I am not a very good passenger in a car. I've been in three car accidents and I've always been the passenger. This makes me a little nervous (maybe justifiably so) when I get in a car with someone, especially when I am unfamiliar with their driving habits.
I rode with someone new today. We were discussing driving and she mentioned that she is also a nervous passenger. But she hasn't experienced any trauma to cause her to be fearful of riding with someone. She is just fearing the possibilities. And fearing not being in control.
After the third car accident, I was actually diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder. I literally could not ride with a driver that I didn't know. I underwent bio-feedback therapy to help with the problem and it did help to a point. But what truly helped, what truly enabled me to be able to be a passenger and release the fear, was my faith in God.
As my faith grew, my fear shrunk.
As my understanding of God's amazing love grew, the fear dissipated.
"There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear..." 1 John 4:18
God's perfect love has driven out the fear. Now I'm not saying I don't ever get nervous in a car. I was a bit nervous today as I got in the car. But I am confident in God's love. As I continue to grow in my relationship with Him, I know that He will continue to drive out the fear.
In His Grace...
Friday, August 31, 2012
Thursday, August 30, 2012
Struggling to Forgive
I can know in my head what God expects from me, but I can still struggle to act, to obey Him. God tells us to forgive even when the other person does not ask for it and He tells us what the result of unforgiveness is "For if you forgive men when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins." Matthew 6:14-15
And yet, even knowing this (quite a drastic result), I am still struggling to forgive someone. I actually wrote about it a few weeks ago. I had what I call an altercation with this person and I am still struggling to fully hand it over to God. How to forgive when the other person does not ask to be forgiven? How to forgive when the other person has no interest in even speaking with you?
I want to forgive, I pray for the ability to forgive, I ask for God's forgiveness for my unforgiving heart, and I struggle.
Lord, help me with this...
In His Grace...
And yet, even knowing this (quite a drastic result), I am still struggling to forgive someone. I actually wrote about it a few weeks ago. I had what I call an altercation with this person and I am still struggling to fully hand it over to God. How to forgive when the other person does not ask to be forgiven? How to forgive when the other person has no interest in even speaking with you?
I want to forgive, I pray for the ability to forgive, I ask for God's forgiveness for my unforgiving heart, and I struggle.
Lord, help me with this...
In His Grace...
Wednesday, August 29, 2012
Just where He wants you
Ever ask the question "why am I here right now?"
I have been asking that lately about my job - volatile tempers, swearing, finger pointing, back-stabbing. It's not an overly pleasant environment. And yet, when I was offered the job, I prayed, and prayed and prayed about it. I truly felt that God wanted me to take the job. It's only been nine months but I often wonder, what did I do? Why did God want me here?
For me it comes back to trust.
"Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will make your path straight." Proverbs 3:5-6
I don't know why He has me at this place at this time. But I know that He has me there for a reason. I trust that His plan is good for I know that "...in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who are called according to His purpose." Romans 8:28
Trust in Him.
In His Grace...
I have been asking that lately about my job - volatile tempers, swearing, finger pointing, back-stabbing. It's not an overly pleasant environment. And yet, when I was offered the job, I prayed, and prayed and prayed about it. I truly felt that God wanted me to take the job. It's only been nine months but I often wonder, what did I do? Why did God want me here?
For me it comes back to trust.
"Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will make your path straight." Proverbs 3:5-6
I don't know why He has me at this place at this time. But I know that He has me there for a reason. I trust that His plan is good for I know that "...in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who are called according to His purpose." Romans 8:28
Trust in Him.
In His Grace...
Tuesday, August 28, 2012
Still Small Voice of Truth
"And, behold, the LORD passed by, and a great and strong wind rent the mountains, and brake in pieces the rocks before the LORD; but the LORD was not in the wind: and after the wind an earthquake; but the LORD was not in the earthquake: And after the earthquake a fire; but the LORD was not in the fire: and after the fire a still small voice. And it was so, when Elijah heard it, that he wrapped his face in his mantle, and went out, and stood in the entering in of the cave. And, behold, there came a voice unto him, and said, What doest thou here, Elijah?" 1 Kings 19:11-13 KJV
Listen to the still small voice within yourself. It must be telling you something that is true based on scripture.
