Peace Beyond Understanding

Have you ever experienced something in life that tried to rob you of your peace?  There are minor instances where our peace is suppressed only momentarily, such as when we have a flat tire on the way to work.  Sometimes in life, though, we endure hardships that seem too difficult to bear.  I know firsthand what the latter feels like.  Nearly six years ago, on August 2, 2008, my mom went to be with the Lord.  That night, my world was shattered.  But even in the midst of the most horrific night of my life, Jesus Christ wrapped His loving arms around me and my dad.  Although our human eyes saw what looked like a devastating storm raging in our lives, He showered our hearts and minds with peace beyond our understanding.

All of my life, I have read Philippians chapter four and it still one of my favorite passages of scripture.  But it wasn’t until I went through the tragedy of losing my mom that I truly began to understand the meaning of verse 7.  Here is the verse in context, “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests 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 NIV).  The Apostle Paul tells us that we should not be anxious.  That means we should not worry about anything.  Instead, he tells us to pray in every situation.

You might be thinking, how could I possibly not worry and pray when I am upset, stressed, or grieving?  I know, it sounds nearly impossible.  But I can tell you that a life with constant anxiety is much more difficult than a life with prayer at the center.  That night, as we called loved ones to give them the devastating news, Psalm 121:1-2 ran through my mind repeatedly.  It says, “I lift up my eyes to the mountains—where does my help come from?  My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth.”  I looked up at the silhouette of the mountains under the moonlit sky and prayed that God would give us strength in the coming hours, days, months, and years.

You see, even as I stood outside our camper with a broken heart, I knew that Jesus Christ was not only standing beside us, but He was holding our hands, to keep us from falling.  He is the Prince of Peace.  Although the circumstances were anything but peaceful, Jesus brought peace to our troubled hearts.  My dad and I sat beside my mom and sang, “Living by Faith.”  Our faith was the only thing that kept us going in that heartbreaking moment.  We prayed that God would send the Comforter to us.  Through our faith in God, we were showered with the peace that Paul wrote about.  We had peace in a situation where it doesn’t even seem to belong, according to our human perspective.  This kind of peace is a peace that exceeds all understanding.

One day my parents and I were enjoying a family vacation in the mountains and the next day, my dad and I were going to the local funeral home.  My heart had shattered into a million pieces.  My dad and I were exhausted, physically, mentally, and emotionally.  But we still had peace.  It wasn’t the peace like one feels while lying in the sun at the beach or listening to the raindrops go pitter patter on a metal roof.  This was the kind of Heavenly peace that I cannot understand nor fully explain.  Inexplicable peace that comes from Heaven above when the current circumstances seem like peace should not be found.  That is the kind of peace Paul writes about and the kind of peace that we experienced that night.

Six years later, I still miss my mom daily.  But my dad and I have found a new normal and a new purpose.  The same God who gave us peace in the midst of a tumultuous storm six years ago is the same God who gives us peace now, whether we are on the mountain top or in the valley.  Life without my mom is not easy, especially on days like her birthday, Mother’s Day, or even this coming Saturday, August 2.  But our lives are made glorious by the peace and joy that comes from knowing Jesus Christ!  He is the reason we live, the reason we laugh, the reason we love!  I thank Him every day for His countless blessings and His peace that passes all understanding.

I want to encourage you today.  Whatever it is you are going through, put your unwavering trust in Jesus Christ.  He will never fail you.  The peace that comes from knowing Jesus Christ as your personal Savior is unlike any other you will ever encounter on this earth.  With Jesus Christ living in your heart, you will experience a truly abundant life.  Through the good times and the bad times, He will guard your heart with peace like no other.  He will fill your heart with joy unspeakable!  You will be able to face each and every day with the calm assurance that God will give you peace beyond your understanding!

