Will You Have What You Want?

I faced that question 39 years ago when my husband and I accepted God’s invitation into full-time ministry. It aroused a fear. Perhaps one that had always been there, but now, exposed. If I relinquish total control of my life to God, “will I have what I want?”

We sold our comfortable, suburban home in Wisconsin to become apartment dwellers in St. Paul, Minnesota so John could complete his studies at Northwestern Bible College.  We traded in our fancy car for the least expensive car manufactured. This new lifestyle launched 6 years of college and graduate school, followed by multiple moves around the U.S. and Canada. We helped plant new churches and served struggling ones. Raising a growing family of 4 children posed continuous financial challenges.

As Charles Dickens put it, “It was the best of times; it was the worst of times.” It was the age of frequently wondering ‘will we have enough’; it was an epoch of learning about God’s promises and testing His trustworthiness. My favorite, go-to promise was “And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:19). When I wasn't trusting, I caught myself worrying, coveting, lacking generosity and just feeling over-all unsettled.

9 Ways to Put “Spring” in A Sagging Spirit

I’m ready for Spring! How about you?

Let's give our sagging spirits a sunny lift!

1.     Do something nice for yourself… without feeling selfish. Relax in a bubble bath, don your kitchen table with fresh flowers, enjoy lunch with a friend. Anyone like chocolate?  Check out dark chocolate’s sweet benefits: http://www.everydayhealth.com/info/v1t01/benefits-of-dark-chocolate?Msid=|sCV7czmSX|&gclid=COD_hf3gsLwCFWIV7AodggwA5Q&xid=g_dlp-

                  If you love yourself well, you’ll love others, well. (Mark 12:31)

2.      Exercise. Regardless of age or fitness level, studies show that exercise provides serious mental benefits. For one, it releases endorphins, which create feelings of happiness and euphoria.  My husband and I squeeze water aerobics, (H2Obics) into our busy schedule. Our productivity and energy level has increased!  Read “13 Mental Health Benefits of Exercise” http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/03/27/mental-health-benefits-exercise_n_2956099.html

3.     Encouragement For me, giving gifts wakes me up inside, like watching heart-warming Frank Capra movies. A text message, an email, or a card can be a gift…every single word. If you weren’t born with the gift of encouragement, the great Encourager says He will give you His words to sustain those around you. (Isaiah 50:4)

Even rich and famous people experience pleasure, giving encouragement. Super bowl quarterback, Russell Wilson, frequents hospitals, encouraging patients. He tells the hospital staff, “Give me the person in the worst condition.”

First thing in the morning, ask Jesus, “Who may need encouragement?”

A Remedy for Worry

Everyone tends to worry. It robs us of peace and joy. Worry steals our hope. Our good Shepherd knows how worry creates adverse effects upon our health. Jesus advises, “Do not worry about your life… Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life?”(Matthew 6:25-27).

How do we not worry when we’re facing a deadline? When a car payment is due and finances are tight. When our children make foolish choices. When we receive a gloomy medical report.

What is worrying you?

Several years ago my 18-year-old daughter planned to move out of the house on the heels of high-school graduation. I worried! Worry caused me to imagine awful scenarios. I lost sleep. I rehearsed a plethora of “what ifs.” Worry dragged me around by the neck and choked my faith.