What is Your Message?

 We are in the thick of a cold, dark winter, and that is not conducive to a bright and happy mood for most people here. Add to that already glum feeling the news headlines, personal life matters, and it's quite a stew of ick to stir. I've been trying hard not to get the icks of winter, but my body has been giving me some severe punches, which also batter my mind while just trying to stay afloat. It's a lot to just get out of bed, show up and be a person some days. My heart, mind, and body just feel heavy and some days there seems to be no end to the threatening weights. Psalm 42:11 Why are you downcast, O my soul? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God. 

Knowing this, it would seem that we would be a little kinder, more compassionate, and more understanding toward our counterparts–other humans, that is. But alas, it seems they can become our everlasting punching bags as we swing out in frustration over our own "stuff". How did we get here anyway? Can anyone relate? If so, keep reading. We are headed somewhere warmer! Psalm 31:1-2 In you, O Lord, I have taken refuge; let me never be put to shame; deliver me in your righteousness. Turn your ear to me, come quickly to my rescue; be my rock of refuge, a strong fortress to save me. 

In my exasperation, I said aloud just today that I needed a sweatshirt with a certain message on the front, and an accompanying one on the back. I was being snarky, of course, as I often am when at the near end of my emotional rope. I try to use humor when all else seems to fail me. I know that the answer is not to warn others to "do" something, but that I instead change my own expectations of them and add a heaping amount of grace to them and to myself. "Love one another" is not easy and no one ever said it would be. Some people don't even like themselves. Some days I am one of those people! John 16:33 "I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world." 

I was reminded this morning of the actual solution when receiving my daily soul breakfast from my mentor, Norm: 

"I have spent much of my Christian life engrossed in the book of Proverbs. The wisdom is beyond profound logic and the pragmatism is not found in any handbook. 1 Kings 4:29 And God gave Solomon wisdom and understanding beyond measure, and breadth of mind like the sand on the seashore, 30 so that Solomon's wisdom surpassed the wisdom of all the people of the east and all the wisdom of Egypt. 32 He also spoke 3,000 proverbs, and his songs were 1,005. The very wisdom that Solomon was given through the Divine gifting is still alive in Solomon's words he recorded. This is why when you read Proverbs and apply what the Holy Spirit gives your heart while you are dividing the Word of anointed truth–you become part of God's wisdom and understanding. Solomon's wisdom did not die with him, but rather God has kept it alive within the proverbs. A proverbial container of holy understanding is ours to dive into. We have access to how and what Solomon had through the graceful gift of wisdom and understanding that God gave him."

How we make it through daily struggles that threaten our peace combined with things that are happening around us, topped with the news headlines that shake our beliefs in humanity, feels hopelessly out of reach in our own strength. It is a lack of wisdom and holy understanding to think that we have to handle all of these impossible situations in our own power. I believe this is one of the reasons why we lash out in frustration; we feel a lack of control and we begin to feel insecure about everything. We start in with negative self-talk, shame, blame, regret, confusion, and all the rest of the ick ingredients that make up the stew. We think the solution is in something else–but it never satisfies no matter how many different things we experience, because it is our soul that needs the renewal or the change inside. Galatians 2:20 I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. If nothing else I say sinks in, let this get into your heart. When we are walking around full of Christ in our hearts, we are in good company already. 

One thing I've had to begin to really sink my Christian teeth into is that my faith isn't mature enough, because I'm hearing myself say some things that don't reflect a complete dependence on Christ, and this heavy weight I feel is my own self trying to bear it all. As a self-professed "control freak," it is hard for me to let go of the need to be in control of my own world because in trusting others, things don't always go so well. Knowing that even with God things might still not go so well, and may even go in a direction I don't like, it's even harder for me to say, "Sure God, I'll let you handle that, even though I have no input on this at all. No worries." (Hey look–another sweatshirt design!) Psalms 46:10 Be still and know that I am God. That is a very short verse, but it's powerful and one that I hear myself repeating. It's okay to be a growing Christian and not have all the answers all the time. I hope I keep learning my whole life! 

 How well do we "keep (be) still and know"? Are things going great? No! Have they gotten better? No! Easier? No! In fact, much worse and so much harder and hello, Lord, are you even out there seeing any of this going down? (That one comes in purple, all sizes). It is in our trials that we see how our character is developed after we endure hard times. Romans 5:3-4 Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance character; and character, hope. Well, we just got told that suffering will, in fact, be part of the deal. It's going to be used for our good, but do I really want more character just now? It's funny how we want to skip right to the wisdom and understanding but forget how Paul (former persecutor of Christians turned Christian Missionary) and Solomon (asked for and received his wisdom in a dream) got theirs. 

What is it we truly want? Are we just afraid to ask for it or go through the hardship to get it? Growth isn't always what we think it's going to be. We have to go through the rough stuff to get to the smooth stuff. Just ask anyone–especially your mentor. I will guarantee they had a lot of rough patches before they grew into the godly person who guides you spiritually. James 1:12 Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him. 

