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Just 10 Facts and 6 To-Dos
There is no two ways about it. I’ve become an anxious woman…again. I struggled with this years ago, and here I am again. Fearful, concerned, worried…anxious.
It’s a chest-crushing fear. A wake up in the middle of the night worry. An Oh my goodness! Am I having a heart-attack? anxious.
And for the life of me, which it actually does feel like, I can’t figure out how to alleviate the pressure. Sometimes a good cry does it, but that’s hardly a practical approach.
It doesn’t matter what my anxious thoughts are…they just are. And I’m trying to figure out how do I get past them…get rid of them? Stop feeling this way already!
I know that I can trust God and I know that He is good and I know that His ways are always best – and yet, I still feel this way.
(Feelings are a pain.)
Why?
What am I doing wrong? I think I’m focused on the right things, but I must not be.
I used to grab hold of Philippians 4:6-7 like it was my only lifeline.
“The Lord is at hand; do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”
Today I’m grabbing hold of Isaiah 26:3-4
“You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you. Trust in the LORD forever, for the LORD GOD is an everlasting rock.”
I think my mind is fixed on Christ, but maybe I don’t truly understand what that looks like practically.
What does that look like when there is so much to do and I don’t even know where to start? When there are five beautiful people who need me to have more energy, patience, or wisdom and I just don’t? When I’m scared about my health? When as soon as I get a plan, something happens to bust it to pieces? When I’m 110% tired and I still have hours of work? When I want to be with a friend but I simply can’t figure out how to make the time to do it? When I just want some rest?
Lord, I’m seriously asking. Please give me wisdom.
Because I’m doing the morning quiet time, working hard throughout the day, loving on my children whenever I can, and I’m trying to be smart about health, finances, and household stuff, but I still feel crushed.
“But we have this treasure in jars of clay, to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us. We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed; always carrying in the body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be manifested in our bodies.” 2 Cor. 4:7-10
Maybe the reality is that even though I feel this way, it isn’t the truth. I am not crushed, I am not failing, I am not hopeless, I am not alone, I am not desperate…
Those are just feelings, not fact. What are the facts?
- The fact is I’m loved in spite of all my struggles.
- The fact is I’m blessed by the very things that stress me out the most. My children, my job, my house, my finances, my ministry.
- The fact is my children are gifts from God and HE holds them in the palm of His hand, not me.
- The fact is God will enable me to do the job He has called me to regardless of whether or not everything is perfectly organized and beautifully delivered.
- The fact is loving others is more important than doing everything perfectly.
- The fact is Jesus is my life. My life, my hope, my peace is all found in Him, not in trying, doing, working, or accomplishing.
- The fact is my money is God’s and if He wants it all, that’s ok. He will provide.
- The fact is I can only do everything I can to be healthy and pray that God takes care of this raggedy old body. And if tests come back telling me scary things, then the fact is He will take care of me and my children.
- The fact is I am forgiven for all my anxious, terrified thoughts and all my frustrated, angry outbursts, and all my mistakes and sins.
- The fact is I am a Child of God. I am never alone, never forsaken, never dismissed, and never unloved.
I’m sure I could go on and on…because there are a lot of facts. Comforting facts. Blessed facts.
Could it be as simple as reminding myself of the facts of my life? God kind of gives a formula in Philippians for fighting anxiety.
* Remember that God is right here.
* Do not worry about anything.
* Pray about everything.
* Be thankful…for everything.
* Pray more.
* Let peace guard.
God’s mind-blowing peace will not just be in your life but it will actively impact you.
It will guard your heart and your mind.
Guard: “secure; shield; defend; watch over in order to protect or control; a person who keeps watch, formally assigned to protect a person or to control access to a place; protect against damage or harm”
Sometimes looking up the definition of a word, even a well-known one, gives me a deeper appreciation for its applications.
I’ve always just thought of peace as something that is, not something that does anything. But peace does do something. It protects my heart and mind from the damages of worry. It can control my heart and mind – instead of anxiety and fear controlling me.
