a merry heart

Being home during this unprecedented time may bring many to feel isolated, and lonely. This is a time that those thoughts of depression and loneliness may try to invade your mind and really work on wearing you down.  Depression and fear in these circumstances may try to overwhelm because there are a lot of things happening to cause worry: a pandemic, closed jobs and businesses, worry over bills, and health, etc. But I know that God is still good and He is ever faithful!

A merry heart does good, like medicine, But a broken spirit dries the bones.
Proverbs 17:22 NKJV

I have been really aware these past few days of the thoughts I have and how they can affect my perception, my words and even my daily actions. If I allow my thoughts to continually dwell on the worry, struggle and fear, it shows in my words and actions throughout the day. It can affect how I relate to my family and even affect my sleep. If I keep my mind on the blessings, the good, and the greatness of God, it will also be reflected in my words and actions.
Our thoughts affect us, in our relationships, in our actions, our health  and even how we relate to God.

I can reset my thinking and my mind by finding encouragement directly in the Word of God. The psalmist said it best: But You, O Lord , are a shield for me, My glory and the One who lifts up my head. Psalms 3:3 NKJV

God will lift us up and help us.  He has given His people a better way to live. We are not meant to be defeated and beaten down by our thoughts, fear and
depression. We are meant for worship and He has good and blessing for us.
We can rest assured that we can find protection even for our minds  when we place ourselves in His care.  We are told in Ephesians chapter 6 to put on the whole armor of God.  Part of that armor is the helmet of salvation. A helmet covers your head containing that brain. We can trust in the salvation we have received from God to protect even our thoughts. We can call out to Jesus and claim that name, Jesus, and His blood over our thought life. He will protect.

We are given guidance and direction on what we should be allowing our thoughts to dwell on. Paul wrote about this very thing in Philippians.

 Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.
Philippians 4:8 KJV

We have a lot of true and good things to think about.  We can start just by reading and dwelling on the scripture that is meant to lead us and teach us.  We have so much we can learn in His Word.  We have good blessings every day. We need to count those blessings. During testimony time, one of the kids in my Wednesday night bible study group always says, "God did wake me up this morning!" That is a true statement. God did wake me up and He gave me life today.  We have so much more from God than we ever deserve, but He still blesses us.  We are truly blessed! Start naming those blessings.

The Lord your God in your midst, The Mighty One, will save; He will rejoice over you with gladness, He will quiet you with His love, He will rejoice over you with singing.”
Zephaniah 3:17 NKJV

He is with us and rejoices over us.  That thought alone brings me joy.  We need to find joy in the Lord. His joy is our strength.  We can find peace in Him. He is our Provider, Protector, and Savior.  He is also a friend that sticks closer than a brother.  In those times when you find fear, doubt, and depression working into your heart and mind, take a stand and realize that you do not have to give in and allow these thoughts.  Change your mind by renewing it. You do have a choice about what you allow to consume your thought life.

And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.
Romans 12:2 NKJV

God knows your very thoughts and He can help you even in this area of your life.  We do not have to handle this alone as well. We can call on Him and we can call those we trust in the Body of Christ to pray with us and help us through. Keep going and claim that merry heart and have that joy of the Lord he has in store for you.

Remember these words:
Hear, O Lord , and have mercy on me; Lord , be my helper!” You have turned for me my mourning into dancing; You have put off my sackcloth and clothed me with gladness, To the end that my glory may sing praise to You and not be silent. O Lord my God, I will give thanks to You forever.
Psalms 30:10‭-‬12 NKJV

finding blessing in this situation

Quarantine! I never dreamed I would ever be in a quarantine situation, but here I am. We all are, as we watch this virus moving through our communities. We are asked to stay home and follow social distancing to lessen the possibility of spreading the virus.  There are many responses and emotiions I know we may all be feeling, such as fear, worry, disbelief, concern, uncertainty,  etc.  On social media I see many varying responses as some choose not to believe it is real, those following the precautions, to absolute terror.  We are just human beings and we are realizing just how vulnerable we truly are.  We are shutting the doors of businesses, schools, churches and all nonessential things we have enjoyed.  But what does all this mean? What am I to do with all this?

I feel that as we find new ways of reaching out without being physically present, as we actually stay home, and our lives have been forceably slowed down, we can also take this time to connect in an even greater way to God. We have time freed up and distractions have been removed. I do know God is ever present and ever loving. He is a good God. When we face great trials and uncertainty, we have a loving Father who will be there and provide all we need.  I know God is waiting and ready to hear us and to respond to us.  He knew before we did that we would need Him. He knows our thoughts and our struggles. He has answers for every fear. He has peace. He has comfort. He has love.  We can find rest in Him.

