Relax! Try Your Best to at Least

 Long Ships lighthouse on a summer's day A perfect place to get some peace and tranquillity. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Cast your cares on the Lord
and he will sustain you;
he will never let
the righteous be shaken.
Psalm 55:22

New International Version (NIV)

        Telling oneself not to worry is the correct Biblical approach to the difficult times we face in our lives.  This is one of those things that is often much easier said than done.  Prayer works, but it can be work to stay focused on the prayers when life is putting you through the wringer.

         So much of the time we want to be in control.  Or we have expectations that others will fix the problems.   And maybe they will.  Often God works through others--healthcare professionals, auto mechanics, firemen, neighbors.  You know, the everyday people who keep the world around us going.  It can be difficult to have complete faith in people when situations seem impossible to fix.  Try faith in God, in prayer, and in the heavenly powers.   When all else seems to be failing, that kind of faith can provide not only the comfort we need, but the miracles we need.

          Getting torn with worry and twisted with stressful angst doesn't fix the problems we face, but it can hurt us as well as those around us.   Give those anxieties over to God.  He'll take care of the problems if that is his will, but more importantly He will take care of you.

          A little prayer never hurts.  A lot of prayer can help in big ways.   

Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.   And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Philippians 4:6-7

New International Version (NIV)

Related articles

• Go Ask God, part 2
• More...
• King of Chaos
• It's time to stop the worry
• My God shall supply my needs

What Keeps You Energized?

High tension line in Montreal, Quebec, Canada (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

When I asked for your help,
you answered my prayer
and gave me courage.
Psalm 138:3

Contemporary English Version (CEV)

         The other night while I was alone in the house, the power went out.  

          My wife had gone to visit her daughter for a few days leaving me on my own with some "bachelor" time.   On Friday evening I was prepared to have a relaxing evening of watching old movies on television and spending some catch up time on the computer.   I was all psyched up for my personal time as I prepared a small dinner to enjoy as I watched the tube.   Then the lights went out.

          Actually the lights didn't go completely out, but they were very dim.   The radio was still working fine, but every other appliance, the televisions, and my computers were all off.  It wasn't really a black-out, but there was a definite lack of energy.  I'd experienced black-outs before though nothing quite like this low power ebb.  Everything was out for about ninety minutes and then suddenly everything was back up and running like normal.

         Losing the energy like that made me feel a little helpless.  I had faith that the power company would tend to the problem and all would be well in short order.  As it turned out, this was the case.  What if the power outage had lasted longer, perhaps through the night and into the next day?   In the end I didn't have to find out what might have happened and that was fine with me.

          God is our spiritual power company.   He provides the energy, but it's up to us to know how to use it and keep the power coming in.  With faith that stays strong we can have a direct line from the source of all energy of the universe.  If we keep the prayer lines open to the Lord we will get the answers we need.  They may not come over a phone line or be as clear as any message that we are used to getting.  God's ways can be mysterious, with messages delivered in miraculous ways or even as plain as words passed casually in a conversation with a friend.   We don't always know the messenger, but if we're paying attention we will receive the Message.

Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power.
Ephesians 6:10
New International Version (NIV)

Related articles

• I'll meet you more than halfway
• What Does God Say About Your Independence?
• Feeling sad/tired/down/melancholy...
• Important To Remember...

Is Your Plan Working?

HERD OF SHEEP - NARA - 544384 (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

The Lord is the strength of his people,
a fortress of salvation for his anointed one.
Save your people and bless your inheritance;
be their shepherd and carry them forever.
Psalm 28:8-9

New International Version (NIV)

          "His will be done," we hear it said, but sometimes those may seem like harsh  words to us.   What we were hoping might happen isn't always the way things turn out.  Something's out of alignment and it's not God.

           God has a plan--a plan for you, your family, and the whole world.   Someday we'll understand in full what the extent of the plan is, but for now we need to keep listening, waiting and doing whatever else it takes to get on board with God.    

          God's plan is a perfect one.   Are you in sync with God?

For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love he predestined us for adoption to sonship through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will— to the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves. In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace that he lavished on us. With all wisdom and understanding, he made known to us the mystery of his will according to his good pleasure, which he purposed in Christ, to be put into effect when the times reach their fulfillment—to bring unity to all things in heaven and on earth under Christ.
Ephesians 1:4-10

New International Version (NIV)

Related articles

• What happens when I die?
• Get Together!
• Communication with God
• Why does God allow suffering? Doesn't He care about us? -By Oke Gabriel Olayinka