Do Not Worry

This morning I awoke with an unsettled spirit. It's been a difficult week, but this morning had a special edge to it.

I've been praying for two special people who don't know God. They don't have the spirit of Christ in them, because they haven't claimed Christ as Lord and Savior. They don't know his peace or how he changes our hearts and fills us with love because...
                  They just don't. Or won't.

I took a call from one of them at 2:30 this morning and it still feels like a dream.

 "We got into a fight and I called the police. They're on the way."

I got further instructions to call the sheriff's department if I didn't hear back by morning.
                         

                               I haven't heard back yet.

It's fitting then, that today's bible study was about the story of Mary and Martha in Luke 10:38-42.

Martha was a friend of Jesus, who'd opened her house for him. She was trying to get all the preparations made but her sister Mary, was sitting at his feet, just listening to what he was saying. Frustrated, Martha says, "Lord, don't you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!"

Jesus says, "Martha, Martha, you are worried and upset about many things, but few things are needed - or indeed only one. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her."

In my study Bible, this passage cross references to other stories about disciples dealing with life's concerns. One of those stories has to do with material possessions (Mt 6:25-34) and the other is when they're sinking in a boat during a storm at sea. (Mark 4:38)

Christ's command remains unchanging for all these situations.

       Worry is not allowed for followers of Jesus.

Christ didn't worry in any situation because he always trusted His heavenly father. He considers those who do it, to be people of little faith.

So I'll continue to sit at his feet every day and listen to him - and not worry.

     Will you join me?

Staying Worry Free - Part 2

I hope you were able to splurge on yourself a little yesterday and buy a great journal. As I said in Part 1 of this post, journaling is a great way to measure and track our spiritual progress. I've heard it said over and over that humans can only remember a recent event for 72 hours. After that, the memory fades and the event is stored in our brain and replaced with the new information it's receiving.

In this day and age with the onslaught of media coming from everywhere, it's far too difficult to remember. And spiritual growth can be such a slow process that it's almost imperceptible and truly only visible with the passage of time.

For example, when we go to the doctor for a check-up, what does she do? She looks at our chart. She's able to take a look at our history, note the previous changes in our bodily health, and understand us better because she's written it down. 

In the same way, we can record everything we hear from God, everything he impresses on our minds and in this way, we keep track of our spiritual progress. We examine ourselves:

"Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves. Do you not realize that Christ Jesus is in you - unless, of course, you fail the test?" 2 Corinthians 13:5

After all, the Bible is the written word of God. Because his people took the time to write, we reap the benefits daily. Who knows, maybe people in the future, like our children and descendants will read our own words of faith and receive His comfort and wisdom through the stories of our lives.

Journaling helps us get everything we're feeling on the inside, out. Personally, it helps me  toward my quest for righteousness, tests my heart and helps me make sure I'm living in the faith.

This is the cover of the journal I'm using right now. I will never forget the season I'm in and the reminder that I need to trust God in all things:

Putting your life down on paper can be hard at first, but with practice it feels more natural.

Finally, do your best to push through difficulty and delight in each minute spent in quiet with Him. Even in our worst seasons of life, and in times of his discipline, He's true to his character as our Heavenly Daddy.

"I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel and watch over you."

                                                                                                               
                                                              Psalm 32:8

Staying Worry Free - Part 1

Do you practice the habit of examining your life?

Almost every day I take a few minutes to write in my journal. I write about whatever: whatever God's impressed upon my mind, daily events, dreams and desires, prayers... My journals date back to when I first believed in Jesus. They go all the way back to 1994.

In them, I can read about my first steps of faith, my struggles, new experiences with prayer and remember the promises that God later fulfilled. And I can praise Him because I'm not the same person I was. There's another benefit as well.

 Journaling helps me to not worry.

Jesus frequently commanded his followers not to worry. He constantly counseled them against fear. That's awesome for those disciples who were literally in the boat or on the mountain with him, but what about us? How can we modern disciples clear the clutter of worry from our minds?

These are the 3 things that help me the most:

•    I spend daily time in prayer and meditation with my Savior. 
•    I diligently study the Bible.
•    I write everything down!

The journals I select often reflect the state of mind I'm in at the time - playful, serene, hopeful - like these...

I have a challenge to you today. Go out and buy yourself a journal that best reflects your current state of mind and take a minute to write out your worries. Literally put them before the Lord because worrying has no benefits.

"Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?" Luke 12:25

   See you tomorrow for Part 2!

A Long Road

"Then they asked each other, "Were not our hearts burning within us while he talked with us on the road and opened the Scriptures to us?" Luke 24:32

Before we have a story that's worth telling, we sometimes have to walk a long, hard road. 

I love the story in Luke 24 about Jesus appearing to two downcast believers who were walking to Emmaus. They were filled with grief over his death and were talking when he came up beside them. They didn't realize who it was, and he joined them in their walk and explained what the Scriptures said about him.

My family and I have been walking a long hard road. For the last two months we've grieved, worried, prayed and praised God for all we've learned and experienced, and I've hardly been able to write.

I didn't know how to talk about it here, or if it was something I should share while we're still in the thick of it. But our stories shape and change us, and I've changed as a result. If I can't write about it, I might as well stop writing at all, and that's not going to happen.

One of my children has been suffering with depression and anxiety that's so severe, medical intervention was necessary. It's been extremely difficult, and I'm still praying about what to tell. I trust that since Jesus has been walking along the road with us, He'll guide me and help shape my stories. Because I want to honor my child, I won't share any personal details unless I get permission.  The stories I tell will be my own, and from the perspective of a parent.

Here is what I want you to know right now, especially for anyone who has loved ones struggling with depression or anxiety or if you are suffering yourself:

 Christ is with you.

He sees your downcast spirit and will never leave your side. You may not be able to see him right now through the difficulty and darkness, but make no mistake, He is there!

          Shout for joy, O heavens;

               rejoice, O earth;

               burst into song, O mountains!

           For the Lord comforts his people

               and will have compassion on his afflicted ones.

                                        Isaiah 49:13