I often describe my singleness as the prism by which God
has focused His work in my heart — it wasn’t the singleness itself that was painful, but it shone light on deep expectations and thoughts and desires that I couldn’t and didn’t want to face. Some of the desires were good and some were downright ugly, but that’s where God starts working. I’m not even sure when it happened — but through Scripture, through godly friendships with other women, through faithful preaching at good churches, God helped me see what had been true about Him the entire time:
• He loves me. Not conceptually or theoretically or sometimes, but
actually and tangibly and forever.
• He has this under control. I have nothing to fear from singleness or
marriage. He isn’t surprised by any turn of events, and He isn’t
thwarted from pursuing His purposes. He is not boxed in by cultural
trends or my circumstances or statistics.
• Waiting with expectant hope is part of His plan. As a single woman, I know this reality far too well and sometimes I think I am the only one waiting. But as Christians, we are all waiting — even creation is waiting with us — for the ultimate freeing and “setting right” that will only happen when Jesus returns. If singleness is His tool to teach me to wait more patiently, graciously and expectantly, than so be it. Needless to say, that is enough to make any heart sing — but especially one that used to secretly fear it would never really be loved! When I am already loved so deeply, I don’t need to grasp for every snippet of earthly love to make up the gap in my heart. When I don’t have to be afraid of the future, I don’t have to try to control it. And, by God’s grace I am not the same woman I was prior to my conversion in 2007.
Thursday, August 9, 2012
Sayonara Feris Wheel...
Lately, I’ve been thinking about how feeble my heart is, how it gets easily addicted to whatever comes along. Despite many chats with my Jenny Craig consultant a few years back, sometimes I really think that a handful of chocolate chips is what I need to satisfy my boredom and loneliness. When food fails to quench my restless spirit, I’ll reign in that desire, and turn instead to the internet. Surely, Facebook, Twitter and eHarmony will do the trick. Next up, caffeine, romantic comedies, or any number of other distractions. It’s like a giant Ferris wheel at the amusement park, but instead of being staffed by some bored teenager, it’s staffed by the enemy of my soul, promising satisfaction in each car. I happily jump into whichever one is available when the Ferris wheel stops.
When, O feeble heart, when will you turn to what really satisfies? When I’m feeling lonely or unloved or bored, why don’t I pray, and ask the God of the universe, who created my soul, to fill it up with what it truly needs, reminders of His love and goodness and provision?
This is when my built in alarm system (the Holy Spirit) starts screaming out…..GET IN THE WORD & PRAY!
The more I am in the Word the more aware I become of the rides we take on these Ferris wheels in life. In John 6:68, Peter says to Jesus, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life.” But instead we settle for a trip in a complete circle, with a Slurpee in one hand and pink cotton candy in the other. We need to allow the Holy Spirit to give us a taste of what really satisfies. Several years of weekly time spent being in the Word and prayer have helped me be sensitive to His leading in this area. It's little by little. Day by day.
Mostly, I've been humbled by what God is doing in my own heart, by asking me to surrender my petty desires and let Him fill me up. He hears my prayers. Regardless of whether I ever get married, God wants ALL of ME
When, O feeble heart, when will you turn to what really satisfies? When I’m feeling lonely or unloved or bored, why don’t I pray, and ask the God of the universe, who created my soul, to fill it up with what it truly needs, reminders of His love and goodness and provision?
This is when my built in alarm system (the Holy Spirit) starts screaming out…..GET IN THE WORD & PRAY!
The more I am in the Word the more aware I become of the rides we take on these Ferris wheels in life. In John 6:68, Peter says to Jesus, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life.” But instead we settle for a trip in a complete circle, with a Slurpee in one hand and pink cotton candy in the other. We need to allow the Holy Spirit to give us a taste of what really satisfies. Several years of weekly time spent being in the Word and prayer have helped me be sensitive to His leading in this area. It's little by little. Day by day.
Mostly, I've been humbled by what God is doing in my own heart, by asking me to surrender my petty desires and let Him fill me up. He hears my prayers. Regardless of whether I ever get married, God wants ALL of ME
Monday, July 30, 2012
Finding Rest
“The beloved of the Lord rests in safety. The High God surrounds him all day long. The beloved rests between His shoulders.” Deuteronomy 33:12
The things we face in this life are painful and unpredictable. In this month alone I’ve watched a dear friend’s Father unexpectedly wisked to a hospital and then settled in a Rehab after discovering mercer was found in a would from a previous surgery on his foot months earlier, my own mother put on anti-biotics because of an infected pimple on her leg, walked through a serious crisis scare with a friend from work who's boyfriend is suffering with liver issues, and feared that (as a single 37 year-old) I’ll continue facing these types of difficulties without a partner as the years pass. I know those of you reading this are in the midst of your own challenges and pain, perhaps wondering how to find rest on God’s shoulders. Here are a couple of things that have helped me recently on this journey:
1) Our job is to stay in the ‘here and now’: In Jesus’ words, “Therefore, do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own”. (Matthew 6:34). By doing what we can to stay present we have more space to invite Jesus in when things fall apart.
