Make No Excuses

I’ve often thought why am I writing a blog. I seem to put my thoughts down. I hope some of these writings will encourage or even help someone. The time is drawing near, the world is getting messier and messier these days. And we will be out from under the Almighty God’s cover of protection at some point. While people don’t seem to understand or even care. I’m sure that with time, they will.

You were made for such a time as this. But the fact is people need to stop making excuses and get to work for God, before it’s to late.

The following is written with the context of the book of Jeremiah in mind.

Make No Excuses

God may assign you a demanding task, but His call keeps us going when we don’t want to go and are ready to quit,

We are skillful at the art of making excuses, aren’t we? “I don’t know how.” “I didn’t understand.” “I couldn’t find the right tools.” “The voices told me to clean all the guns today.” “I threw out my back exercising today.” “I have a Doctors appointment.” “There’s been a death in the family.” Or maybe “When I got up this morning I accidentally took two Ex-lax in addition to my blood pressure pill. I can’t get off the john, but I feel good about it.

In the Christian world, we can find all sorts of excuses not to obey God’s voice. It’s the preacher’s job. “It’s not my gift.” I’ve already served, let someone else do it.” “I’m too busy or too tired or too old or too young.”

It’s been said. “Excuses are tools of the incompetent, and those who specialize in then seldom go far.” Ben Franklin wrote, “He that is good for making excuses is seldom good for anything else.”

Jeremiah had every excuse ready when God called him to be a prophet. His excuses are often our excuses for not heeding God’s voice when He calls. Countering each excuse was a promise from God.

1. The excuse: The Task Is Demanding

Jeremiah was called to be “a prophet to the nations” (Jeremiah 1:5), not a priest like his father and grandfather. A prophet was a chosen authorized spokesperson for God who deflated God’s word to the people. We often think of prophets as people who can tell the future. But a prophet speaks messages to the present that had future ramifications. They were forthtellers more than they were foretellers, exposing the people’s sins and calling them back to their covenant responsibilities before God.

Being a prophet was more demanding than serving as a priest. The priests duties were predictable. Everything was written down in the law. The prophet never knew from one day to the next what the Lord would call him to say or do. The priest worked primarily to preserve the past. The prophet labored to change the present so the nation would have a future. Priests dealt with external – rituals, sacrifices, offerings, services – whereas the prophet tried to reach and change hearts. Priests ministered primarily to individuals with various needs. Prophets on the other hand, addressed whole nations, and usually the people they addressed didn’t want to hear the message. Priests belonged to a special tribe and therefore had authority and respect, but a prophet could come from any tribe and had to prove his divine call. Priests were supported from the sacrifices and offerings of the people, but prophets had no guaranteed income.

Jesus, too, was called to be a prophet. He traveled from place to place challenging the people to change so that their future in heaven would be guaranteed. Jesus spoke to the hearts of people. Most did not accept his message of repentance, because they didn’t want to change.

The Promise

God may assign you a demanding task, but his call keeps us going when we don’t want to go and are ready to quit. We have the promise of God’s purpose. “ I chose you before I formed you in the womb; I set you apart before you were born” (Jeremiah 1:5). The verb know has much more meaning than simply being aware of. It carries the idea of recognition of the worth and purpose of him who is known. God knew Jeremiah, chose Jeremiah, and appointed Jeremiah. He was known by name, hand-picked by God, and commissioned to serve. Those acts give one great sense of purpose. The promise of God’s purpose allows us to let go of our own plans and receive God’s plan without fear. Like Jeremiah and Jesus, we need to accept that our future is not our own. We are God’s. He has a distinct plan and purpose for our lives.

2.The Excuse: My Talent Is Inadequate

“But, I protested, Oh no, Lord, God! Look, I don’t know how to speak since I am only a youth” (Jeremiah 1:6). Jeremiah felt inadequate as a public speaker. By the way, this excuse was also shared by Moses (Exodus 4:10).

Yep first time my pastor asked me to speak in front of the church. I answered him with an abrupt No. I was terrified he even had asked me, he knew my life story, what I had endured in my childhood. I told God, “how could he ask such a thing? There was no way, I could even imagine doing such a thing, I barely spoke to the people who were in regular contects. How could I stand up in front that many people and talk? He had asked me on a Sunday after church, and 3 days later a phoned him and told him, I would. After I prayed for 3 days about it, I knew I needed to get out of the boat and walk on water you might say. It was time to take that step.

God has a way to overcome weaknesses and our inefficiencies. I have learned over the years, however, that the person most aware of their own inadequacy is usually the person most dependant on God’s all-sufficiency. My inadequacy has caused me to rely upon God. His strength is made perfect in my weakness. His glory is manifested through my flaws.

The Promise

Our talent may seem inadequate, but God always equips those he calls. We have the promise of God’s provision. “Then the Lord reached out His hand, touched my mouth, and told me:: I have now filled your mouth with my words” (Jeremiah 1:9). The touch was not so much to purify as it was to inspire and empower. It was symbolic of the gift of prophecy bestowed on Jeremiah.”