In the middle of the night when I often have my most anxious thoughts and I’m praying hard. Sometimes I forget to pray about what’s really bothering me, I’m just requesting peace. “Please Lord, help my heart to settle down. Please Lord, calm my anxious thoughts.” Good prayers, but I believe God wants me to pray specifically about things and even thank Him for them (ugh).
“Lord, I’m afraid of the future. I’m afraid of not being able to take care of my children. Father, I know you love my children (and me) even more than I can comprehend. Thank you for that fact and thank you for my children and thank you for this body of mine. Thank you that you have placed people in my life who can help me. Thank you that you will show me the steps I need to take. Thank you that you will be all that I need no matter what happens. Thank you that I know that your peace is actively guarding my heart and mind and that I need only to trust you. Please Father, help me trust. Help me lay these burdens down and not pick them back up again. Please let Your peace reign in my heart and mind, not anxiety. Thank you Father for loving me even when I’m a big mess of fear. I love you Lord. Amen.”
Even typing that right now…I feel better. Speaking God’s truth to myself is good.
I’m pouring His words into my head. My words don’t have the power of His…power fo change, heal, and help. I’ve also written up some verses to post on my walls and doors and even in my car.
I’m determined. I’m hopeful. I’m praying.
I’m praying for us all. That we will know that the Lord is our strength and shield. That our hearts can trust him. That He will help us. I’m praying that we will know His peace that surpasses all understanding and that it will guard our hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. That with all that we are, we will give thanks to Him. (Psalm 28:7, Phil. 4:6-7) In Jesus’ name. Amen.
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My Prayer for You
I love letters. Not the actual letters…like “a, b, c, d…” although they certainly are handy…but I love hand-written letters. It’s been a disappointment of my busy life. That I can’t write long letters. I’m relegated to short texts with massive amounts of typos.
I suppose I could say each blog is a long rambling letter sent to many friends. But there’s a difference. I’m not quite as personal or vulnerable as in a letter. Someone is thinking, “More personal?!? Sharing more vulnerably?!? Woman, you share a lot!”
I’ve been reading Paul’s beautiful letter to the Ephesians, rich with imagery and encouragement, praise and prayer.
Prior to becoming a single parent I’d been studying the extraordinary armor of God with the hope of someday writing about it. But things happened and I see how God has deepened my understanding of that armor. The ponderings of that younger, less-overwhelmed-by-life me, although not wrong, are not as insightful or even to some degree applicable as I’d like.
To prepare to study what that armor is, why I’d want to wear it, and how to put it on, I’ve turned back again to the beginning of Ephesians eager to see how the letter is a preparation for the introduction of the armor of God.
The first chapter is a powerful presentation of the gospel, but this morning I am particularly impacted by Paul’s prayer in chapter 1. A godly man’s ceaseless prayer for awesome things for his siblings in Christ.
What powerful things to pray for those we love…
That they may have a spirit of wisdom
If you could read my journal, you’d see that my #1 prayer is, ‘Lord, please give me wisdom.” I pray that prayer for my children… occasionally. I am convicted.
Sometimes when I pray for wisdom, it’s more like a “Hail Mary” prayer thrown out in desperation. ‘Lord, help! I need wisdom!” And often I think I doubt that I’ll get it in time. I forget that God gives generously to those who ask. It’s His desire as well as mine that I live wisely. He will give me wisdom to walk well with Him. And He has given me His word, an imperative part of getting wisdom. I just need to ASK.
As a parent with children reaching their adult years, I can’t begin to tell you how desperately I pray my children will live and act wisely for their sake. But I want to pray more that through wisdom they will know and love God more deeply, passionately, and fully.
If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who give generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him. But let him ask in faith, without doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind. For that person must not suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways. James 1:5-8
That they may have a spirit of revelation in the knowledge of Him.
I looked up revelation – it means “uncovering”. I’m trying to figure out what a spirit of uncovering means. Feels like there is some deeper meaning to it. But maybe it’s like an “aha” moment. Like uncovering a gift and seeing it, possibly for the first time. This gift is the knowledge – the understanding – of Him. The wonder of this gift is I can continue to uncover it more and more….each uncovering revealing another beautiful understanding of who He is…and who I am.
