Facing Life's Challenges

Since life happens without any warning, I got into the habit, at a very young age, of breathing in shallow breaths. This is detrimental, because my body does not receive all of the oxygen it needs. My blood pressure went up, since I was hyperventilating all of the time. My mind kept my body in high alert. My soul does not react well to the uncertainty of life.

Inwardly, I felt fearful and insecure all the time. The environment in which I lived was unreliable and unpredictable. In my childhood, I grew up with emotional distance, unpredictable anger and physical aggression, which caused dread and instability. Throughout my life, I lived with repeated unsettling circumstances and unexpected changes.

For instance, I moved way too often in my early married life, and had to start over too many times. Eventually, my former husband decided he needed to move on without me, so I lived through divorce. I also experienced two car crashes in which I totaled both cars. The first accident left me with emotional turmoil and the second inflicted extensive physical trauma.

All of my life, I tried to control life to keep it manageable and safe. Of course, I failed miserably at this endeavor. We cannot harness life no matter how many safety valves we provide. I still do not like surprises and I have to remind myself to be more flexible, but I have learned some valuable life lessons.

Over my years as a Believer, I learned to keep my focus on God, to surrender everything to Him in prayer, to have faith in God’s faithfulness and to be more in tune to His Spirit (Isaiah 26:3; Philippians 4:6; 1 Corinthians 1:9; Romans 8:14). God taught me to cast my cares on Him, because He really does care about me.

Walking in the Spirit moment by moment keeps me prepared for the unexpected (1 Peter 5:7; Psalm 77:14; Romans 8:28; Galatians 5:15-21). God also taught me that He places a seed for a miracle within every trial. With each lesson I learned, I started breathing more deeply because the feeling of impending doom disappeared.

Prayer:

Father God, You have a perfect plan for our life (Ephesians 2:10). Remind us to seek Your direction for each task You planned for our day, and then to seek Your face for guidance on how to do what You instruct us to do. Consumed by Your Spirit, there is no room for negative emotions. As we face new situations in life, which cause us injury, unrest and indecision, we can wait on You and face the circumstance with Your courage from within us. You strengthen us from the inside out to meet every new challenge (Psalm 27:14).

Thought for the Day:

Trusting totally in God and surrendering to His will for my life gives me His joy and serenity, which trying to control life never did.

Internal Investigation

Most people fly through life without any consideration of what is affecting their body, thoughts and feelings. One way to change this negligent behavior is to pay closer attention to them. If we write down the thoughts occupying our mind, the pains in our body and any negative emotions we experience, they reveal secrets to us.

How does your body feel? What is your soul experiencing? What is your spiritual temperature, hot or cold or...lukewarm? (Revelation 3:16) Performing a thorough internal investigation of our physical, emotional, mental and spiritual state permits us to pray about what to do about them.

Negative emotions are always a signal that something deeper is the culprit. Our physical health even affects our thoughts and emotions, and vice versa. When we analyze the conversations going on in our head among our various ego states, then we can decide what is bothering us and hear the Holy Spirit's direction on what to do to resolve the problems.

We have the choice to play the role of victim and to concede to our spiritual, physical or emotional ailments; to fight how we feel; to ignore the red flags raised in our soul; or to follow the advice of the Serenity Prayer and change or surrender to God the issues distressing us.

There is no way to change another person's mind or actions without his or her consent; so, prayer and God's Word allow us to gain God's wisdom and perspective on our concerns. This is the only way to survive in this world. If God does not show us how to change our circumstances, then we ask Him to help us; and He always does.

Prayer:

Father God, remind us that as we put our cares in Your capable hands, that You will deal with them or show us what to do about them, because You truly care about us (1 Peter 5:7). You give us Your joy as our strength, even in the most negative of circumstances. Some issues are our responsibility, and some are beyond our control. We praise You for, in and through every aspect of our life. Thank You for showering us with Your serenity and joy, and for working out everything for our good (Romans 8:28).

Thought for the Day:

Changing our focus about our issues will bring us unimaginable and glorious freedom from our circumstances, even if they never change; as well as joy in spite of them.

Our Source of Power

There are only two sources of power on this earth: God and Satan. We will serve one and hate the other. Satan wants us to worship and to serve him. He attempts to convince us that we do not want to wait until the glories of heaven to receive our reward. He promises temporal rewards, which entertain and satisfy our flesh now.

Most people are so earthly minded, that they choose to serve in Satan’s Kingdom. They want instant gratification, so they give in to his enticements. The actual truth, however, is that serving King Jesus also has plenty of rewards right here on this earth, starting with peace of mind and fulfillment (1 Peter 5:5-11; John 15:8-10). God gives us every resource we need to live a successful life.