2) We are to practice radical trust and dependence: Resting securely involves trust. To really rest involves letting down our guard and believing that whomever’s in charge knows what they’re doing. Before we can rest on God’s shoulders, we need to internalize that He is for us, and always, always has our best interest at heart.
Easier said than done, yes. But each tiny step we make towards growing our ability to stay present and mindful, as well as risking in trust, also grows our chance to experience God as the safe harbor He is. And I don’t know what better way to face the storms and tempests of life than by finding rest in the God of the universe.
Many blessings,
Elaina
The things we face in this life are painful and unpredictable. In this month alone I’ve watched a dear friend’s Father unexpectedly wisked to a hospital and then settled in a Rehab after discovering mercer was found in a would from a previous surgery on his foot months earlier, my own mother put on anti-biotics because of an infected pimple on her leg, walked through a serious crisis scare with a friend from work who's boyfriend is suffering with liver issues, and feared that (as a single 37 year-old) I’ll continue facing these types of difficulties without a partner as the years pass. I know those of you reading this are in the midst of your own challenges and pain, perhaps wondering how to find rest on God’s shoulders. Here are a couple of things that have helped me recently on this journey:
1) Our job is to stay in the ‘here and now’: In Jesus’ words, “Therefore, do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own”. (Matthew 6:34). By doing what we can to stay present we have more space to invite Jesus in when things fall apart.
2) We are to practice radical trust and dependence: Resting securely involves trust. To really rest involves letting down our guard and believing that whomever’s in charge knows what they’re doing. Before we can rest on God’s shoulders, we need to internalize that He is for us, and always, always has our best interest at heart.
Easier said than done, yes. But each tiny step we make towards growing our ability to stay present and mindful, as well as risking in trust, also grows our chance to experience God as the safe harbor He is. And I don’t know what better way to face the storms and tempests of life than by finding rest in the God of the universe.
Many blessings,
Elaina
Tuesday, July 10, 2012
Change, Honesty and the Gospel
So I have known for quite a while that 2012 would be full of change.....I knew my daughter would be turning double digits (10 years old in October), she'd be finishing 3rd grade, and my office at work will be moving to a new building in December. I truly thought by now in my life that I would be remarried, perhaps with another child and be staying at home. Today as I was driving home from church, the stress surfaced in unbidden tears and honest questions and simple prayers about life, my future, my purpose….and about His plan, His goodness, His love. As I drove (occasionally hitting the steering wheel for emphasis and trying to find that stash of Chipotle napkins to wipe my eyes), I felt like everything I was saying got summed up in three adjectives:
Lord, I feel alone. I feel afraid. I feel ashamed.
Yep. And my grand plan had been to get married again and kill those three birds with one stone. (Ideally an obnoxiously large, cushion-cut diamond-type of stone….but I digress.) A husband would prove I’m not alone, I have someone to protect me, and I don’t have to be ashamed of failing at life because no one picked me to be on their marriage team.
Somehow, I think this is a microcosm of the Gospel. All humanity since the Garden of Eden (get the whole story from Genesis 3), has been separated from God, afraid of being seen by God, and ashamed of our brokenness. That we search for anything and everything (marriage, perchance?) to feel unalone, unafraid and unashamed, and yet never find anything to truly satisfy.
That in Jesus Christ, God sends us His very own son, Emmanuel (God with us). That Emmanuel lives a life of perfect grace and truth, and then dies a brutal death for all our fear, all our hiding, and all our shame. That more importantly, on Easter morning, all the price was paid for the rest of time and eternity. That I can be ransomed, forgiven and adopted into a true relationship in which I am not alone, in which I do not have to fear, in which my shame has already been addressed and buried.
So if any of those adjectives also apply to you this Monday, take a moment to sink deeply into the truth of His gospel — We are not alone. We do not have to fear. Our shame was handled at the cross. So tears may still come unbidden, and learning to live fearlessly, unashamedly with Emmanuel is a long process, but we can be confident that He who began a good work in us will carry it on to completion. Even in the face of moving to a new office, Maddy turning 10, still being single, and crying in my car.
