lifelong values which formed his character.

Prepared By Hope

The three important words at the close of 1 Corinthians 13 are “faith, hope, and love.” Is Paul making a climactic statement that hope is more than faith and love is more than hope? I don’t know. But I do know hope is one of the great controlling emotions in our life. Faith is largely present, hope is largely future, and love is ultimate and everlasting. Hope is our belief in the future based on Christ, who holds it. Hope is not about the seen, but about the unseen.

As the philosopher said, “A man or woman can stand almost anything as long as there is hope.” When hope goes, desperation and despair soon follow. The Scripture says, “Hope deferred makes the heart sick.” (Proverbs 13:12 NIV).

I have a Polish physical therapist whose job is to stretch my muscles back into usefulness after months and months in bed. I find when he counts out loud, I have hope of his quitting. When he doesn’t, I miss knowing when the end is coming. Hope energizes patience. It gives reason for tenacity. It promotes discipline in accomplishment.

The source of hope is not random hoping, but in hoping specifically in someone or something. We hope in Christ; we hope in our spiritual experience, or belief that life has a purpose even when we don’t see it. Hope requires a definable object. That hope can be eternity – “the blessed hope” or the assurance that hope gives us here on Earth pointing to everlasting life.

My wife’s favorite hymn was “Take the Name of Jesus With You.” The chorus has a phrase which aptly describes that precious name… “Hope of earth and joy of heaven.” I grew up leading singing in Dad’s churches and revivals. One of the favorites had another great line: “My hope is built on nothing less than Jesus’s blood and righteousness.”

Our hope has substance because we are grounded in a changeless God who is the same as He was in the past, is not in the present, and will be forevermore.

This week think about: 1) In what is my hope grounded? 2) How do I daily remind myself of my hope in a changeless God? 3) What allows me to encourage others to hope?

Words of Wisdom: “Hope energizes patience.”

Wisdom from the Word: “I desperately long for your deliverance. I find hope in your word.” (Psalms 119:81 NET Bible)

Being a “Can Do” Leader

Weekly Thought – July 1, 2025

Fred never loafed. He believed in the work ethic, not the wish ethic. As he and Mary Alice raised their children a familiar phrase “when nothing but the will says ‘go.’” Its original is questioned, but the meaning of it in the Smith household was clear: “we don’t lean on our feelings, but on doing what is right and what needs to be done.”

Being a “Can Do” Leader

I was interested in a recent survey that studied the difference between successful and unsuccessful businesses. The top executives of major companies were surveyed. The one outstanding difference recognized between successful and unsuccessful executives was this: the successful says “I will.” The unsuccessful says, “I should, I expect to, I need to get around to it, or as we says in Texas, I am fixin’ to.”

Nothing happens until someone says, “I will.” That is the action of the decisive individuals. He picks up a great idea, writes it down, goes back to the office and says, “I will.” And he does it! My daughter often reminds me this principle applies to female leaders, as well. The other one (is this okay Brenda?) gets a good idea, may even write it down, and get it back to the office. But there is where the difference shows up. Their response is, ‘I will get around to this shortly.” Shortly seldom comes, so the same easy chair in the same rut is the place of choice.

The only difference between success and failure is found in that decision on taking action or delaying it. The old story tells of decision making patterns; 1) Ready, fire, aim; 2 Fire, fire, fire; 3) Ready, aim, aim, aim 4)and the wise pattern is ready, aim, fire. The line between the styles are thin, to be sure – but critical.

My friends in the insurance industry say it this way: “The successful agent does what the unsuccessful one won’t.” The high producing agent makes the call, does the prospecting, prepares the presentation through a knowledgeable process, and asks for the sale. And key is the fact that they do this over and over!

Too often the unsuccessful spends times organizing forms, reading the sales manuals, magazines, and attending industry meetings where absolutely no prospectives are. Then finished with the backroom work they wait for the ideal time to make the initial call. Too often “the perfect time” doesn’t come.

In my experience right thinking leads to right action which leads to the right results.

This week think about: 1) How can I motivate myself from “I ought to” to “I will?” 2) What good habits carry me through the rough times? 3) How do I take control of my daily activities and decision?

Words of Wisdom: “Nothing happens until someone says ‘I will.’”

