“Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” Isaiah 41:10

“Knowing my penchant for worry, she thought it a good reminder of the acronym FROG: Fully Rely On God. It’s hard to be depressed when there’s a frog on your desk; and it’s hard not to rejoice when you’re fully relying on Him.” Robert J. Morgan, My All in All

365 times the bible counsels fear not. It must be important! Instead, I white-knuckle, grit my teeth, remind myself of all that patience and endurance I’m developing. I devise, I plan, circumvent, put more elbow-grease into it and exhaust myself. Did my Father set up an obstacle course?

No, of course not. This is the way the world is. Today.

I have a little tree frog in my garden. He is almost the size of a quarter. I know this because he’s hitchhiked into my home several times and landed in the tub, kitchen sink, houseplant and carpet. Boy can he croak! He (or her, not sure how to tell frogs sex) relies on me to put him back in his home. And I do. He’s such a welcome critter in my flowers. He reminds me of who I rely on.

FROG: Fully Rely on God.

Musings

If “fear not” was easy, would our Father put it in his word 365 times? How many times have we prayed, sang, memorized “I shall not want” from the beloved 23^rd psalm? Too many for me. May we remember who’s really in charge and remove fear and embrace trust.

Prayer

Dear Father,

Thank you that we can always rely on you. How blessed are we that the more we draw close to you the more care and protection we enjoy. Help us, like Martha’s sister at Jesus’ feet, to just drink in being in your presence. Help us to abide in you and listen really listen. And trust.

Amen.

“Can you fathom the mysteries of God? Can you probe the limits of the Almighty?” Job 11:7 NIV

“Do the best you can until you know better. Then when you know better, do better.” Maya Angelou

With our Father, nothing is impossible because:

We have a helper. “So we say with confidence, The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can mere mortals do to me?” Hebrews 13:6

We have a loving Father. “See how great a love the Father has given us, that we would be called children of God; and in fact we are.” 1 John 3:1

We have a Counselor. “For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” Isaiah 9:6

We have comfort in tough times.  “As a mother comforts her child, so I will comfort you; in Jerusalem you will be comforted.” Isaiah 66:13

We have a family. “But Jesus replied, “Who is my mother, and who are my brothers?” Pointing to His disciples, He said, “Here are My mother and My brothers. For whoever does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother and sister and mother.”

We have our needs met.  “And this same God who takes care of me will supply all your needs from his glorious riches, which have been given to us in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:19 (Emphasis mine)

We are loved. “Help me, LORD my God; save me according to your unfailing love.” Psalm 109:26 (Emphasis mine)

Musings

It’s so easy to forget the promises of our Father when trouble is twisting us into knots, when sorrow is constant and loneliness goes on forever. If we look back at our walk, we’ll see these promises were true then, are true now and true forever, no matter the feelings. The feelings are valid, important and teach but our Father’s promise are true no matter what due to his unfailing love.

Prayer

Dear Father,

We doubt, worry, avoid and feel shame many times when trouble comes, but your unfailing love rescues us. Thank you for your unfailing love. Thank you for picking us up and setting us on our feet. Thank you for making us overcomers. Thank you for making us rich, rich in your love. Thank you for a family, your kingdom. Thank you for your son, the first born. Thank you for your promises which never fail, though we do.

Amen.

“Do not be anxious or worried about anything, but in everything [every circumstance and situation] by prayer and petition with thanksgiving, continue to make your [specific] requests known to God.” Philippians 4:6 Amplified Bible

“Instead of worrying about what you cannot control, shift your energy to what you can create.”
― Roy T. Bennett, The Light in the Heart

A worry stone. They sell like hotcakes. Some are smooth agates, some are shiny crystals, some are delicately painted but they’re all to hold and help one’s anxiety and promise a glorious future. They’re shiny and pretty. There’s angel cards in a lovely box. You pull a card and that’s what your angel will help you overcome for the day. Checking the daily astrology report is common. There’s something comforting about holding onto something when anxious.

I’d rather go to the Creator of All. I’m going to the top. I’m in a meeting with the Boss. I’m trusting the One who has the “whole world in His hands.” You can have your rock, paper, star report but they don’t work for me. Or so I’d like to think.

Anxiety. It’s worrying about the future.

I stumble in my faith frequently with profound anxiety. The television networks know this. Social media knows this. News outlets know this. (Ephesians talks about the cosmic powers and spirits of the air).The Father of All Lies knows this. And I buy it hook, line and sinker. Worry! Anxiety. Paralysis.

