It's You VS the swimsuit

Most everybody loves summer right? Beach trips, lounging by the pool, water parks, but what we don't enjoy at least for most women is swim suit shopping.

Trying on swimsuit after swimsuit of ruffles and tassels and strange floral patterns. Who designs these things anyway? Sometimes wondering to ourselves did we somehow switch over from the adult women's section to the child swimsuit section with the lack of material they're made of. Seriously? $50 bucks for that barely there piece of material awkwardly hanging on a hanger? I mean is it lined with silver? Those weirdly placed rhinestones best hold the same value of a diamond on the street if you want me to pay that. (sorry I momentarily channeled the ghetto side of my best friend, Bianca)

But seriously. We go through a lot of trouble we don't enjoy to pay way more than we want to.

I went in search of a swimsuit today. And as I tried on one after another I could hear a mom in the stall next to me on the same seemingly failing quest as myself. Talking out her choices with what sounded to be like a five year old little girl. "mommy doesn't like this one...it's too big....ugh this one fits weird..." Finally I heard her say "I think I like this one.Yeah I'm going to get this one." To which I heard a little small voice reply very matter of factually, "That one doesn't look pretty mommy."

Um Ouch! That felt like a punch to my own gut and she wasn't even talking to me! Now I don't know how much weight that tiny lil girl's opinion held in that mom's mind. And if my experience working with kids has taught me anything it was...Kids are cruel!...No but seriously, they don't really think before they speak. They just haven't learned that filter yet. (some adults still have that wire crossed as well huh?)

Whether this kid really didn't like the suit or was some fashion designer prodigy in the making I don't know. The mom didn't say anything in return. Maybe there was that "mom face" happening that I couldn't see. Moms, you know the one. I don't know if she bought the suit or not. But if there's one thing any woman could recognize in her voice it was a tired frustration.

But can any of us sit here and say that the opinions of others, even little sassy children, don't effect us in some way or another? And more often than not it's the image we hold of ourselves that is the worst. The one that looks in that strangely fluorescent lit mirror and wishes at some level we looked different.

And why? Because as women we get this idea of what a "beautiful woman" looks like. We compare ourselves to women on magazines, on TV, the one standing next to us at the beach looking like something that just came off the scene of Baywatch (the Xrated version). What have you done to us David Hasselhoff? "I'll be ready" theme song doesn't really apply to swimsuit season sir.

Now I already know what some of you may be thinking, I've heard it all before positive thinking, diets, be your own biggest fan, and on and on it goes. And what could a skinny girl like you understand about the struggles of self image? Swimsuit shopping is probably fun for you right? Wrong. That's where we get it wrong, we look at other woman and think we'd be happy looking like them, having what they have.

Did you know losing weight is not the only struggle that gets to women, gaining weight is as well. Now before you start thinking "that's a problem I wouldn't mind having." let me share something with you.

When I look at my body in the mirror and see my bones sticking out it bothers me in the same way that a woman may see a roll. I promise you. I want to change it but I haven't been able to.

Part of why I'm so skinny is because I'm sick. My body doesn't absorb the nutrients of the food I eat and often when I do eat I feel sick. It makes me deficient of vitamins my body needs, I have chronic fatigue partly because my body doesn't get the nutrients it needs and it makes it hard to enjoy a meal or eat what I want because I rarely know what's going to make me so sick I'm doubled over in pain or have a reaction that makes me feel like my whole body is severely sunburned when I wasn't even in the sun. I don't have a choice in being skinny. I don't enjoy being sick. But it doesn't define who I am. It defines define my worth.

That's why it breaks my heart to hear stories of girls with anorexia and bulimia. The fact that we as a society have taken away what true beauty is and replaced it with a dreamed up, photo shopped version of a what beauty is that women, even young girls, will do whatever it takes to achieve really makes me sad.

I know why we hate putting swimsuits on. In our minds it inevitably seems to highlight the worst parts of us.We are forced to face the things we'd like to change or try to cover up. We show a little more skin and not because we necessarily want to but because we'd look pretty silly wearing a body suit to the pool.

But can I tell you something? You are worth so much more than what a mirror shows or what people may see.

You are beautiful because you were created in the image of God. Your appearance has little to do with true beauty and your worth isn’t wrapped up in looking good or being perfect. How you look in a swimsuit is not what makes you beautiful. The fact that you are God's one of a kind creation does.

Stop looking in the mirror and zeroing in on what you'd call flaws. Everything about the way you look right now, was designed by God. The scars you have mean you've lived and you're still standing. I have scar on the back of my calf from where glass had to be taken out of my leg when I was hit by a drunk driver. The scar isn't ugly to me. It reminds me of God's healing, of his protection from something that could have been way worse. I'm still here. That's what your scars should tell you. Own them. They're uniquely yours.

Oh and those stretch marks mom are part of what makes you beautiful. They don't define you, because your image doesn't define you, but they are a part of your story. They represent the beautiful children in your life. Your toughness of carrying them for nine months, of laying in that hospital bed for various hours and bringing life into this world. You did that. It doesn't get more beautiful than that. Your stretch marks aren't ugly, they are a story. A story of survival, of miracles. Of LIFE. Be proud of them. They are unique marks of blessings that God entrusted you to have.

If you want to do something about your body to help you feel healthy that do that, our bodies our temples that we should cherish but don't do it because you want to be more beautiful and acceptable.

Our bodies are temporary, they are always changing. One day they will fade away, but your inner beauty will never diminish. It sounds so cliche to say "It's what's on the inside that matters." But honestly how much would we change the world if we truly believed that, lived by that?

So can you do something for me this summer? Don't let the swimsuit define you. Don't let it determine your worth. Don't let it steal your joy. Be proud of who you are, every part of you. Know that what you see as imperfections are things loved perfectly by the God who created you Beautiful.

"Do not let your adorning be external – the braiding of hair and the putting on of gold jewelry, or the clothing you wear—but let your adorning be the hidden person of the heart with the imperishable beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which in God’s sight is very precious."1 Peter 3:3

The reason I'm a SPURS fan...

"The Spurs are too soft."

I'm sure if you are a Spurs fan you have heard and probably been annoyed by that statement a time or two.

But that's the world we live in isn't it? If you don't act like a cocky jerk than you are considered weak or not enough. That's sad to me that is the message society or the media want to give to our kids.

I have always been a Spurs fan. Since I was a little jersey reppin, high top wearing tomboy. The reason? Well I always loved sports and of course everyone wants their home team to win. But even as a young kid I was drawn to something much bigger about the San Antonio Spurs. As a whole they have always represented something to me that I think is very rare in society, especially rare in the NBA... Humbleness. 

The world doesn't really glorify the humble heart though do they? But that's the beauty of the humble, they don't really need them to. That's what makes them humble. Good or bad in the eyes of the world it makes them different.

I have always been drawn to the humble at heart. People that have the talent or skills but don't flaunt it or treat others badly because of it. It's something I always saw in my dad, something I now see in my husband.

