Are You Fearful You'll Miss Out?

 By: Rebekah Hargraves

Photo Courtesy Of: Rachel Strong

“For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.” ~Ephesians‬ ‭2:10‬

This verse is found in one of my favorite books of the Bible and really jumped off the page at me in a new way several months back.

The thought that popped into my head that day was regarding the implications of this verse in light of our current culture of competition, hustling, and striving to make our dreams (especially in regards to ministry  work) come to fruition right away.


That kind of behavior often comes from a place of fear, rather than of trusting God. In fact, I heard someone say something on a podcast one day that I completely disagree with and that I think is lending itself to this phenomenon of fearful striving.


The podcast guest said that, as a writer, she believes that there are all these book ideas out floating somewhere and that if we don’t quickly snatch one of the ideas up and begin working on it, someone else will.


It may sound plausible at first, but I cry foul on that fear-based mentality. It is true that if one person refuses to do what God wants to have done, He will raise up another person. But that’s different.


I believe that what Ephesians 2:10 is saying is that if you are dedicated to waking by the Spirit, are remaining in step with God, and dedicated to doing whatever He calls you to do when He calls you to do it, whether that is write a book, lead a ministry, serve at a homeless shelter, acquire a certain dream job, or something else entirely, God will bring it to pass. You don’t have to hustle, strive, pay for followers, spend hours on social media to build a platform, or cheat your way to the “top”.


Instead, you can believe that God is God and that the good works He prepared long before you were born, the good works He wants *you* to do will come to pass in His own perfect timing - no matter what good works someone else is doing!


We can rest in that truth today, friend; we can rest in God's mission and plan for our own individual lives. And I pray that we will. 

Of Droughts, Deserts & Blooms

 By: Joanne Viola

The talk on the news lately has indicated the country is facing a drought. Parts are already in a “severe” mode but all are experiencing dryness.

“Drought” as defined by dictionary.com is “a period of dry weather, an especially long one that is injurious; a prolonged shortage.”

Life can bring times when we feel as if we are in a drought. Our days experience a lack of comfort, laughter, company, encouragement or hope. The only thing in abundance seems to be worries, fears, or hopelessness.

What do we do when drought hits our lives?

That is the question in my thoughts today and I want to share what I know to be true.

Our souls need to be watered every day. They will become parched and hardened if left to navigate these days on their own. Keep on opening His Word – every day, throughout the day, as often as is needed – in order to get a word which springs out, delivering what is needed in the moment.

“For as the rain and the snow come down from heaven, and do not return there without watering the earth and making it bear and sprout, and furnishing seed to the sower and bread to the eater; So will My word be which goes forth from My mouth; It will not return to Me empty, without accomplishing what I desire, and without succeeding in the matter for which I sent it.” (Isaiah 55:10-11, NASB)

He sends His Word, the verses for us to hold onto, which infuse our souls with strength, hope, peace and determination. Both the rain, and God’s Word, are intended to impact the lives of those on earth. His promises are not impotent or empty. He will make good on all He has spoken.

This is then the result …

“For you will go out with joy and be led forth with peace.” (Isaiah 55:12, NASB)

His joy and peace fill and we are able to navigate the day. Others will take note we have been with Jesus. When we respond to Him, something happens in our lives – we have hope because of who our God is – He is God, Almighty, Holy and powerful.

Something happens in the desert and in our lives …

“The wilderness and the desert will be glad, and the Arabah will rejoice and blossom; like the crocus it will blossom profusely and rejoice with rejoicing and shout of joy.” (Isaiah 35:1-2, NASB)

In the middle of the dryness, of the hopelessness, something bursts – it breaks wide open. Hope springs to life. Joy comes.

“A joyless life is not a Christian life, for joy is one constant in the recipe for Christian living.” (William Barclay)

Joy – the one constant in our lives. It does not depend on circumstances. It does not depend on people. It depends on One Person, God, whose very presence in our lives brings joy.

We are in the spring season. Trees are budding, flowers are opening, the grass is turning green.

