I've got the blues

“I’m a little unsettled about this post. Seems like I should always encourage you to not worry and be happy and feel blessed. But days of depression or the blues happen. And I’m here to tell you: it’s okay. Let me know what you think.” -jc

Sometimes… I’m not the “lovely” person I should be. Yes, I know, the sun is shining and the birds are singing and I got out of bed okay. There’s clean clothes to wear and food to eat. And a God Who loves me like crazy. One or two clicks into the social media will remind you of all this. And yet, there are still days when I’m not feeling so “Pollyanna”. I do have worries on my mind. There are so many loved ones struggling with physical ailments. An item on the evening news grabs ahold of my heart. I wonder if I’m nurturing the relationships I have well enough or am I allowing them to drift. Am I really living out my days or just surviving my days? Thinking about my poor, unappreciative attitude just adds to the list of stresses. I am weak. I stumble. I fail.

Sometimes… days are just like that. Sometimes I can pull myself up by my bootstraps and get back onto a good track. Sometimes… it just takes too much effort. And I do nothing. Even on a sunny day. Even when love is poured out on me. Even when everything in me says I have reason to brighten up and good grief, girl, be grateful.

Some days I have the blues. But I’m thinking there may be value, in God’s eyes, to see me so upset about other people’s condition, or about maintaining relationships. Or concern about how I live out my days. Those are valuable things to God. And worthy of time to grieve and mourn and be saddened by the thought of the pain involved.  Maybe these days are creating in me empathy and compassion. And a special kind of prayer. Could that be a higher calling than some of the stuff we pick out?

But life continually changes. A brighter spirit does come. On a different day, the sun and the sky do speak to me and lift me up. A hug and a kind word do spur me on. I don’t always fail at recognizing God’s goodness.

God can use the blues. God does use the blues – to focus our thoughts and prayers on some pain that needs prayer… pain that we would rather resist / fight against experiencing.

There are days when I am thankful. Thankful there may be God’s goodness hidden in the blues.

John 11:4 When he heard this, Jesus said, “This sickness will not end in death. No, it is for God’s glory so that God’s Son may be glorified through it.”

My Happy Place

Like all the other spring breakers, I’d love to run away to the sandy shores. Or to an amazing amusement park. Play. Be a kid again. Fun. Escape all the dramas of this life. But we all know, too quickly, spring break comes to an end. And it’s back to the ups and downs of routine living.

Unless… you pack your brain with all sorts of spring break memories. Bring back to mind the sand and the sea, the sights and sounds, the food and drink and laughter and smiles. Just thinking about them can transport you back to a more peaceful place and time. It’s a stress-freeing, relaxation technique used by many. What’s it called? Your happy place!

Jesus often left the routine of being with the crowds and teaching and healing (Mark 1:35; Luke 5:16; Luke 6:12; Matt. 26:36). He headed off the mountain or some other quiet place. Most say it was to pray. He spent time with the Father. Sometimes He spent all night there. Seems like a long time when we sometimes have trouble sitting in prayer for five minutes without distraction and wandering thoughts. Maybe that was a happy place for Him – in His prayer closet so to speak.

Jesus had great big purpose. Not everyone does though. Some of us are ignoble (2 Tim. 2:20). Some of us are the least of these. Some of us are the last (Matt. 19:30). Oh, we think we are here to have great big purpose. This world teaches us that success and prosperity and position are of greatest value – makes our lives valuable. But that’s not what the Bible teaches. Some of us were born to do small things, more common, not as stupendous things, that are of great value in the eyes of God.

Where am I going with all this? Just as Jew and Gentile, slave and free are all the same to God (Gal. 3:28), small acts and great acts are all the same to God. He doesn’t measure like we measure. Where you are spiritually is most important. David was chosen not by his good looks and stature, but because God saw his heart (1 Sam. 16:7).

God called Jesus to come and rest with Him on several occasions. Come, you are weary. I will give you rest. While away the hours with Me in your happy place. There are no demands of you here. It is safe to give up the battle in My presence. Let’s just let everything shut down. All the worries and concerns and to-do lists, all the where you are’s and where you should be’s. There is no agenda in the happy place. And there is no time limit at the foot of God’s throne. Stay as long as necessary. It’s okay. It’s okay. Only the world would put a limit on such a thing. But God knows when you need rest. God knows when you need escape. Is He calling you now?

Mark 1:35  Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed.

Luke 5:16  But Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed.

Luke 6:12  One of those days Jesus went out to a mountainside to pray, and spent the night praying to God.

Matt. 26:36  Then Jesus went with his disciples to a place called Gethsemane, and he said to them, “Sit here while I go over there and pray.”

2 Tim. 2:20  In a large house there are articles not only of gold and silver, but also of wood and clay; some are for special purposes and some for common use.