To me when a man is humble it doesn't represent weakness or wimpiness as the media or society would like to portray. To me it actually represents strength. A gentle strength they choose to keep under control. They might have just as much ability and opportunity to be boastful or cocky but choose not to. Even when that is what the world is asking for. Even if that could get them more attention or fame or money. They choose heart.They pick class.

You see God is not impressed by what we do. He knows the talent and ability we have,  He is the one that chose to bless us with them. What impresses him, what pleases him is our heart behind what we do. That's what he cares about, our motives. Is it for self fulfillment or to glorify him? Do we lift up those around us and encourage through our gifts and position or do we push others down and call ourselves better?

That's why I love the Spurs. That's why a humble heart will always win in the end. It's the only thing that lasts off the court...beyond the screaming crowd and shiny rings.

I remember I used to get so upset when the Spurs would lose (okay I still do) but it's for different reasons. Back then I couldn't understand why God would allow a team that was so humble to lose to a team that was arrogant. But that's just life sometimes isn't it? It's the world we have created, not God. We see pride win, and the humble lose. We see hate take over while love is ignored,we see people do whatever it takes to push their way to the top and 'have it all' while those who treat others well seem to have to suffer the most.

But those are temporary losses. Day to day battles may be lost but the war is already won. God has a bigger picture then what we see around us. Bigger then temporary victories or things that can be taken away at any moment. He's building something permanent, something that will last.

I remember in middle school when my club volleyball team went to eat at Fudrucker's and there was David Robinson eating a burger with his little boy. What I remember more than getting to meet a professional basketball player of my favorite team was what he did that day/ He stood up from his meal and took the time to not only sign every single one of our jerseys but to talk to us and write out a bible verse on our shirts. He didn't have to do that. I remember thinking how cool it was back then and now that I'm older I realize even more what a humble heart that took for him to take the time to do that.

It is a memory I have and always will carry with me and cherish. In that moment it didn't matter to me his title, how much money he made or whether he had an NBA ring or not. He made a difference in my day. Me... A scrawny, bony kneed kid with braces that he never met, knew nothing about and yet he made a difference in my life.  The way he was a genuine shining light through his humbleness without even trying is something I'll never forget. He didn't need a spotlight on him or a uniform on to do that. Simply being him and sharing his heart was enough. He will probably never know the impact he made on me that day.

Humble hearts may not always get the prize in life but humble hearts change lives. I'm not saying all the players on the Spurs are perfect or that God loves them more than other teams (although we'd like to believe so wouldn't we;) But I am saying God loves a humble heart. He hates pride. He doesn't hate the prideful person because our God doesn't hate anyone. He does hate the pride though.

Because pride will often make a person arrogant and rude.  And usually prideful people don't care if people get along with them or not. Pride takes credit ourselves for good things that happen instead of giving it to God. He is the one who deserves it considering every gift and talent we possess comes from him.

But the sad thing is many people that are placed in a high position or front and center in the spotlight start to think more highly of themselves then the God who got them there or the people he used to help do it.

Just like the Spurs there will always be people that hate on you for not fitting into the mold of what they think you should be. Shake them off. Keep being you. Don't stoop to their level. They don't control your destiny, God does.

Of course I want the Spurs to win the championship, that'd be awesome. But even if they don't that's okay. (don't egg my house spurs fans) I'm just saying I will still be a Spurs Fan next season regardless. Because I know even if they lose they'll do it with class. They're setting an example different then most all the rest. With the right attitude and letting their talent speak for itself no matter the hate or criticism towards them.

And we can all learn something from that. They'll go on living. Some still playing, some moving on or retiring but no matter what God will still love them the same. Just like he does us no matter what we do.


Oh and one last thing...GO SPURS GO!!!:)

Product Recall

I've been hearing a lot about the General Motor "recall nightmare" lately.

We hear about "Product recalls" here and there don't we? I've seen recalls that range from lawn mowers to girls' leggings (apparently a choking hazard?...don't ask me how)
  
A product is usually recalled due to the discovery of safety issues or a product defect. The recall is to limit liability because it is found to be ineffective.

And I couldn't help but think how grateful I am that God doesn't look at us that way even though sometimes we feel like he does. God doesn't see us as a liability.

Let's face it we all have our defects or flaws don't we? Things we wish we could change or other people make us feel like we need to fix in order to be loved...to be accepted.
 
Did you know that you are a one of a kind, valuable, and irreplaceable product of the creator of the universe? You were not mass produced. There is nobody else like you, never has been, and never will be. There was no possibility of error when you were made because GOD DOESN'T MAKE MISTAKES.

Did you hear what I said? God, the same God who created you, doesn't make mistakes. He can't. That means YOU are not a mistake.

Although we are often seen as defective in the world's eyes and often in our own, God doesn't see us as ineffective. He loves us BECAUSE of our flaws, not in spite of them.

Yes we have faults, yes we mess up (a lot) and no we don't do everything right all the time. But you are perfected and completed in Him because of what Jesus did for you.

God knows you intimately, even better than you know yourself. Don't let that scare you, let it comfort you...let it encourage you. He knows all the good, the bad, and the ugly that has ever been, currently is and ever will be about you and STILL loves you the same.

The troubles we face in life don't mean that he loves you less. It doesn't mean he's done with you, it means he's just getting started. He doesn't need to change you before you can be loved or accepted by him. You are not a burden to him. He sees you as you are and knows what you can become. He is working on those defects in us while at the same time loving us just the way we are!

Even when you mess up. You are his beloved child. Do you have children? You don't ever stop loving them do you? They might mess up or do things you don't want them to at times but you still love them.

And the very hairs on your head are all numbered.
-Matthew 10:30
God knows you intimately.  He knows you better than you know yourself.  No detail of your life happens without His knowledge.
- See more at: http://kevinsanders.org/2008/09/you-are-not-an-accident/#sthash.vTLzHJT5.dpuf

God loves you unconditionally and there's nothing you have done or could ever do that can change that. He doesn't love you based on what you do. He IS love, he can't help BUT love us not because we are always good or flawless but because he is always good and perfect.

There will always be people you come across in your life that will only see the defects. They'll focus on your flaws and to them you might be ineffective. But that's okay. Your value, your effectiveness in this world does not come from them. Not one drop of your worth comes from their opinion of you.

Your faults don't make you worthless, they make you worth loving, worth God using.

Know that you are more than a conqueror because you are loved by a perfect God who has big plans for you.

Be bold in knowing no one and nothing can take away God's love for you. Even when others see you as a product recall God sees you as a perfect design that he can and will use. Don't give up on who you are or who you can be because God never will.