Fear or doubt can cripple our faith. Faith comes by believing the Word of God; fear comes by believing Satan's lies. Satan's lies are always contrary to God's Word. Satan tries to tempt us to focus on our problems, and he offers us a substitute like alcohol or drugs instead of real help. However, there is no problem too hard for God (Jeremiah 32:27). As we direct our cares to God, He proves that He cares for us (1 Peter 5:7).

Prayer:

Father God, lead us by Your Holy Spirit to accomplish Your works throughout our lifetime. We depend on You each moment of the day. Help us to accept others in their walk with You, without expecting them to walk on the same path that we do. Remind us to forgive those who despitefully use us, so that You can forgive us (Matthew 5:44). Guide us and anoint us to break the yokes of bondage, which keep people under satanic authority. Set them free by Your Spirit within us.

Thought for the Day:

Satan cannot overcome us without our consent.

Why Don't I Feel Joy?

 

God did not intend for us to live life on this earth in depression and fear. He delights in us and wants His righteous children to be glad, and to rejoice before Him with contentment and joy (Psalm 68:3). There are several roadblocks in this modern world, which prevent our soul from experiencing the joy that is our heritage in Christ, and several keys for living a joy-filled life.

There is no scenario on earth that can entirely eliminate stress. We are going to experience the complexities of providing for our self and our family. There is only one solution to this problem, and that is to simplify our belongings and expenses. The more we have, the more we have to work to pay for it, and the more we want. Everything we own in this life actually owns us and holds us in bondage. 

Allowing our soul to grieve our losses is another key to joy (John 16:22). If we hold grief inside, it discolors the joyful circumstances in our life. By suppressing sadness, we also suppress joy. Consider your own needs. Otherwise irritability, depression and even anger or bitterness develop. Commune with your self and meet your needs, so you feel more satisfied and joyful. Show compassion to other people too.

Let go of every toxic, negative emotion plaguing your soul. Change any of your concerns you can. Let go of the issues, which you cannot change, and rely on God to free you from their bondage (Romans 8:28). Put all of your hope in the Lord, instead of in circumstances. Set goals, which are meaningful to you. Surround yourself with positive people. Praise the Lord all day long, so your soul shouts out with joy (Psalm 71:23).

Schedule more free time into your day. Do not overly schedule each moment with chores and responsibilities. Plan outings or events, which you can look forward to enjoying. Make some playtime into every day. Take a few moments at the end of each day to journal and relieve your mind of clutter. Every night, list five different things that you are grateful for and praise God for them as you fall asleep.

Prayer:

Father God, trials work patience into our life, which leads to contentment and fulfillment. Thank You that we can joyfully traverse trials, because we dwell in Your presence (James 1:2-8; Psalm 16:11; Isaiah 12:6). We find joy in the shadow of Your wings, because in your unfailing love we shall never be shaken (Psalm 21:5-7). Remind us to take time to list the blessings You bestow on us each day and to allow Your joy in us to demolish Satan and all negative emotions.

Thought for the Day:

As we trust every area of our life to Him, our God of Hope fills us with all joy and peace, so that we abound with hope by the power of His Spirit. – Romans 15:13

Doesn't God Care?

 

Part of the Good news is that God does care. In fact, He cared enough to become a man and die for the sins of the whole world (John 3:16). He feels our pain, because He took it upon Himself on the cross. God does not condone the deeds of the wicked or those who condemn the righteous (Proverbs 17:15). God repays those who afflict the helpless with suffering, and He gives relief to all of those who are distressed, if not in this life, then in the next (2 Thessalonians 1:6-7).

So, do not be afraid of those who do evil, or allow their escapades to upset you. God already planned their demise (Psalm 37:1-2). God avenges all of those who transgress or deceive someone else. He already solemnly warned that this would happen (1 Thessalonians 4:6). He is the God of second chances. He forgives anyone who repents of their evil deed. He is slow to anger and full of loving kindness, but He also keeps His Word (Numbers 14:8; Psalm 103:8; Deuteronomy 7:9). God hates the suffering in the world more than we do. That is why He became a man. He died to save us all from an eternity in hell.

God is not slow about defending us, nor is He ignorant of our plight, nor disinterested in our circumstances. He is simply patient and kind. He never brings judgment on a person or a nation without first sending a warning to them, so that they can repent. He wants everyone to receive Him, so that He can bring us all Home with Him. When people who have known pain, finally connect with God, they realize that He has loved them every moment of their life.