And we know that the Son of God has come and has given us understanding, so that we may know him who is true; and we are in him who is true, in his Son Jesus Christ. He is the true God and eternal life. 1 John 5:20
That the eyes of their hearts will be enlightened
The eyes of my heart…rather an odd phrase really. But when God says to fix my gaze on Him isn’t He also saying to fix my heart on Him? A fervent prayer is that my heart be toward Him…my affection be directed to my Lord. It’s my wish for all my children’s hearts to be God’s. That they will love the Lord with all their heart, soul, mind, and strength. (Deuteronomy 6:5) That because their hearts are toward Him they will not just know of Him, but truly know Him.
That they may know the hope to which he has called them, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints.
HOPE. There is something wonderful about that word. Who doesn’t want hope? And our hope, well it’s pretty amazing. The expectation of things to come. The assurance of something better. The beauty of our hope – it isn’t some far-off hope that someday we get to have or do something. It is the promise of our salvation. The guarantee of a heavenly party, a heavenly feast, a heavenly mansion and, most wonderfully, Him for eternity.
Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful. Hebrews 10:22-23
That they may know what is the immeasurable greatness of his power toward us who believe…
Sometimes doesn’t it just feel like we are at the mercy of our circumstances, the decisions of others, our emotions (dare I say it, hormones?) and the dictates of life? It does to me. Sometimes I completely forget that God is all-powerful. The power that created the universe, that designed and made each delicate feature of the smallest creature, that made me fearfully and wonderfully, that created me with a purpose, that loved me to the Cross…that same power that raised Jesus from the dead…that power is at work within me! And for some reason today, that phrase ‘his power toward us who believe” is particularly poignant. It comforts me to know that not only do I have His power working in me, it is working on my behalf. Always has been working for me. The same power that saves me, sustains me. I want my children to know that power…to understand the strength that God gives not just for salvation, but for every day.
So today, I will pray for my children, my family, my friends…for you and even for me. That God will bless all of us with wisdom, revelation, knowledge, enlightenment, hope, and the comfort of knowing that God’s power is in you and toward you.
In Jesus’ name. Amen.
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Love Like Crazy
Oh am I having a pity-party today or what?!.
I’m all sad and lonely and feeling unchosen and unloved.
And I can’t for the life of me figure out how to get out of this funk I find myself in.
I’m trying to get into shape so I can’t sneak chocolate or drink a Coca-Cola (my usual mood enhancers).
I’m lactose-intolerant so the college years thing of eating ice cream as a way of dealing with drama is out.
I’m determined not to be a lush so I’m not gonna drown my sorrows alone with a glass of wine.
I have a houseful of children so wandering around wailing is definitely out, although highly likely if I don’t get myself together.
Woman, what is wrong with you?
Love in my house feels very conditional these days.
So many times I feel like if I don’t do what everyone wants, I’m not worthy of love…not valuable.
And the times I feel loved…well deep inside… I’m desperate to keep it. Desperate to hold on to it like a crazy woman.
(I have the lyrics “love me like crazy” running through my head, and I don’t even know if that’s a real song.)
Oh Father, please love me…love me like crazy!
I know that He has chosen me, but lately it even feels that at times I can’t figure out how to really truly believe that He loves and chooses me. How could my Father love me so much? Me?
I’m ashamed to even share how I look at myself. How I view this woman I am.
I’m working to not define myself as a failure – because I do that a lot.
I live with some people who sometimes don’t seem to value me apart from what I can do for them – who can’t begin to understand how much it hurts to be treated the way they do.
I have raised some children who don’t help, don’t hear, don’t care.
I have raised some children who could care less if I’m tired, weary, overwhelmed, and overworked.
I have raised people who drain me of all I have to give.
And yet, I love them desperately.
I love them and I’d choose them and I want them in my life.
These people who crush my heart so often.
I choose them.
I love them relentlessly.
Wow.
Wait a minute.
I wasn’t planning on going here.
But God just totally opened my eyes.
THAT is how God loves me…only perfectly.
I was just writing to deal with my sorrow and God turned it around AGAIN. My goodness! He is amazing!
I might feel like no one chooses me, but God does.
God chooses me every time. Every day. Every moment.
Even when I’m unlovable, unkind, unfaithful, un–everything. He chooses me – He loves me.