God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.  Therefore will not we fear, though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea;  Though the waters thereof roar and be troubled, though the mountains shake with the swelling thereof. Selah.  There is a river, the streams whereof shall make glad the city of God, the holy place of the tabernacles of the most High.  God is in the midst of her; she shall not be moved: God shall help her, and that right early.  The heathen raged, the kingdoms were moved: he uttered his voice, the earth melted.  The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah.  Come, behold the works of the Lord , what desolations he hath made in the earth.  He maketh wars to cease unto the end of the earth; he breaketh the bow, and cutteth the spear in sunder; he burneth the chariot in the fire.  Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth.  The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah.
Psalms 46:1‭-‬11 KJV

The Word of God is filled with wisdom, comfort, and peace. When we read the Bible, God's word comes alive and meets us where we are with what we need. He speaks to us and gives us the peace we need in these situations. He strengthens our faith and trust.

We can pray. We have more time to dedicate to our prayer. This prayer can build our relationship with God. We can learn more of him and know that He hears us. We can more easily recognize the voice of God. We can become more familiar with who He is. This can be a time of spiritual growth.

This can also be a time of building relationships even while we are apart. In our homes, we now have time for one another.  We can talk and share without having to rush out to the next appointment on the calendar. We can really listen to each other, laugh with each other and learn more about each other.  We also have time for that long phone call with a distant family member or friend. We have technology that allows us to message and video chat around the world. We can reach out to others who need encouragement  or just a laugh.

We have so much opportunity in the middle of this crazy, uncertain time. We can take this time to allow fear to overtake us, or we can turn it around into that time we always say we wished we had.  We have been given time in the middle of a trial. I have always said, "If I had more time..."  well, here it is. I want to take advantage of this time with my kids and my husband while I can. I had been wishing for more time with my near grown daughter, Now I have it. I have wanted more time to read and pray. I have it. I wanted time to spend and enjoy with my family. Here it is.  I wanted to be able to take time to reach out to distant family and friends. While I wouldn't choose to get time in this manner, I want to make the best of this time.

Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them.
Mark 11:24 KJV

We have time now, let's use it as we know we should. God is giving us time to hear from Him and to reconnect those relationships in our lives. God wants what is best for us, and while a pandemic may be ravaging, we can still find blessings and find that God is still working. Most of all, we can really talk to God and find His will for us in the middle of all this chaos.  We can pray over all this fear and for those affected by the virus. We can make a difference spiritually for ourselves, for others, and for the Kingdom.

changing seasons

As we go through this life we go through seasons. We have the physical seasons of time and we have seasons of life. We also have spiritual seasons.  I have experienced the passing of spring, summer, autumn, and winter.  I have passed through the season of childhood, teenager, and young adult. I realize my life is in the season of middle age.  It is time passing quickly.  Spiritually. I have had seasons of joy, seasons of peace, seasons of worry and doubt, and even seasons of loneliness and fear.  We go through seasons.  The Word of God made it very clear that we will have seasons.

To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven:
Ecclesiastes 3:1 KJV

As I look out at signs of changing seasons, the trees are beginning to bud and blossom, the fields are looking greener, and the spring buttercups are bright yellow. The dark, cold winter is about to be done.  I also feel and realize the season I am in spiritually is about to change.  I may have felt I was in a dark valley for a little while, but when I look around, I see the signs of a new season. There are times we may become overwhelmed in the middle of a rough season. I have heard many tell of the dark of winter, the hardness of enduring the loneliness of winter. There is a sadness and depression that may try to take hold when we are in the middle of a hard season, but we must keep our eyes on Jesus. He is our hope.

I was thinking and praying last week about this very thing when I felt God speak. "This season is just for a little while, seasons do not last forever, they end and a new one begins." We have hope that the dark seasons pass on and new seasons begin. If we are in the joyous, good seasons, enjoy them and store up the blessings because even these good times pass on. We rely on the blessings in the good times to sustain us in the rough times.

God does not leave us in the rough seasons. He is walking with us and leading us through every moment. It is so easy to get our eyes off of Him, but we can always trust that His ever loving presence is with us. He said:
Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.
Hebrews 13:5 KJV

He is also our hiding place. We can place ourselves in His care and he protects and guards  us.
Thou art my hiding place and my shield: I hope in thy word.
Psalms 119:114 KJV

We can find comfort and safety knowing God is always with us.  We have a heavenly Father that loves us and cares for us in the good and in the bad.  He gives us joy. He gives us peace. He gives us hope.  No matter the season, He is still working for our good.   We may go through the barren, dark seasons, but we know that this too, shall pass. We will remain in this season, but for a little while. A new season is on the way.

Nevertheless he left not himself without witness, in that he did good, and gave us rain from heaven, and fruitful seasons, filling our hearts with food and gladness.
Acts 14:17 KJV

He will pour out blessings in due time. Seasons will be fruitful and full. A new season will bring with it great joy and gladness. There will be rain and growth. There will be filling and abundance in the soul.  There may be a rain coming and pouring out on the earth. But that means growth will follow.  Growth is life.