Get outside and see all that is blossoming.
May it remind you that our God is victorious.
The desert truly does bloom!

 

Photo by Amy Humphries on Unsplash

 

 

 

 

 

Start And End Your Day By Counting Your Blessings

 By: Paula Short

"So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness."

Colossians 2:6-7 NIV

Jesus wants to guide us and help us through our daily life. We are being rooted, built up, and strengthened by faith by following his guidance. 

One key is practicing gratitude and counting your blessings, centering on Christ, and grounding ourselves in his Word. Learn daily about our Savior, Study the Bible, Develop knowledge stay humble and curious about him and his Word.

One easy way to get started on a gratitude practice is to count your blessings both morning and night. You don't even have to write them down. Simply taking a few minutes when you wake up and before you go to bed is enough to begin cementing this new practice into your routine. Here are some tips to help you start. 

Start Small

Easing into any habit is usually the best approach. By making it easier on yourself, you'll be more inclined to continue moving forward. Try not to put too much pressure on yourself to come up with grand examples of gratitude when you're just starting out. You can add more as you become comfortable. Sometimes just recognizing a tiny blessing can have a significant impact. When your first begin, focus on three things daily.

Add It On 

A helpful method for remembering your new gratitude habit is to add it on to your existing routine. Whatever you usually do in the morning and night, be sure to include a few minutes to think of what makes you feel fortunate. 

One Line A DayJournal

 While it's called a "gratitude journal," it's actually a tool or a record. You can use a journal or a spiral-bound notebook. Write the date down and record three things you are blessed/grateful for on one line each day. The important part is that you take the time each day to record a few things that make you feel fortunate. I use a one-line-a-day gratitude planner that includes one-line-a-day journal pages.

Turn It Around

You can also try the opposite. Turn complaints around into something positive. Try to find the silver lining. 

Take Notes

A good habit can be jotting things down during the day as they happen. It only takes a few seconds to make a note of what you feel grateful for at that moment. You can reflect on it later during your quiet bedtime routine. You can even add notes on your cell phone. I find it helpful to make notes on my phone while I'm out and about or not near my journal. I can write and reflect on them later.

Practicing gratitude and counting your blessings can be an insightful and life-changing tool. Remember, you only have to write three simple things you're grateful for. Start your record-keeping practice today and see what it can do for you. 

Where Is Your Treasure?

By: Melanie Moore

My family and I have been cleaning out my in-laws' home due to their recent move to full-time care. We have been working hard to clean out every nook and cranny of their home. We are stirring up a whirlwind of both dust and emotions as we dig through years of belongings. We have shed more tears than I can count -- some in laughter and some in sadness.

However, one thing has struck me as I sorted belongings -- my in-laws had many "things" but their treasure was never in the things. They were some of the most generous people I have ever met in my life, and their example has greatly impacted me.

I looked at a cookie sheet and remembered the hundreds of cookies my mother-in-law baked for everyone she loved! Neighbors, friends, family... I think I'm still carrying around close to ten pounds of extra body weight due to those delicious chocolate chip cookies.

I picked up the Bible that my father-in-law has carried for so many years. Even when dementia stole so much from him, he still quoted Bible verses from another deeper place in his heart. He has been a man of faith, compassion, and joy for so many years.

As I picked up my mother-in-law's "Sunday School Bag", I realized that she had taught children at church for over sixty years!

So much of our lives seem to be spent thinking about "things", especially in the age of influencers where online homes look picture perfect all the day. However, at the end of our lives, these things won't matter at all. What matters is what we did during our lives, and how we used the "things" in our lives to love others.

“For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also” - Matthew 6:21

While sorting through years of my in-laws' belongings, this verse kept coming to mind. I can say with upmost confidence that they were examples to me of how to use each possession in life to love and serve others. Their treasure and their hearts were always centered on God's kingdom. 

Am I living my life in the same way?

My challenge to each of us -- myself included -- is to think about the things in life and how we view them. I pray we will look at each possession in life through the lens of God and how we can love others. 

