Resting
in God's love-
Reviving
in God's word.

Overthinking is under-trusting. This phrase came to me in the wee hours of the morning as I was tossing and turning over something HUGE in my life. Ironically, I now don’t even remember the reason for my fretting. At the time, however, I was all twisted up, both in my bedcovers and in my mind as I took turns playing the ShouldI/ Shouldn’t I and What if games. I’m not only the queen of second-guessing,I’m the queen of 222^nd-guessing.

When I toss and turn, I’m like that double-minded individual that’s mentioned in Scripture who asks for wisdom but doubts when receiving it. “For that person must not suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways” (James1:7-8).

What is the remedy to these unnecessary wrestling matches within my mind? Here are three thoughts that helped me remember where to turn:

1.    Choose to trust God’s promises.

It’s one thing to know God’s promises, but it’s another thing to believe them. In times of confusion, will I cling to God’s truth or will I hold onto my fabrications? Questions such as these: What if I’m making a mistake in this decision, or, Did I really hear from God, can be replaced with promises such as this: “I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my eye upon you”(Psalm 32:8). In this verse alone, God is promising to instruct me…to teach me… to counsel me. So instead of twirling with anxiety, I can repeatedly thank him for these promises and then walk confidently by faith in his leading.

2.    Choose to trust God’sSpirit.

I confess: I tend to overthink his Spirit. Sadly, this fleshly pause can sometimes lead to complete withdrawal. When God’s whisper enters my heart, nudging me to do his will, my choice is to either press forward in faith or shrink back in fear. Even if I happen to be “mis-hearing”him, can I not trust my Good Shepherd enough to lead me back onto his right path? Certainly, I can! He is that good. I must remember, God looks at my faith-filled heart, rather than my flawless steps.

3.    Choose to trust wise friends and mentors.

These carefully selected people can help confirm God’s truth in my life. Sharing my thoughts with those who will listen, encourage, advise, and pray is a built-in blessing from God. He knows we need each other!

With these things in place, no moreover-thinking! No more tossing and turning with needless mind-games! Instead, fully trust! Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, whose trust is the Lord. (Jeremiah 17:7). It’s time for me to follow God’s lead without hesitation.

Will you join me? We’ve got kingdom work to do—no doubt about it.

Dear Heavenly Father,

Thank you for your living word and your abiding Spirit. Thank you for wise friends and mentors that you have placed in my life. In times of over-thinking, help me to recall your truths and trust your voice. Keep my heart in line with yours and make my footsteps firm. I want to move forward in faith every single day, confidently living for you.  In Jesus’ name, Amen.

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It’s only been a little over a month since the tragic Covenant shootings in Nashville, and it seems as if life has moved on for most of us

…but not for all of us.

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Let’s keep our friends who are still suffering such great loss in our prayers. Life is forever changed for them.

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As I’ve been praying over the parents, spouses, and loved ones in this tragedy, the Lord brought to my mind and resurfaced a poem I wrote in 2009 about another tragic loss of a young child. So, following the Lord’s lead, I went to my “writing cabinet” and dug it up.

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It’s entitled “Holding onto Life”. I’m sharing it today as a reminder and a prayer.

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For all those who have lost a loved one to a tragedy, hear Jesus whisper to your heart:“I’m holding you both.”

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“Holding onto Life”

 O my

O, my God

O, my God, no!

A heart of sorrow, tears of pain-

This, my God, is more than a sting.

Where’s the victory? Where’s the hope?

No, no, no, I cannot cope.

Holding onto life, holding onto life,

Holding onto Life, Holding onto Christ…

He gently whispers, “I’m holding you both.”

A heart of sadness, tears remain,

An earthly loss for a heavenly gain-

And this is the story that You wrote?

Reassure my heart, You love “the most.”

Holding onto life, holding onto life,

Holding onto Life, Holding onto Christ…

He sweetly whispers, “I’m holding you both.”

A heart of aching, tears make stains,

Tears of anguish well up again-

I’m trusting, trusting—the Living Hope.

Holding onto life, holding onto life,

Holding onto Life, holding onto Christ…

He softly whispers, “I’m holding you both.”

A heart of longing, tears untamed,

Release, hold on, release again-

Remind me she’s singing with the heavenly hosts.

Let my soul hear her boldly boast,

“Holding onto Life! Holding onto Life!

Holding onto Life! Holding onto Christ!”

While I cling to Your vow, “I’m holding you both.”

O my

O, my God

O my God, help me say… "Yes."

I love how God uses all of his creation to speak both practical and spiritual lessons into our lives.

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For example in Proverbs (ch. 30), he tells us to observe the ants, the badgers, the locusts, the lizards, the lion, the strutting cock, and the male goat.

Amazingly, all have something to teach us.

The butterfly is no exception.

First of all, we must consider that this living spectacle starts its life as a little green caterpillar. The unassuming creature then wraps itself tightly in a silk cocoon. In this quiet place, something marvelous takes place:

the eyes grow larger, and the intricate wings and antennae begin to blossom into maturity.

And then, at just the right time, the new creation breaks free.

The dash of color lifts and lands, lifts and lands, bringing its color to the world.

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The lesson for us is simple and obvious:

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Have you ever felt "cocooned" at times in your life?

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Insignificant. Void of color. No evidence of movement. Wondering about your purpose and questioning God's plan.

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Then consider the butterfly.  

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Allow your Creator to come and wrap his love around you;

sit with him; rest with him, alone, and acknowledge the strong and trustworthy hold he has on you.

Ask him to change your impatient heart into a peaceful one, and allow him to work His purpose into your "wings".

Be submissive to his divine work in you.

Believe that what he has started, he will also complete.

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And when its time...trust that he will open a passageway and ask you to fly in freedom,

bringing his dashes of color to this dark world.

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Therefore, if any man is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come.  II Corinthians 5:17

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