Worry

“Don’t worry.” 

People have been admonishing me to stop worrying all my life.  If worrying was an Olympic sport, I could have earned a ten.  Unfortunately, my friends’ and families’ well meant reprimands did not help ease my worried mind in the least. 

Worry is like vomit.  When you have the stomach flu, even if your friends and family warn you not to vomit, most likely you cannot keep yourself from throwing up.  Vomiting is something you can fight, but you cannot win until your stomach flu has run its course. 

Healing must come before worrying can stop.  This does not mean that life must be good or trouble free before you can stop worrying.  However, it does mean that worry is a symptom, not the main problem. 

How do I keep from stressing out?  Rick Warren of Saddleback Church recently gave me a new perspective and helpful advice to overcoming worry:

Worrying is stewing without doing.  Whenever possible, take action when you feel worried.

Don’t panic, pray!  Turn your worried thoughts into prayer.  If we prayed as much as we worried, we would have much less to worry about. 

Watch less television.  Going on a media fast can dramatically reduce your stress level.  Not only will your mind be calmer without the drama of television thrillers, but you will also have more time to read God’s word and pray.  “If you look at the world, you'll be distressed. If you look within, you'll be depressed. If you look at God you'll be at rest.” – Corrie ten Boom

 

Learn to be more content.  Enjoy what you have now, without waiting for something else to be happy:

• Stop comparing yourself, your life, or your things
• Stop thinking that having more will make life better
• Learn to admire without having to acquire

Thank God in all things.  (not for all things, but in all things: have an attitude of gratitude and look for the good in every day and in every situation.)  “When we are powerless to do a thing, it is a great joy that we can come and step inside the ability of Jesus”  -Corrie ten Boom

Think about good things.  Consider how God has blessed and rescued you in the past.  Dwell on your previous successes.  Think about future opportunities, and realize that the difficulties you face are all part of God’s perfect plan for your life.  “There is no panic in Heaven! God has no problems, only plans.”  -Corrie ten Boom  

Philippians 4:8  Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.

Talk to God about everything.  Having a lifestyle of prayer will heal your soul and help you to feel God’s love.  “There is no pit so deep, that God's love is not deeper still.”  -Corrie ten Boom

Matthew 6:28b-30 

See how the flowers of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. ²⁹ Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. ³⁰ If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you—you of little faith?

I like to think of all the flowers that are never seen by human eyes, but God still cares for them. 

Impossible

“It is kinda fun to do the impossible.” –Walt Disney 

I try never to shy away from doing the 'impossible.'  Ever since college, people have been warning me that the goals I am trying to accomplish are too much for me, or that my tasks are impossible to achieve with all the many obligations that are in my life.  BUT, I remind myself, with God all things are possible.

When I am told  I am aiming for something that is impossible, I take caution, slow down, and check the direction I am sailing towards.  I need to be sure the effort will be worth it.  I ponder my options, I seek other solutions...but, if doing the impossible is the only way to reach my dreams, I shoulder the burden gladly. 

The hardest part about doing the impossible is that it takes an incredible amount work.  On second thought, there is something more difficult than accomplishing the task itself.  Even harder then the  hours of labor is applying self control and persistence to keep at the work. 

Frederick Douglass once said, "If there is no struggle, there is no progress."  If we boldly face the challenges of each day, remembering that God is our strength, we learn to rely more on him.  It is during the times of my life when I am attempting to do the impossible that I feel my need for God most. 

If an impossible dream is realized, God's fingerprints in your life are self evident.  I must never forget to give God the glory for what he has accomplished through me.  When you reach your impossible dream, the two most important things you must do is give credit where it is due, and to enjoy your hard earned success.

Teaching

"A good teacher is one-fourth preparation and three-fourths theater."  -Gail Godwin

I have my one-fourth preparation to complete and email my principal this weekend.  Sigh...writing your own quality curriculum is hard work.  However, aligning objectives to national standards,  setting up modifications for special education students & English language learners while planning lessons develops my talents as an educator.  Someday I would like to write curriculum professionally.  