Wisdom from the Word: “Now give me wisdom and discernment so I can effectively lead this nation. Otherwise no one is able to make judicial decisions for this great nation of yours.”(2 Chronicles 1:10 NET Bible)

A Faithful Follower

Weekly Thought – June 24, 2025

Fred truly bore the label “lifelong learner.” A scholarly scientific researcher once told him, “Fred. always go to bed more ignorant than you woke up. Always be amazed at God’s world and how much you don’t know.” His faith walk was part of that challenge. He consistently gravitated toward those who taught him more about the living God.

A Faithful Follower

In our lives “faith” is both a noun and a verb. My friend Dr. Ramesh Richard is the founder and president of RREACH, an international proclamation ministry. He serves as a professor at Dallas Theological Seminary developing men and women in the tenets of the Christian faith. He introduced me to the “Five Solas” or the five alones of salvation: 1)by grace alone; 2) by faith alone; 3)by scripture alone; 4) through Christ alone; and 5) for glory alone. Faith is an outstanding noun.

Faith, as a verb, is the working out of our relationship through the application of the principles and disciplines. Scripture’s promises and directives set the ground rules for the life of faith. Scripture is the key element.

May I share a personal, though unusual, experience? Years ago I was in negotiations with the steelworkers’ union. Our attorney was convinced they were going to strike so he advised us against putting an offer on the table thinking it would be used against us in negotiations. As I left for home I did something I never did… I opened my Bible reading the first verse I saw: “Do not withhold from workers money that is due them.” (James 5:4) I was convinced of my decision. Opting against the attorney’s recommendation I made a reasonable offer. To our amazement the union workers readily accepted it. We avoided a strike. Even though I don’t support that method of scriptural leadership as the model for study and meditation, I felt firmly that day I had received divine guidance on walking in faith.

I believe in the principle that anytime I make a decision which does not conflict with scripture, and is supported by the desire to do right we are operating from faith. There is an old hymn which affirms the fact that “He Leadeth Me.” The hymnist prays, “His faithful follower I would be, for by His hand, He leadeth me.”

This week carefully consider: 1) Who is leading me this week?2) How can I apply the Five Solas?3) When have I experienced the guiding hand of God?

Words of Wisdom: “Faith, as a verb, is the working out of our relationship through the application of the principles and disciplines.”

Wisdom from the Word: “But someone will say, ‘You have faith and I have works.’ Show me your faith without works and I will show you my faith by my faith.” (James 2:18 NET Bible)

Reading Life’s Mile Markers

Weekly Thought – June 17, 2025

Fred often differentiated between goals and direction. In consulting and mentoring he stressed the importance of understanding the nature of direction.

Reading Life’s Mile Markers

Choosing a goal in life is not our most important decision; choosing our direction is. Chasing short-range goals can take us in the wrong direction. Mature success and satisfaction come from the direction in which we move, not in the goals we attain.

Too much goal orientation brings us the same problem Harvard Business School found in the “case study” format for instruction. Bright young students learned to solve problems rather than identifying opportunities. The real progress in life comes in the recognition of potential. Problem solving is certainly key, but it part of the process of seizing opportunities. Too much focus on goal-orientation allows us to become almost mechanical in our approach to life. The totally technological perspective on life threatens to turn us into computers. Who would want that?

I oppose setting an ultimate goal for one’s life. I do not support a specific, definable, measurable place in life. In this I mean material, educational, professional accomplishments, and certainly not character and spiritual maturity aims. When one in essence says “By 45 I will have a net worth of $X, a country club membership, a luxury car, and a notable career,” it creates a system for decision making locked in by these markers.

In my experience I have seen the futility of those who used a deterministic mindset actually achieving the goals (many times before the due date) only to recognize a huge letdown. They climbed the mountain, assuming success would create fulfillment, but when they checked off the goals they realized it was too limited.

I am not opposed to planning, but I am much more interest in making decision based on the impact they will have on who I will ultimately become if I take the path being considered. I don’t want to be so focused on goals that I get to the top of the ladder only to see it is leaning against the wrong wall. A high achieving young executive stopped by the office to tell me, “I know my direction and I also know I need to seriously review my progress and revector as needed. Just a minimal move away from the chosen direction if not corrected can create disaster eventually.”

Goals are important as mile markers to confirm we are traveling in the right direction. But, I am convinced they are not to be an end in themselves.

This week seriously consider: 1) What work have I done to establish my life direction? 2) How do I answer “Am I satisfied with who I am becoming?” 3) Who serves as a model for a healthy life style?

Words of Wisdom: “The becoming is the joy in the journey.”

Wisdom from the Word: “I hereby guide you in the way of wisdom and I lead you in upright paths.” (Proverbs 4:11 NET Bible)

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