Just like I love all those difficult people God has given me.
Just like I’d choose my children over and over again regardless of how much they break my heart and drive me bonkers.
I love them like crazy!
God loves me like crazy!
I think I just started getting out of that funk…
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My First Book Review
A few months ago I had the privilege of being asked to write a review for a book by Shannon Upton entitled, Building Your Home: A Faithful Mom’s Guide to Organizing Home and Family.
I love a good book on organization. I feel like it has been my life’s goal since my first born took his first step and started mixing things up! Five children later I’m hopelessly entangled in the never-ending endeavor of organization.
Prior to having my sweeties I was a conference planner, a profession that requires a high level of organization. Now, I can’t seem to even give the illusion of being organized.
I have read so many organizing books that it’s highly likely I’ve read almost every one out there! And I’ve tried many of the techniques involved. Most recently I went through all my clothes as directed and made instant decisions. It was so effective that I can fit every season of my wardrobe in one small closet and my dresser. The only down side is I find I have very few things to wear! On top of that, I did not, as the book suggested, thank my clothes for their service to me. Apparently, I am a very ungrateful clothes wearer!
But none of these books have been quite as inspiring as this one. This one has made me think…made me what to be what Shannon Upton calls a “Jesus Mom.”
One of the first things she wrote that grabbed me and made me want to sit down for tea with her was her story of dealing with postpartum depression (PPAD). She tells how, during her struggle, someone shared their story of dealing with PPAD. This is what she says, “I knew she was trying to help me feel better by letting me know that I wasn’t alone, but all it did was make my burden seem heavier-more real somehow. She was bringing up feelings that I was trying so hard to keep under control.”
I instantly felt connected to her because I have had those moments, those interactions. I loved her honestly.
Throughout her book, Shannon shares openly about her life while encouraging us to reevaluate and find peace in our own. I love that she didn’t present herself as the perfect homemaker, but as someone working through all of life’s complexities and busyness…sharing the successes and struggles along the way.
Her book is about choosing to focus on Jesus first, to clear out the spiritual clutter of our lives. “The point isn’t ‘having it all’ or even having it all together – it’s settling our spirits so we can dwell in the Lord’s peace” (p. 15). Peace that isn’t based on perfection, but on building our homes in a way that will bring peace to our families.
Shannon warns against giving ourselves more spiritual clutter by stressing about getting organized. Putting pressure on ourselves only takes away the peace we are hoping to choose daily.
| There’s no pressure here, no hurry. Don’t go giving yourselves even more spiritual clutter over “getting organized.” In fact, I don’t even like that phrase. It implies that “organized” is a place we can get to, a thing we can achieve, but it’s not.
Your home isn’t a problem to solve, it’s a set of systems to be managed. As a Jesus Mom, you don’t want to organize your household so you can “feel at peace.” Instead, you can choose to feel peaceful while you organize.” (p. 25) |
What a great idea! Choosing peace. God’s been encouraging me to choose peace a lot lately.
I’m choosing it with varying degrees of success, but success nonetheless.
What I took from this book was that managing my home is about creating a peaceful refuge for my family that exudes Christlikness. My goal is for my home to provide me with opportunities to love the Lord well, to love my family well, and to love others well.
Shannon recommends starting with prayer. What a wonderful way to begin – praying over our home.
Dedicating it to the Lord. Asking for wisdom as we begin the process of organization. Asking for a godly perspective and a spirit of contentment. Giving thanks for all the blessings.
Then beginning.
Shannon provides some practical advice on the process and throughout encourages, inspires, and entertains with her engaging writing style. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book and have already begun the processes Shannon recommends.
I’m taking my time and praying my way through my home. And God willing, my home will be a place of ministry, not only to my family, but to my friends, neighbors, and acquaintances.
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But he said…
But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you,
for my power is made perfect in weakness.” 2 Corinthians 12:9
I have taken for granted that I understand this verse. I’ve had it memorized for years, but I don’t think I fully grasp its meaning. I think I’ve been skating along the surface of it. Satisfied with an easy glide rather than challenging myself to some beautiful spins and leaps.