In His Grace,
Elaina
Lord, I feel alone. I feel afraid. I feel ashamed.
Yep. And my grand plan had been to get married again and kill those three birds with one stone. (Ideally an obnoxiously large, cushion-cut diamond-type of stone….but I digress.) A husband would prove I’m not alone, I have someone to protect me, and I don’t have to be ashamed of failing at life because no one picked me to be on their marriage team.
Somehow, I think this is a microcosm of the Gospel. All humanity since the Garden of Eden (get the whole story from Genesis 3), has been separated from God, afraid of being seen by God, and ashamed of our brokenness. That we search for anything and everything (marriage, perchance?) to feel unalone, unafraid and unashamed, and yet never find anything to truly satisfy.
That in Jesus Christ, God sends us His very own son, Emmanuel (God with us). That Emmanuel lives a life of perfect grace and truth, and then dies a brutal death for all our fear, all our hiding, and all our shame. That more importantly, on Easter morning, all the price was paid for the rest of time and eternity. That I can be ransomed, forgiven and adopted into a true relationship in which I am not alone, in which I do not have to fear, in which my shame has already been addressed and buried.
So if any of those adjectives also apply to you this Monday, take a moment to sink deeply into the truth of His gospel — We are not alone. We do not have to fear. Our shame was handled at the cross. So tears may still come unbidden, and learning to live fearlessly, unashamedly with Emmanuel is a long process, but we can be confident that He who began a good work in us will carry it on to completion. Even in the face of moving to a new office, Maddy turning 10, still being single, and crying in my car.
In His Grace,
Elaina
Wednesday, June 29, 2011
Let's Go To The Beach! A Summer Devotional
Summer is always a fun time of year. There's just so many things to do when the sun's shining and the weather's good. Going to the beach to me has always been one of those fun summer things to do.
The only thing about going to the beach is that you have to be prepared. There's a few things we need to take with us in order to enjoy the beach. Pack your bag and come go along with me!
Here's what we'll be putting in our beach bag...
Sunscreen.
One of the first things we'll need is protection from the sun. There's so much skin damage we can get if we don't protect ourselves. The sad thing is , we don't even know sometimes we've gotten skin damage until later down the road and are diagnosed with some type of skin cancer.
It's just like when we as Christians walk in the world and get too close to those worldly attractions and follies. We get burned and get damaged as it were. Sometimes we don't even realize how much we have been damaged by worldliness and those fiery darts of the devil. We could avoid it if we'd just put on some protection.
We'll be using that wonderful brand called, "Christian Armour". It's the highest protection there is. Off brands won't do as they don't contain all the right ingredients. Make sure you apply it liberally.
"Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God: Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereuntowith all perseverance and supplication for all saints."
Ephesians 6:11-18
Sand Shovel.
One of the most delightful things to do at the beach is digging and playing in the sand. Making sand castles with moats, or for the little ones, just digging in the sand can be just the best of fun. Digging a hole in the sand and just putting your hands deep into it can be the best of sensations.
Digging into the Word of God can be the best too. Bible study doesn't have to be dry and boring. Just dig in! Find some verses that just tingle over your soul like sand does to your fingers when you are digging at the beach. Take those verses and concentrate on them for awhile. Put them in your bucket, pat them down, and dump them out and admire them awhile, just like you'd do a sand castle at the beach. God's Word will just glisten. Dig in and take in all the intricacies God's Word has to offer.
"As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby: If so be ye have
tasted that the Lord is gracious." I Peter 2:2,3
"Thy word is very pure: therefore thy servant loveth it. Psalm 119:140
Sand Bucket.
Let's bring along a bucket or something we can collect our treasures in while we are at the beach. Aren't the shells you can find along the beach just amazing? They are so beautiful and interesting.
The treasures found in God's Word are amazing too. There are so many things like the promises and assurances that are wonderful finds to put into our buckets and keep. Here are a few of my favorites to
pick up and admire.
--The treasure of strength...
"Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness." Isaiah 41:10
--The treasure that Christ is unchanging...
"Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever." Hebrews 13:8
--The treasure of eternal life...
"For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life."
John 3:16
There's so many more treasures in God's Word just waiting for us to pick up and put in our buckets.
Beach Ball or Frisbee.
Having a little activity at the beach is always fun. Playing with a beach ball or Frisbee can be great.