Then you know it is the voice of God, the voice of truth.
Don't second guess it or ignore it.
Listen...and obey...
Lord, I pray that I can listen and obey the still small voice with which you guide me. I pray that I will not let the busyness of life, the enemy or society lead me in the opposite direction but that I will hear your voice and follow it.
In His Grace...
Listen to the still small voice within yourself. It must be telling you something that is true based on scripture.
Then you know it is the voice of God, the voice of truth.
Don't second guess it or ignore it.
Listen...and obey...
Lord, I pray that I can listen and obey the still small voice with which you guide me. I pray that I will not let the busyness of life, the enemy or society lead me in the opposite direction but that I will hear your voice and follow it.
In His Grace...
Monday, August 27, 2012
Praying for Patience
It's interesting, isn't it? At some point or another, if you are a praying person, you have probably prayed for patience. Patience with children, with your spouse, with a job or a boss. There are so many times that we need patience and it doesn't seem to be something that comes naturally.
I was there a few years ago after our son was born. He didn't like to sleep. This required immense patience for me. I didn't understand why he didn't like to sleep and I didn't understand why he didn't want to nap. All babies nap, right?
I mentioned something about praying for patience to my brother-in-law who has been following Christ much longer than I have. He said something to the effect of you don't want to do that. I of course asked why? He said if you pray for something, God will continue to create instances in your life where you will need that characteristic. In other words, praying for patience will just lead to more instances in my life where I need to have patience. This is God's way of providing me the opportunity to build up my patience.
I don't think I truly understood at the time. I continued to pray for patience and I continued to need more patience to deal circumstances in my life.
But as I grow in my faith, and continue to read the Word daily (just finished Ezekiel as I work my way through the Bible cover to cover) I see what my brother-in-law meant. When we pray for something like patience, the way God leads us to become more patient people is by making us practice. We cannot improve a skill like patience without practicing. So he provides us the opportunities to practice.
I still need practice and periodically I still pray for His help with my patience. I trust that He will provide what I need when I need it...if only I listen to Him.
In His Grace...
I was there a few years ago after our son was born. He didn't like to sleep. This required immense patience for me. I didn't understand why he didn't like to sleep and I didn't understand why he didn't want to nap. All babies nap, right?
I mentioned something about praying for patience to my brother-in-law who has been following Christ much longer than I have. He said something to the effect of you don't want to do that. I of course asked why? He said if you pray for something, God will continue to create instances in your life where you will need that characteristic. In other words, praying for patience will just lead to more instances in my life where I need to have patience. This is God's way of providing me the opportunity to build up my patience.
I don't think I truly understood at the time. I continued to pray for patience and I continued to need more patience to deal circumstances in my life.
But as I grow in my faith, and continue to read the Word daily (just finished Ezekiel as I work my way through the Bible cover to cover) I see what my brother-in-law meant. When we pray for something like patience, the way God leads us to become more patient people is by making us practice. We cannot improve a skill like patience without practicing. So he provides us the opportunities to practice.
I still need practice and periodically I still pray for His help with my patience. I trust that He will provide what I need when I need it...if only I listen to Him.
In His Grace...
Friday, August 24, 2012
Relationships...
...are hard. It seems it is harder because, it takes two to tango, as they say. Which means that there is another person in the mix and we can't control their actions or reactions.
I was talking to a friend yesterday and she said that she has recently realized that she is only responsible for her actions and reactions. This rang so true to me. I cannot control my husbands actions and reactions but I can control mine. In our day to day life, if we have a conflict, sometimes I try to control his actions and reactions. But this is impossible. I can, however, be responsible for and control mine.
Scripture says "A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger." Proverbs 15:1 How true this is. Often I think that my husband should be the one with the gentle answer. He should be the one working on changing himself.