In Christ’s Love,

Jennifer

Whatever

Whatever.  It is a word uttered by countless people on television and by many disgruntled children and adults alike.  For decisions as simple as what to have for lunch to major ones such as which school to attend or what job to apply for, the casual response of “whatever” seems a little indecisive; as if the person is not focused enough to truly concentrate on the issue at hand.  Yet, with all of the shortcomings this word may hold, it is used with much abandon on issues even more crucial than meals, colleges, and careers.

According to the Merriam-Webster Dictionary, the first known use of the word whatever was recorded in the fourteenth century.  While the word has multiple meanings, one of the definitions is “anything and everything that.”  Wikipedia states that the slang term means “I don’t care what you say.”  In reality, the entire world has adopted a “whatever” attitude.

Many people today feel that they can do or say anything they like without acknowledging the consequences of their actions.  They recklessly run wide open, like a loose cannon rolling around on the deck of a ship.  Without any respect for the destruction they may cause along the way, they keep living their lives with selfish ambition, disregarding the way their actions are affecting others.

From superstars who live with reckless abandon to doctors who promote abortion, this world is filled with instances of people whose existence is essentially based on a “don’t care” attitude, devoid of values, morals, and in many cases, even common sense.  This idea of “anything goes” may be popular for the moment, but history has shown that this pattern only leads down a dead end road.

Recently, I have been saddened when I turn on the news, hearing the way many Biblical principles have largely been tossed aside in favor of more secular ones.  Many of these secular views are not just being casually referenced to, but instead, they are being promoted in the public eye at widely popular events such as the Grammy Awards and the upcoming Super Bowl.  Instead of focusing on musical talent or athletic ability, events like these are now becoming political arenas.

While the word “whatever” may relate to many things that are wrong on this earth, this word is used in a positive way in the Bible.  The Apostle Paul used this word six times within one single verse in his letter to the Philippians.  Instead of telling them that he didn’t care or that they could do whatever they pleased, he gave them advice for how they should live their lives.  He imparted wisdom, so that they could find joy for their journey, no matter what was going on around them.  His message also applies to you and me today, even in the year 2014.  Paul writes, “Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things” (Philippians 4:8 NIV).

Paul begins by telling us to think about things that are true.  In reality, the old adage is true: if you tell the truth, it’s easier to keep your story straight.  Yet the devil often tempts us to tell falsehoods on a daily basis, also imparting his own lies to try to undermine what God wants to do in our midst.  Instead of getting trapped in his evil snares, we should focus our attention on the true and living God.  Our hearts should be tuned to His still, small voice, so that we can hear the Truth, the Life, the Way, Jesus Christ.  Only by thinking on what is true will we be truly content.

He continues by saying that we should think about “whatever is noble.”  In this context, noble refers to things that are moral, upright, or honorable.  We should not even be thinking about engaging in immoral behavior.  As Christians, we have to set ourselves apart from the worldly ways, so that we can be an example to the world.  We should strive to be like Jesus, walking daily in His Father’s will, always shining our light for all to see, like a beacon in the night.

Paul also encourages us to think about things that are right.  This concept brings to mind a child who is learning the difference between right and wrong.  You can tell them multiple times not to eat several handfuls of candy before bed.  Inevitably, they will sneak into the candy jar, testing their limits just to see what happens.  In their case, this results in a stomach ache that eventually subsides.  Sadly, our human inclination to “push the limit” often does greater damage, resulting in permanent injury or even death.  We know it is right to obey the speed limit, yet we all find ourselves going a “little over” at times.  We need to remember that a slight increase in speed can be so much more detrimental if we have a blowout or a deer runs in front of our car.  By doing what is right in all things, we will certainly avoid unwarranted heartache and disappointment in life.

Then Paul says we should think about “whatever is pure,” “lovely,” and “admirable.”  When I hear the word pure, I am reminded of the precious blood of Jesus that washes us white as snow.  Our sins have been forgiven.  We have been cleansed.  We are pure through Jesus Christ.  Yet this world imparts so much corruption, from immoral living arrangements to the disregard for human life.  Instead of hiding in a corner somewhere, we need to take a stand for Jesus, showing the world that Jesus saves.  We must carry the message of His love to a lost and dying world, keeping our minds pure, focused on the One who is the purest of the pure, the most admirable, and worthy of our praise, Jesus Christ.