Activity as a Christian can be fun too. The Christian life can be so rewarding when we are actively living it to the fullest. There is so much joy in serving Jesus! We've got to embrace all there is to serving the Lord and put all we can into what we do as Christians. It not only furthers the cause of Christ but it enhances us as individuals.
"Not slothful in business; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord." Romans 12:11
"Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God." I Corinthians 10:31
Sunglasses.
We wouldn't want to go to the beach without our sunglasses. We not only need them to protect our eyes from the sun's damage, but they also help us to focus. When we don't have them on in the bright sunlight, we tend to squint and not see as clearly.
The type of sunglasses we'll be using is the "God's Love" kind. When we look at the world through Christ's eyes we see a lot more clearly and things look a lot more different. Just like the sun doesn't bother us so much when we've got on our sunglasses, things won't even annoy us so much when we are looking through the eyes of God's love. We can focus better and begin to see the souls of the people around us too.
"A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another. By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another." John 13:34
So, are you ready for the beach?
by Julia Bettencourt
The only thing about going to the beach is that you have to be prepared. There's a few things we need to take with us in order to enjoy the beach. Pack your bag and come go along with me!
Here's what we'll be putting in our beach bag...
Sunscreen.
One of the first things we'll need is protection from the sun. There's so much skin damage we can get if we don't protect ourselves. The sad thing is , we don't even know sometimes we've gotten skin damage until later down the road and are diagnosed with some type of skin cancer.
It's just like when we as Christians walk in the world and get too close to those worldly attractions and follies. We get burned and get damaged as it were. Sometimes we don't even realize how much we have been damaged by worldliness and those fiery darts of the devil. We could avoid it if we'd just put on some protection.
We'll be using that wonderful brand called, "Christian Armour". It's the highest protection there is. Off brands won't do as they don't contain all the right ingredients. Make sure you apply it liberally.
"Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God: Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereuntowith all perseverance and supplication for all saints."
Ephesians 6:11-18
Sand Shovel.
One of the most delightful things to do at the beach is digging and playing in the sand. Making sand castles with moats, or for the little ones, just digging in the sand can be just the best of fun. Digging a hole in the sand and just putting your hands deep into it can be the best of sensations.
Digging into the Word of God can be the best too. Bible study doesn't have to be dry and boring. Just dig in! Find some verses that just tingle over your soul like sand does to your fingers when you are digging at the beach. Take those verses and concentrate on them for awhile. Put them in your bucket, pat them down, and dump them out and admire them awhile, just like you'd do a sand castle at the beach. God's Word will just glisten. Dig in and take in all the intricacies God's Word has to offer.
"As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby: If so be ye have
tasted that the Lord is gracious." I Peter 2:2,3
"Thy word is very pure: therefore thy servant loveth it. Psalm 119:140
Sand Bucket.
Let's bring along a bucket or something we can collect our treasures in while we are at the beach. Aren't the shells you can find along the beach just amazing? They are so beautiful and interesting.
The treasures found in God's Word are amazing too. There are so many things like the promises and assurances that are wonderful finds to put into our buckets and keep. Here are a few of my favorites to
pick up and admire.
--The treasure of strength...
"Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness." Isaiah 41:10
--The treasure that Christ is unchanging...
"Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever." Hebrews 13:8
--The treasure of eternal life...
"For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life."
John 3:16
There's so many more treasures in God's Word just waiting for us to pick up and put in our buckets.
Beach Ball or Frisbee.
Having a little activity at the beach is always fun. Playing with a beach ball or Frisbee can be great.
Activity as a Christian can be fun too. The Christian life can be so rewarding when we are actively living it to the fullest. There is so much joy in serving Jesus! We've got to embrace all there is to serving the Lord and put all we can into what we do as Christians. It not only furthers the cause of Christ but it enhances us as individuals.
"Not slothful in business; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord." Romans 12:11
"Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God." I Corinthians 10:31
Sunglasses.
We wouldn't want to go to the beach without our sunglasses. We not only need them to protect our eyes from the sun's damage, but they also help us to focus. When we don't have them on in the bright sunlight, we tend to squint and not see as clearly.
The type of sunglasses we'll be using is the "God's Love" kind. When we look at the world through Christ's eyes we see a lot more clearly and things look a lot more different. Just like the sun doesn't bother us so much when we've got on our sunglasses, things won't even annoy us so much when we are looking through the eyes of God's love. We can focus better and begin to see the souls of the people around us too.