God has promised to help me as I follow him, and I trust he will give me the drive and perseverance to complete all I must this weekend.  I feel weak- all I want to do is relax and recover from a demanding school week, but I know that my students need me to be ready for them.  God will give me the strength to keep on working, the courage to tackle intimidating tasks, and the wisdom to keep myself from procrastinating.  I choose to live courageously and optimistically. 

Life is about how you face the circumstances, not about what circumstances you find. 

Psalm 27:3
Though an army besiege me, my heart will not fear.  Though war break out against me, even then will I be confident. 

"The God who spoke still speaks.  He comes into our world.  He comes into your world.  He comes to do what you can't."  -Max Lucado

Wisdom

Proverbs 1:5
 let the wise listen and add to their learning,
    and let the discerning get guidance—

At Bible study the other night, we were reading the first chapter of Proverbs and discussing wisdom.  I've been thinking about what wisdom means to me...

1)  Knowing that good intentions are not enough.
Terrible things have happened with the best intentions, for example, the Crusaders murdering and pillaging throughout the middle ages.  In my own life, I'm seen Christians fail epically and cause great harm taking foolish actions for the 'cause of Christ.'   You must look before you leap into a direction you feel 'called' to pursue.  You must remain very close to Christ so you can wisely determine if it is truly his choice before you commit to taking a questionable action. 

2) Seeking out the best solution, not just any solution to a problem.  A mark of wisdom is the ability to consider a problem from many angles, to explore the impact of possible solutions, and to choose an ideally beneficial resolution.

James 1:4-5
Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.  If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.

3)  Realizing that training, not trying harder, is the key to unlocking spiritual maturity.  Any fool can tell themselves they will overcome a sin, or defeat temptation next time by simply trying harder.  A wise Christian realizes that after a failure, they must train to overcome obstacles in their Christian growth.  Nothing can replace daily times of prayer and Bible study.  Just as you can't run a serious marathon without training, you can't expect to develop spiritual maturity without taking the time to train yourself regularly in God's scriptures and to develop a lifestyle of prayer. 

4)  Understanding the importance of self control is crucial.  If you don't have self discipline, you will not be able to follow Christ.  Self control is a tool that can be used to accomplish any goals or dreams you have for your life.  You must be willing and able to give your all and do your best to reach the heights of your ambitions. 

5)  Prioritizing wisely is the only way you can accomplish all your goals.
You will never have time to pursue every alluring opportunity.  You must make the time to accomplish what is most important to you.  You must decline some tempting commitments in order to develop perseverance and to spend your time wisely to make your dreams come true. 

6) Developing quality is much more important than quantity.  One piece of Godiva chocolate is better than ten candy bars of the discount brand.  Need I say more? 

7)  Becoming a better version of who you are is true personal growth.  Be true to yourself, but following God's heart instead of your own selfish desires.  Study the scriptures to find your identity in Christ.  Release your innermost fears, and let God bless you richly as he shows you how much he loves you.  Learn to see yourself through heaven's eyes.
 "We are what we believe we are." -C.S. Lewis
Proverbs 3:5-6
 Trust in the Lord with all your heart
    and lean not on your own understanding; 
 in all your ways submit to him,
    and he will make your paths straight

8)  Choosing to cultivate your relationships with wise people.  "You become like the people you interact with." -Donald Miller

James 3:13 
Who is wise and understanding among you? Let them show it by their good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom.

Priorities

I believe God gives me enough time each day to complete the things he wants me to accomplish...but I find it difficult determining which items on my to do list are most important to complete.

I can accomplish every part of God's work for me today...if I stay away from the television and apply myself diligently to my tasks.  Sometimes I feel dismayed- a measly twenty four hours is all I have, and part of that is for sleeping, eating, and exercising.  What I wouldn't give for more time! 