Matt. 19:30 But many who [now] are first will be last [then], and many who [now] are last will be first [then].

Gal. 3:28 We are no longer Jews or Greeks or slaves or free men or even merely men or women, but we are all the same—we are Christians; we are one in Christ Jesus.

1 Sam. 16:7  But the Lord said to Samuel, “Don’t judge by a man’s face or height, for this is not the one. I don’t make decisions the way you do! Men judge by outward appearance, but I look at a man’s thoughts and intentions.”

Do not despair (lose heart)

Perplexed, but not in despair. (2 Corin. 4:8)

Perplexed : puzzled, at a loss, confused; mystified, baffled, bewildered

Despair: misery, hopelessness, anguish, gloom, lose heart

Studying these two words, you think one may be just an extreme case of the other. Perplexed appears to mean some level of distress but there is still time for something right to happen. Where despair, well, now all options appear to have been exhausted and there is no good resolution in sight.

I stumbled across this verse shortly after reading about Jesus walking on the water. A fabulous rescue, wouldn’t you say? He’s been out healing people left and right. He just fed 5,000. His friends were out in a boat on the stormy sea – and Jesus came right to them walking on the water. But you need to read those verses a little closer. Because what I realized and found out, was that several hours past between the guys in the boat in the storm – and when Jesus came across on the waters. These two events are only  three verses apart. Yet the disciples were told to get in the boat early evening (6:00pm) (see Matt. 14:22) and Jesus came to them during the fourth watch (3:00 – 6:00am) (see Matt. 14:25). Which means they were fighting the storm for nine, ten or more hours on their own. Where was Jesus? Hours went by. Surely He knew… They must have questioned… wondered… Did they panic under these circumstances? Were they simply perplexed (baffled, mystified, bewildered) or did they lose heart (despair) that Jesus would not ever come?

Can you imagine the anxiety level? Even when He does come, the Bible says they are terrified. It’s only when He steps into the boat with them that everything calms down and they worship Him saying, “Truly you are the Son of God.”

Are you at a place in life where you are waffling between perplexed and despair? Are you closing in on terrified? Do not live without hope. Jesus will come. He will get right into the boat with you. Take heart! He says. I overcome anything this world dishes out (John 16:33). You too, can know, as the disciples did, that – “Truly you are the Son of God!”

My Troubled Life

God has a reason for every little thing that comes along in life. You can not truly expect all of life to be rosy and smooth sailing. It is unrealistic to expect every day to be easygoing and super wonderful. That is not biblical.

In this world you will have troubles (John 16:33)

 It is a truth as strong as your favorite verses. Do not set yourself up for disappointment with high expectations of everything being happy and comfortable all the time. Life isn’t all about you and your wants. No matter how good, beneficial you feel your wants are – there is a highest good known only to God. Everyone, everyone – you, your kids, your friends – will ebb and flow into hard times. And God has His perfect reasons why that is so. God has His reasons. No one escapes a life of some troubles.  Everyone goes through some troubling times. So do not fret and worry as though everything is spinning out of control. God, God of the universe, is still in charge. Still using every circumstance for a greater good. Possibly a greater good that reaches beyond your own self. Jesus, God’s Son, was beaten, bled, suffered for hours and died – for a greater good. Have you been called upon to suffer for a time? Could it be that you are taking part in one of God’s great kingdom-size plans? Can you trust God with this pain enough to believe in His plan and will for an unimaginable outcome? Always remember God has a kingdom plan in motion to save the world and that you have a purpose being here to be a part of that. There is God purpose. God outcome coming. Stand firm in His mighty power. Stand firm.

In this world you will have troubles…. is followed with even more truth: Take heart! I have overcome the world! (Jn. 16:33)

There is a rhyme and reason to all aspects of life. All your days were written before even one of them came to be. (Ps. 139.16) There is a sovereign God Who has already watched over every moment. All of it is a step forward towards His ultimate divine, supreme plan. You, my friend, are divinely called to be a part of it. And He can be trusted because He is a God of order and peace. (1 Corin. 14:33)

One more thought: there’s another famous verse we’re all familiar with –

“As for me and my household, we will serve the Lord.” But the line before it says, “if serving the Lord seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve; whether the gods your forefathers, served beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you are living. “ (Josh. 24:15) Food for thought when you find it difficult to follow Him through challenging times. Who (or what) is safer to follow (and trust) than He?

The Mindful Heart

Your Heart. It’s mentioned hundreds of times in the Bible. Your heart. The “why” you do the things you do. Why, really, deep down inside. Attitude.

We’ve heard it, we’ve read it a thousand times: Love the Lord your God with all your heart… it, too, is mentioned several times in both the Old and New Testaments. How do we love God like that? Well, how do we love anybody like that? By doing things that please them. By doing them genuinely and generously. Going the extra mile without complaint. Going a little over the top to bring blessing.