We need seasons of barren and dark to bring us seasons of growth and gladness. We cannot grow without either. We need our seasons. For some seasons push us into deeper prayer, bigger faith, aand greater reliance on God. Other seasons bring great rejoicing and praise that lifts and heightens our resolve to serve our Lord. These are the moments that refresh and strengthen our spirit and relationship with Jesus. 

And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.
Galatians 6:9 KJV

If you are in a season that is good, rejoice and draw in that hope and joy for you will need it in the next season. Enjoy the growth and praise Him for He is worthy. This is a season  that is good for you to store up the blessing of God to sustain you through the next rough season.

If you are in a rough season, keep praying and trusting God, for this season will end and the good will come again. Lean on His strength and know He is with you. Praise Him in these times for He is still good. I know God is able to do all things  and I know this season too will end and a new one begin.     

Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations:  That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ:
1 Peter 1:6‭-‬7 KJV

There is purpose in all seasons. There is a stretching and a growing and all the seasons we go through are to bring forth growth and change in us. God has purpose in it. We may not always know it and it may not feel easy at times, but God is working in all seasons to perfect His people. You are a work in progress  and this season is part of the process for you. He will lead and reveal His work in you.

Daniel answered and said, Blessed be the name of God for ever and ever: for wisdom and might are his:  And he changeth the times and the seasons: he removeth kings, and setteth up kings: he giveth wisdom unto the wise, and knowledge to them that know understanding:  He revealeth the deep and secret things: he knoweth what is in the darkness, and the light dwelleth with him.
Daniel 2:20‭-‬22 KJV

I pray we trust His process and when we find that the season will be changing soon, we will still know He is for us.  We will rejoice as Daniel did and speak of the greatness of God.

Photo credit: Tabitha Stevens

testify of Him

I have always liked listening to older people tell their stories. I know some may not always appreciate or understand why the stories are important, but they are very important.  I remember growing up in a time when there was a testimony service. People would tell about the good things of God in their lives.  I wish I would have had the forethought to have written some of those down.  I recall my grandpa's testimony of when God saved him and changed him.  I remember when my Great Aunt Betty testified about her trip to China with a suitcase full of Bibles and the police stopped them. When they asked what she had, she told them she had Bibles, they never took them nor stopped her. She passed them out to people who wanted Bibles.  She told of times when God healed her and protected her.  I have listened over the years when others have spoken of miracles, of protection, of the leading of God, and His mighty ways of provision. I have heard of a desperate mother pray for her dead baby and he came back to life.  I have heard of lost souls hear of Jesus and be changed and saved.  I have heard of God providing finances  and helping some one find a small lost item, after praying for God to help them find it.

Why is this important? Now that I have had to face some similar experiences, I can recall, in those moments, when I heard someone tell me about what God did for them, and I can say, "If God did it for them, then He can do it for me too."  When I have seen how God answered their prayers, I know He can answer mine.  It increases my faith and helps me stand on the Word of God in my moments of need. Their testimony creates hope for God to move in my situation.

And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death.
Revelation 12:11 KJV

Our testimonies are powerful. When we speak of the blessing of God to others, we are declaring His power. We are encouraging others, and praising Almighty God.  We are sharing the work God has done for us.  This brings victory for us and for those who hear of God's work in us, for us and through us.   Too many times we are afraid to share or may think our testimony isn't that great.  We may even dismiss it as not important or powerful. No matter how small it may seem, our testimony is important.  What God did for you, He did because He loves you more than we can imagine. It is something you can share with others to lead them to know God, to encourage them and help them know that God can work for them too. God can use your testimony to bless someone else.

Thy testimonies also are my delight and my counsellors.
Psalms 119:24 KJV

There was an old song that had the words, "It is no secret what God can do. What he's done for others, he'll do for you. With arms wide open, he'll pardon you. It is no secret what God can do. "

Listen to other speak of how God has kept them and blessed them. Listen when they testify of all the goodness of God. It will bless you.
We should never be ashamed or afraid to share or testify about the goodness of God.  He has done big things and little things.  He is working on our behalf to help us and show us his love and goodness. He has asked us to share the good news of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. What better way than to speak of the blessings we have received.  Speak of those moments when you spoke a simple prayer  and God answered. Speak of those desperate cries and God came running with arms full of grace.  Speak of those moments when God spoke in that still small voice just to say He loves you and the times when His word came pouring into your heart to change you and make you whole.  Those testimonies are the words of life, not only to you, but to those who hear.  Speak of the joy of knowing your Savior and it will lead others to know Him too.

Thy testimonies are wonderful: therefore doth my soul keep them.
Psalms 119:129 KJV