Finally, Paul tells us that our minds should be centered on anything that is “excellent” or “praiseworthy.”  Paul doesn’t tell us to think about the expletives we heard on that “family friendly” television program.  And he doesn’t tell us to dwell on the fact that we told a lie, cheated someone out of something, or engaged in any other inappropriate behavior.  Instead, he tells us to live of a life of excellence.  We should think about things that will allow us to be a positive role model for others to look up to and to think about things that are worthy of our praise.

You may be reading this, thinking, “I can’t think about all of those things right now.  There are too many things about me you don’t know.  It’s just...too difficult.”  You might even respond to this blog by saying, “Whatever.”  Friend, I want to encourage you today.  Your situation may be dire, but so was Paul’s when he wrote this scripture.  Paul wrote this letter while he was confined in prison.  Even so, he uses the words “joy” and “rejoice” in the book of Philippians a total of sixteen times.  He knew that Jesus would deliver him from behind those bars.  And he also had the assurance that whether he remained in prison or was soon set free, God would take care of him.

Paul unlocked the secret to living in peace, despite our current situations.  In Philippians 4:6-7, he writes, “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.  And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding,will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Paul knew there was more to life than the bars that surrounded him. Whatever happened, he knew that God would be faithful to the end.

God will do the same thing for you.  No matter what your circumstances, Jesus Christ loves you with an everlasting love.  Every mountain you have to climb, He will help you summit every peak.  Every river you have to cross, He will be your lifeline.  And every day you wake up wondering how you will get out of bed in the morning, He will be there, holding out His hand, giving you strength to face another day.  And when you give God all of your worries and cares, you’ll find that it becomes easier to think about the positive instead of dwelling on the negativity.  So set aside your fears, cast aside your “whatever’s,” and rejoice in the Lord always!

In Christ’s Love,

Jennifer

We're Gonna Make It!

Today, my students were reading a story about a man who found himself in a fishing boat that was sinking.  The termites had quickly begun eating the wood of the boat, compromising the hull.  Instead of immediately trying to find a solution to the problem at hand, he began to panic.  In fact, his first remark was, “We’re not going to make it.”  Eventually, he made an attempt to fix the gaping hole in the hull of the boat, and they made it safely to the shore.  By overcoming his fears, he managed to emerge victorious.

While this is simply a children’s story, I feel that it applies to our everyday lives as well.  So often we find ourselves in difficult situations, uncertain of what we should do.  We become frustrated and our ability to think clearly fades significantly.  Many times, our first inclination is to give up.  That is the easy way out.  Philippians 4:13 says, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”  With Christ on our side, we don’t have to admit defeat.  Instead, we can confidently declare, “We’re gonna make it!”

How many times this week have you said, “I can’t?”  If you’re like me, I’m sure these two infamous words have graced your lips at least once.  As humans, we are imperfect.  We struggle and sometimes we fail.  But even when we face difficult times, we can rest assured that everything will be alright.  Romans 8:28 tells us that “All things work together for good to those who love God and are called according to His purpose.”  Bear in mind that this does not mean that everything will be good.  Instead, it means that everything we do will work together for our good.  God will never leave us hanging.  If we trust Him, He will ensure that our lives fit perfectly into His perfect will and His plan for our lives.

What struggles are you going through at this very moment in your life?  Are you trying desperately to lose weight?  Is it becoming more and more difficult to pay your bills each month?  Do you worry daily about someone in your family who is going through a physical or emotional battle?  I want to encourage you right now wherever you are.  God has not forgotten you.  He knows exactly what mountain you may be facing or what river you may be crossing.  Look around.  He is standing right next to you.  He will never let you fall.  He will help you remove all doubt.  Hold on to His hand and never, ever let go.

