3 Verses to Help You When You're Anxious

We all know what it is like to be anxious for something to happen.  Perhaps you have been praying for God to work in your marriage.  Maybe your waiting to hear back from a job interview.  Those tests were a week ago and you’re still waiting by the phone to hear the results.

Regardless of the circumstance, anxiety can creep in during those “waiting” moments.  While you are waiting, let me share with you three verses to memorize, meditate on and trust.

“Stand Still”- Exodus 14:13

Moses led the Hebrews out of Egypt. They reached the Red Sea. Pharaohs army was closing in behind them.  Many of the Hebrews turned on Moses and proclaimed, “Have you brought us out here to die?  We were better off in Egypt!”  Life has a way of piling up quickly.  It can change in the blink of an eye.  Maybe you have felt like the Hebrews.  The sea is in front of you and Pharaohs army is behind you! You’re scared, overwhelmed and don’t understand!  When those feelings come on you listen to the words of Moses.  “Stand still!  The Lord will fight for you!”  God didn’t bring you this far to drop you.  Let your faith, not fear, motivate you! Stand still and trust him.

 “Sit Still”- Ruth 3:18

Ruth was waiting on a man named Boaz to pursue her.  Hoping that she had caught his attention, her former mother-in-law encourages her to sit still and wait. She had done her part, now it was time for God to do the rest!  We all need that reminder sometimes.  You do what God has asked you to do and then sit still and watch God do the rest…in HIS time.   Whether you are waiting for “Mr. or Mrs. Right” or you have done all you know to do and nothing has happened yet, sit still and be patient.  God has a plan.  He knows best.

“Be Still”- Psalms 46:10

Two things I know for certain: there is a God and I’m not Him!  Ninety-nine percent of the things we worry about never come to pass.  We maneuver, manipulate, stretch the truth and try to force things to happen that were never meant to happen.  When you are feeling overwhelmed and anxious and you are trying to work in your own power remember, you are not God.  He made you!  He knows what is best for you!  Be still and trust Him to work on your behalf!

Stand still, sit still and be still.  3 simple verses you can tuck away in your spirit for those days you feel anxious and overwhelmed. 

2 Things to Remember When Disaster Strikes!

2 Things to Remember When Disaster Strikes

The last few months have brought hurricanes, forest fires and earthquakes.  Typically, people tend to talk about the reason why these things are happening.  I have heard reasons from global warming or environmental reasons to people saying it’s nature’s way of punishing the United States for electing Trump.   I’m not convinced either of those explanations have any merit. Others begin to discuss the end of the world, Armageddon and the like.  So, in the midst of terrible things happening, how do make sense of what is happening?  Let me give you two things to remember when disaster strikes:

1-      God is still good, even when things are bad!

In any disaster, natural or otherwise, God is still good.  He is still full of grace and mercy.  Some folks look at life as a series of mountains and valleys. I tend to think of it more like two railroad tracks running alongside each other.  While something bad is happening, typically there is always something good happening as well. 

How can I look at life this way? It’s simple.  I am a follower of Christ. Because of that I have hope!  In Romans, God reminds us as believers, He is working all things for our good.  Even when disaster and tragedy strikes, God is working the situation for my good.  Why? Because He is good and He loves me.       

Psalm 118:  When hard pressed, I cried to the Lord; he brought me into a spacious place.6 The Lord is with me; I will not be afraid. What can mere mortals do to me? 7 The Lord is with me; he is my helper. I look in triumph on my enemies…13 I was pushed back and about to fall, but the Lord helped me.  14 The Lord is my strength and my defense;  he has become my salvation

           2-      None of us are promised tomorrow!

I will turn 40 in January. (If you need my address to send money, I mean well wishes, you can email me.)  The older I get the more reality sets in.  My physical body is wearing out slowly and time marches on whether I want it to or not.   As I get older, I find myself thinking more about what my life means and how it is impacting the world. While I’m busy worrying or angry over things that really don’t matter, life is happening. Opportunities are wasted. This day will only pass by once and the big question is, what are you doing with it?

So, is it global warming?  Is it Trump or Obamas fault? Is it the end of the world?  I have no idea!  What I do know is, when disaster happens it’s a reminder to me that life is short.  I need to love more, share the gospel more, stop wasting my life, cling to God’s promises, do good, spend more time with my son and enjoy this life because it is fleeting. 

The next time you’re facing a disaster, natural or otherwise, remember God is still good and none of us are promised tomorrow.  Live life intentionally!

The grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of our God endures forever." -Isaiah 40:8

You're Failure isn't Final!

Everyone knows what it is like to fail.  As children, losing that first game or being picked last, hurts.  If we were honest, even as an adult, failure isn’t fun.

As adults, our marriages sometimes fail. The business we worked so hard to get started doesn’t work out. Sometimes, our children end up in trouble. Truthfully, in this life we can find ourselves stressed, depressed and feeling like we should give up.

Can I tell you something?  Regardless of how you feel in those moments, your failure isn’t final.  God’s plan for your life is never a dead end.  It's ok, and might I add healthy, to allow yourself some time to grieve over your failure. But remember, God is still there and willing to offer you a second chance.

 Micah 7:8 says:

“We have fallen, but we will rise again. We are in darkness now, but the Lord will give us light”

 Isaiah 43:18-19 says:

“Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past, see I am doing a new thing!  Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? 

Perhaps you find yourself in a situation today where you feel hopeless.  My encouragement to you is, allow God to restore your strength and renew your joy. He is willing to begin a new thing in your life! Hear him when he says, “I’m not finished with you yet!”

Dust yourself off and get back to living the abundant life Jesus died to offer you!  Pursue those dreams! Love again! Fight those depressing thoughts and attitudes and remember, there is always the invitation to get up and try one more time.