But in reality, God is showing me it is the other way around. As I observe couples that have been married for many years, I realize that they have conquered this art. This art of biting your tongue, this art of rephrasing a criticism. They have discovered how to give a gentle answer even when they would like to give a harsh word.
All because they have God in the center. They are focused on God in their marriages which means that they are working daily to show God's love to the other person. And not just in their marriages but also in their families, in their friendships and long-term relationships.
Lord, I need your help in this area. I have spent my lifetime failing at it. With your love, I pray I will succeed.
In His Grace...
I was talking to a friend yesterday and she said that she has recently realized that she is only responsible for her actions and reactions. This rang so true to me. I cannot control my husbands actions and reactions but I can control mine. In our day to day life, if we have a conflict, sometimes I try to control his actions and reactions. But this is impossible. I can, however, be responsible for and control mine.
Scripture says "A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger." Proverbs 15:1 How true this is. Often I think that my husband should be the one with the gentle answer. He should be the one working on changing himself.
But in reality, God is showing me it is the other way around. As I observe couples that have been married for many years, I realize that they have conquered this art. This art of biting your tongue, this art of rephrasing a criticism. They have discovered how to give a gentle answer even when they would like to give a harsh word.
All because they have God in the center. They are focused on God in their marriages which means that they are working daily to show God's love to the other person. And not just in their marriages but also in their families, in their friendships and long-term relationships.
Lord, I need your help in this area. I have spent my lifetime failing at it. With your love, I pray I will succeed.
In His Grace...
Thursday, August 23, 2012
Enough
Often in our society, we think we don't have enough. Enough money, enough prestige, enough time, enough material items, enough friends... We think if we had more...more money, time, things, friends, we'd be happier. Life would somehow be better.
But God asks us not to always want more. He asks us to be content in what we have, what He has given us.
When I was saying grace before dinner tonight with my little man, I realized in my head and my heart, we have enough. Because we have God's love. That is all we need.
That is enough.
"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
Trust in Him.
He loves you.
In His Grace...
But God asks us not to always want more. He asks us to be content in what we have, what He has given us.
When I was saying grace before dinner tonight with my little man, I realized in my head and my heart, we have enough. Because we have God's love. That is all we need.
That is enough.
"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
Trust in Him.
He loves you.
In His Grace...
Wednesday, August 22, 2012
Choosing to Love God
Because really we can either choose to love Him and try our best to do what He asks of us in His Word. Or we can not.
If we choose to love Him, we are blessed by knowing His amazing love in return. A good friend of mine said everyone has a God shaped hole inside and until we experience God's love, we keep trying to fill that hole with other things. We try to fill it with money, material possessions, food, shopping, alcohol, drugs, sex, unhealthy choices, difficult habits to break. But there is only one thing that will fill us, complete us.
God's love.
As it says in my son's Jesus Storybook Bible, "His never Stopping, Never Giving Up, Unbreaking, Always and Forever Love."
I had given my life to Christ a good seven years before I truly began to realize God's love for me. It is almost unfathomable. It is difficult to understand. The God of the universe loves us. The God of the universe loves me. My mind says "how can that be?"
But Scripture tells me it is true.
And so I choose to believe.
In His Grace...
If we choose to love Him, we are blessed by knowing His amazing love in return. A good friend of mine said everyone has a God shaped hole inside and until we experience God's love, we keep trying to fill that hole with other things. We try to fill it with money, material possessions, food, shopping, alcohol, drugs, sex, unhealthy choices, difficult habits to break. But there is only one thing that will fill us, complete us.
God's love.
As it says in my son's Jesus Storybook Bible, "His never Stopping, Never Giving Up, Unbreaking, Always and Forever Love."
I had given my life to Christ a good seven years before I truly began to realize God's love for me. It is almost unfathomable. It is difficult to understand. The God of the universe loves us. The God of the universe loves me. My mind says "how can that be?"
But Scripture tells me it is true.
And so I choose to believe.
