Mind Dump

What a challenge it is to maintain right thinking when faced with so many obstacles. The past few weeks I have been really stretched in so many ways - time with my family, time at work and even time with God. I have never been in a place with my life that I love my job (I hate calling it that because I love it so much.) I have been blessed with an awesome wife and son, and I constantly see God working and moving in so many ways (in my life, in my family and in my church.)

But I need to tell you…I get extremely anxious, stressed and overwhelmed when I get stretched like I have been. When these times happen I get moody. I have to battle being moody and I hate that. So what I have to do is refocus my thoughts. Today my wonderful bride Courtney and my boss/friend Jimmy Britt helped me. Spending time with these people help and along with scripture that I put to memory. The verse that I have been recalling a lot lately has been Philippians 4:6,7- “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”

It is awesome when the peace of God comes in and calms the storm!

Being Free

While reading, I came across two statements about freedom that resound ed very loudly to me:

1 - The better where you stand with the Lord, the more free you can be.
2 - The more free you are before the Lord, the more confident you will become.

The better you stand with the Lord, the more free you can be! I hate so badly what people have done with Christianity. Some leaders have made rules so burdensome and strict that it is absolutely impossible to be a Christ - follower. This is exactly what the religious leaders did in the Old Testament. In the New Testament, Christ came to offer us freedom through salvation and grace. Grace is not burdensome. It free s us from sin and despair. When my relationship is right with God, I will not care about anyone else’s opinion of me, but only where I stand with God. I have to admit, the times I get insecure about who I am or what I’m doing is when I have not spent any time reading and praying and am just not focused on the will of God for my life.

The more free you are before the Lord, the more confident you will become. When I know where I stand with God, there is real security. When I remember God sent his son to die for me, I know I am valuable to Him. When I understand there are things that are important to God, such as the details of my life, the way I live my life, the closeness I have with Him, the more confidence I have. God set His heart of favor on those whose hearts are following Him. He honors those who honor His word. He makes them exceedingly happy.

Let me encourage you. Experience God’s freedom. Live a more free life. Seek Him by reading His Word and spending time in meditation on His Word and in also in prayer.

“…where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.” 2 Corinthians 3:17

Decision

Do you struggle with making the right decision? Do you need help to decide whether to take that job, to move or to stay? We all have decisions, big and small that we need some guidance with. And the good news is that God wants to give it to you. It pleased God when Solomon asked for wisdom (1 Kings 3:7-14), it pleases God when we ask Him for wisdom and it is in His nature to give. He is a giving God.

The Bible says in James 1:5, "If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him." (NIV)

This verse says three things about how God gives wisdom. He does so:

Continually. "Ask God who gives ..." In Greek this is in the continuous tense. He keeps on giving. He doesn't run out of energy. He never wears out.

Generously. God's resources are unlimited. He has enough resources for everyone. He's got plenty of wisdom to go around.

Cheerfully. James says God gives "without finding fault." God loves to give. It's in his nature to give! Don't get embarrassed to ask. He wants to give you wisdom!

Where do you need help and wisdom? God has wisdom to offer. But remember what James says. If you want wisdom from God, you've got to ask!

Signals of Stress

You may be under too much stress if you…

…find yourself irritable or impatient with things you normally tolerate.

…have difficulty getting to sleep and feel exhausted when you awake.

…sense you are one step away from falling apart.

…suffer from frequent headaches or stomach pains.

…get distracted easily and have trouble concentrating.

…talk more negatively then usual.

…become forgetful and absentminded.

…don’t laugh as much as you used to.

…use alcohol, non-prescription drugs, or food to help you relax.

…postpone what is truly important, to accomplish what isn’t that important.

Carol Clifton,PH.D.

Licensed phychologist