Today I was thinking how much I do really want to get this passage and how there seems to be a depth to it I can’t comprehend.
God sometimes gives me better understanding through writing. It’s like I think with my fingers on the keyboard. So here I sit with a very few minutes before the day begins in earnest and I must rush to work. I had to write though. I had to “think” about this verse more.
I have a foundational understanding of the “grace is sufficient” part – I know how desperately I need grace and how it is all I need.
Sufficient is an interesting word…it means “enough to meet the needs of a situation or a proposed end.” (Merriam-Webster)
Enough for me in my situation. Enough to get me where God wants me…my proposed end in eternity.
Grace is the perfect amount to get me to God. Grace is the perfect amount to give me hope.
No matter if I need a dash or dump truck full…God provides. (Hmmmm….trying to think of a time I’ve only needed a dash…)
The second part of that verse is a bit more baffling to me.
“for my power is made perfect in weakness”
It’s like I read that verse and for a moment I have some clarity and then it clouds back up again and I think (as so many of my students say), “Wait, what?”
What has God’s power being made perfect in my weakness have to do with grace? With sufficient grace? And how does that word “perfect” fit?
I understand that God’s power shines through my life because I must rely on Him…trust Him with so much of my life.
Maybe the issue is not in my not understanding His power, but rather in not understanding my weaknesses.
I’m realizing that maybe I’m consistently viewing my weaknesses as all sin issues. I should be able to do all that God has given me to do and do it well…it must be a flaw in me that I can’t. I should be able to do this life better.
Do I have this all wrong?
I think I might.
Paul says that because of God’s power being made perfect in weakness, he “will boast all the more gladly of [his] weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon [him]. (2 Corinthians 12:9)
Another verse that seems deeper than I treat it.
Sooooo….I boast in my weaknesses? Seriously? I want to hide my weaknesses. Really hide them. Like dig a very deep hole, bury them, cover with a pretty garden, and throw away the shovel. The pretty garden is key. Keep that baby hidden and beautiful.
Paul says that because of all this grace and power stuff, he is “content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities.”
Maybe I need to look up those words and see what applies to me. Weak? Check. Insults? Not sure. Hardships? Check. Persecutions? I don’t think so. Calamities? Ummm…seems like it.
Weaknesses. In spite of them, God’s purpose prevails. That must be His power. The power to use this weak, fail of gal and make her strong in Him and possibly even a blessing to someone else.
“For when I am weak, then I am strong.” 2 Corinthians 12:10
I looked this verse up in the Matthew Henry Commentary that we inherited from an old pastor. (We backed over his books so they became ours…long story. Kinda funny. Good ending. I now own a great (albeit slightly bent) set of commentaries. And the pastor has a brand new set.)
Matthew Henry says, “ This is a Christian paradox: when we are weak in ourselves, then we are strong in the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ; when we see ourselves weak in ourselves, then we go out of ourselves to Christ, and are qualified to receive strength from him, and experience most of the supplies of divine strength and grace.” (p. 643)
I think that I understand it a bit better. If I can acknowledge my weaknesses and not turn in on myself in despair, but rather look to Jesus, the author and perfecter of my faith…if I can turn to my Savior and grab hold of his strength and power…if I can step outside of myself and into His strength…that is the power in weakness. That is God’s power perfectly working in my life not just in spite of my weakness, but within my weaknesses.
Again, I am back to the question of how does that practically happen in my life.
Maybe I’m looking too often for the 10 step plan when all I really need to do is change the way I think about things.
I seem to be looking for an actual sword I can wield throughout the day…slaying worry, anxiety, anger, frustration, disappointment, and sorrow. Have I not been given a sword to wield already?
In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darks of the evil one; and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. Ephesians 6:16-17
Sometimes I forget the power that God has given us within His word. I can look at those words as something to be studied, pondered, and memorized, and completely forget that they are life…life-giving, power-infusing, fear-dispelling, hope-instilling, peace-providing words. Words that not only show me how to live, but words that make life livable.