This world is ever-changing.  The news is full of sad, heart-wrenching stories of people around the world who are hurting, starving, or ailing.  There are those who are scared or depressed.  And some of them simply want to throw in the towel.   But even through the wars, famines, and destruction, we have a Hope that reaches beyond the most hopeless situations.  God’s hand is upon you and me.  He will be our Shelter from the storm.  He will catch us when we fall.  He will keep our ship afloat.  And no matter what comes our way, we can boldly proclaim, “We’re gonna make it!”

In Christ’s Love,

Jennifer

Giving Grace

When I was a little girl, rarely a day went by that I did not go next door to visit my grandparents.  One day I would help them pick up pecans under the tallest tree in their yard, a tree that towered over me like an enormous giant with an infinite number of sprawling arms.  Sometimes, I would wheel my little red wagon down to their house, either full of baby dolls or carrying my cat Morris or my pet rabbit Speckles.  Another day, we would be inside, making Grandma Ethel’s famous chocolate pound cake (which I still make in her memory to this very day) or Papa Joe’s mouthwatering homemade ice cream.  I always loved this activity because they always let me lick the paddle when the ice cream was ready to eat!

But it wasn’t these fond childhood memories that make the top of the list.  And it wasn’t the cherished moments I spent with my Grandma, listening intently as she taught me to play the autoharp.  It wasn’t even the trips to town in Papa Joe’s blue and white Ford pick-up truck, where we would ride with the windows rolled down, singing at the top of our lungs, “In the Good ‘Ole Summertime.”  What makes the visits to Papa and Grandma’s house special in my storehouse of memories are the many ways they showed their love for me and love for God.

One thing I distinctly remember is the way they always made sure we said grace whenever I was sharing a meal with them.  We would hold hands, bow our heads in reverence to the Almighty, and then pray together.  They, along with my parents, taught me at a young age the importance of being sincerely grateful for my food and asking God to bless it.  While I now say a prayer in my own words, I will always remember those timeless words that my Grandma, Papa, and I would say in unison:

God is great, God is good.

Let us thank Him for this food.

By His hands, we are fed.

Give us Lord our daily bread.

Amen.

Such a simple prayer, yet it is one that embodies such a complex meaning.  As a child, I knew we were to be thankful.  I knew we were to say grace.  I knew we should pray.  But only as an adult have I discovered that grace is much more than a prayer recited at mealtime.

Grace is one of the most precious gifts ever given to us by God.  Through grace, a lost soul can be found.  Through grace, a broken heart can be mended.  Through grace, a shattered life can be restored.

For decades, congregations have gathered together in one accord to join their voices in song as they joyously sing the beloved hymn, “Amazing Grace.”  Just the melody of this song can produce goose bumps on your arms and cause a chill to run gently up and down your spine.  But it’s not because of the singer, the musician, or even the writer of this cherish tune.  It’s because of the priceless meaning that is held within the lyrics of this powerful and anointed song.  John Newton must have had a direct connection to the Heavenly choir of angels when he penned the following lyrics:

Amazing Grace, how sweet the sound,
That saved a wretch like me.
I once was lost but now am found,
Was blind, but now I see.

T'was Grace that taught my heart to fear.
And Grace, my fears relieved.
How precious did that Grace appear
The hour I first believed.

Through many dangers, toils and snares
I have already come;
'Tis Grace that brought me safe thus far
and Grace will lead me home.

The Lord has promised good to me.
His word my hope secures.
He will my shield and portion be,
As long as life endures.

Yea, when this flesh and heart shall fail,
And mortal life shall cease,
I shall possess within the veil,
A life of joy and peace.

When we've been here ten thousand years
Bright shining as the sun.
We've no less days to sing God's praise
Than when we've first begun.

Grace.  It has been sung about, written about, and talked about for thousands of years.  But just as this beloved hymn states, we shall be showered with the goodness of God’s grace forevermore if we have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ, His Son.  God will not only bestow upon us His matchless grace, but He will also fill our hearts with peace if we come to Him with grateful hearts.  Philippians 4:6-7 says, “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.  And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus [emphasis added].”  You see, God wants us to be happy and to have no worries or cares.  Much like my grandparents and I always said grace, we should always be thankful for everything God.  If we give grace for what God does for us, the grace He gives in return will be greater than you or I could ever imagine!