And the very hairs on your head are all numbered.
-Matthew 10:30
God knows you intimately.  He knows you better than you know yourself.  No detail of your life happens without His knowledge.
- See more at: http://kevinsanders.org/2008/09/you-are-not-an-accident/#sthash.vTLzHJT5.dpuf

And the very hairs on your head are all numbered.
-Matthew 10:30
God knows you intimately.  He knows you better than you know yourself.  No detail of your life happens without His knowledge.
- See more at: http://kevinsanders.org/2008/09/you-are-not-an-accident/#sthash.vTLzHJT5.dpuf

And the very hairs on your head are all numbered.
-Matthew 10:30
God knows you intimately.  He knows you better than you know yourself.  No detail of your life happens without His knowledge.
- See more at: http://kevinsanders.org/2008/09/you-are-not-an-accident/#sthash.vTLzHJT5.dpuf

 "Do you think anyone is going to be able to drive a wedge between us and Christ’s love for us? There is no way! Not trouble, not hard times, not hatred, not hunger, not homelessness, not bullying threats, not backstabbing, not even the worst sins listed in Scripture:None of this fazes us because Jesus loves us. I’m absolutely convinced that nothing—nothing living or dead, angelic or demonic, today or tomorrow, high or low, thinkable or unthinkable—absolutely nothing can get between us and God’s love because of the way that Jesus our Master has embraced us." Romans 8:38-39 (MSG)

toot your own horn

 "The stuck-up fall flat on their faces,
    but down-to-earth people stand firm."

Proverbs 11:2

You're too soft. You're not good enough. You don't measure up. You're not as talented. You're not what we're looking for.

Ever heard those words? Ever felt those words? Played them over and over in your head? Felt held down by them?

We live in a society that rewards beauty, ability, talent, social standing, status, and intelligence, don't we? I mean think about how much NBA players make just for using their ability to play basketball.

God doesn't work like society does...Thank Him! It's actually the opposite. Although He is the one that blessed us with those things they are not the things he rewards us for. God looks at our heart. God rewards those who have a heart for him, who love him, and are obedient to him.

I have always been a Spurs fan. Not just because they're my hometown team but because they have always as a whole represented one thing, one thing that I think is rare in this world, one thing that is especially rare in the NBA..Humbleness.

A true example of nice guys don't always finish last. And they look very classy doing it.

 A lil throwback story

I remember in middle school when my club volleyball team went to eat at Fudrucker's and there was David Robinson eating a burger with his little boy. What I remember more than getting to meet a professional basketball player of my favorite team was what he did. He stood up from his meal and took the time to not only sign every single one of our jerseys but to talk to us and write out a bible verse on our shirts. He didn't have to do that. I remember thinking how cool it was back then and now that I'm older I realize even more what a humble heart that took for him to take the time to do that. It is a memory I have and always will carry with me and cherish. In that moment it didn't matter to me his title, how much money he made or whether he had an NBA ring or not. He made a difference in my day. A scrawny, bony kneed kid with braces that he never met, knew nothing about. But he made a difference in my life.  The way he was a genuine shining light through his humbleness without even trying is something I'll never forget. He didn't need a spotlight on him or a uniform on to do that. Simply being him and sharing his heart was enough. He will probably never know the impact he made on me that day and maybe we don't know the impact we make on others when we just offer a genuine heart.

 The World's message

The world doesn't reward that often though do they? Being humble.The message is, if you're not rich, gifted by our standards,beautiful in our eyes, or do things the way we do than you’re not good enough to be anyone important. WRONG. If we're not careful the world can harden us.

It will tempt us with fame, money, financial stability, the attention, the praise, the power, the recognition. Things that can make us forget all about God's Grace.

The moment we forget or don't even acknowledge that ALL good things in our life come from God is the moment we become prideful...the moment where we start to give ourselves all the credit and think we have a right to be cocky or even worse a right to think we're better than everyone else. But the truth is, those people looking down on you don't deserve God's grace or favor anymore than you do, even if they act like it.

It may look like they have it all. They may think they're the bees knees (still don't get that) But at the end of the day that's not what God is looking for.

Take king Saul for example. He had it all. The image and popularity, title, and riches. But what he didn't have was a humble heart for God. He wanted people's approval over God's. He let his position go to his head. He didn't want the best for anyone but himself. Although Saul was a natural choice for king by outward appearances, he failed as a king. Because one thing is certain eventually, pride comes before the fall.

Who is God looking to use?

God wants to use people who will instead of relying on their own strength and abilities will depend on His power. When you look at the reoccuring theme in the Bible of who God chose to use, we see that God has a pattern of using the most unlikely people to accomplish his greatest purposes. God used: Abraham was too old, Jacob was a liar, Rahab was a prositute, Gideon a coward, Moses a murderer with a speech impediment, Jeremiah was too young, Mary a young poor girl.Seems pretty obvious to me that God purposefully chooses men and women that the culture overlooks and abuses. He wasn't looking for overly religious people who acted like they had it all together. He often chooses those that others label “nobodies” by their perspective but have a heart for God.

It is often the humble "nobodies" God uses to expose the conceit of the "somebodies"

Callings Take Time

It may not always happen when we want or how we want. God chooses the humble but it takes time. It takes time because it's worth it. He's putting all the pieces in place. He doesn't always give the big things to us right away. He wants us to help in the small things first. It is in the small assignments that God tests us and helps build our faith and character. "If you are faithful in little things, you will be faithful in large ones..." Luke 16:10

Now enter David. You know David, the lil guy who defeated a giant when all the strong skilled soliders were afraid.Well God wanted David to be king. Yes David, the harp playing songwriter,scrawny shepherd boy, the youngest of eight sons in a culture where everyone's first choice was the oldest. David who came from a poor family that had no influence in their culture. David,  someone that was unnoticed by most. Invisible to everyone. Everyone except God. The one who truly mattered.


But it didn't happen right away for David. It took time for him to be elevated to God's true calling for his life. 15 years actually. 15 years of serving under King Saul, A king he didn't necessarily agree with. A king who didn't have a humble heart. He may not have understood why Saul was in the position he was while he had to wait. And the waiting wasn't easy but he didn't give up. He was a servant, he had to put up with death threats from his own King because he posed a threat. The truth is people who are "above" you often don't mind if you do good they just don't want you to do better than them.

But David grew through the waiting. God already had his purpose planned out. Nothing was going to stop that. David become King and with every step God entrusted him with more and more.

Stick it out. Don't give up. God is taking you there. Even when it's hard to wait, trust he'll lift you up in the perfect time. 

God looks at the inside

I don't know about you but I'm relieved to know God doesn’t look at the outside package like the world does to decide who he will use. He sees the real us when everybody else sees what they choose to see. God's first concern isn't how you look, people's opinion of you, your position or even your ability, he doesn't care about the worlds standards. God is concerned with your heart. What's on the inside. That's what he sees. He made you the way you are for a reason, and he loves you just the way you are. Just like David, he chooses people according to their heart.

 He wants someone who will seek His glory, not their own. People that are not afraid to admit their weakness so he can show his strength through us and accomplish his purposes.Someone whose motives and intentions are pure and not self seeking, someone who is focused on God’s desires above their own. People who love him and have a heart to serve God and others without thought to what they will gain in return. It's sad that the ones that don't think they are fooling him. But everything will be brought to the light.