"A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another. By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another." John 13:34
So, are you ready for the beach?
by Julia Bettencourt
Wednesday, May 18, 2011
Codependency
When God gave us His Ten Commandments, He began with these words, "You shall have no other gods before me" (Exodus 20:3) He knew that if we would make our relationship with Him our top priority, He would bless our lives, and, through our other relationships, we would be a blessing to others. The primary problem with codependency is that it violates the heart of God's first commandment. In a codependent relationship, you allow someone else to take the place that God alone should have in your heart . . . . You allow another person to be your "god." If you have a misplaced dependency, you will have neither peace with God nor the peace of God. But if you put the Lord first, living each day dependent on Him, you will have God's peace, even when others are not peaceful toward you. This is one reason God says to us,
"You shall have no other gods before me."
(Exodus 20:3)
DEFINITIONS
Imagine that you have been handpicked by God to impact all the people around you, You have been chosen to be the liberator throughout the land . . .chosen to have the respect of all the people . . . chosen as the highest judge over the entire nation. God has even spelled out the specifics you must do in order to protect your power and safeguard your strength. Soon, the awesome stories of your success spread like wildfire. Then . . . in walks Delilah!
You know you are not to reveal the secret of your strength, because God has said, "Don't tell." Yet you feel torn. You want to please God, but you also want to please Delilah, who has asked you to disclose the source of your strength. You try to resist, but the more you do, the more she cries and begs, prods and pleads. Now you find yourself in the Delilah Dilemma. As you take care of her feelings, you cave in to her manipulation. Finally, you confide that your strength is in your obedience to God in never, ever cutting your hair. Big mistake--a big mistake that leads to unimagined misery! Delilah tells the enemy Philistines, and they cut your hair and take you captive. However, your biggest mistake is not what you said, but what you did--you let Delilah be your "god" instead of letting God be your God. (See Judges chapters 13-16 to read this story in the Bible.)
What is Dependency?
If Samson had not been so dependent on pleasing Delilah--if he had not been a "codependent people-please"--he would not have lost his strength, his status, or his sight . . . nor would he have lost his spiritual insight. Ultimately, his dependency, which in turn led to his downfall. In truth, Samson's pride caused his own downfall, for he prioritized the words of Delilah over the words of God.
"Before his downfall a man's heart is proud,
but humility comes before honor."
(Proverbs 18:12)
- A dependency is a reliance on something or someone else for support or existence.
"I have to have this to live."
- A dependency can be either negative or positive, such as being dependent on cocaine versus being dependent on Christ.
"This is necessary for my life."
- A dependency can be an addiction to any object, behavior, or person that represents an underlying attempt to get emotional needs met.
"I must do this to meet my needs....to make me happy."
Objects-
- A chemical addiciton to drugs (or alcohol)
- A sexual addiction to erotic items (pornography)
Behaviors-
- An addiction to behaviors that appear to be bad, those that are not widely socially acceptable and can be harmful (inappropriate sex, gambling, excessive spending, compulsive eating)
- An addiction to behaviors that appear to be good, those that are widely socially acceptable but may be equally harmful (perfectionism, workaholism, caregiving)
People-
- A "love" addiction is which you feel that your identity is in another person ( A weak "love addict" is emotionally dependent on someone "strong.")
- A "savior" addiction in which you feel that your identity is in your ability to meet the needs of another person ( A strong "savior" needs to be needed by someone "weak.")
Because addicitons provide a momentary "high," good feelings are associated with them. However, the Book of Proverbs gives this poignant warning . . .
"There is a way that seems right to a man,
but in the end it leads to death."
(Proverbs 14:12)
RANDOM CHAOS OR DESIGNED DISORDER
Random Chaos or Designed Disorder
by Ginny Anthes
Come into my kitchen and look into a drawer of mine that I consider to be “managed chaos.” It means that I have put things in there that don’t fit in the more ordered drawers, yet I know roughly what is there, and precisely where a few of the often used items are. One drawer like that is fine, but when our life begins to spin out of our control and feels cluttered with items that we don’t remember choosing to put in it, there are two truths we must get a good grip on if we are to experience peace in our lives.