In Christ’s Love,

Jennifer

If Every Day Was Sunday

Did you ever wonder what it would be like if every day was Sunday?  Today, I find myself wishing this to be true.  Sundays are the one day a week when I can slow down, take a deep breath, and truly enjoy the day.  There are generally no deadlines to meet, no work-related phone calls to make, and no stressful situations to wade through.  Instead, there are delightful conversations with friends and family, uplifting church services to attend, and delicious food of which to partake.  Not to mention the fact that Sunday afternoons also bring several luxuries to me personally: surfing the web, working on my blog, and one of my absolute favorites, playing the piano.  But the one thing I like the most about Sunday is not the absence of stress or the ability to do as I please.  The thing I enjoy the most is the fact that people around the world are simultaneously lifting up their voices in praise to the Lord of Lords and King of Kings.

Additionally, the arrival of Sunday morning means that Christians in all four corners of the world are standing together in prayer, united together.  If only for a moment, their hearts are joined in one accord.  God’s Word says where two or three are gathered together in the name of Jesus Christ, there He will be in the midst of them (Matthew 18:20).  Just imagine how the angels must rejoice in Heaven when thousands upon thousands gather together on Sunday.  What would the world be like if Christians united together every single day of the week?  How would the news change if Christians everywhere met each morning to pray?  Surely, the world would no longer be the same.  Life would change for the better if every day was Sunday.
 

Philippians 4:4 (NIV) says, “Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!”  Paul does not say to rejoice in the Lord only on Sundays.  Instead, he says that we should rejoice always.  Even if we are sitting in an emergency room waiting room, we can still rejoice in the Lord.  If we are bombarded with constant stress at work, finding ourselves being pulled in every direction, we can still rejoice in the Lord.  And if we find ourselves in the darkest valley we have ever walked through, we can still rejoice in the Lord.  Paul is not saying to rejoice for the difficulties that may arise, but to rejoice in the Lord always.  There is never a moment when a Christian should not be filled with the joy of the Lord.  If you feel weak, remember that the joy of the Lord is your strength!  Rejoice, be glad, and thank God for every single day He gives you.
 

The psalmist David gives us similar advice when he writes, “This is the day that the LORD has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it” (Psalm 118:24 ESV).  David does not tell us that Sunday is the only day the Lord has made.  The exact word he uses is the word, “This.”  While this may apply to a particular day, such as the day when Christ returns to take His children home, we could also apply this advice to any day of the year.  God has given us 365 days a year to either enjoy or dread.  No matter what is going on in your life, there is always something to be thankful for.  There is always a reason to rejoice.  This morning, you woke up.  That is a miracle in itself.  Thank God for the miracles in your life.  Rejoice every single day.  Rejoice in every situation.  Rejoice as if every day was Sunday.

In Christ’s Love,
Jennifer

Lost in Translation

 A few days ago, I had the opportunity to watch some middle school students actively engaged in a round of the popular children’s game, Telephone.  In this game, one person whispers a message to the next person in line.  After the message has been whispered all around, the last person repeats the message they were given aloud.  As you can imagine, the message becomes quite garbled among the whispers and giggles being shared among all participants.  Eventually, the original message becomes completely lost in translation.

While this was simply a team-building exercise in my Journalism class, I began to think of the parallel that often exists between this game and our communication with God.  How many times have we prayed and asked God for something, but instead of listening closely to what He has to say, we may repeat what we think He said?  Or perhaps we just make up an answer that is in accordance with our will, instead of His.  Or maybe we do not listen at all, thinking that He has not answered our prayer.
While we may not always understand God’s will for our lives, or we may not comprehend His answer, He truly knows best.  Sometimes, God will answer our prayers with a definite, “Yes.”  Other times, He may answer our prayers by saying, “No.”  And at times, He may simple say, “Not now.”  Regardless of what answer we receive, we need to be content with His response.  God is aware of our desires, our wants, and our needs.  He knows where we are at in life.  In Philippians 4:11 (ESV), Paul tells us, “I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content.”  No matter what is going on around us, we can be happy.  If we are in God’s will, we will be content.