When good things happen to us and when stay humble then God gets the glory and the honor,  not us.  God wants people to be amazed by his abilities not ours so they will be drawn to Him and his saving grace. You know the saying "don't toot your own horn"...well......“If you’re going to blow any horn,try blowing a trumpet for God. He's the one that deserves it.

 No matter what's in your path right now, big or small, do it for his glory. He's working on you every day, through every thing you face and deal with, preparing you like he did David. Nothing is in vain. He will lift you higher.Keep pushing, keep the faith, and stay humble. Your calling is not lost, He hasn't forgotten about you. It's not over until God says it's over, and He is telling you it's just the beginning! He has a planfor you, he has a purpose. He wants to use you even if no one else does. He gave you the talent you have for a reason, he gave you your passion for a purpose and he's preparing your heart to reach your calling in a way bigger than you could have ever hoped for!

The F word...

 "Don’t fret or worry. Instead of worrying, pray. Let petitions and praises shape your worries into prayers, letting God know your concerns. Before you know it, a sense of God’s wholeness, everything coming together for good, will come and settle you down. It’s wonderful what happens when Christ displaces worry at the center of your life." 

Philippians 4:6-7

'Fret'...or better known to many of us as Freak out Mode!

Have you ever had a freak out moment? If you're human I can only assume you have. Don't worry,  I won't ask you to describe what yours look like.

But you know the ones. The ones that feel like the end of the world as we know it.(It's okay if you sang some R.E.M just then) The ones where we jump head first to the worst case scenario in our minds.

If you're like me than you have gone fast and the furious full throttle into freak out mode more than a couple times ... and probably didn't looked so good doing it.

Especially when I first got sick several years ago I was the freak out champion y'all. At least that's what it feels like looking back. My first brain MRI...freaked out. Each test after...the faith I claimed to have had quickly reared its head as freak out mode. Always thinking that worst case scenario. Where was my faith? Or better question, what was my faith in?

But that's what often happens doesn't it? 

It's easy to say we have faith when everything is going good right? Bills are all paid, everyone's healthy, Job is easy, kids are behaving (it happens right?), nothing in the house is broken.          

But this isn't an episode of Leave it to Beaver is it?(if you don't know what that is, we need to talk)  Life is freaking hard, isn't it?

The truth is we can never really know how strong we are or how much faith we have until things AREN'T going the way we'd like, when they aren't easy.

"The only way your faith is going to grow is when God puts you in a place where you have to use it!"- Joyce Meyer
  
When you face a problem try not to look at it as such but rather see it as an opportunity to exercise your faith. A chance for you to grow and God to be glorified.

Why freak out about something that God can solve for you?

The verse above says EVERYTHING coming together for good. Not just the easy stuff. He is using the moments when the enemy wants you to fear and showing you how to trust him. Because no matter what comes, even if the worst case scenario does pan out He is Still bigger, he is still in control. He already saw it coming, he already had a way out. He sees you, he knows you, He is right beside you. He has you in the palm of his hand. Nothing that comes at you will break you.

Every situation big or small, is an opportunity to learn to trust God when it doesn't make sense. He's working on you. It takes time but he'll turn your freak out mode into faith mode. 

Even if your situation hasn't changed (my health) the way you look at it will. I don't fear anymore. That's all a GOD thing. He grew me. He's still growing me.

He'll start to replace your worry with the truth of his love and limitless power. If we keep our mind focused on him in the hardest moments we will start to trust that he really is in control and nothing catches him off guard. 

"He will keep in perfect peace all those who trust in him, whose thoughts turn often to the Lord" Isaiah 26:3

He is the ultimate problem solver.He has the solution before you even have the problem. While we're over here freaking out, he already has it all figured out for us.

Whatever you're going through or comes your way throughout the day, whatever it looks like, no matter what it feels like, it is not too much for who God is...who he has always been and always will be....The most important F word of all...Faithful.

Plant these truths and promises deep in my heart, water them with Your love and make them come alive in my circumstances. I - See more at: http://proverbs31.org/devotions/devotion-category/trusting-god/#sthash.WUV9OvgH.dpuf

Prayer: Father God, Help me to hear and believe the truths of who you are. Let them come alive in the moments I need them most, in the middle of the trials. Help me have faith instead of freaking out because even when things catch me off guard I know that nothing is a surprise to you. Nothing is too hard for you. Help me know and feel the Bigness of who you are. Bigger than all things I am or can face. In Jesus name I pray, AMEN

Plant these truths and promises deep in my heart, water them with Your love and make them come alive in my circumstances. I - See more at: http://proverbs31.org/devotions/devotion-category/trusting-god/#sthash.WUV9OvgH.dpuf

“keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed” on Him (Isaiah 26:3a, ESV). - See more at: http://proverbs31.org/devotions/devo/page/2/#sthash.TRRDv8FE.dpuf

Replace worry with the truth of God’s love and power. Then we can trust that God will do as He says: “keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed” on Him (Isaiah 26:3a, ESV). - See more at: http://proverbs31.org/devotions/devo/page/2/#sthash.TRRDv8FE.dpuf

Replace worry with the truth of God’s love and power. Then we can trust that God will do as He says: “keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed” on Him (Isaiah 26:3a, ESV). - See more at: http://proverbs31.org/devotions/devo/page/2/#sthash.TRRDv8FE.dpuf

Replace worry with the truth of God’s love and power. Then we can trust that God will do as He says: “keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed” on Him (Isaiah 26:3a, ESV). - See more at: http://proverbs31.org/devotions/devo/page/2/#sthash.TRRDv8FE.dpuf

You're just a mom...

"You're just a mom."

I've heard people say that. I have to agree. You are just a mom.


Yup, just a mom....Just a mom that sacrifices constantly.

Just a mom that is a hairdresser, cook, maid, alarm clock, teacher, nurse, waitress, referee, security officer, event planner, children's book reader, song singer, marathon runner, alarm clock, personal assistant, janitor, boo boo kisser, counselor, chauffeur, butt wiper, soldier, tear remover, sanitation worker, multitasker,  cheerleader, trainer, and coach...  

Just a mom who doesn't get paid holidays, sick days, or time off. A mom who barely gets a break to even take a shower or shave her legs!

Just a mom who doesn't have an 8-5 schedule. A mom who is on call 24/7.

Just a mom who makes daily choices to put her family first.

Just a mom who choices to love unconditionally even when it isn't easy.

Just a mom who isn't always appreciated.

Just a mom who deserves more respect and admiration but at the same time doesn't ask for it.

Just a mom who would do anything for her children.

Just a mom that God trusted to raise future generations.

Just a mom that gives all of who she is so her kids can be all of who they are.

So thank you...for being  just a mom. And the next time you hear someone say that just smile and know that everything that word entails is so much more than anyone could ever comprehend.

This blog is dedicated to you....I respect the snot out of you and who has more experience with snot than moms.

Happy Mother's Day!!

My Grandma wants to say to you...