That’s what worry does. Paralyzes.

Jesus counseled that today has enough worries, don’t worry about tomorrow. AA counsels us with One Day At A time. Jesus prayed for today’s bread and deliverance from today’s evil. We bring our thoughts back to this moment. This day. The day may be like the storm Peter tried to walk and then prayed, “Lord, save me!” Maybe that’s all we can do right now. Maybe we pray, “Lord, I believe. Help my unbelief.” Maybe we pray, “Lord, help me.” Then we take one trembling step.

Yes, we prepare. Yes, we pray. Yes, we encourage each other as long as it is called today. Yes, we are thankful for our lives, families, work and health. We live, we work, we celebrate and take a baby step into today. The future is the Father’s.

Musings

“Yesterday is history, tomorrow is a mystery, but today is a gift. That’s why it’s called the present.” Bil Keane, the Family Circus creator.

Prayer

Dear Father,

We may have to pray hundreds of times today because of the anxieties in this world, but that’s okay. You want us to do this and to be specific in our request with thanks.

Thank you for today. It really is all we have and all we can manage. We manage because you promised not to leave us or forsake us and if honest, we look at the many times you’ve brought us through. When we are filled with anxiety, we can’t see opportunities, affection, creativity and hope. As Peter said, “cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.” We gratefully cast.

Amen.

“Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins.” 1 Peter 4:8 NIV

“Anger is frustration at the fact that we are not God, and do not have control over reality.”
― Dr Henry Cloud & Dr John Townsend

I’ve heard the statement, “Who’s driving your bus?” from many Christian and secular speakers. I ask myself that question every day, especially when embarrassed, frustrated or angry.

My sister traveled many miles to visit me and when she returned home, told my other sister my curtains were gray. How could she gossip like that? How could she travel and focus on my dusty curtains? I was incensed! She took a long trip to see me and my curtains were her focus? I told this sister and the other that related the information how small, how nitpicky, how uncaring. And blah, blah, blah. I proceeded to hurt myself and ruminate on it for days! I stepped in it. My Black Sheep persona. By the way, it was true. I took the comment personally and continued to embrace it, much to my pain. Who’s in control? Do I value clean curtains over more important matters? Will it matter in eternity? Who’s problem is it?

Mine. All mine. The battle within. Warring with the mind. The ego in charge. The temper-tantrum wins. Or did it? How much control do I have over people, places or things? Sibling relationships really test us. They may be the most instructive because they wound the most. Lesson learned. Until the next time.

Thankfully, I can take this to my Father, another friend or even the dog. The dog got it first. Listening to myself, I melted into a puddle of embarrassment. I took that wounded child out of the driver’s seat and put the beloved in charge.Oh, and washed all my curtains.

Musings.

Every day is filled with choices—big choices and little choices. Who’s making the choice? The wounded child or the beloved child? How easily the wounded child takes over! How difficult to embrace and take in the love from the Father. That’s why there’s grace and practice. Relationships are the “iron that sharpens iron.” They’re pleasant, joyful and rewarding but they also reveal so much about our wounded and selves too. Everyone is wounded.

Prayer

Dear Father,

We thank you for our relationships. The most difficult relationships are the ones that teach us about ourselves. How we marvel at how much you love! We can be more effective, more joyful, more peaceful, more generous, more wise when we meditate on how much you love us. Help us to do so today and gift it to others.

Amen.

“No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.” Matthew 6:24

“One can be the master of what one does, but never of what one feels.”
― Gustave Flaubert

I have many masters in my life. I’m not tickled about it. I need only one Master but out-of-control feelings say differently.

Here’s a list of the masters that I need to let go!

Money. Many serve money and I have been guilty, but a closer look at money leads to deeper and trickier masters like:

Approval. Acceptance. Status. Have you ever had a bad day because someone frowned at you or made a disapproving comment? Inability to stand up for someone or something? Down the tubes. Mastered.

Pride. Have I withheld an apology? A phone call of congratulations? Volunteering for a “dirty job?”

Competitiveness. I must win or I am nothing. I’ll show you!

Self-Pity. One of my thorns! Leads to jealousy/isolation if not mastered.

Control. We will never, ever have control over people, places and things. When I think I need control, I hold my breath. Who gives breath?

Envy. Always comparing and always falling short. The green-eyed monster.

