christian living, control, faith walk, God first, grace, humility, impatience, perseverance, relationships, trust
The thought started small, and I assumed, innocent enough. After all, I’m just thinking what I’m thinking. But as it bubbled up, I didn’t put it in check, rather I watched it, or let it, too quickly come to a boil. The problem for me as a high verbal person, is thoughts that heat up inside me, soon tumble out of me.
How many times would it have been good to douse myself with the proverbial bucket of water? To put out the flame of my words before they could scorch another?
If you don’t or haven’t struggled with controlling your words, please keep reading and willingly understand better, those of us who do! Often, it’s those closest to us that are seared by the pain of uncontrolled words shooting out like fireworks.
I have analyzed the progression asking myself, what takes me from zero to blaster so quickly? My personal conclusion? I’m trying to control something: a situation, an outcome, or a perception. I’m controlling and not trusting.
As the temperatures outside have soared, I began to see the correlation to the “heat” that sometimes rises within me. If this is you too, can I first remind you that you are Seen, Known and Loved by your Creator. Say them together: Seen, Known and Loved. He sees us every moment, all the time. He sees us at our best and our worst. He knows AND He loves. Let that sink in for a moment or longer. When the heat rises I need to be refreshed!
Because of Christ we are forgiven for our yesterdays, todays and tomorrows. We are cleansed, made right, eternally loved and deeply known. I admit that I have not always tapped into this truth that Christ died to secure. I continue, like a 2 year old, saying I can do it myself. And as Dr. Phil asks, How’s that working for you?
Friends, it takes surrender of self to live like Christ. I admit I usually think I know stuff! BUT the God who created me and sent His only Son, knows infinitely more than I. So how do I set my need to lead, know and decide, down and invite Him and His infinite wisdom into the process? It’s a daily, moment by moment putting down my pride, my “I can do it myself” bravado and surrendering, resting, in His tender, loving care. I have to allow His love, His words and His truth to refresh my soul.
Lean in, friend. Not stiffly, but like the two year old who finally gives in and slumps over, completely surrendered, head on chest. You too, can let go. Lay it all at His feet and be refreshed by His love for you today.
Whenever and however you can, add His truth to your daily thoughts. Let them refresh you. Read His Word, listen to the audio Bible, listen to a life giving podcast or play worship music that speaks His character and truth. The world is loud and the enemy of our souls loves to keep us from hearing God’s truth.
Here are some verses about being “refreshed” to get you started.
Romans 15: 32- 33 The apostle Paul writing to the church in Rome, hoping to visit the church in Rome, expresses his desire to be with them: 32 so that by God’s will I may come to you with joy and be refreshed in your company. 33 May the God of peace be with you all. Amen. ( we are refreshed by other believers)
Acts 3:2 Times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord, and that he may send the Christ appointed for you, Jesus (relief, rest, refreshing)
Proverbs 3:5-8 5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. 6 In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths. 7 Be not wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord, and turn away from evil. 8 It will be healing to your flesh, and refreshment to your bones. (trusting, acknowledging, turning and fearing bring deep healing and refreshment)
christian living, comparison, faith walk, God first, grace, trust
But God, she’s prettier, more talented, a better mom, wife, sister, friend …
I used to think only the full blooming flowers earned the label of “beautiful”. What about you? When I look at a fully blossomed flower, I can clearly see it’s at a different stage of growth than the two tightly curled and not-yet-opened flowers near it. And yet, I compared. I labeled one beautiful and the others, well, not.
Why do I think and believe such things? This is the six million dollar question!
As I’ve watched my yard grow through seasons and stages, I’ve gained a new appreciation for the formation of and the revealing of the “full bloom.” Like I did with flowers, I have compared myself to other women, determining my own worth by how I felt in contrast to another. It sounds crazy as I write it, but it’s so easy to fall into this comparison trap. Perhaps the crazier thing is, I wasn’t even comparing myself to their same season of life.
Like Eve in the first garden, how easy it was to listen to the serpents lies. He loves to get us distracted and focused on the wrong thing. Trying to measure up, losing sight of WHOSE we are. We are beautiful daughters of the Most High King, Our ABBA father is the CREATOR of all things – and He called all His creation good. We are good & we are beautiful.
I don’t know where you are on the mental rollercoaster of comparison, but I hope you’ll stop and consider if there are some mind habits that could use a perspective shift. Let’s get off the white knuckle ride of comparison. I want you to celebrate where the Lord’s brought you as He works in and through you. Comparison has only ever made me sick and it’s a bigtime confidence drain. Instead, embrace the beautiful stage of growth you are currently living, knowing God uses all of it for His honor and our good. Do you believe that, friend? I pray that you do.
Make this your prayer: Jesus, I want to embrace every aspect of growth you have for me. You, God, designed and created all things. You created me! Help me, when I fight hard against the season I am in. Forgive me for thinking I “know” better than you. Remind me that I can trust the growth you are bringing to my life, even if I don’t understand it. Lord, let me trust you and leave comparison behind.
christian living, faith walk, God first, impatience, life experience, perseverance, Prayer, resilience, trust, Uncategorized
I’m a fixer, a get it done girl, an advanced planner and someone who likes to think she has some control over situations and circumstances. As I prepare to share messages about Ruth, Tamar and Miriam, I’ve been juggling thoughts as I’ve been reading, highlighting and underlining. The question each story begs to know: What’s a girl to do when she bumps into circumstances beyond her control?
What I am learning from these women helps to answer that question:
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Ruth, widowed and without means, followed her bitter mother-in-law, Naomi, back to her homeland. Ruth gleaned for leftover grain, the only option she had. Yet she became the great grandmother of King David and is listed in the genealogy of Christ.
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Tamar was deceived and abandoned. She deceived in return. It’s a sordid tale. And yet it’s in scripture, perhaps as a cautionary tale. Poor choices and all, Tamar is also named in the lineage of Christ.
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Miriam bravely watches her brother Moses as he is saved by Pharaoh’s daughter, then challenges his God ordained authority, after all the miracles of the exodus. But she is the first woman to be called a prophetess in the Bible.
All of these women had something in common, besides being far from perfect, they didn’t know how their story would end. None of us do. Yet in the midst of it all, the ugly, the hard and harrowing, they encountered the God who created them, loved them and was still writing their stories.
How are you responding to circumstances that feel beyond your control? Are you trying to fix? Or are you trusting God has a plan?
Perhaps, like me, you need to be reminded that your story is still being written. That God is trustworthy even in our unknown and seemingly unfixable. The God who knew and loved Ruth, Tamar and Miriam, also knows and loves you. He’s the author of all of our stories. I’m daily learning to trust Him in all things.
PRAYER: “Lord, let me be a willing participant in all you are doing. Your ways are not my ways, they are often beyond my comprehension. Let me trust you and walk with you. Not away from you or ahead of you. Continue to teach me and draw me to yourself.”
“The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance.” 2 Peter 3:9 ESV