Today we celebrated my grandma's 77th Birthday. "Naw-nee" as a lot of you know her. What a woman, I tell you.

She has never been what most people typically think of when they think of a Grandma. I have never looked at her as society's definition of "elderly." Always active, so feisty, independent, outgoing, quick,  a dreamer, a DO-er, A fighter, in every sense of the word.

To date she has had heart surgery and brain surgery and came through stronger and feistier than ever! A  soldier without a uniform. A true hero. An angel in disguise. She has volunteered at the children's shelter and nursing home. I think of her always making friends where ever she goes, always bringing a smile to everyone's face around her. She has always been the type of person that could talk to ANYone, ANYwhere and they would instantly LOVE her.I've always loved and admired that about my Nawnee.

 She has always been the true example "We can't stop, we won't stop."

Always going, doing, so energetic, so independent....That is until a couple years ago.

Alzheimer's changes a lot of things. If you know anything about the disease, you know what I mean. It steals a lot of things from you. It has stolen a lot of things from her. It's an illness I don't quite understand, an illness I've grown to hate. I just hate what she has to go through with it. The fear, the confusion, the pain....I've always had a compassion for hurting people but it's tenfold when it's those closest to me.

But we live in a broken world don't we? Bad things happen, things we don't understand. And Alzheimer's is an evil disease. I don't know another word for it. It doesn't just hurt the person affected, it hurts all those close to them. Honestly, selfishly, it's been hard for me to take at first.To see her that way. To see what she has to go through. She isn't the Nawnee I've always had.

But it's often through the hardest circumstances that God shows us the greatest things. I've come to focus on the life of my grandma. What she has, not what she doesn't.

I'm appreciating her more and how often do we not realize what we have until it's gone.Thank God she's not gone. She might not be the same but she's still here. I still see glimpses of the Nawnee she has always been (I saw those today when we went to lunch) and I try to hold onto those.

What I want to do, what I think she would want us to do is to think about the full life she has already had. She is teaching me more than ever to appreciate my own life....and the people I have in it. To focus on the good things. This disease, as unbelievably heartbreaking and beyond challenging as it is, it is only a small piece in the grand scheme of things. And so are the trials we face. As big as this trial seems it is a small thing in the bigger picture of her life. A life so full of love. A life I know God smiles on the way she has lived it.

I have so many amazing memories with her.

Memories of road trips to Dallas to watch the Cowboys play. She had season tickets for as long as I can remember.
Memories of the stories she's told about the places she's been all over the world...including the holy land.
Memories of her cheering the Spurs on....and yelling at the Refs;)
Memories of trips to South Padre and staying at her condo.Walking on the beach and collecting seashells.
(One of her favorite things to do.)
Memories of her showing up to all my sports games growing up and cheering to her hearts content in high school being a "grandma" to all my friends.

29 years worth of amazing memories and I will continue to make however many more I'll be blessed to have with her. A lot of people don't get that. That much time with the people they love. The people that impact their lives. I'm grateful for that.  

My grandma has lived her life to the fullest in every sense of the word. I can't help but wonder how many souls she's touched along the way. How many people will come up to her one day when she's in heaven and give her a huge hug and tell her that because of her they are there.

 So what I think my grandma would want to say to you about your life is to LIVE it.

I think she'd take your hand in her wrinkled life lived hand and tell you that your Life is short, appreciate it. God is faithful, trust him. Time is precious, make the most of it. Don't waste another minute being bitter at someone, or scared about your circumstances. Because that thing you are spending so much time stressing over, won't matter in the end. Give it to God and walk in faith. ENJOY the life you're blessed with. Every second of it. Make memories, lots of them. Love the people in your life, fully, completely. Don't take anyone for granted.

I think she'd say that we don't know what tomorrow will bring but that your Life, the good and the bad, are in God's hands and he's got it all under control. He'll work it all out. Don't let the trials drag you down. Don't wait another day to LIVE your life. Stop just existing. God has bigger things for you, grab onto them without fear.

This disease may have stolen a lot of things from her but it can never steal the life she's lived and the impact she's made on so many people....the impact she''s made and continues to make on me. My Nawnee.

I married a boxer...

Yup I married a boxer. No not the dog, it's not some strange pet name I have for my husband. I actually married a guy that used to box.

Now I love sports but there are a lot of sports I'd rather actually DO than watch. Boxing would be one of them. I think it'd be awesome to get into a ring and go a few rounds. But actually watch two guys pummel each other to a bloody mess, doesn't really do it for me.

But I do love hearing Jeremy tell me stories of his boxing days.

One thing he told me that really stuck in my mind was that at the beginning his trainer used to make him stand in the ring with his hands behind his back while his trainer would punch him over and over again. He wasn't allowed to fight back or react.

Now I'm sure your first reaction is a lot like mine was...."ummm I don't even think so!No thank you!"

And then Jeremy, the logical person that he is, explained to me why his trainer would do this.

Jeremy used to get really angry when someone would punch him in the ring (as would anyone right?) but apparently that isn't good in boxing. Or any sport really. It distracts you. He would lose his head and react off of emotion instead of keeping his focus and acting off what he knew. His trainer was preparing him both physically and emotionally to be able to take a hit when they came in his matches. He was teaching him how to fight with purpose.

That's so like life isn't it? How often do we feel like we're in the middle of a boxing match? Some of us daily, right? We keep taking hit after hit from what often feels like every angle. And all you're trying to do is have the strength to get your hands up to protect and defend yourself, hoping desperately that the bell would ring and end the round.

How often we feel like the world has us backed into a corner. Whether it's sickness, finances, bills piling up, a person attacking our character, people around us hurting, things falling apart left and right...the enemy knows our weak spots. I face a fight every day with the pain and my health. It's never ending and the enemy knows that. He knows what to aim for to try and bring us down. His goal is to hit us where it hurts.Make us feel like we are defeated.

That sure does make life exhausting at times doesn't it? We wear ourselves out when trials hit because we often just start swinging punches out of emotion. How often have you felt like your strength feels like it's one right hook away from being knocked out completely? That your one jab away from losing hope? And then sometimes just when we feel like we've got our feet back under us, like our strength is building and we're gaining momentum again, BAM another hit causes us to stumble.

You see the enemy is really good at trash talk in our most challenging moments. He'll try and make you believe there is no hope, that you're losing the fight and that you should just give up.

It's so easy to feel alone in those moments isn't it? But the truth is we never are. It is when we're struggling that God is closest. That's when it's hardest to feel him, hard to hear him. But it's because we're so distracted by the trial and the fight we forget our trainer is behind us. You have the king of kings in your corner. The man who conquered death itself! The enemy is no match for you. That trial is no competition for the God of the universe!

So why wait for the round to be over? You may be bent over in pain, but you're not broken...You may have some cuts and bruises but you're far from beaten!  

Stay focused on the purpose. And there's always purpose for the pain, always a plan in the struggle. Every hit you take is making you more prepared to face the next one. Every time you stand back up after a punch you're giving God glory. You're strengthening your character, your faith is growing because you're saying "I don't Give up. By the Grace of God, I'm still here."