Anger. My little dog finagled his way from his leash and enjoyed a romp in the park and had the nerve to taunt me to get me to chase him! The little varmint! However, once I calmed myself and refused the chase, here he comes. If a little dog can master me, oh how I still have a long, long way to go. Sigh…

Fear. Do I truly trust my Lord and savior? This world is so treacherous! The father of all lies rules.

They’re all related! It’s like whack-a-mole! I focus on letting go of one and I’m blindsided by another. I get why Paul asked, “Wretched man that I am! Who will save me from this body of death?”

But they don’t get the final say. This is where our Father, through Jesus and the Holy Spirit come into play. The word says to rejoice when encountering various trials. No. I’m not there. I’m better but something comes along and tests my confidence. Something that may seem small like eating too much dessert to holding back charitable giving. Back to the true Master with prayer. Father confidence. And practice.

Musings

Bottom line: We will always have feelings. They are so valuable in living a full and joyful life. Life would be empty without them–a robotic existence. Feelings are a warning light on the dashboard of life. Something needs attention. Something needs counseling. Something needs confession. Something needs self-reflection. Something needs forgiveness, even for yourself. Something needs to be let go. Something needs prayer. Sometimes it’s focusing on the lovely, pure, worthy of praise. Then Mastery.

Prayer

Dear Father,

You took a heart of stone and made it a heart of flesh. Feelings.

If our salvation depended on our feelings alone, oh how frightening that would be! If our relationships depended on good feelings only, oh how lost we would be. Yet, good feelings come when we master them. When we do what’s right no matter the feeling. Feelings enrich our lives and our lives with you.

Thank you for feelings. Thank you for not making robots.

Amen.

 ^“And Peter went out and wept bitterly. And the men that held Jesus mocked him and smote him.” Luke 22:61-62

“It’s not the load that breaks you down. It’s the way you carry it.” C.S. Lewis

Peter, even after Jesus warned him, broke. He denied his savior three times before the cock crowed. This, after Peter said he would die for Jesus. What a picture of internal devastation. Betrayal of the one he loved most. Spiritual breakdown.

We all have been broken, will break or are broken now. Tests of faith come. The gut, heart and soul are in agony because of the hopelessness of who we are. We may focus on the death of a loved one, bankruptcy, health, addiction and hold resentments toward our Father for it all. Pain’s like that. Like a cornered animal, we snarl and strike, weep bitterly or suppress the feelings and suffer depression. We can still take it our Father. Hope.

Or is it a spiritual breakthrough? Feelings are a necessary part of life. They’re noisy, unpleasant, exhausting like undisciplined children demanding attention and “I want it now.” Are we turning loose of the situation while resting in our Father? Are we reflecting, praying, seeking assistance? Sometimes all we can do is the next right thing while we wait. Peter went back to fishing. The thing he knew. The load he could carry. But the miraculous love he received a few days later made him the rock. This is true for us too.

Musings

We all have times where we hit bottom. It helps to remember that Job said, “And when he tests me, I will come out as pure as gold. For I have stayed on God’s paths; I have followed his ways and not turned aside.” There’s a purpose even when we can’t see it. He redeems our trials. Our breakdowns make us humble and whole, especially when we rely on our Father. Then comes the breakthroughs that make us stronger. We become like gold now and eternally. We become a little bit more like Jesus.

Prayer

Dear Father,

Thank you for your word, lessons, Holy Spirit and grace to see us through our Spiritual Breakdowns. Thank you for the breakthroughs that make us more loving, forgiving and hopeful servants. We may not understand the trial right now so we rest in you, trust in you and tell you everything. We wait with thankfulness for our breakthrough. It’s our little step toward “counting it all joy when we encounter various trials,” feelings get in the way, but we trust, with your help, we will.

Amen.

“He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him over for us all, how will He not also with Him freely give us all things?” Romans 8:32 NASB

“The most important thing is who you become.” Dallas Willard

The most important thing: who we become. And this does not happen quickly and comes with difficulty, great difficulty.

My focus lately, probably yours too, is lack. The gas pump sounds like a casino lotto machine! The grocery store may have empty shelves, smaller packaging and abhorrent prices. Do I buy a gallon or half-gallon of milk? The birthday party will be a small sleepover in the backyard instead of a bash at the roller rink. Forget about new carpet this year. Those nearing retirement have lost up to 50 percent of their savings. Some have lost their homes and jobs.