God walks through our painful times with us and it hurts Him every bit as much as it does us. He carried that pain to the cross. The closer we come to the eternal wisdom of God, the more foolish the wisdom of this world becomes (1Corinthians 3:19). God uses our suffering to teach us obedience and to perfect us into His image, just as Jesus’ suffering perfected Him (Hebrews 5:8). When we finally feel His encompassing love, we realize that what we suffered is nothing compared to what He suffered. His love is perfect.

Do you want to experience perfect love? All that God requires is that we freely come to Christ and receive Him as our Savior. Then, we reject our life of sin and seek His Spirit’s direction each moment of every day. We live a full life, because we see Him as He lives in and through us (John 14:19). The presence of His Spirit in our life proves that we are a true child of God (Ephesians 1:14; 2 Corinthians 1:22). His presence in our life works through us to build His Kingdom in the earth. We thirst no more, because we found the fountain of life (John 4:14).

Prayer:

Father God, remind us to leave retribution in Your hands, because You will always repay the evil doer who harms us (Romans 12:19). You judge every work ever done, even those things we do in secret, the good and the evil. You reward the good and judge the evil (Ecclesiastes 12:13). Those who hurt us will not get away with it, even if we forgive them, as You teach us to do (Matthew 6:14), because You will hold them accountable (Hebrews 4:13). Help us to love our enemies and to do good to those who despitefully use us (Luke 6:28).

Thought for the Day:

When people turn their heart away from God, they can no longer hear His voice.

All or Nothing

 

Many people have a tendency to look at life with an all or nothing attitude. We think that to enjoy the features of living on this earth is to be earthly minded; and to pray, read the Bible and do Christian work is to live a holy, spiritually minded life. Although there is some truth in this, the reality is that God created all good things for us to enjoy (1 Timothy 6:17). He put us on this diverse and beautiful planet so that all creation would point us to Him (Romans 1:20). As we enjoy creation, we see His glory and majesty surrounding us.

What about our talents in music, mechanics, giving, art, engineering, caring, teaching, technology, preaching, serving, etc? We actually balance out these earthly pursuits with a spiritual mind as we do them all for the glory of God. Paul pointed out to us that even what we eat and drink should be done for the glory of God (1 Corinthians 10:31). God cares about every aspect of our life. We often attempt to perfect our self by giving up what we consider worldly pursuits. The perfecting process belongs to the Spirit of God, however.

If we try in the flesh to perfect our self, all we have is more flesh! Our soul requires times of leisure and recreation in order to maximize its effectiveness. If our soul does not prosper, our body and spirit will suffer also (3 John 1:2). It is the type of recreation and the amount of time and money we put into it that determines whether or not we are catering to the flesh. We relate to our physical world with our five senses, involving our desires, instinct and intellect. We interact in the spiritual world through our spirit, which is Born Again at the moment of salvation.

If our focus is consumed with the natural aspects of life, our spirit will suffer, and our body and soul will endure deprivation as well. Conversely, if we focus on God's will for each moment of our day, He will work out His perfection in us and He will lead us to live a healthy life in body, soul and spirit. If we primarily focus on fleshly, carnal aspects of life – even positive things such as our job, church, family and hobbies - they become idols. If we focus on religious aspects of life, we grow self-righteous and judgmental. God desires that we carry our spirituality into every detail of our daily lives (Colossians 3:17).

We can only develop true balance in life when we obey the direction of the Spirit of God for each moment of our day. Not a legalistic, petty structure of religious works, but a fluid stream of God’s gifts and character flowing through us into the world around us. The spiritual world is intangible and invisible, but God’s love and truth flow generously from a spirit connect to God though Christ. When we live with a balanced body, soul and spirit, we successfully navigate through life. We are simply the container from which God pours out His Spirit on everyone around us.

Prayer:

Father God, You gave each of us gifts to use for your glory (Romans 12:6; 1 Timothy 6:17). You did not give them to us so we could use them, however. You gave them to us, so that You can use them through us! We do all things through the strength and energy You supply for us. In this way, we cannot take any credit, but we will give you all of the glory and power forever and ever (1 Peter 4:10-11). You even give us comfort so that You can comfort others through us (2 Corinthians 1:4). If we trust in our own abilities and wealth, we will fail; but as we step aside and allow you to bless others through us, we will prosper as well (Proverbs 11:28).

Thought for the Day:

We are only consumed by our human nature if we refuse to allow God to reveal Christ in us according to His good pleasure. – Ephesians 1:9