And God's grace doesn't run out, even when our energy does. He is still there, still stronger and Bigger than anything we face.

So it's time for us to put our fists up and land some punches of our own. It's time to get out of the corner.

In the ring of life, moments will come when you fall flat on your face, where it seems like the enemy has gotten the best of you. You can hear some cheering because they want to see you fail, while others are booing because they're fighting the enemy with you, and it is then that you have a choice to make...

You can throw in the towel and quit, or you can get back up, get your fists up and get in the fight! It doesn't matter how many times you fall. Just do not stay on the ground!


 “For a just man falleth seven times, and riseth up again: but the wicked shall fall into mischief.” Proverbs 24:16

“Defeat is temporary; quitting makes it final.” Never quit or give up. Jesus Christ is your trainer, and the Holy Ghost is your sponsor.

God is for you, and if He be for you what can ever stand against you? Romans 8:31 

The enemy has already been defeated! So Hold on, get those fists up and keep fighting. You are more than a conqueror!  And at the end, your hand will be raised as your King crowns you Champion!

Stop living defeated, don't you see the victory is already yours and no person or trial can ever take that from you!

 

Good Friday? What's so good about it?

What was the first thought on your mind when you woke up friday morning?
Do you remember?

I have to pee, I want a donut, I need a coffee IV, I love my kids but wish they had a mute button sometimes.

What if you woke up that morning knowing that you were going to die that day? Not just die but that you were going to be betrayed by a close friend, beaten, spit on, all while being made fun of, right before you faced an excruciating death. A death you didn't deserve. A death you were dying for someone else. Someone you had never met.

Now what if you had the power to prevent all that from happening to you, would you do it? If we're being honest we wouldn't hesitate in saying "YES!!!"

Let's face it we are not so good with suffering are we? In fact we usually do everything in our power to avoid it or escape it as quick as possible when it hits.

Suffering....We don't understand it and we don't want it!

But there has been one perfect, innocent man that chose it

Jesus chose to suffer and he did it for you and me.

He woke up that day knowing one of his closest friend Betrayed him for money, knowing he would be unjustly arrested, brutally beaten, wrongly accused, relentlessly mocked, and savagely hung on a wooden cross to die.

Why would anyone do that?

LOVE. True, selfless, unconditional love... for us. ALL of us. Every single person. No matter their race, background, religion, sexual preference, social standing, or choices in life, He did it for everyone.

He hung there, blood dropping from every inch of his body, barely hanging on only by rusty nails pierced through his hands and feet. A piercing crown of thorns digging into his skull.

With all the power to get down, to make it stop, to end the suffering... the King of Kings and son of the most High God chose to suffer through. He was thinking of us. He knew He had to be the sacrifice that we could never be. The flawless bridge That would connect us to God almighty.

Jesus knew you then. Crazy to think about right? He knew every sin, mistake, failure, choice, you would ever make and that is why he chose not to end the torchure. He knew the suffering was temporary and victory was coming!

He fought through the excruciating pain to save us from our sins. To be the free gift that would give us a way to heaven, that would give us freedom.

I can't imagine the pain and heartache of those who loved him watching him die on that cross but it was a crucial part of God's plan of saving grace. A love so strong he sacrificed his only son. And It was not a somber day.....it was a day of victory.

JESUS the savior of the world. He's more than just a religion, than a story in history.On the 3rd day after he sacrificed his life He rose from the dead!HE IS ALIVE!

And lives in the heart of those that choose him.

All we have to do is believe, to ask for forgiveness for our sins and heaven is ours. But it's not just our eternity that's secured it's our past that is wiped clean and our present that is safe in his hands. He's a friend. Our connection to our creator. He gives strength when Your weak, joy in the pain, hope in the despair,Peace in the chaos, and no matter what we do or don't do in this life, he loves us the same.

I will never fully grasp that kind of love, that kind of undeserved grace.He took the punishment for us. We will face troubles in this world but he's already overcome them all. So why are you living in defeat when you already have victory in Christ? 

He took the guilt for everything so we could have the grace forever.

To him, you were worth it. He doesn't want anything from you....

All he wants is YOU. Just as we are. He is perfect so we don't have to be, he measures up so we don't need to. His love is unending, without limitations or restrictions. He wants to give you freedom for life and eternity in heaven with him. 

That makes it so much more than just a 'good' Friday!

Pick up the rock!

" I can't..." 

Two simple words but words that can keep us from a lot in our lives cant they?

Last night I got a crazy idea (which happens quite often with me) I thought, "I should go running."

Now I realize that word running evokes different reactions. Some of you got tired or almost threw up just thinking about it, some of you your heart started racing and you thought let's do this! Mine has changed over the years.

I used to LOVE running. I've never been one for treadmills,where's the fun of running in place? But put me outside and it was run forest run for me. My feet would hit the old country road pavement at my parents house growing up and I'd run and run until I couldn't take it anymore or it got dark. (country roads with no lights and the chance of getting run over by a lifted truck or a cow are not the way I wanted to go out)

But sadly my love for running has changed since I got sick several years ago. As an athlete all my life it's been one of the things that I've struggled with the most that's changed.

But you know what I've learned about the two words, I can't, is that more often than not we actually can, just not in the same way we may hope or like to.

It's something I've learned with my health. Something, honestly I've had a hard time coming to grips and admitting. I can't do things the way I used to.

I guess that's what chronic muscle pain and chronic fatigue do to a body. My immune system is so weak it makes Napoleon Dynamite look buff.. I never wanted to look at that as an excuse but I had to face that's just the reality of my circumstances at this season in my life. Just imagine trying to go running while your muscles are in a constant spasm and you have the flu.Yup, that's pretty much what it feels like.

Does that mean I should let that keep me from doing things because they aren't as easy or I can't do them the way I may want? No I don't think so.That's what I'm learning at least.To accept what is but not what can't be. I am so grateful for my life, because I always say "It could be worse." That's not a pity thing, it's a gratitude thing. At least I'm alive, at least I can walk, see, hear, taste....Things I took for granted before. My pain may keep me from a lot of things but it won't keep me from being grateful for the life I'm blessed with.

So knowing it might feel like getting hit repeatedly by a truck and I'd pay for it today, I went for a run last night. I knew it'd be challenging but I did what I could, as far as I could. And although it wasn't as much as I'd have liked and it was crazy painful and I felt like I was going to meet Jesus when I got back, I'm glad I did it.

I just wonder how often we miss out on experiencing the fullness of God because we look at what we think we can't do instead of what HE can do.

It's often easy to have faith and to be fearless when things seem to be going the way we want isn't it? To take chances, to be brave. But when something changes in our life, our circumstances are altered, we begin to lose hope, we start to feel limited. We began to lose ourselves and everything God can do through us in the process because our focus has changed from "I can do all things through Christ" to "I can do some things, maybe a few things." We start to believe the lies of the enemy and before we know it two words become our whole outlook "I can't."

