Concentric Circles of Courage

As prayer requests pour in from all around, I happened upon a book in my library by W. Oscar Thompson, Jr. entitled "Concentric Circles of Concern" (Broadman Press, 1981) dealing with relational circles from the inner circle of self, to the next circle of immediate family, then a circle encompassing those of relatives, then close friends, then neighbors, then acquaintances, then person x. Oscar asserted that God holds us accountable for everyone who comes into our concentric circles.
Some have difficulty loving others but he notes that when Jesus becomes Lord of our lives, we must surrender forever the right to choose whom we will love. Oscar was a pastor and yes so am I. He battled cancer for years while writing his book and continuing in ministry until he went to be with the Lord. Surely, he was speaking from his personal experiences as he outlined love as meeting needs. We can show love to God by giving a cup of cold water and going the extra mile.

This model helps us to identify those whom we may reach and to think of points of contact. Let us begin here but press on. For when life's concerns press upon us all and upon many of our friends and relatives,so many in the various circles become burdened. Attempting to meet the needs of others may cause a backlash of emotional suffocation and lead to a spiraling vortex of focusing upon the pains and problems with diminishing effectiveness in prayer life. Perhaps a ploy of the evil one!

When adversity presses in, it is time to take a courageous walk with a brave heart directly to the points of need together in faith praying and believing for miracles. Where there are two or three gathered together in Jesus' name in overlapping circles of courage, there is Jesus in the midst. Where is the pain, where is the sorrow. In the divine presence, they are but a faint whisper. The tornado like funnel cloud vortex of circling problems dissipates, the wind reverses and brings a fresh breeze of healing, wholeness, peace and joy emanating from outward extending waves generated by overlapping circles of courage. May you feel the wave of courageous faith warriors praying for you, reaching out to you in Chrislikeness?