In John 18:37 (NIV), Jesus tells Pilate, “‘You say that I am a king.  In fact, the reason I was born and came into the world is to testify to the truth.  Everyone on the side of truth listens to me.’”  Notice that Jesus points out what Pilate says.  Then, He goes on to tell Pilate that everyone who is truthful listens to him.  In other words, Jesus is saying those who listen to Him are honest people.  If we choose to ignore the things that Jesus tells us, then we are being dishonest.  We need to listen to His words, in order to fully enjoy our relationship with the Way, the Truth, and the Life.

In the same way, a child needs to maintain a level of honesty with their parents, in order to experience effective communication.  Imagine a young boy who is asked by his parents to clean his room.  Instead of hearing this request, he “thinks” he is supposed to go to his room and play a “clean” video game.  Certainly, the child heard the original request.  However, his own desires cause him to purposefully lose some of the meaning, being left with a fragment of the request.  All he chooses to remember is that it was something to do with his room.  In the end, he does not perform the task that he is asked to do, ultimately making himself untrustworthy in the eyes of his parents.
When was the last time God asked you to do something?  Perhaps He asked you to call a dear friend who was critically ill in the hospital, but you didn’t have time.  While you may have been busy, God knew that calling your friend tomorrow would be too late.  Or maybe God requested that you stay home and resist the urge to go shopping, but instead, you went to the store.  God knew that you would have your purse stolen if you went shopping at that particular time of day.  And you might have felt the urge to stop and pray for someone at work, but you felt out of place, asking to pray for them in public.  God knew that your coworker needed to be reminded of the hope that only Jesus can give.  Without this reminder, they could have been planning to take their own life that very evening.  You see, God knows more than we do.  He knows what we should choose to do, and He knows what we will choose.  Additionally, He knows the consequences we will suffer if we do not choose wisely.

God will not ask us to do more than we are capable of doing.  Still, He knows the comings and goings of every single individual on earth.  And He knows who His children should be with, what they should be doing, when they should do it, why they either will or will not do it, and where they should be.  He loves you.  He cares for you.  And He does not want any harm to come to you.  God wants what is best for all of His children.  Don’t let the wisdom and guidance God has designed especially for you get lost in translation.  Listen to His still, small voice today, and stand amazed at what God has planned for your life!

In Christ’s Love,
Jennifer

Life: You Can’t Do It Alone

Sometimes, life is too complicated.  There are often so many layers of our existence that we barely have time to even breathe, sleep, and eat.  Many of us spend the majority of our time at work, and then we come home to our “real life,” where we then have to take care of laundry, dishes, cleaning, children, e-mails, and so many other weekly tasks.  It’s almost as if our jobs interfere with our lives, isn’t it?  I mean, we go to work all day, come home, and that’s when our day truly starts.  Then, we go to bed at night, just to do it all over again the next day.  How can we ensure that our time is equally important, whether we are at work or at home?  The answer is simple.  We can put everything in God’s hands.  He can make the most strenuous, time-consuming work become meaningful.  And He can provide strength, so that you are refreshed and renewed when you come home, enabling you to accomplish much more than you ever could on your own.  You see, with God on your side, you don’t have to do this thing called “life” alone.

Two years ago, I felt like I was trying to do everything for everyone and all the while, doing it all alone.  I continually strived to get everything done, but never asked anyone for help.  I thought I was more than capable of completing the daily tasks on my own, but I was completely wrong.  It became so much of a burden that I began to get very stressed out.  The loss of my Mom had caused my patience to gradually fade away.  Because of this, every little thing got under my skin, so to speak.  While I was doing a balancing act, figuratively spinning an incredible number of plates in the air, I found myself seeking new tasks, or plates to add to my collection.  I literally volunteered for everything, seeking to fill the void in my life.  I felt if I got busy enough, it would relieve me of some of the sorrow.  If I took on enough responsibilities, life would be busier, but less complicated.  If I filled my schedule full enough, I wouldn’t have time to think about the virtual cloud hanging over my head.