My faith and my feelings can go on a never-ending sparring match and knock me right off course OR set me straight! That's a common issue of mine. Not being in the Word of God enough gives too much room for self-propelled worry and fix-it strategies that just end in more frustration. The reason my mentor's passage helped me today is because it reminded me that what is going to help me is to continue to grow in God's knowledge and wisdom and gain His understanding. What will this lead to? Peace...more peace. Less of  me, more of God. (Now, that's a great sweatshirt). Proverbs 3:5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight. I can stand on solid ground. No more wrestling!

When I can KNOW and understand more of God's heart, then my mind will expand "like the sand on the seashore", and my wisdom about what to do in these situations will grow. I will no longer be shaken and stirred up like the ick stew that's been bubbling. I will no longer be taken down so easily by the weights of the world and even those near me, because the strength of God is within me, carrying it for me. Bad things will always happen. Imperfect people not only run the world, but we imperfect beings live in it too. It's unavoidable. But I don't have to live in a constant state of unrest like I have been. That feeling of waiting for the "next shoe to drop" or worrying about "what if" when I accidentally see a news headline. (Here's a sweatshirt slogan for all of you watching headlines all day: "Stop watching the bad news and pray.") 1 Timothy 2:1-2 I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession, and thanksgiving be made for everyone–for kings and those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness.

My dear friend Norm says to me, "Pray for God's will." That always puts a little scare in me, but it scares me because I believe it. I know God's will is the last word, and it will be okay, no matter what, because it's His plan.  Matthew 6:10 your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. 

Not only will God's wisdom and understanding protect me, but He will enable me to extend grace and give love in place of the anxiety, fear, and anger that has come so easily to me in these past few years. Proverbs 1:33 But whoever listens to me will live in safety and be at ease, without fear of harm. My body will thank me as well, when this peace overcomes to heal and calm the illness inside me. 

I have a responsibility just like anyone reading this. We are in control of very few things in this life, but the one thing we can control is ourselves. What we put into our minds, our hearts, our bodies, and what comes back out to others. The things we are thinking make their way into our hearts and out of our mouths. Matthew 12:34-35 You brood of vipers, how can you who are evil say anything good? For out of the overflow of the heart the mouth speaks. The good man brings good things out of the good stored up in him, and the evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in him. The things we are eating show up on our bodies. The hate we are feeling comes out in the way we relate to or even avoid others. We were not created to be divided, but to love one another. I know it seems kind of weird to say, but it's hard to love Jesus and take care of the hearts of people when we are too busy hating them and the world. Proverbs 10:12 Hatred stirs up dissension, but love covers all wrongs. That's quite a dichotomy, and yet so simple and descriptive of humanity throughout all the ages. Proverbs 16:32 Better a patient man than a warrior, a man who controls his temper than one who takes a city. What a difference it would make to see humility overtake the world. Well, I guess we'll find out one day, won't we?

That was a lot to say, but if someone says they've never felt contempt or hate for someone, I may ask them if they're Jesus, because in this fallen world, it's a pretty normal human feeling, considering some of the evil we have witnessed and some have experienced firsthand. Proverbs 29:4 By justice a king gives a country stability, but one who is greedy for bribes tears it down. Humans are not an easily healed bunch. We're all in need of forgiveness and we are all in a position to forgive someone. That puts us all in a pretty vulnerable position with each other if we accept that and actually use it to heal our relationships instead of tear them apart. 

I've realized that not only do I need to extend forgiveness, but I also need to pray for those I may never meet, and for those I've met but do not wish to be reconciled with. A heart without a grievance must feel so light and peaceful, right? Colossians 3:12-13 Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. 

So perhaps my assignment will be spending more time reading and less time dreaming up clever sweatshirt designs and ruminating over the things that are upsetting my life– particularly those I cannot control. It is my responsibility after all, to do and be the things that God wants of me, and not be so focused on the things and actions I can't control. 

This world and its problems and tragedies can overwhelm me, and seem to add to the problems of daily life. It can be easy to get sidetracked. In this time of great uncertainty, my security needs to rest in the One who has all the answers. To remember to pray for God's will is something Norm frequently reminds me, and it is very important, because it removes our need to "fix" or tell God what we want the outcome to be, and replaces it with trust in His perfect plan, knowing that even if the circumstances look dire, He is using the difficulty to bring about something good. 2 Corinthians 4:17-18 For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes on not what is seen, but what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal. 

God's plan is the ultimate big picture, and not all of the pieces will make sense to us. When we can ask God for wisdom like Solomon did, he will give us the discernment to begin to respond in a way that helps us to see how He wants us to pray and what small piece He wants from us. While we wait, we can ask for His peace. James 1:5 If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him. I don't write this lightly as if all things can be tied up with a Christian bow. Most days, the ends of my ribbon are flying loose and free as I learn more and more about who God is and how much I still don't know about the One who intentionally created me. 

We all need love and God IS love. (Maybe that's the sweatshirt message of the day) May we be good to one another as we navigate this world and our places in it, carrying the presence of God within our hearts. Blessings. 

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Against such things there is no law. 

Galatians 5:22-23