I continually remind myself of my goals:
1) I must put God first.
Having my time of prayer, my personal Bible study, and taking the time to be the type of person God wants me to be is essential.
2) I must take care of myself. 
I must take the time to eat well and live a healthy lifestyle.
3) I must address my long term goals. 
Working on my evening classes, completing important paperwork for my induction as a California educator, and taking next steps to improve my chances of being hired full time next year is crucial.
4) I must meet my short term career goals.
I must be ready with my lesson plans, ready with my student behavior plans, and caught up on all school related activities.
5) I must take care of urgent household tasks. 
I must be sure the laundry is done, the apartment is clean, and my appliances and car is in working order. 
6) I want to take care of the little tasks that get pushed off daily.
Since I am on break, I am craving the completion of a million little tasks on my to do list.  They keep pulling me in, since I know if I do not accomplish them on this break, I will likely have to wait until after Christmas to get to these tasks.  I want to do them NOW, but, unfortunately, as they are not urgent, and as they are least important, I need to spend most of my time on other more important projects. 

It is very difficult to hold strong with my priorities.  I usually want to do the easiest items on my 'to do' list first, but then I run out of time and enthusiasm for my more important tasks. 

Dear Heavenly Father,
Please help me to prioritize wisely.  Help me to focus and to put away distractions that prevent me from accomplishing what you would have me do today.  Let me enjoy my fall break, but let me also get much accomplished so that when my break is over I can return to work with a feeling of confidence.  Help me complete all my work with a joyful heart.  Help me rejoice in the blessings you pour out today and laugh often.  Amen. 

Matthew 6:33
But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.

All that is not eternal is eternally out of date.  -C.S. Lewis

God's Way

Psalm 25:4-5
Show me your ways, O LORD, teach me your paths; guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long.

I am praying that God makes his path clear to me.  I am praying that my heart is soft and that my eyes are open to His vision for my future.  I am asking God to bless Adam and I with wisdom, and to give us discernment to make the best choices.  I am requesting that God grants us success in our ventures.  Even more importantly, I am asking that God show us which opportunities to pursue in order to  fulfill His perfect plan for our lives. 

"Since God is mighty enough to ignite the sun, he is mighty enough to light your path." -Max Lucado 
I know that God has promised to guide us as long as we put him first and stay open to His leading.  I know the road to success will not be easy.  "Victory is not the absence of problems, it is the presence of power.  God's power is greater than any problem.  His victory swallows up all adverse circumstances.  We can stand strong, as more than conquerors, when we know that He is with us."
- Joyce Meyer

I am praying that God blesses us with his joy, his strength, his wisdom, and his power so that our lives can bring glory to our heavenly father. 

Psalm 25:12-15
Who, then, is the man that fears the LORD?  He will instruct him in the way chosen for him.  He will spend his days in prosperity, and his descendants will inherit the land.  The LORD confides in those who fear him; he makes his covenant known to them.  My eyes are on the LORD, for only he will release my feet from the snare. 

Dutch Baby Breakfast

Proverbs 17:22a
A happy heart is good medicine and a cheerful mind works healing,

My Favorite Breakfast

Today is a good day!  I've slept in, enjoyed a good 'virtual' breakfast sent by the Ohl family, and had time to relax as I organize my to do list for the next week.  My list is many pages long...so much online work for class, so much paperwork for teaching, and hours and hours of lesson planning.  I wonder if I can handle it all and then I remember one of my favorite quotes, "Only those who dare to fail greatly can ever achieve greatly."  Robert Kennedy

I HATE failure, but my fear of failure is not enough to keep me from pursuing my dreams.  I will take on my to do list one step at a time.  I am ambitious, and yet, I will enjoy every moment of the day that I can, especially my breakfast today. 

Psalm 16:11 
You will show me the path of  life, in Your presence is fullness of joy, at Your right hand there are pleasures forevermore.