Since the opening chapters of Genesis when Adam and Eve sinned and were sent out of the perfectly ordered garden, into a world of chaos, women have been coping with life that just seems “to come at us.” What is it that robs peace from your heart? In ministry, just when we feel we are exerting some control over our home domain…bam! That brings us to the first truth: Our God reigns! “And he does according to his will among the host of heaven and among the inhabitants of the earth.” (Dan. 4:35) Does that mean when you are sitting in Intensive Care with a deathly sick or injured child, that God is ruling and ordering your life at that moment? When peace has descended on your home in the evening and the knock comes at your door, or the phone rings…you know something out of your control has happened. There was a period of time in my life when all the following were happening simultaneously. My father came for a short visit, but ended up with heart surgery, that went awry, making him a total invalid. Half of my house was torn off for a remodel, our church of fifteen years was exerting tremendous pressure on us, all of my children were living at home and with little sleep or energy, I felt that I was going from one crisis to the next, day after day, week after week. The Lord reminded me that I was to welcome these trials as friends, and by his grace, I set my heart to do that. Day after day, he sustained me and gave me joy, and peace, that were not mine.
That brings us to the second truth that we must anchor our souls to: The Spirit Produces Peace. In I Cor. 6:19-20 Paul tells us that our “body is a temple of the Holy Spirit.” In Gal. 5:22 we read that his fruit, among others, is peace. God’s gracious provision for us in Christ is the Holy Spirit who lives in us, reminding us of the truth that Christ is sufficient for all our needs, and it is he who produces peace. When life becomes difficult, fix your mind quickly on the truth that our all wise, sovereign, loving God is directing your path. Turn you heart and mind and spirit towards him with dependence on his Spirit to give you peace. While I never go looking for trouble, when God directs it my way, I realize it is an amazing opportunity to glorify him, demonstrating to the world, that in the midst of the storms of life, Jesus Christ is sufficient. Jesus himself has gone before us, taking each insult, each lash on his back, each nail in the palm, knowing from eternity that it was his Father’s will for him. Let us learn to trust and depend on our gracious Father who loved us enough to design such a life for his beloved Son.
Ginny is married to Paul Anthes, who is pastor of Community Bible Church of Placerville, Ca., and a graduate of The Cornerstone Seminary.
by Ginny Anthes
Come into my kitchen and look into a drawer of mine that I consider to be “managed chaos.” It means that I have put things in there that don’t fit in the more ordered drawers, yet I know roughly what is there, and precisely where a few of the often used items are. One drawer like that is fine, but when our life begins to spin out of our control and feels cluttered with items that we don’t remember choosing to put in it, there are two truths we must get a good grip on if we are to experience peace in our lives.
Since the opening chapters of Genesis when Adam and Eve sinned and were sent out of the perfectly ordered garden, into a world of chaos, women have been coping with life that just seems “to come at us.” What is it that robs peace from your heart? In ministry, just when we feel we are exerting some control over our home domain…bam! That brings us to the first truth: Our God reigns! “And he does according to his will among the host of heaven and among the inhabitants of the earth.” (Dan. 4:35) Does that mean when you are sitting in Intensive Care with a deathly sick or injured child, that God is ruling and ordering your life at that moment? When peace has descended on your home in the evening and the knock comes at your door, or the phone rings…you know something out of your control has happened. There was a period of time in my life when all the following were happening simultaneously. My father came for a short visit, but ended up with heart surgery, that went awry, making him a total invalid. Half of my house was torn off for a remodel, our church of fifteen years was exerting tremendous pressure on us, all of my children were living at home and with little sleep or energy, I felt that I was going from one crisis to the next, day after day, week after week. The Lord reminded me that I was to welcome these trials as friends, and by his grace, I set my heart to do that. Day after day, he sustained me and gave me joy, and peace, that were not mine.
That brings us to the second truth that we must anchor our souls to: The Spirit Produces Peace. In I Cor. 6:19-20 Paul tells us that our “body is a temple of the Holy Spirit.” In Gal. 5:22 we read that his fruit, among others, is peace. God’s gracious provision for us in Christ is the Holy Spirit who lives in us, reminding us of the truth that Christ is sufficient for all our needs, and it is he who produces peace. When life becomes difficult, fix your mind quickly on the truth that our all wise, sovereign, loving God is directing your path. Turn you heart and mind and spirit towards him with dependence on his Spirit to give you peace. While I never go looking for trouble, when God directs it my way, I realize it is an amazing opportunity to glorify him, demonstrating to the world, that in the midst of the storms of life, Jesus Christ is sufficient. Jesus himself has gone before us, taking each insult, each lash on his back, each nail in the palm, knowing from eternity that it was his Father’s will for him. Let us learn to trust and depend on our gracious Father who loved us enough to design such a life for his beloved Son.
Ginny is married to Paul Anthes, who is pastor of Community Bible Church of Placerville, Ca., and a graduate of The Cornerstone Seminary.
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