What’s missing?  Over and over in the Bible, our own nation’s history and our humbling life experiences, we forget. We forget who really is in charge. We get “fat and happy.” We forget who truly and freely gives us all things. But most importantly, our faith, our character takes a beating. our Father wants us to become something wonderful through the challenges. Something eternal. Something beautiful. Today. And our Father is not stingy. He said so. He doesn’t lie. “If you being evil know how to give good things to your children…”

Trust. That’s what’s missing. Whatever we see as lack may be an opportunity to become more like our Father’s son. Humility? Gratefulness? Problem-solving? Relationship nurturing? Living for today? Courage? Working a bit more? Be still and know He’s God? Who’s in control? We parrot the obvious, but now the test. Today, let’s trust. I confess, I’m shaky, wobbly, a rookie with trust. Not my strong suit. I don’t ask for it, but it’s required. Our Father cares about what I’m becoming. You too.

Musings

Trusting our Father and Jesus feels like death by a 1000 papercuts. Our Father has the past and the future in his hands. Our purpose is to live today fully and in trust. Like the Israelites stepping into the Red Sea, we step into today and watch with wonder. We are becoming more like his son. We freely give, like our Father, all good things. All things are His anyway.

Prayer

Dear Father,

We have been going through a tough time and anxiety rules. From the shock of what’s on the media to the fear at the grocery store, we abandon trust. Like Peter we say, “Lord save me!” We control, complain and worry. Help us to cast our anxieties upon you because you care for u.s May we continue in your purpose with your guidance.

Thank you. We trust you.

Amen.

(Detach With Love)

“For even when we were with you, we would give you this command: If anyone is not willing to work, let him not eat. For we hear that some among you walk in idleness, not busy at work, but busybodies…” 2 Thessalonians 3:10 ESV

“The real spiritual journey is work. You can make a naïve assertion that you trust in Jesus, but until it is tested a good, oh, 200 times, I doubt very much that it’s true.” — Richard Rohr

Jesus is perfect. He is perfect for us. Our Father provided his son for us because we are not perfect. My spouse is not perfect. My kids, boss, neighbor and grocery clerk are not perfect. They have their own journey, lessons and truths with our Father.

Three kinds of business:

1. My business
2. Their business
3. God’s business

And as Christians we want to help. Fix. Overcome. This is a wonderful gift and there are times to rush in and help. A flood, surgery, death in the family, listening with empathy and more. These are obvious and we are to “carry one another’s burdens.”

But when we make another’s journey ours, we’ve crossed the line. We’re in God’s business and their business. By the way, we do not overcome this easily or quickly. 200 times of trusting Jesus? Probably more.

Signposts you’re in another’s business.

You make excuses for someone’s behavior—the parent that covers up a child’s drug addiction, angry words said to another, doing someone’s work they should be doing.

You give money and even hurt yourself in the process—see above—you mean well, you really do. God will take care of me. Yes, yes, He will. And he will take care of the other too, in his own way and own time. Their business. God’s business. God knows what’s best.

You feel resentful

Your quality of life is poor

You’re anxiety-ridden

There’s more, but you see, you’re hurting yourself and the other. You’re interfering with our Father’s plan for them. We’re in the way. The news is filled with young people who do destructive things because the parents enabled. Possibly absent. Even with absent parents, it’s their responsibility to live good and productive lives. It ain’t fair, it seems, but that’s life. Who are we to judge another’s path with our Father?

We can’t do it for another. We can listen. We can encourage. We can pray. We can share our experience, strength and hope. But when we give unsolicited advice, money, time, things, we may be interfering with their journey with the Father. We’re dragging out the pain and possibly making it worse.

Musings

Only our Father can change the heart and spirit of someone. And he pursues but never controls.

It is agonizing to see someone face their own consequences. We know. We had to face ours. Our business. I remember in school receiving my Algebra (argh!) test results and the only answers I remember were the ones I got wrong. Consequences. It seems heartless, cruel, painful and unchristian, but it’s more toxic to damage ourselves and interfere in what is their business and God’s business.

Prayer

Dear Father,

It is a wonderful thing to love, nurture and care for others but when we’ve made your business and their business ours, we’ve hurt them and your kingdom. Your Big Picture.

Remind us that not all good things feel good. They will someday, if we heed your wisdom, hope and remain faithful. Keep us in our own lane. Help us to remember whose business is this, the Creator or mine, with thanks for my blessings and the blessings of others in our lives.

Amen.