Psalm 119
With my whole heart I seek you; let me not wander from your commandments! I have stored up your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you. (v.10-11)
Your testimonies are my delight; they are my counselors. (v.24)
My soul melts away for sorrow; strengthen me according to your word! (v.28)
Incline my heart to your testimonies and not to selfish gain! Turn my eyes from looking at worthless things; and give me life in your ways. (v.36-37)
Teach me good judgment and knowledge, for I believe in your commandments. (v.66)
Your hands have made and fashioned me; give me understanding that I may learn your commandments. (v.73)
If your law had not been my delight, I would have perished in my affliction. (v.92)
How sweet are your words to my taste, sweeter than honey to my mouth. (v.103)
Your word is a lamp to my feet, and a light to my path. (v.105)
Your testimonies are my heritage forever, for they are the joy of my heart. (v.111)
You are my hiding place and my shield; I hope in your word. (v.114)
Great peace have those who love your law; nothing can make them stumble. (v.165)
Those verse are rich with the beauty of how God’s word is an integral part of our lives when we let it…the blessings if it are many.
The oh-so-many weaknesses that I have are not my flaws, but the cracks in my pot that let God’s power shine through. His power is holding this cracked pot together. I’ve been trying to hold it together for a while, and it is difficult work – dare I say, impossible. The visual I provide others is a harried, weary working mom who is easily frustrated, easily angered, and easily brought to tears.
The woman I show when God is holding me together is peaceful, even joyful…she knows her life is not her own that she’s been bought with a price (1 Corinthians 6:20). She knows her Savior loves her.
No matter what I struggle with or where I go or what I do or say or even think, God loves me and His power is perfectly displayed in my life…and amazingly, even in my weaknesses.
But we have this treasure in jars of clay, to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us. We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed; always carrying in the body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be manifested in our bodies. 2 Corinthians 4:7-10
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God said No and That’s a Good Thing
I just have to begin by saying thank you for all the prayers and kind words of encouragement.
Yesterday I finally called to find out test results. I was twisted in knots waiting and decided that it was time to just find out already.
When I called the nurse took a minute and then came back and said some medical stuff I don’t remember (and frankly couldn’t understand) and then she said, “So the doctor would like you to retest at your next appointment at the end of the year!”
Now THAT I did understand.
That meant that God had said, “No, precious daughter, I’m not asking you to walk that path right now.”
Thank you Father.
I have a few friends walking very difficult paths right now. I was speaking with one dear friend recently and the thought struck me that it is both comforting and difficult that God is in control.
When I said it, I thought how true that statement felt. It is both comforting and difficult that God is in control.
But trying to unpack that…it’s hard to explain. I just know it to be true.
What is comforting about God’s sovereignty?
Is it knowing that my Creator is always with me? That I’m loved and cared for in ways and to depths I can’t even comprehend?
And yet, what do I do with this element of difficult?
I find it difficult to let go…even though I don’t really know what I’d do if I was truly in charge.
Difficult to understand…the whys? And whens? And what nows?
Sometimes I think I choose to live in the difficult.
Living in the difficult…that can be like living in a pit.
And I keep going back to my pit…instead of focusing on the Lord’s goodness and love and faithfulness.
My pit dwelling appears to be based on my circumstances…shocking I know.
And because my circumstances don’t seem to be changing anytime soon, I best figure out how to get out and stay out of the pit.
But how do I not slide back in anytime soon…or ever?
This past week, waiting for results, I felt like I was scrambling desperately to get out and I couldn’t quite do it. Every “what if” thought had my feet skidding down the slippery, steep side. I felt covered in the mud of fear. Nothing I could do seemed to totally get that horrible slimy crud off of me. I just couldn’t figure out how to stop feeling the anxious feelings I was feeling.
Anxiety. It’s an awful thing. And it pushes me into pits faster than almost anything else.
I kept trying to pour scripture into my head and think thankful thoughts. I prayed for peace – begged for it.
And then I realized that I’m looking for God to do something that He has already done.
He has already given me peace…the Fruit of the Spirit – love, joy, PEACE, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.
I remember a speaker once sharing the truth that we have already been given the fruit of the Spirit – we already have it all. I don’t need to keep asking for it (not that I’m prone to ask for patience or self-control often – no matter how desperately I need them! That prayer always seems to get me into a pickle!).
Maybe the key is asking for God to reveal how to tap into it?
