Showing posts with label worry. Show all posts
Showing posts with label worry. Show all posts
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
On February 10th, I had the privilege of hearing
my friends Karen Peck and New River minister at Taylor Church in Sanderson,
Florida. While the lyrics of the songs
were a blessing and the music seeped deep within the innermost parts of my
soul, there was one thing that stood out like a skyscraper in the midst of a
sea of single story homes. During the
altar service, Karen spoke specifically of people who may feel bogged down with
the worries and the cares of life. She
said that the service may be providing an escape from all of that worry. As I stood there, I realized that this was
likely true for the majority of people in the room. And I knew that it was especially meant for
me. All week, I had been carrying a ton
of bricks on my shoulders and just as I thought I would crack under the
pressure, God reminded me once more that He always knows what I need. And sometimes, I just need an escape.
February 7th, just three days before, should
have been the day that my dad and I celebrated a very special occasion. I should have been busily wrapping gifts,
writing a special card, and decorating a beautiful birthday cake for my sweet Mama. She would have been 57 years old. Now, nearly five years ago since she passed
away, I wonder why God chose to take her at the young age of 52. She died of a heart attack while we were
watching The Waltons in our
camper. We were on vacation, our camper
parked directly across from a waterfall, surrounded by the beauty and splendor
of the Great Smoky Mountains. One
minute, life seemed like a dream. And
the next, reality gave way to a nightmare.
There were no goodbyes.
I cannot recall what I said to her last or what she said to me. We pleaded for her not to leave us, and later
stood by as the paramedic mouthed the words, “I’m sorry.” While the disturbing nightmares have
subsided, I still vividly recall the moment my dad and I sat beside my mom that
night and tearfully sang, “Living by Faith.”
In the deepest, darkest moment of our lives, when no hope seemed to be
found, we clung on to the words of this beloved hymn:
Living by faith in Jesus above,
Trusting, confiding in His great love;
From all harm safe in His sheltering arm,
I’m living by faith and feel no alarm.
Sitting in our camper that night, I must be honest and
say that having faith was nearly impossible.
The emergency lights flashing outside may have disappeared, but they had
taken my Mama with them. And she would
not be riding home with us on the journey back to Florida. The following week was a traumatizing blur of
preparations for the funeral. I had
always looked forward to the day that my mom would help me select a wedding
dress, but instead, I was selecting a dress for her that I would never see her wear
again.
I miss my Mama more than anyone or anything I have ever
lost. I have three siblings, three
grandparents, four great-grandparents, one parent, and many aunts, uncles, cousins,
and friends in Heaven. But losing my
Mama was the most devastating experience of my entire life. My mom, dad, and I were truly like the Three
Musketeers. We were always together,
enjoying life together. Now my dad and
I continue to enjoy life together, whether we are at home or abroad. I am forever grateful for the close
father-daughter bond that my dad and I share.
Together, we continue living by faith, with the knowledge that God has a
perfect plan for our lives. While we may
not always understand the twists and turns we encounter on this journey called
life, we can rest assured that “all things work together for
good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose”
(Romans 8:28 KJV).
While some days like my mom’s birthday and Mother’s Day
are especially difficult, there are numerous days that are free from worry and
free from the stress of this world.
Whether it is a word spoken or song sung at church, a smile or hug from
a beloved friend, or a stress-free vacation with my dad, I find that God
provides sweet escapes precisely when and where I need them. I can tell you from experience that these are
the moments in life that our faith is completely restored. These are the times when we have a fullness
of joy and hope abounds. By putting our
trust in Jesus Christ, we will find that the awesome days we experience in life
will ultimately spill over into the not-so-easy days, providing a perpetual
light in the darkness, hope when we’re hopeless, and an escape when we feel
there is no way out.
As I write this blog, my heart hurts as I relive the
sorrow of that tragic night in North Carolina.
Tears threaten to well up in my eyes and blur my vision as I type. Yet I am speaking from my heart with the hope
that I can encourage someone who is looking for an escape from the worry. I want you to know that there is a way
out. I Corinthians 10:13 (ESV) says, “God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your
ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that
you may be able to endure it.” No matter
what you are facing, whether it is the death of a loved one or any other burden
that you carry, God is faithful. He will
never give you more than you can bear. Do
not give up. Even in the midst of the
darkest night of your life, I can personally tell you that there is hope, even
when life seems hopeless. There is
sunshine awaiting you. Because at that very
moment when it seems there is no way out, God will provide an escape.
In Christ’s Love,
Jennifer
I’d
like to invite you to think back to the day when you last purchased something
new. Perhaps it was a new car, a new
pair of shoes, or even a new bag of potato chips. Do you remember that “new car smell?” Or the way your new shoes were so clean and
bright? And it’s always more fun to pull
out the first whole potato chip, as opposed to reaching down in the bag for the
last few crumbs!
What is
it about something new? It makes us feel
happy and at times, it may even bring back fond childhood memories of a new
bicycle or a new puppy or kitten to love.