Sadly, I was entirely wrong.  The more responsibilities I took on, the more stressed out I became.  The more stressed out I became, the less sleep I was able to get.  The less sleep I was able to get, the thinner my patience became.  The thinner my patience became, well, I ended up being somewhat like a pressure cooker about to explode.  At least, that’s the analogy a friend of mine gave me when I confided in her about my attempts to fill the void in my life.  I couldn’t understand why God would take my Mama away.  I tried and tried, but I could not wrap my head around the reason for such a tragic event in my life.  What was I to do?  How could I get through each day if there was any down time whatsoever?  Downtime meant time to think, and time to think meant time to think about the void in my life.

Through my experiences, along with much time spent in prayer and the study of God’s Word, I gradually realized that I was not in accordance with God’s will for my life.  I did not have to do this alone.  That, and the fact that I needed to stop spending all of my time thinking about what was bothering me.  Instead, I needed to think on positive things.  Philippians 4:8 (NIV) says, “Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.”  You see, I was thinking about the negative aspects in my life.  I thought about how I did not know how to get all of my daily tasks completed each day.  I thought about how I wished my Mom had not passed away.  I thought about how life was not the way I planned, and how everything seemed to be going wrong.

Instead of thinking about the things that were wrong, I have since realized that I should have been thinking about the things that were right.  Instead of worrying about the things that were not going according to my plans, I could have been delighting in God’s plan for my life.  In life, we often do not see the big picture, but God sees our entire lifespan.  He knows all of our comings and goings, even before we have come or gone.  He truly does know what is best.  He wants us to live a life of joy.  He wants us to think positive thoughts, full of truth, nobility, rightness, purity, loveliness, admiralty, excellence, and praiseworthiness.  Doesn’t that sound better than thinking thoughts of negativity, falseness, and impurity, just to name a few?  Surely, we want to think on positive things.  Still, there are times when the worries and cares of this life outweigh the positive aspects of life.  In these times of distress, we need to call on the One who created us, the One who created our ability to think.  God can give you a mind-set of joy for your journey and peace that passes all understanding.

Along my journey, I still have moments when I momentarily fall into the trap of negative thinking.  I wish I could tell you I had found the method to avoid such thinking altogether.  What I have found is that Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.  Although things in my life may change, whether it is friends moving away or loved ones passing away, I know that He will never change.  And I will never be alone.  He is always with me.  It doesn’t matter if I am sitting in silence in my bed at night, or if I am at work with a list of a million tasks to be completed.  He is with me.  It doesn’t even matter if I am at my wit’s end, building up steam like a pressure cooker.  He is with me.  He overlooks my shortcomings, my outbursts, and my attempts to do this thing called “life” on my own.  Why?  Because Jesus loves me unconditionally, even my imperfections.

So, the next time you find yourself at the end of your rope, call on the name of Jesus.  He will do the same for you.  Jesus loves you more than you can imagine.  Begin thinking positive thoughts, and you will be amazed at what positive changes take place in your life.  Don’t try to do it all alone.  Ask Jesus to help you.  He is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and 365 days a year.  Whenever you need Him, He is waiting with open arms.  If you feel like you’re taking on too many responsibilities, seek God’s plan for your life.  He knows which things you should be doing and which ones you would be better off leaving for someone else.  And when you do accept a task, ask God to help you.  He’s already been there, so He’ll know the best way to handle things.  Will you allow God to be a part of your life, directing your paths and helping you through this thing called “life?”  Or will you go it alone, gradually building up steam until you explode?  It is my prayer that you will allow God to be the Lord of your life, your help in times of trouble.  He longs to help you.  Ask Him for help.  Why?  Because life’s too complicated to do it all alone.

In Christ’s Love,
Jennifer