One command. A command of love. God and neighbor. One command – seems like we should be able to handle – one command. But God, in His great mercy and grace understands perfectly that we live out this one call imperfectly. Yet we don’t have to give up… but know, deep down inside what it is supposed to look like lived out. And we are to desire to strive to pour more and more love, acceptance and forgiveness into the world around us. More and then a little more. No set amount before you. Just keep watch. Be mindful. You’ll see – opportunities arise.

One more hug. One more smile. One more hand-holding… a sharing of biblical truth… a note… a phone call… a text… an invitation… a happy song… a funny joke… a quick little dance… a prayer… a meal… a helping hand… a listening ear… companionable silence… joyous celebration… a tissue for tears… In making your presence known, you are making His presence known as well… that infamous cup of water.

Moments to give just pop up. Choose to respond. Choose to show God’s character/attitude/heart to others. Choose to love God and neighbor. More. And then a little more today. From the heart. From your heart which God gave you and where His Spirit surely dwells.

Exchanging Anxieties for Peace

Do not be anxious about anything…

Yeah, we’ve all heard those words before. Do not be anxious. Totally impossible, right? God, do you have any idea the kind of day I’ve had? A litany of struggles and challenges and unanswered questions come to mind, right?

Do not be anxious about anything…

 (without Me)…

 in every situation,… by prayer… present your requests to God. – Phil. 4:6

Oh. You see, it is not God’s plan that you go through life feeling alone. In sorrows and in joys, God wants to be there for you. He doesn’t want you handling everything on your own. You were created to be with God. It is a lie that God only wants to see you and hear from you when you are full of praise and thanksgiving.  It is His desire to have you share everything with Him. Isn’t that what this verse, His Word, says? In every situation, go talk to God. And His Word comes with a promise:

 And the peace of God which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. (v.7)

The Living Bible translates it like this:

 If you do this, you will experience God’s peace, which is far more wonderful than the human mind can understand. His peace will keep your thoughts and your hearts quiet and at rest as you trust in Christ Jesus.

I can’t explain how that happens. I can just testify that it does happen. I pray about some stressful concern and it’s like a poison oozes out and God fills that space up with some kind of assurance that it’s going to somehow work out. He’s powerful like that. Not even my most humongous, overwhelming fear stops Him from reaching me with some kind of comforting word. Sometimes it’s a piece of a scripture verse that I somehow recall. Sometimes it’s a line of a song being played in the background. Sometimes a thought expressed in a devotional or a book I am reading. But He reaches me. He knows how to calm me down and grant me rest. It’s amazing to me that He can do that without even changing my circumstances. He expands my trust in Him. And by His mercy and grace, if I get anxious again, I can go talk to Him again. And He will calm me down again. Even if it’s about the same thing. God is like that. Ready for you to rest in Him. Every time you turn to Him, you can receive. Trade your anxious thoughts for His peace right now.

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. – Phil. 4:6-7 (THE MSG)

The Unending Trial

So many on my prayer list are suffering with physical pain. Prayers for miraculous healing. Prayers to see them through to the other side. For some, relief comes in a day. For others getting better takes longer. And for still others, they seem to live in some kind of pain day after day without any relief in sight. It takes the wind out of their sails. If they don’t go through the “normal” routines of life:  (to work, to a family meal and then some TV or off to a child’s school event - before bed) … they must wonder, “Who am I now?” What if getting through it doesn’t mean healing the way I define it? But something else…

When you live a “normal” life of work and family, many of us squeeze in a 5-minute devotional into the schedule. Then it’s on to what has to be done. Their purpose in life. But when your life is filled with some kind of pain, all you can think about is pain. Your prayers are all tears. And frustration. Questions.

That’s when you need to go deeper than most, to know God in a bigger way. You need to turn up the worship music because you can’t find the words to praise Him on your own. You need to meditate on scripture and say over and over the words of promise that you hang all hope upon. And you write down every praying thought and phrase and scream and cry and question and fear… until you have exhausted the topic altogether and you can think of nothing more to pray. Because once you are freed from all that, you can hear God and sense His tender touch.  Today’s agenda - get deep into God like no one else.  Just abide in Him and with Him… at a level no one else will discover while in their busy little “normal” world.

James 4:8

And when you draw close to God, God will draw close to you…

Deut. 4:29

But if from there you seek the Lord your God, you will find him if you seek him with all your heart and with all your soul.

God will show up for you. May He grant respite as you spend time with Him. May He grant some kind of peace and acceptance in your new normal. May you be blessed with indescribable courage and strength while you feel weak. May you sense His power and realize it is sufficient for the day. Will you abide at His request? Comfort and rest are waiting for you there…