In His Grace...
Tuesday, August 21, 2012
Choosing to Love
"Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs....It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres." 1 Corinthians 13:4-7
The kind of love you have to choose is selfless love. It is the kind that takes work. It is the kind that keeps marriages together, friendships going after many years, relationships going within families. It is difficult. It is challenging. It is the kind of love God speaks of in scripture when he tells us to "love your neighbor as yourself" Leviticus 19:18.
It is not the easy kind of love that makes you feel giddy when you start falling for someone. It is not the kind of love that makes a mother's heart swell when she looks at her child(ren). It is not the love that we so often talk about in our daily lives - I love pizza, I love my dog, I love this song.
This kind of love takes conscious effort. It requires that sometimes we make the choice to do what the other person wants instead of what we want. It requires that we put our husband/wife/child/neighbor before us on a regular basis. It requires that sometimes we have to do something we just really don't want to do.
My husband and I have been struggling with this kind of love. Our relationship has been going through a difficult stage. We've been blaming it on a lack of communication, but just yesterday afternoon, we both came to the conclusion that it actually is just selfishness. We are both letting the selfishness that is so natural to our sinful natures come through. And it has been eating away at the relationship we have spent the last 15 years building.
Each of the things the verse in 1 Corinthians speaks of is the opposite of what my sinful nature wants to do. When I am choosing not to love, I am not patient, I am not kind. I do envy, I do boast and I am proud. When I am choosing not to love, I am rude, I am self-seeking, I am easily angered and I do keep record of wrongs. When I am choosing not to love I can hurt those I love, I don't always trust or hope or persevere.
I must choose to love on a daily basis - my family, my friends, my neighbors....
The only way I am able to choose to love daily is through the love of Jesus Christ. In my own strength I will fail every time.
But with Jesus, I can succeed.
In His Grace...
The kind of love you have to choose is selfless love. It is the kind that takes work. It is the kind that keeps marriages together, friendships going after many years, relationships going within families. It is difficult. It is challenging. It is the kind of love God speaks of in scripture when he tells us to "love your neighbor as yourself" Leviticus 19:18.
It is not the easy kind of love that makes you feel giddy when you start falling for someone. It is not the kind of love that makes a mother's heart swell when she looks at her child(ren). It is not the love that we so often talk about in our daily lives - I love pizza, I love my dog, I love this song.
This kind of love takes conscious effort. It requires that sometimes we make the choice to do what the other person wants instead of what we want. It requires that we put our husband/wife/child/neighbor before us on a regular basis. It requires that sometimes we have to do something we just really don't want to do.
My husband and I have been struggling with this kind of love. Our relationship has been going through a difficult stage. We've been blaming it on a lack of communication, but just yesterday afternoon, we both came to the conclusion that it actually is just selfishness. We are both letting the selfishness that is so natural to our sinful natures come through. And it has been eating away at the relationship we have spent the last 15 years building.
Each of the things the verse in 1 Corinthians speaks of is the opposite of what my sinful nature wants to do. When I am choosing not to love, I am not patient, I am not kind. I do envy, I do boast and I am proud. When I am choosing not to love, I am rude, I am self-seeking, I am easily angered and I do keep record of wrongs. When I am choosing not to love I can hurt those I love, I don't always trust or hope or persevere.
I must choose to love on a daily basis - my family, my friends, my neighbors....
The only way I am able to choose to love daily is through the love of Jesus Christ. In my own strength I will fail every time.
But with Jesus, I can succeed.
In His Grace...
Monday, August 20, 2012
Put God in the Center
My husband and I have joined a small group. Five couples get together once a week to fellowship and study God's word. The first study our group chose is taken from the movie Fireproof. It is a marriage study and comes at a great time for us.
My husband and I have been struggling with how to stay close as a couple since the birth of our son. Our previous communication patterns have been disrupted and instead of developing new ones, we were allowing the communication to fall by the wayside. My temperament is such that when I am faced with a problem, I am always looking for information that may help me.