 

Replacing Worry with Encouragement

By: Sarah Geringer

Does worry haunt you on a regular basis? Worry has been an unwelcome friend of mine, and by replacing it with encouragement, I've learned how to kick worry out.

I grew up in a family of worriers. Even though they are Christians, many of my loved ones were bitten by the worry bug at young ages. They never seemed to stop worrying about what the future may hold. Their worry-wart ways affected me too, and I struggled with worry more often in my younger days.

On personality tests, I always test positive as a cautious person. I have never climbed a tree, never jumped off a diving board, and never ridden a horse. My risk-averse nature has kept me from breaking a single bone, but perhaps worry had something to do with it too.

My God-given traits for seeking security can often turn into worry. But I don't want worry to cast a dark shadow over my faith just because I'm a naturally cautious person.

Everyday life is full of worry triggers. But I can keep my worry cycle going without anyone's help. If my husband is late, my long-held fear of abandonment kicks in. I instantly imagine he's in a ditch, dying from a heart attack with no one to help. Zero to high drama in one second--that's where worry takes me. What a burden!

Today's verse tells us how worry feels: heavy. It weighs us down, like a wool coat in summer. Like a stuffed-full book bag that makes a kindergartener wobble. Anything that weighs us down slows us down. Worry keeps us from fulfilling our purposes and living the life God wants us to live.

Jesus talked directly about worry. In Matthew 6:25-34 He explained that God cares for the wild birds so lovingly, perfectly meeting their needs for food and shelter. He commands us not to worry because God will provide all we need. Jesus wants us to trust Him completely, so we won't be burdened by worry any more.

Take your heavy worries to Jesus and replace them with His encouragement.

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God offers us a solution for our worries in this proverb. While worry weighs you down, encouragement lifts you up.

Speak words of encouragement to yourself when worry strikes. Place these verses on sticky notes or 3 x 5 cards for instant encouragement: 

• But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Matthew 6:33 NIV
• But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint. Isaiah 40:31 NIV
• See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! 1 John 3:1 NIV

What other verses are encouraging to you? Post those special verses in prominent areas to lift your spirits.

Another way to be lifted up is to cut out worry triggers. Does watching the news every morning make you worry? Does a certain friend share information that worries you? Identify your worry triggers and either eliminate them or limit your time of exposure. Don't place yourself in the seat of worry if you can avoid it.

Choose friends and influencers who encourage you. Schedule a coffee break with a positive friend. Listen to an uplifting podcast or watch some inspiring videos. Seek out encouragement, and your worry burdens will lift.

By replacing worry with encouragement, your spirits will lift, and your trust in God will grow.


Blessings and God's peace to you,

Sarah Geringer
Finding Peace in God's Word

Photo from Canva.com

This post originally appeared on this website on April 27, 2018.

Discussion questions:

1. What time of day are you most prone to worry? What verse can you meditate upon in that particular time to overcome your worry?
2. Who is the most encouraging person you know? Make time this week to chat, whether on the phone or face-to-face, with that person this week.

Learning to Rest Without the Answers You Want

 

By: Donna Bucher

For thus saith the Lord God, the Holy One of Israel; In returning and rest shall ye be saved; in quietness and in confidence shall be your strength: and ye would not.

Isaiah 30:15 (KJV)

 

 

I had one of those conversations with the Lord the other day; you know the ones where He's clear on the directive, but short on details? My heart eagerly moves toward obedience, but my mind races with incessant questions. Experience reminds me, obedience first, but learning to rest without the answers I want, continually challenges me to walk by faith, not by sight.

 

The need for answers paralyzed my efforts at obedience; strapping me to a defeated walk by sight rather than by faith. A mindset that not only hindered my spiritual walk, but kept me in a perpetual cycle of anxiety and control seeking. Resting in God without all the answers seemed both my ultimate freedom and my worst nightmare.

 

I have no argument with my need for rest; but my understanding of what rest looks like in my days seems illusive. Overcoming Weariness in Well-doing, to the intentionality of Finding True REST, He calls me to a place of abandoning what ifs, how tos, and questions; a hiding place of rest.

