Worn out

I often find myself overwhelmed and when that happens everything around me begins to be a burden.

First thought...give up, wash my hands, walk away.

Life gets heavy sometimes. We can do only a little to lighten the load.

Say NO a little more often, care a little less about the perfect house,yard, outfit and even thoughts that others have about us.

But friends, as long as we walk in these bodies and breathe the air of this world, we will become

overwhelmed, weary and worn.

There is NO changing that.

No vacation, salon visit, hour away from the kids and for my healthy friends...not even yoga can change it.

Those things are nice and do help refresh you a bit but they aren't a cure all.

I posted on my FB blog page a week or so ago asking my friends to fill in the blank of this question...

" I am weary and worn because _____."

I did that because I was feeling really worn out. Best way to combat feeling sorry for yourself is to peek into the world of others. To pray over their burdens (and your own).

After reading and praying the answer was clear

 (Did I ever tell you I am hard headed. The answer is always, always Jesus).

I'm pretty sure Jesus made up the word "Duh". Just for me.

We simply need to put our hope in Him. We are created to turn to Jesus in our weakness. He is the cure all.

I want to give us some encouragement today.

Psalm 121:3–4
He will not let your foot be moved; he who keeps you will not slumber. Behold, he who keeps Israel will neither slumber nor sleep.  

God doesn't sleep!

“Come unto me, all you that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” Matthew 11:28

He wants us to come to Him in our weakness.

Philippians 4:13 “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” 


He will give us what we need to sustain us. 

Hebrews 13: 5-6
God has said, ‘Never will I leave you, never will I forsake you.’ So we say with confidence, ‘The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?’”

Be confident in His help. 

The LORD gives strength to his people; the LORD blesses his people with peace. Psalm 29:11

Enjoy the peace of the Lord. It's yours (ours) for the taking!


Love,
Erica

Living in the "if"

This morning my devotional was about Gideon. 

AKA me. You know, when one can identify oneself with so many different people of the Bible it isn't always a good thing. BUT it can always be a growth thing. 

In Judges 6:12 The Bible tells us that the angel of the Lord appeared before Gideon. (Many scholars believe that this was pre incarnate Jesus)

So Jesus says to Gideon "The Lord is with YOU, mighty warrior" and Gideon's response is this...

"Pardon me, my lord," Gideon replied, "but if the LORD is with US, why has all this happened to us? Where are all his wonders that our ancestors told us about when they said, 'Did not the LORD bring us up out of Egypt?' But now the LORD has abandoned us and given us into the hand of Midian."

How often do we repsond to God with something different than what He is telling us. The Lord said I am with YOU, Gideon. Gideon replies with an "us". 

His reply did not match up with what God had said to Him.

Gideon was in the presence of God but Gideon wasn't in the present. He was too worried about the past. About how things were better in the past. 

How many times have you based God being present with you on how good your circumstance is presently?

Then Gideon continues a bit later with  "If now I have found favor in your eyes, give me a sign that it is really you talking to me."

If I get this job

If I get this car

If the test results come back clear

If my spouse changes 

Stop living in the "if" because it is truly exhausting.

Live in this present moment with God and know that He is with YOU. 

ALWAYS. (Matthew 28:20)

Love,

Erica 

Sitting in my front room last week, I was overcome with fear. My reaction to fear is anger. I was fuming!

Two minutes before the phone rang, I told our children to go pray for their Daddy, and they did.

As I pace back and forth, I glance into the other room and there are five heads bowed, knees bent. 

The call came. 

I always miss the point. I am mis.er.a.ble at getting the point.

I took note, but it wasn't until later on that day that it hit me...hard.

I told my children to pray for the answer we wanted and when it wasn't, I panicked. I failed.

 Did I just teach my children that when we get a different answer to our prayers than desired, that God isn't in control? I think I did. 

Good thing I have children who follow Christ to remind that He is in control. In fact my seventeen year old man child told me that God has a plan and I need to trust in Him. 

Whoever raised that kid needs an award. Just kidding it's all Jesus. 

During the following week God kept reminding me of His love and provision over my family. I am so ashamed and grateful that God Almighty the creator of the world would remind me that

HE LOVES ME.

I should have been along side my kids with knees bent, and I should have rejoiced when the answer was different because

 God is always good.

 When the cancer doesn't go away, when the bank repossesses, when the call comes. He is still good. 

I didn't stay in the Word much the week before and my focus was off of God. If I truly love Him, then my focus needs to stay on Him. Love is an action not a word...I preach that here at the S house often. You should come listen sometime...bring your tithe. kidding, again.

Francis Chan writes that "Worry and stress reek of arrogance". 

God can handle it, and He intends to do just that as soon as we give our burdens to Him.

Be strong and courageous; don't be terrified or afraid of them. For it is the LORD your God who goes with you; He will not leave you or forsake you." Deuteronomy 3:16

Love,

Erica