The first of this information came from KLOVE. It was from Lysa Terkeurst with Proverbs 31 Ministries. She was speaking of her own marriage and the struggles she and her husband experienced early on in their marriage. She mentioned that when they were trying to do marriage as two individuals, it didn't work very well. But when they placed God at the center of their marriage, it turned their marriage around.
I remember thinking, how do you put God at the center?
Then in our first meeting with our small group, the leader of the group mentioned that he and his wife have been married for 40+ years and they have enjoyed a God centered marriage. This was the second time I heard this phrase mentioned and I was so excited.
God was telling me what my husband and I needed to do and providing teachers that know how. Thank you Lord!
In His Grace...
My husband and I have been struggling with how to stay close as a couple since the birth of our son. Our previous communication patterns have been disrupted and instead of developing new ones, we were allowing the communication to fall by the wayside. My temperament is such that when I am faced with a problem, I am always looking for information that may help me.
The first of this information came from KLOVE. It was from Lysa Terkeurst with Proverbs 31 Ministries. She was speaking of her own marriage and the struggles she and her husband experienced early on in their marriage. She mentioned that when they were trying to do marriage as two individuals, it didn't work very well. But when they placed God at the center of their marriage, it turned their marriage around.
I remember thinking, how do you put God at the center?
Then in our first meeting with our small group, the leader of the group mentioned that he and his wife have been married for 40+ years and they have enjoyed a God centered marriage. This was the second time I heard this phrase mentioned and I was so excited.
God was telling me what my husband and I needed to do and providing teachers that know how. Thank you Lord!
In His Grace...
Friday, August 17, 2012
Gentle and quiet spirit
"Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as braided hair and the wearing of gold jewelry and fine clothes. Instead, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God's sight." 1 Peter 3:3-4
My sister is beautiful. I have always thought this and always looked up to her - my big sister. I have admired her from the time I could walk. My mother said I was always the "me too" girl. If my sister was doing something, I wanted to also. When we look at pictures from our childhood, our hair was always cut the same, our clothes were similar. As we grew older people would ask if we were twins. I took this as a compliment since it must have meant that I looked like her.
As we have grown older, she is still beautiful. I still look up to her. What I look up to now is not just her physical beauty, but the gentle and quiet spirit that I witness in her on a regular basis. Even when her patience is being tested, she remains calm. Even when someone loses their temper with her, she responds in a quiet, kind manner. She is my example of this verse. And this is what I strive for.
Unfortunately, I have a ways to go. My temper flares. I allow words out of my mouth before I have thought them through. Each time, God is giving me another opportunity to make the gentle and quiet choice.
Lord, help me succeed more often than fail. Grant me a gentle and quiet spirit in the altercations of life.
In His Grace...
My sister is beautiful. I have always thought this and always looked up to her - my big sister. I have admired her from the time I could walk. My mother said I was always the "me too" girl. If my sister was doing something, I wanted to also. When we look at pictures from our childhood, our hair was always cut the same, our clothes were similar. As we grew older people would ask if we were twins. I took this as a compliment since it must have meant that I looked like her.
As we have grown older, she is still beautiful. I still look up to her. What I look up to now is not just her physical beauty, but the gentle and quiet spirit that I witness in her on a regular basis. Even when her patience is being tested, she remains calm. Even when someone loses their temper with her, she responds in a quiet, kind manner. She is my example of this verse. And this is what I strive for.
Unfortunately, I have a ways to go. My temper flares. I allow words out of my mouth before I have thought them through. Each time, God is giving me another opportunity to make the gentle and quiet choice.
Lord, help me succeed more often than fail. Grant me a gentle and quiet spirit in the altercations of life.
In His Grace...
Thursday, August 16, 2012
Resting
As our days are filled with more and more activities, and our minds are filled with ever increasing thoughts, something that seems to be more difficult to accomplish is truly resting. God created the heavens and the earth and on the 7th day "...he rested from all his work" Genesis 2:2.