 

Regardless of the many definitions or ideas we entertain about rest, resting in God without all the answers requires a level of abandonment we often avoid choosing. Incorporating the following five mindful attitudes positions us for a walk based in faith, not sight.

 

Rest involves silence. Not outward silence; the silence in your soul. Anxiety, questions, fear, and control seeking cause soul disturbance. What needs silencing in your soul? Resting in God means silencing the noise in your soul. "Truly my soul finds rest in God; my salvation comes from him." (Psalm 62:1)

 

Rest involves stillness. The noise of emotion in your soul often speaks louder than God's still, small voice. Drawing you away from God's Word resulting in responses of fear, shame, defensiveness or anxiety. Stillness of soul involves pausing quietly before God, so His voice speaks peace to your soul storm. "Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid." (John 14:27)

 

Rest involves dying to self. Choosing anxiety or worry over resting in God without all the answers cripples your faith and trust in God. Relinquishing your need for answers to all your what ifs, how tos and questions involves dying to the selfish need for control. Placing your cares in God's hands opens the door for soul rest. "Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you." (1Peter 5:7)

 

Rest involves a place of quiet. Separating yourself from the noise and distraction around you, provides a place to hear and dispel the noise of your soul. Busyness keeps you in avoidance mode, unable to properly confront the true issues troubling your soul. "But I have calmed and quieted myself, I am like a weaned child with its mother; like a weaned child I am content." (Psalm 131:2)

 

Rest involves faith. Walking by faith means trusting God's timing in His revealing all you need to know for each step of your journey. Surrendering your need for all the answers before you step out in faith leads to truly resting in God.

 

Lingering in these five mindful attitudes of rest provided a nourishing respite from the soul noise stealing my peace. Shifting my perspective from a "need to know" all the answers before resting, to a "need to trust" God for the answers unfolding with each step of faith and obedience.

 

 

Find more encouragement and FREE Resources at Serenity in Suffering!

 

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A Constant in an Ever Changing World

By: Jenifer Metzger

You will keep in perfect peace

all who trust in You, all whose

thoughts are fixed on You!

Isaiah 26:3

The past several years have brought a lot of heartache. I've experienced life changes, loss, grief, anxiety, worry, and depression -all while facing a global pandemic.

Sound familiar? There has been so much heartache, pain, and chaos in the world. Everyone has faced life changes. Everyone has had some kind of loss. Life has been so different and we are all just trying to adjust.

One thing I have found during the season of pain and change, there is one thing that remains the same: God.

Every morning He still brings the sun up. Every evening the moon makes an appearance. Every moment of every day, without fail, He is there.

No matter what you are facing, no matter what is going on in your world, you can count on God. He is right there. Reach out. Call on His name.

It's time for Share A Link Wednesday! Each Wednesday we invite you to leave a link to your latest blog post in the comments. We still desire to connect women of God with one another and encourage each other in Christ. So grab a cup of coffee or glass of sweet tea, sit back and visit a few blogs. Be encouraged and share your own stories.

Remember Who You Are

 By: Rebekah Hargraves

Photo Courtesy Of: Alicia Quan

"...To all who are in Rome, loved by God, called as saints..."   ~Romans 1:7

It is sometimes terribly common, particularly in certain circles of Christendom, for believers to describe themselves as being nothing but depraved sinners.


While I understand where they are coming from and while this description certainly applied to us prior to our coming to Christ, to describe ourselves in this manner now, as followers of Jesus, is completely antithetical to the gospel.


Paul’s favorite word to describe believers in Christ is not "sinner". It's actually “saint”. That is what we as Christ-followers are! We are saints. We are not deprived sinners. All has been redeemed, justified, and changed. 


Paul writes to the Corinthians telling them that *all things* have become new, emphasizing that we are new creatures in Christ and that our old selves have passed away (see 2 Corinthians 5:17).


Do we still sin? Yes.


Do we still battle the old sin nature? Yes.


