What do you do when the chips are down?When you are in one of those many, many places life brings us to where you have an care, a pressing need, some THING that could easily move from a stand of faith to a WORRY. What have you done that worked for YOU?
Often times, once we have made known our need to the Lord and stood on faith, if we don't take a healthy course of action, before we know it we have succumbed to the temptation to over-analyze, reason, reason, reason, and before we know it full fledged WORRY. Which, as you are well aware, fellow worriers, or try-not-to-worriers, is taking the thing, that care, back from God, and KEEPING it for ourselves. Where it can NOT move forward, it can't get resolved.
So, what are some healthy actions to take, which will aid us in keeping off the well worn path of giving our cares to God, and then sneaking back and taking the care to our self again and getting our fingerprints all over it?!
So, what are some healthy actions to take, which will aid us in keeping off the well worn path of giving our cares to God, and then sneaking back and taking the care to our self again and getting our fingerprints all over it?!
In my life, at various turning points I can look back and see several patterns which have been successful for me. I would love for you to share what has worked for you or at least think about it. We can learn lots from 20-20 hind sight!
I have several things that I turn to. Both involve acts of service. It's just how I am wired. Another thing which never fails to influence my outlook, is music, music, and music. I generally love to get the house as much to myself as possible and play music I enjoy and clean, clean, clean. For me, this is an action I can take, which lets face it, is going to improve my surroundings, and is something I can exert my influence on in a positive manner (instead of trying to influence the outcome of said care). It is also an act of love for my family.
Something else that is very cathartic, is to prayerfully consider someone in your orbit who needs help. Maybe they are working on a project and need someone who is just happy to help, and be in the background. Not for accolades or recognition, just to help out. Maybe they simply need someone to listen to them, as they talk. You would be surprised at how much this is needed and is a blessing to others. Or they would love to be invited over for coffee and company.
I appreciate you all letting me bounce this off of you. I have been thinking at odd times about the influence music has over me to bring out of the pit, and into the palace. The palace of the presence of God. Sometimes I can also have a great time enjoying some great old school music or country music. Then there is always my Nickleback! Another thing I have been thinking of is how very, very blessed I have been when the Lord has allowed me to come along side someone and just give them a hand, be it ever so simple a task. I always end up with a bit more of a friend. And LOTS more satisfaction, and contentment. It truly is MORE blessed to give than receive.
I hope this will at least get you all thinking!
God bless you in your pursuit to
LEAVE YOUR CARES WITH HIM!
"Therefore humble yourselves
"Therefore humble yourselves
[demote, lower yourselves in your own estimation]
under the mighty hand of God, that in due time He may exalt you,
Casting the whole of your care
Casting the whole of your care
[all your anxieties, all your worries, all your concerns, once and for all]
on Him, for He cares for you affectionately and cares about you watchfully. "
1 Peter 5:6-7
10 comments:
Service is something that helps me too. I volunteer a lot at the kids' school (three days a week) and sometimes I don't want to deal with it at all. I have to bring Evie and it gets hard. I ALWAYS walk away feeling less stressed and better about the rest of the day though. It's a blessing for me.
Hey, Cecily! I tried to send you an e-mail back, but my e-mail provider keeps acting up...I can receive, but, once again my outgoing e-mails are sitting in my little outbox! No worries though....Hopefully my answer to you will come thru later today! Thanks for getting back with me though!
Hope you are hanging in there, Girlie!
xoxo,
Maria
It is also very relaxing to shoot darts at a picture of the person causing the worry...Oops sorry, that's for my non-Christian friends. Tee hee.
Seriously though, I do think there is so much good in your advice. Cleaning and listening to music can help the overwhelmed feel so much better. The action itself feels more powerful than laying in bed eating bon bons and watching old Murder She Wrote re-runs. Although...
Amen once again dear sister. For me it is important to remember that I truly have no control over it all, neither by my choices nor my actions, and especially not by fretting. I like to tell myself that if I knew the ending would be good I am wasting my time. And if the ending is not what I want it to be I can't help it by worrying either. I need my energy! I try to remind myself continually that God is the one in control. He loves me. He will provide. He has promised. AND by the way...you secret Nickelback lover you...music does a lot for me as well! And I like Nickelback too!
I find that when I keep busy, I have less to worry about and life is more fun.
Worry and fear have been issues that God has been dealing with me about for a long time.
They are like weeds that must be pulled up by the roots and then thrown into the fire.
Sometimes I have to give myself the mental hand or simply remind myself that it is not my responsibility.
Growing up responsible for a lot tends to create a person who feels they have to be on top of everything.
And of course you can never be on top of everything but you can sure try. Try and be miserable.
So God is still teaching me.
I was glad to find out the other day that I was not responsible for giving myself gray hair. They say that worry and stress do not turn your hair gray.:)
I KNOW--I'm a nut.
Such great advice my friend.
I surround myself w/ friends that make me feel all "sparkly!" (hee-hee!) You know the ones that can help you put things into perspective and remind you of what really matters! And I pray- a lot! I talk it out w/ the Lord and I try to stay open to His leading me away from "myself."---b/c I don't know about you, but I tend to obsess about how (fill in the blank) effects me, makes me feel, ect. And I know the devil uses my feelings to deceive me and to lure me into only seeing things from my perspective! If I can get my emotions out of the way, I can see a little more clearly, and I find slowly as I allow the Lord to ease my anxieties, I can let go a little at a time and let Him have control. Hope that helps. Love you girl!
Our lists are very much the same! Although, I am always tempted to take the worry out of God's hands as soon as I put it there. The thing that has helped me THE MOST is that I am going through a study by Jerry Bridges on "Trusting God". God is using this in my life in a powerful way and through some difficult circumstances He is teaching me to trust Him and His sovereignty, maybe for the first time ever. Praise His Name!
Carole - you are too funny! Speaking of bon bons and Murder She Wrote, there are back to back episodes of McBride on Hallmark channel today! :)
Leslie - Tee-Hee! :)
Knit-Wit - You do a GREAT job a this! With all your healthy hobbies and the couples Bible Study! I hope you all are having a great hike today! (I think that was for today?)
Sharon - at least you have not lost your sense of humor! :) And you are so correct, it is an illusion for us to think we can ever be "on top of it all" Like a mirage in the desert!
Denise - thanks!
Tiffany - Friends that make you feel sparkly! I LIKE it! :) Tee-hee! Yes to running dialoge with Our Father! :)
Stacey - You would probably add some golf to your list!? Action (not pertaining to said care) is so cathartic! This book sounds very intriguing....
Happy Weekend to all!
Love,
Maria
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