This is something I struggle with. I grew up in a family that owned their own business. If you were sitting still, you were being lazy. Even vacations with my dad were jam packed with activities. When my sister and I hit our teenage years and our family went to Hawaii on vacation, the two of us wanted to lie on the beach. My father just didn't understand. Why would you just want to lie on the beach when you could be snorkeling, hiking, swimming, body surfing...?
So on weekend days when we are home as a family, I feel that I should always be doing something - laundry, dusting, vacuuming, cleaning, cooking, gardening...of course it doesn't help that the list is endless.
Even on vacation I have difficulty if there is a day without activities planned. My husband jokes with me that it is an inherited trait from my father.
But obviously, my heavenly father had different ideas on the subject. Lately I have begun to wonder what rest should look like on the 7th day. Should I finish that load of laundry? Should I cook my family a nice meal? Is it alright to go for an afternoon to the zoo?
As far as I know, there isn't anything with specifics in the Bible regarding this subject. But I think that God's idea was that our bodies and minds need a day to rest and rejuvenate. I don't think it means that we must stop all activity and do nothing all day. I do think that it is good to keep our activities to a minimum one day each weekend, to focus on God and to enjoy our families.
What do you think?
In His Grace...
This is something I struggle with. I grew up in a family that owned their own business. If you were sitting still, you were being lazy. Even vacations with my dad were jam packed with activities. When my sister and I hit our teenage years and our family went to Hawaii on vacation, the two of us wanted to lie on the beach. My father just didn't understand. Why would you just want to lie on the beach when you could be snorkeling, hiking, swimming, body surfing...?
So on weekend days when we are home as a family, I feel that I should always be doing something - laundry, dusting, vacuuming, cleaning, cooking, gardening...of course it doesn't help that the list is endless.
Even on vacation I have difficulty if there is a day without activities planned. My husband jokes with me that it is an inherited trait from my father.
But obviously, my heavenly father had different ideas on the subject. Lately I have begun to wonder what rest should look like on the 7th day. Should I finish that load of laundry? Should I cook my family a nice meal? Is it alright to go for an afternoon to the zoo?
As far as I know, there isn't anything with specifics in the Bible regarding this subject. But I think that God's idea was that our bodies and minds need a day to rest and rejuvenate. I don't think it means that we must stop all activity and do nothing all day. I do think that it is good to keep our activities to a minimum one day each weekend, to focus on God and to enjoy our families.
What do you think?
In His Grace...
Wednesday, August 15, 2012
Altercation
I had an altercation with our neighbor again today. This is nothing new. It seems that this neighbor and I do not see eye to eye.
After the altercation, I prayed about it to give it to God. But instead I found myself going over and over it, again and again in my mind. She said this and then I said that and then she said this. And I think of things I would like to have said, but in my frustration and anger, in the shaking hands and the disappointment, I cannot think clearly or express what I am truly trying to express.
So then I pray to try to give it to God. And I succeed for a bit. But then my mind returns to it, again and again.
Give it to God again.
Take it back.
Give it to God again.
Take it back.
It is quite funny. This came on the same afternoon that I had written the previous blog about worry. I find this happens quite a bit. I write a blog about something, then God tests me in that.
So I must present to God my request, with thanksgiving, so that I might have His peace which transcends all understanding to guard my heart and my mind in Christ Jesus.
Lord, grant me the ability to do just that. And please, please help me extend your grace to my neighbor.
In His Grace...
After the altercation, I prayed about it to give it to God. But instead I found myself going over and over it, again and again in my mind. She said this and then I said that and then she said this. And I think of things I would like to have said, but in my frustration and anger, in the shaking hands and the disappointment, I cannot think clearly or express what I am truly trying to express.
So then I pray to try to give it to God. And I succeed for a bit. But then my mind returns to it, again and again.
Give it to God again.
Take it back.
Give it to God again.
Take it back.
It is quite funny. This came on the same afternoon that I had written the previous blog about worry. I find this happens quite a bit. I write a blog about something, then God tests me in that.