But our identity has once and forevermore been completely and totally changed now that we are in Christ.


When God the Father looks at us, He sees nothing but the righteousness of Christ the Son. Our sins have been removed as far as the east is from the west (see Psalm 103:12).


Yes, we still sin. But that sin has no bearing on our identity whatsoever.


You are not a depraved sinner, my sister-in-Christ. You have been changed. You have been made new. You are a saint. 

A Well Spoken Word

 By: Joanne Viola

My family will be the first to tell you that I am not much of a sports fanatic. I understand the various sports but just have no interest in them.

But put me in the stands of a game where one of my children are participating and it’s a whole different scenario. My interest is heightened to new levels and I can cheer with the best of them.

And that is because now I have a vested interest. There are people I love in the game. My cheering matters and can make a difference to them. I cheer to encourage, to keep the players motivated and their eye on the goal, which is to play their hardest.

When the chips may be down, one cheer can infuse just the right dose of inspiration to dig deep and keep on.

“Anxiety in a man’s heart weighs it down, But a good word makes it glad.”
(Proverbs 12:25, NASB)

But we’re all in a game of sorts – the game of life. Remember that board game? Life happens as we move our colored car around the board. We finish college, get married and add a peg to the car, have children and add more pegs, buy a house, stock market crashes, job changes, give birth to twins and the car is full.

We need the most cheering when the car is brimming, pegs keep falling out with each move, and all we want to do is cross the finish line.

“Like apples of gold in settings of silver is a word spoken in right circumstances.”
(Proverbs 25:11, NASB)

• Cheers – the delightful and lovely words that seek to push us to our purpose in life.
• Cheers – those sincere and pleasant reminders to keep on going till our lives bear fruit.

We all need those cheers.
And we all need to give them.

 

Photo by Elena Mozhvilo on Unsplash

How Can I Be Transparent In My Friendships

 By: Paula Short

 Before allowing others to see inside of us, we have to accept who we are. If we are not comfortable with who we are on the inside, we will always hide behind walls. There was a time When I lived without God in my life, and when my eyes were spiritually opened, I was deeply ashamed. I was amazed that God would love and accept me just as I am.

"This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him. This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins." NIV

Practicing intimacy in friendships is all about learning to be transparent. Being raw and transparent with others allows them to see what is inside. It's letting our vulnerability be seen. Scary idea, isn't it? 

"You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly... But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us." Romans 5:6-8 NIV

God looked down on me when I was utterly helpless! And He loved me.  

 

If we can learn to live our life through our Father's eyes, we will accept ourselves as imperfect people. We will learn to accept others as imperfect people too. We will be able to take off our masks and allow others to do the same.

How do you respond to people who are being transparent? People who are letting it all hang out with no pretenses or masks? 

Next time someone comes along with no masks on, with their emotions and negative traits hanging out, take time to really check them out. Now love them because God does.

 Now love yourself. That's easier said than done, too, isn't it? Seek to see the real you. See the you that is imperfect. 

It will be a freeing experience for you. You will be on the way to accepting yourself and others.  

I've made friends I would never have imagined. I've shared my insecurities with people who used them against me. I have reached out in friendship only to be rejected completely. It hurts. But for every time  I've been hurt, I have a list of times that I have been blessed.

Being raw and transparent is not for every friendship. You do not have to lay your heart bare for everyone. Intimacy is different for every relationship. I have one close friend in Christ. I can go to her with anything without being condemned or judged.

Our very best friend can be Jesus. In fact, he is our best friend. He invites us to be vulnerable, raw, and transparent. He wants us to bring our ugly cries and get real with him. He knows our hearts, and He longs for us to know His. It is a forever love that will sustain us through everything.  

Feeling Discouraged in Reading Your Bible? Try these tips!

By: Melanie Moore

Ah, January 1st, the day I always pull out my new planner and think about all of the goals I have for the year. Everything seems possible as I stare at the clean, blank slate of the new year. 

Now, I'm looking at the halfway mark of the year coming up... June 1. That date fills me with a bit of disappointment for the goals that I haven't made as much progress on as I would have liked. 