But then again, why does it matter exactly what I pray when God knows my needs, my wants, my hopes, my longings?
I have heard that prayer is more about building a relationship with the Lord…connecting with Him, casting our cares on Him, learning about Him, leaning on Him, and in some ways reminding ourselves that He is in control. I believe that to be true.
When I pray I’m acknowledging the One who really does hold me and everything else in the palm of His hand.
When I pray I’m reminded again that the Creator of All Things cares about me…listens to me and acts on my behalf.
As much as I speak (write) about prayer…about longing to be a prayer warrior…lately, I find it difficult. My prayers have seemed to fall flat…to be “unpassionate”, kind of weary.
My youngest daughter feels like God doesn’t hear her prayers. She has voiced repeatedly that she wants to believe in God, but she doesn’t feel like He is listening…or even there. She bursts into tears every time we talk about it.
Dear Lord, what have I not done…or done…that my precious little girl doesn’t feel like she knows You?
And yet, Lord sometimes lately I feel that way too. Sometimes I feel like my faith maybe isn’t as genuine as I thought it was. Maybe it is way more wobbly than I ever thought it could or would be.
It hurts to type that. To say that I don’t feel strong in my faith. It probably makes you think twice about reading what I write.
I wonder if others go through seasons in their faith like this…where faith is just based on the past, not something happening right now?
Remembering the joy of believing and trusting and knowing…it is a blessing in the midst of doubt, anxious thoughts, and questions.
Today while I was driving I was thinking about my faith and about gratefulness. How the two really do go together. I was thinking that when I ponder the huge number of things I could thank God for, I feel a spark of my old faith coming back.
Tonight while walking upstairs to get something, I looked down at my beautiful hardwood floors and thought how kind God was to provide them. Wood floors. Who would have thought something so not amazing could remind me of God’s love.
My house is a big blessing. It isn’t perfect, but it is near perfect for us. And I can’t begin to understand how God could bless me in such a wonderful way, I feel so unworthy of it.
I’m comforted by the knowledge that God cared about so many little things when He choose and blessed me with this home.
I’m comforted by the blessing of dear ones in my life…people who love me, pray for me, and care about me.
I’m comforted by the knowledge that no matter how wonky I feel about anything and everything, God is always decidedly loving and faithful in His care of me and mine.
I think I’m seeing it…the precious comfort of knowing my loving Father is in control.
And I’m understanding the difficulties of letting God BE in control…of letting go of my struggle to make things work out the way I think they should.
How much more peaceful my life would be if I would let go of the struggle and embrace the peace of Christ.
This past week I struggled very much and even with the good news I still struggled…I was still out of sorts. It seemed like I had residual anxiety…I maintained the fear even when the problem was resolved. I’m not sure why I did that…seems weird to me.
The weight of worry needed to lift off and the power of His peace should have been clearly there. Instead I held on to the anxious thoughts…grasped them like a crazy person. Why in the world???
Is my new normal to be anxious rather than peaceful? I shudder to think I’ve chosen that as my normal.
I wonder though…
I wonder what my deal is.
I don’t totally understand myself, but God is revealing to me in little snippets and encouragements that maybe my faith has been quite a bit academic lately. I know the Word and how it is to be applied and I know God and His love for me and I understand and am thankful for the Gospel.
But do I love God? Do I love Jesus? Do I love the Holy Spirit?
Do I really and truly LOVE them?
Is my relationship with more like a teacher and student relationship, than a Father and daughter relationship?
I think it has become that…in some ways it is easier to just do my faith using words rather than emotions. (Which is kind of ironic considering how emotional I have been lately.) It has been easier to just study Scripture than delve into a really truly deep relationship with my Lord. I wonder why that is?
Maybe words are just easier for me. Relationships involve trust…that’s not always easy.
I’m ready for a change though…to go beyond a student of the Scripture and embrace my true identity as a daughter of the King.
To once again know that my faith is indeed genuine.
To trust Jesus, who is my peace, truly does love me.
To trust that my God will never leave me nor forsake me.
And to know more deeply the wonderful mystery and blessing of a God who is loving, faithful, kind, and totally and completely in control.