So I must present to God my request, with thanksgiving, so that I might have His peace which transcends all understanding to guard my heart and my mind in Christ Jesus.
Lord, grant me the ability to do just that. And please, please help me extend your grace to my neighbor.
In His Grace...
Tuesday, August 14, 2012
Worry
Do you ever worry? I do. I have struggled with this for a long time.
It seems as I meet more women in the Christian world, it is something that is common for many of us. In this busy day and age, we seem to be struggling with some things more than others. And as we get older and have families of our own, that brings another dimension to the possibilities to worry about.
Early on in my life with Christ, someone mentioned this verse:
"Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, through prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your request to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." Philippians 4:6-7
It has carried me through many stressful situations. It has helped me immeasurably when I am struggling with the tendency to worry. If I find myself worrying, I recite this verse. Then I follow the instructions held within. I must remember to be thankful (a common thread throughout my life and my blogs) and prayerful regarding whatever is causing me to worry.
When I first memorized this verse, I only memorized verse 6. But then one day re-reading it in my bible, I noticed that verse 7 was equally important. If I choose to fulfill the instructions in verse 6, then look what I get in verse 7 "...the peace of God, which transcends all understanding...". His peace will be guarding my heart and mind. What a wonderful truth that I can find rest in!
I hope it will help you rest in God's peace as well.
In His Grace...
It seems as I meet more women in the Christian world, it is something that is common for many of us. In this busy day and age, we seem to be struggling with some things more than others. And as we get older and have families of our own, that brings another dimension to the possibilities to worry about.
Early on in my life with Christ, someone mentioned this verse:
"Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, through prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your request to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." Philippians 4:6-7
It has carried me through many stressful situations. It has helped me immeasurably when I am struggling with the tendency to worry. If I find myself worrying, I recite this verse. Then I follow the instructions held within. I must remember to be thankful (a common thread throughout my life and my blogs) and prayerful regarding whatever is causing me to worry.
When I first memorized this verse, I only memorized verse 6. But then one day re-reading it in my bible, I noticed that verse 7 was equally important. If I choose to fulfill the instructions in verse 6, then look what I get in verse 7 "...the peace of God, which transcends all understanding...". His peace will be guarding my heart and mind. What a wonderful truth that I can find rest in!
I hope it will help you rest in God's peace as well.
In His Grace...
Monday, August 13, 2012
Do Over
Do you ever wish you could have a do over?
I do.
I needed one this morning at 6:45am. A company that had been contracted with our local electricity provider arrived in our neighborhood and started hammering on the utility poles. At 6:45 in the morning! They woke up our little man. They woke up my husband. They interrupted my quiet time.
I reacted.
I went outside and told the fellows that there is a noise ordinance in our city that says they can't do that until later in the morning. I argued with one of them. They said their contract said they can start at 6am and they were just doing their jobs. I took my frustration out on them when I shouldn't have. I did not behave like a woman filled with grace.
There is an upside however. As I was driving to work, just a few blocks from our home, I saw the same fellows. God gave me the opportunity to stop and apologize for my behavior earlier. I did.
I am thankful they were kind and gracious.
I pray that I can do a better job next time, because I know there will be a next time.
In His Grace...
I do.
I needed one this morning at 6:45am. A company that had been contracted with our local electricity provider arrived in our neighborhood and started hammering on the utility poles. At 6:45 in the morning! They woke up our little man. They woke up my husband. They interrupted my quiet time.
I reacted.
I went outside and told the fellows that there is a noise ordinance in our city that says they can't do that until later in the morning. I argued with one of them. They said their contract said they can start at 6am and they were just doing their jobs. I took my frustration out on them when I shouldn't have. I did not behave like a woman filled with grace.
There is an upside however. As I was driving to work, just a few blocks from our home, I saw the same fellows. God gave me the opportunity to stop and apologize for my behavior earlier. I did.
I am thankful they were kind and gracious.
I pray that I can do a better job next time, because I know there will be a next time.
In His Grace...
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