For example, one of my main goals this year was to read the entire Bible through in a year. However, sometime in March, life got a little crazy, and unfortunately, so did my daily Bible reading. As I worked to catch up to the date I was "supposed to" be reading, I kept feeling more and more discouraged. 

However, I realized that having some examination points along the path to a goal can be quite helpful. Rather than giving up on my goal, I just needed to think about my approach. What has been working well? What hasn't been working well? What can I adjust from what I have learned over the first half of the year?

If you are feeling discouraged or "behind" in your Bible reading, I hope some of the ideas I came up with for myself will work for you as well!

Alter Your Bible Reading Plan

I realized that as much as I like the idea of reading passages from multiple books of the Bible every day, it was hard for me to constantly switch gears mentally. Having identified this, I decided to print off a list of all the books of the Bible and read one at a time (in any order). This gave me flexibility and took away the dates that were constantly causing me anxiety! Give yourself permission to change things up in a way that works for you!

Alter Your Bible Reading Method

If you are someone who loves to read, like me, perhaps directly reading the Bible is the best approach for you. However, if you are someone who prefers to listen, perhaps listening to an audio Bible would work better for you. 

What about the time of day that you normally read the Bible? If you are not a morning person, feel no shame! (I never read my Bible in the morning, or I would not remember a word! I actually prefer to read in the evenings when I can really focus on the Word.) Think about what time of day you read, the location you normally use, etc. to see if there are minor adjustments you can make to get more out of your time in the Word.

Alter Your Bible Reading Perspective

Bible reading is all about getting to know God for who He is. It's not about checking "Daily Bible reading" off our "To Do" list each day. I realized that if my goal of finishing the Bible in a year is causing me to rush through God's Word just so that I can check it off my list, I need to change my perspective (or change my goal). 

I hope that these tips might be helpful to you! Please feel free to add your ideas to the comments below!

Keep Asking, Seeking, and Knocking

By: Sarah Geringer

What hidden dreams are tucked away in your heart? I have a few, and I'm sure you have one or two that haven't been realized yet.

It's easy to think old dreams have died. But many dreams are God-inspired, and you need to look at them carefully before letting them go.

Have you held these dreams since you were a little girl? Maybe you dreamed of being a writer. A teacher. A singer or a dancer. Do your dreams seem silly to you now, or does uncovering them spark hope in your heart?

When you decide to pursue your dream, it's good to put Jesus' words from Luke 11:9 NLT into action:

“And so I tell you, keep on asking, and you will receive what you ask for. Keep on seeking, and you will find. Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened to you."

Asking, seeking and knocking require faith. They require trusting that God will provide answers, and that He has a master plan for your life.

God cares about your dreams. He will help you them a reality as you ask, seek, and knock.

Notice that God first tells you to ask. Pray consistently about your dream for 30 days, continuing to open yourself to God's will. Write your prayer requests in a journal, and make sure to record the answers. You will see progress if you keep asking, because the Holy Spirit will be working.

Keep asking, seeking, and knocking to pursue your God-given dreams.

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Living in the age of internet access makes seeking easy. Research your dream and look into ways to pursue it. Perhaps you can sign up for a course, join a Facebook group, find a new job, or track down a mentor. Keep seeking by using a search engine, and you will be sure to find inspiration.

It takes courage to knock on the door of your dream. Knocking is a challenge because you have to put yourself out there. It's when you're sending the email, making the phone call, or driving to the meeting. But if you've taken the time to ask and seek first, knocking won't seem as intimidating.

If the first door is closed, keep asking, seeking and knocking some more. God will show you how to make your dream a reality as you are persistent, obedient and accepting. 

An adventure awaits you...start today by asking God to help you pursue your dreams.

Blessings and God's peace to you,

Sarah Geringer
Finding Peace in God's Word

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This is an updated post, originally published on Apr. 13, 2018.

Discussion questions:

1. What is your longest-held dream?
2. What will you do this week to move forward in pursuit of your dream?

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