I know things may not be going the way you would like in a certain area of your life, maybe it's finances you feel holding you back, maybe it's other people around you that are making you feel like you're not enough, maybe your own limitations are holding you down, maybe you feel your talent isn't being used the way it could be, maybe circumstances feel out of your control, maybe you feel like your too old or too young or not smart enough or pretty enough or educated enough.

But can I tell you something? The way we see ourselves and our situation is not how God sees it. His word says his thoughts and ways are higher than ours. Meaning He sees the Bigger picture, where we see limitations he sees opportunity for His power to be shown. In our weakness, He is strong. He knows where you're at, he put you there. He knows what He's doing. What you're going through will only hold you back as much as you let it.

So start today and do what you can with what you have and trust God for the more.

Look at David and Goliath. David was the smallest, the "wimpiest", the lowest in his family, he didn't have everything he may have wanted, in fact he had very little to offer but what he did have was the only thing he really needed...faith in a BIG God.

And he defeated a crazy giant that a whole army of strong, 'capable' soldiers were afraid to even face. They laughed at him but that didn't stop him. With a simple sling shot and a rock he faced the impossible and won. I love that story. It reminds me that it's not what we have but who is on our side that makes us mighty, makes us victorious.

God says when you're faithful with a little he'll trust you with a lot. Look at Noah, all he started with was a dream and a piece of wood and he built a giant ark that changed history. One day at a time...

The more you focus on your circumstances the bigger they become and the smaller you make God and our God is anything but small. He is bigger than any and every thing you are facing or feel limited by. The things you see as challenges he sees as opportunities to make you stronger,

You see, God will always make a way where there seems to be no way. To us it looks impossible but to him all things are possible. We just have to be willing to surrender to him."God is able to do far more than we could ever ask for or imagine. He does everything by his power that is working in us."Ephesians 3:20

So you might not be able to do things the way you want (right now) but you can still do SOMEthing, right?And when you start to do SOMEthing is when God can do EVERYthing.So do it, even if it's hard, even if no one notices or appreciates it, even if it seems like it's not making a difference, IT IS.

You can defeat your giant, if you choose to pick up the rock.

The Bigger the Storm...

Storms...

I love rain. I think I always have. I love the sound, the smell, the feel of it hitting my skin. One of my favorite things has always been to run in the rain. Something invigorating and refreshing about it. And let's face it, as hot as it is in Texas we could use all the help we can get with cooling off. Especially for the brave, albeit crazy souls that choose to run outside.

I also love being able to snuggle up inside under a blanket while a storm is raging outside. The rain drops hitting the windows and the thunder roaring. Flashes of lightning illuminating everything around it's fierce beam.  

Something about being safe inside while a storm rages outside brings a warming comfort.

There are things I don't like about storms though. I don't like the way people drive (if you can even call it that) or the mosquitoes that should have been left off the ark, or the mud that our pup Koa loves to dig her claws in and then track all over the house. Ah the smell of wet dog, does something quite pungent to the nose holes doesn't it? (Oh fyi, I don't like the word nostrils) 

But let's face it pleasant and not so pleasant stuff blows in with the storms.

Isn't that the case with everything though? There's the good stuff that's easy to love and there's the bad stuff that never gets any lovin. But what we choose to focus on though is our choice isn't it?

There's one thing we can be certain about storms though, they are TEMPORARY. They may last hours, days, or weeks but eventually the storms will end. The rain will stop, the sun will start shining and the puddles will dry up.

The same goes for the storms of life that we face. And as a Christ follower we will most likey face them a lot. Sometimes we're prepared for them,or as prepared as we can be. We see the dark clouds rolling in, hear the thunder in the distance and we can try to avoid them or at least brace ourselves right? But sometimes the storm hits out of no where.Seems like that's most often the case.Sun shining on our face turns into giant cold rain drops in our eyeballs.

Some storms are stronger than others, some last longer than others. Some feel like they'll never end, you know the ones? They're like that annoying pink energizer bunny, they keep going and going and going. They feel like they turn from a "hey this storm is intense" to a full blown "I'm trying not to drown here monsoon!"

It's frustrating isn't it? Overwhelming even. Every time you try to get your footing it feels like wave after wave keeps knocking you back. You try to wipe your eyes to see clearly but can't, try to fight the wind coming at you but exhaust yourself. You are just trying to make sense of it all. Because at least then we'd feel like it is for a reason.

We often think we have to be out of the storm to make a difference, that once we get past the clouds we can be content. We try to figure out a way to get where we want to be or feel like we should be, a place where we think we can be worthy again. Happy again.

Can I tell you something you may or may not know? You are worthy right where you are. You are making a difference right where you're at. It may not be how you want it to be but maybe the people you are wanting to reach aren't the same people God has in mind for you to right now. Have you ever thought about that? Maybe he has people around you in your storm, people you don't even know are watching. Maybe your mess is a message to them. Maybe they see your strength when you feel nothing but weakness. Maybe they see you fighting through when it makes more sense to give up. Maybe they're watching the process God is taking you through and seeing that there is something bigger inside of you than what you're facing. Something that allows you to smile in spite of the pain, to push forward despite the discouragement. Something that shines through the dark clouds. 

Maybe he wants to help you be content no matter what's raging on around you because He knows true peace and lasting JOY comes from Him alone, the one thing that never changes.

One of my favorite stories in the bible is when Jesus calms the storm when he's on the boat with the disciples. They were floating along fine (as we often feel we are in life) with all the faith and peace in the world until BAM the storm hits. Waves crashing into the boat while experiencing what I'm sure was the conception of the term"wind blown hair." Sea sickness sets in, feelings about what's happening grow stronger. They take their eyes off Jesus, lose sight of their destination and focus on the storm raging around them. It became about their circumstances instead of their savior. Enter fear, enter doubt, bye bye peace hello freak out mode.

Here enters my Jesus, I picture him cool and calm maybe with some bed head hair as they frantically wake him to inform the son of God there is a storm, thinking He had forgotten about them. That he didn't care they were "drowning",  at least is what they thought. (Like we don't do the same right?) 

Jesus sits up and simple says “Quiet! Be still!” And just like that the wind died down and the waters were completely calm. Oh Snap.

Jesus. Ah Jesus.He didn't care what the storm looked like, what it felt like because his faith wasn't in his surroundings it was in his God. He knew it wasn't stronger than him. He knew God had a way and no storm in their path could detour God's plan for them. And that same fearless, strong Jesus is standing with you.

Oh beloved, How God wants us to remember that in our storms. He is not thrown off by the trials that hit us, nothing can happen without passing through his hands. It may feel like punishment, it may seem unfair. But there's purpose for the rain, there's a divine plan in the pain. He has a bigger picture in mind, a place he wants to take you. I know at times we just want him to calm the storm but give yourself freedom to rest while riding it out. Don't miss what he is trying to show you through it, a fresh perspective, a new outlook, an unshakable faith and strength can only come from facing the storm.  He knows that. He knows YOU. Better than anyone.