As humans, we are not generally attracted to old, ugly, discarded pieces
of merchandise. While someone once said
that “One man’s trash is another man’s treasure,” we can be assured that there
are some pieces of trash that are just that: trash. Still, we continuously find ourselves trying
to sell this “trash” at yard sales, flea markets, and the like. Or we may determine that something we own
simply needs to be placed in the infamous “file 13.” No matter how they get rid of the “junk,” people
usually follow the old adage, “Out with the old and in with the new.”
Every
365 days, we are given something new: a new year. Every year, we virtually are given the chance
to hit the reset button. We have the
chance to live a fuller life, love a lot deeper, and laugh even harder. A new year brings with it the opportunity to
make amends with family or friends or spend more time with your parents,
spouse, or children. Yet, in our rush to
get through another day, there are times when we simply stick to our old ways.
Likewise, there are times when we keep driving the same car, even though it’s broken down five times in the last week. God may have even sent the money for the down payment on a new car, but we keep putting it off until next week. And those new shoes in the closet never get worn because they’re not “broken in” yet. So, we continue wearing our ragged pair instead. Then we can hardly finish our work day because of the pain in our feet from the worn out soles that offer no support.
Similarly,
you may already be ignoring the New Year.
Instead of using this fresh start as a reset button, you may be
continuing to live as before. You might
be living in fear, feeling unloved, or struggling with no hope in sight. You may have plans to give God your life next
week, next month, or next year. Your old
life is “broken in” and while it has its flaws, a life with God may seem even
more uncomfortable, much like a new pair of shoes. Yet, a life with God will be clean and bright,
filled with God’s amazing unconditional love and grace.
God
often opens doors for us in our lives.
He may open the door to a better paying job, a new home, or a new
family. He may even open the door to a
new life with God at the center. When
God opens a door, He gives us the choice as to whether or not we will walk through
it. If we just stand there on the wrong
side of the door, nothing will change. But
if we take that first step across the threshold, everything changes.
God’s
Word says, “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he
is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!” (2 Corinthians 5:17
NIV). This is the first day of
2013. Don’t wait any longer to begin
a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.
He will restore your hope, fill you with joy, and mend your broken
heart. Throw out the old, ugly parts of
your life and replace them with new, joyous ones. Take that first step. Walk through the door. Embrace this New Year by beginning a new life
in Christ.
In Christ’s Love,
Jennifer
Think back to the last time you were at the airport. When you arrived, I’m sure you were lugging all of your baggage with you until you finally made it to the check-in counter. Then, you left it with the airline agent and proceeded toward security with only your carry on bags in hand. Wasn’t it a relief to be rid of the baggage that weighed you down? If you’re like me, you probably felt free, or even light as a feather. Why? All because you gave your luggage to someone else and left it with them.
The luggage that we carry with us on vacation is much like our burdens that we carry around in life. We may be concerned because we do not have sufficient funds to pay the rent. Or we may be distressed over a bare cupboard in the kitchen. There may be a desperate need for new tires, an air conditioner, or even a home to live in. Or maybe we are dealing with an emotional or mental burden, such as the feeling of depression, loneliness, or hopelessness. So many burdens, yet we continue to carry them around with us, struggling through each day.
Sometimes, we go to church on Sunday, kneel at the altar, and pray for God to take our burdens. We set our burdens on the altar rail. We feel so much better and we begin to see a ray of hope begins to shine through the clouds that have been lingering overhead. As the vocalist sings these lyrics, “Take your burdens to the Lord and leave them there,” we make a solemn commitment to God that we will no longer attempt to carry our burdens alone. Everything seems brighter and we know that things will be better. That is, until we see the mess we have made, leaving our burdens all over the altar. The moment we stand up, we start picking them back up, stuffing them into our pockets or pocketbooks. We've carried them so long that they have essentially become a part of who we are, albeit a negative part. It’s so easy for us to try to take things into our own hands. Instead, God wants us to leave it all in His hands.
What about you, friend? Perhaps you are newly widowed, divorced, or separated. Your child may be ill. You may feel like you are at the end of your rope with everything that is going on in your life at this very moment. The baggage you carry is getting too heavy. You feel like you will collapse under the weight. You simply do not know what to do. I want to encourage you right now to call on the name that is above every name. Call on the name of Jesus Christ. He will take your burdens. He will lighten your load. He will renew your mind, restore your joy, and reveal to you abundant life.
Our Heavenly Father does not want you to carry your burdens. He does not want you to live in worry, fear, or despair. He wants you to live a life of joy, peace, and grace. Jesus Christ gave His life on the cross just so our sins could be forgiven. He gave His all just so you could live a life free from sin, free from worry, free from everything that weighs you down. He does not want you to be lugging around an enormous amount of baggage. Give Him your baggage, big or small. Give Him your worries and cares. I Peter 5:7 says to cast all of your cares on Him because He cares for you. Jesus Christ, the Savior of the world, loves you more than you could ever imagine. He cares for you. He wants to help you. Don’t pick up your burdens like you pick up your luggage from baggage claim. Leave them on the altar. Hand them over to Jesus. Live a life free from baggage, so you can be abundantly free!
In Christ’s Love,
Jennifer
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
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