Comfortable in My Own Skin

Read: Matt 6:25-34



"So don't be anxious about tomorrow. God will take care of your tomorrow too. Live one day at a time.”- Matthew 6:27 

In my first few years as a Christian, worry was my constant companion. Bad things happen to good people, including myself, much too often.

I do not enjoy suffering for any reason and I do not like my friends and family to suffer either. I had a habit of taking shallow breaths, intently concentrating on the issue at hand, praying intensely for the situation and attempting through the sheer power of my self-will to prevent the issues I worried about from ever occurring. Of course, this never did any good!

One day I developed chest congestion for the millionth time, and the Lord pointed out to me that hyperventilating was causing my lungs to fill up with fluid. Worry was choking the life right out of my spirit, soul and body. I had to face the facts. There were more requests than gratitude in my prayers, pleading with God to change the circumstances in my life. I didn’t even like what I looked like, where I lived or the clothes I had to wear. I wasn’t comfortable in my own skin. I worried way too much. 

Then, I read Jesus’ solution to worry in Matthew 6:25-34. He teaches us that worry does not add a single moment to our life or a single inch to our stature. He admonishes us not to worry about our provision for food, housing or clothing. He points out that God effectually cares for the flowers that He created for temporary enjoyment, and He reminds us that we are far more important to Our Heavenly Father than all the lilies in the field and the birds of the air.

In bringing about my healing from worry, God went one step further. He also gave me my firstborn son, and the delights of motherhood gave me a vision and a purpose for my life. God also taught me to paint. He even allowed some of my paintings to sell. He built up my self-worth and showed me how much fun it is to be creative. God taught me to trust in Him, to obey Him and to do good to all men, especially to those of the household of faith (Galatians 6:10). He also promised me that I would dwell in safety (Psalm 4:8, 16:9; Proverbs 1:23).

God told me to be still and to trust that He is God (Psalm 46:10), to wait patiently for Him and not to fret, even when evil men carried out their wicked schemes against me and those I love (Psalm 37:7). He encouraged me to delight myself in Him and He would put His desires in my heart. He called me to commit my way to Him and to trust Him. Then, He would make my righteous deeds and the people I care about shine as a light to illuminate the way for others (Proverbs 3:5-6).

Our Heavenly Father already knows exactly what we need and when we need it. He promises that if we look after His business, then He will provide everything we need according to His glorious riches (Matthew 6:33). God gives us strength to walk through trials and He always works them out for our good (Romans 8:28). He protects us from our enemies (Psalm 138:7; Zechariah 9:15). He encourages us to give all our worries and cares to Him, because He really does completely care for us (1 Peter 5:7). Nothing can ever separate us from His love (Romans 8:35-39). With Christ dwelling in us we can be comfortable in our own skin (Colossians 1:27)!

Prayer:

Lord, thank You for helping me to stop fretting about life and to start casting my cares on You. You care for me now and always. I believe, dear Lord, but please, help my unbelief when my faith waivers. When the way looks dark, shine Your light on my path. When the storm clouds gather, continue to provide me with a safe haven. Help me to trust in You and to let my light to shine so that everyone will see my life and glorify You (Matthew 5:16).

Thought For the Day:

God loves us so much that He stretched out His arms and died for us, and He will never leave us nor forsake us.





Thank you, Susan Holsinger, for the use of your photo.

Fly Away and Rest

Read: Lamentation 5:15-17

“So I said, "Oh, that I had wings like a dove! I would fly away and be at rest.” Ps 55:6 (NKJV)

Some commercials promise to zip the harried housewife away from life’s stresses, through products like enchanting bath crystals. The actress always whizzes through her chores after a calming bath. I admit I often crave for a magic carpet to fly me away to a place of rest too! Of course, I realize that my chores always await my return. In reality, escaping is only a momentary relief!

When I lose my joy, the dance goes right out of my step and then I entertain the sin of murmuring as my soul gives in to frustration, depression, and sometimes, even resentment. Outer clutter causes inner clutter, which results in these negative emotions overwhelming me!

Starting each day with the Lord always gives me His joy as my strength. Then, by eliminating and preventing outer clutter, I can keep organized. This helps me to dwell in peace instead of dissatisfaction. My day is never successful, however, unless I listen to the Spirit and wait on His direction as I do each task. He always has a quicker or more creative way to do a simple chore. I get done so much faster by doing it His way.

One day He prompted me to have a place for everything and to keep everything in its place. To facilitate this, I purchased wooden storage units of all sizes and arranged them in every available space in the house. He also led me to purchase stackable kitchen utensils, which make storing and using them and their lids more efficient. One of the most time saving ideas came when He encouraged me to store duplicates of all necessary cleaning supplies in each room. This allows me to whisk away any mess in a few seconds.

Everyone discovers their own housekeeping rhythm as they explore different methods. I used to try to squeeze all of the major chores into every day in an attempt to keep my house immaculate. The Spirit reminded me that a casually spotless house was much easier to live in. Now I like to do one major chore a day, and then touch up all over to keep things looking clean and uncluttered.

PRAYER:

Lord, give me Your wisdom as I perform my daily chores, so that I have more time to serve You in areas where You need me the most. Amen.

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY:

Enhance your peace within by controlling the clutter without.