The storm is a blessing in disguise. I promise. Sometimes a crazy good disguise but the storm doesn't mean he's mad at you and that he doesn't love you. In fact,  it means that he loves you so much that he trusts you with more. It means He knows you're strong enough, knows he's able enough.

Only the storms can reveal what you're made of. You may find weaknesses while pushing through and that is ok. Rest in those, be humble in those. Trust he cares enough to show you those so He can help turn them into strengths. They will bring a new appreciation for the strengths you already do have. If you can say nothing else at the end of the day you can say this, "I'm still here. I may be wobbly and weak but I'm still standing.Still pushing through." 

God is holding you up. He's under you, behind you, in front of you. You may not see him, you may not feel him but he promised to NEVER leave you or forsake you.

When you come out of the storm and you WILL come out, you won't be the same person that walked into it and maybe that's what the storm was about. God will calm the storm when the timing is right. But first he'll calm you. He'll teach you and show you things so that when he brings you out of it you'll be stronger than ever.You'll have more faith in his unchanging power and strength. You'll be more capable, more equipped to be everything he knows you can be.

You may not be able to see in front of you, but God can. He knows where he's taking you, he knows how to get you there.And he WILL get you there. It may be rough waters but he's building you up while guiding you through. Let hope be your anchor. Stop being so hard on yourself, rest in knowing God loves you unconditionally. Be still and know that He is God, He is in control and He will bring you through. The Bigger the Storm, the bigger the blessing.

“Don’t be afraid, I’ve redeemed you.I’ve called your name. You’re mine.When you’re in over your head, I’ll be there with you.When you’re in rough waters, you will not go down.When you’re between a rock and a hard place; it won’t be a dead end—Because I am God, your personal God,The Holy of Israel, your Savior.I paid a huge price for you:" Isaiah 42:2-3

Dearly Distracted,

You ever had a thought you wish you didn't? A thought you might not have even spoken out loud but as soon as it went through your head you thought "oh snap, that's not so good.Get out, Get out, Get out!

Say that guy that cut you off in traffic...I'm sure none of us have ever thought "I hope they get pulled over and get a giant ticket they can't afford!" It's not just traffic, a lot of things and people can steal our joy, make us react, or upset us in ways we wish they didn't.

Or maybe it's a negative thought about yourself. A lie you heard or something you "failed" at that made you believe you weren't good enough. And once one negative thought enters it's like a wildfire we can't put out.

Fear, anger, failure, resentment,disappointment, comparison, guilt. We think them daily don't we?

And it seems like the more we try not to think about it, the more we think about it. Right?

We harp on it, it ruins our morning and then our day and if we're not careful the next day and day after that. It gives us a bad attitude. We lose hope. We get overwhelmed and frustrated with anything and everyone.

The point is, things that started off as our human nature reacting with a thought turn into things that get at us. We don't want it to bother us but it does, we don't want it to make us unhappy but it did.Well played, Satan. Well played. You dangled the bait (and we all took it)
 
Can I share a little truth I often forget? Satan will use whatever he can to distract us from the real issue: we are saved by simple faith in Christ, not by what we do or don't do.

The thing about "our works" is they can't ever be perfect. We'll get mad, we'll be hurt, we'll get disappointed, and often time we'll react in a way we wish we didn't. We're human. Human nature is going to want to react. Human nature is going to fail many times at "thinking positively". I think often times we forget that. We beat ourselves up or fear the thoughts we have because we know God knows them and we think we disappoint him by doing so.
  
Truth is, we don't. God knows our human nature is weak. He knows we aren't perfect. It's not that we have the thoughts it's what we do with them. We all wish we could think more positively right? Believing if we could just get rid of any "negative" or "bad" thought that things would be a lot better.

Fearing the thoughts and consequently trying to control them, however, turns something normal into a frustrating experience as we set up a vicious circle that gets worse and worse.

This is no coincidence. It is precisely how the human mind works. It is guaranteed that the harder we try to stop thinking about something, the more we will think it. It is inevitable. The only solution is to not try to stop the thoughts. Don’t bother about them at all. By not trying to stop the thoughts we are displaying faith that it is Christ, not our works – not our efforts to stop thoughts – that saves us.So it is with unwanted thoughts and doubts. You don’t fight thoughts and doubts; you fight anxiety by refusing to give in to the anxiety. Thoughts and doubts are not the problem; one’s excessive fear or guilt because of them is the problem.

Unwanted thoughts are simply a form of temptation, and all Christians are tempted. The temptation, however, is not an attempt to get us to think wrong thoughts. Neither God nor the devil cares about the thoughts he puts in our head. The devil’s goal is to get us to doubt the reality of the forgiveness and divine approval and freedom that we have through Jesus Christ.

Victory is not being free from temptation. It would be defeat if God had to remove all temptation because he concluded you were too weak to overcome it. And since temptation takes the form of thoughts, feelings and doubts, victory does not mean not having ungodly thoughts, feelings and doubts. Victory means clinging in faith to the saving power of Christ, no matter how strong the attacks are. It's trusting HIS power, not our own.

I think too often we put so much pressure on ourselves to "measure up" to standards placed on us by society, religion, or most often ourselves. Like we are expected to "have it all together." Maybe to some people we are but not to God. Having bad thoughts doesn't make you a bad person it makes you human! 

The enemy wants us so focused on trying to fight unwanted thoughts and convincing us that they make us unworthy to God that we misinterpret God's love towards us. 

The devil wants us to push God away through being duped into wrongly supposing that ugly thoughts render us unacceptable to the God who is head over heels in love with us – the God who went to the extreme of the cross to totally forgive everyone whose faith is in him.

We (and I mean ME) need to stop wasting so much energy getting sidetracked into self-examination or fighting thoughts or feelings of guilty. No matter how real and scary they seem, they are just cardboard cut-outs. 


The real issure  is whether you believe that Jesus died for the sins of the world – believing that through Jesus forgiveness is available for every sin that anyone could ever commit, provided one accepts it. 


Instead of getting to know how loving God really is, we ignore him by becoming so obsessed with ourselves and so focused on our thoughts and feelings that we end up breaking God’s heart by refusing to believe the magnitude of his love for us. He doesn't want or expect perfection from you he just wants YOU.Relationship with you, Just as you are. 

We get so distracted by worrying needlessly about insulting God with thoughts we cannot control that we unknowingly fall into the devil’s trap of doing the only thing that truly insults God – not believing in the unlimited power of his love and forgiveness.By seizing your attention, getting you worried about the power of your sin, he has diverted you from the real issue – the one that defeats him every time – the power of your Savior.

The bible says "take every thought captive" meaning God knows those thoughts are going to come!



 Remember, however, that neither feelings nor avoidance of unwanted thoughts is the goal. The goal is faith, and faith alone. This is what glorifies God.

Everything else is but malicious diversions diabolically designed to dupe you into diverting your energy into fighting useless skirmishes, while leaving the real issue – faith in God’s goodness and power to cleanse every sin – undefended.