Jesus experienced this touch in a visible, yet profound way. Following His baptism, immediately coming out of the water, the heavens opened and the Spirit of God descended on Him like a dove. And God spoke, “This is my beloved Son, I take delight in Him (Matthew 3:17).

God blesses not the silver-tongued orator, but the one whose tongue has been touched with coals from the alter. God uses not the most gifted and talented person, but the one touched by the hand of God. God uses the most unlikely persons to shake a church or a community or a nation. Never underestimate the power of the touch; especially when God does the touching.

3. The Excuse: The Times Not Right

Jeremiah said. God, “I am only a youth” (Jeremiah 1:6). The World youth – unfortunately, rendered child in some versions of the Bible – ordinarily denotes a young, unmarried man in his teens or early 20’s. His reply is not so much revealing his age as much as a deep sense of immaturity. He felt inferior, inexperienced, and intimidated by the size of the task to which God was summoning him.

The Promise

God’s call may come at an inopportune time, but He never sends forth His servant alone. We have the promise of God’s presence, “Then the Lord said to me: Do not say. “I am only a youth, for you will go to everyone I send you to and speak whatever I tell you. Do not be afraid of anyone, for I will be with you to deliver you. This is the Lord’s declaration “ (Jeremiah 1:7-8).

Note the condition to this promise. Before Jeremiah could experience God’s presence he had to go where God sent him, speak what God told him, and reject fear. Someone once said that when God calls us to a task, he does not give us a road map to follow and then leaves us to our resources. God walks with us. His presence gives us the strength to stand in the face of every assault.

Jesus felt that same presence. He and the Father we’re one. He could go on because God walked with Him.

What a difference it makes knowing that when we are being sent, someone is going with us. We know we do not have to walk the lonesome road alone, that we always have a traveling companion.

4. The Excuse: The Teaching Is Dangerous

The Lord did not give Jeremiah a joyful message of deliverance to announce, but a tragic message of judgment. Consequently, Jeremiah would be misunderstood, persecuted, arrested, and imprisoned. More than once his life was threatened. The people did not wan to hear the truth. Jeremiah told them plainly they were disobeying the law and destined for judgment.

God used the image of a boiling pot to communicate His coming wrath. “Again the word of the Lord came to me inquiring, what do you see? And I replied, I see a boiling pot, it’s lip tilted from the north to the south (Jeremiah 1:13). Jewish homes would have a fairly large wide-mouthed washing or cooking pot. The unusual thing about the pot Jeremiah saw was that it was not level. It was tilted away from the north. This pot could at ant moment spew it’s boiling content towards the south, scalding the people of Judah. The pot represented the nation of Babylon that would invade and conquer Isreal. The reason for the judgment was Isreal’s Idolatry and rebellion against God’s righteous will.

Jesus’ teaching contained mercy and judgment, grace and punishment. Jesus’ teachings were dangerous, too. In fact, it was his teachings that cost Him His life.

The Promise

What God says through us may be dangerous, but God gives us the strength to endure. We have the promise of God’s prevailing. “Today I am the One who had made you a fortified city an iron killer, and bronze walls against the whole land – against the kings of Judah , it’s officials, it’s priests, and the population. They will fight against you but never prevail over you, since I am with you to rescue you” (Jeremiah 1:18-19).

Notice the architectural terms: a fortified city, an iron pillar, and bronze walls. They are solid and unshakable like the God who conceived them, and the prophet whom they would come to characterize. God reassured Jeremiah: Attack you they will; overcome you they can’t.

The person who stands with God will prevail. Someone once said: “One with God is a majority.” Aline we are helpless. With God we prevail.

5. The Excuse: Do I Have To Go Now?

God was expecting immediate action from Jeremiah. God said, “Now. get ready. Stand up and tell them everything I con and you” (Jeremiah 1:17). In Jeremiah’s day the men had to tie their loose robes together with a belt in order to run or to work. Jeremiahwasin for a struggle. He had a fight on his hands. So the phrase “dress yourself for work” or “grid up your loins” was a metaphor that meant “Get ready for action!” Today we would say, “ Roll up your sleeves!”

God called Jeremiah to act. He was called to move out among people. He was called to deliver an offensive message. He would not be welcomed, nor would he be excepted. He would anger his hearers.

The Promise

God expects obedience, immediately, if we don’t, we are in danger of God’s wrath. We have the promise of God’s power. “Do not be intimidated by them or I will call you you cower before them“ (Jeremiah 1:17). Immediate obedience is the only appropriate response when God calls.

Jesus obeyed. Whatever you think of Jesus remember this, His heart was a willing and obedient heart. He always did what His Father directed. There was no hesitation, no questioning, no circumventing. Only immediate action.

We have become so lax in obedience to God in our world day. It’s no wonder our world is in such shambles. We all need to ask God for forgiveness and start being who we are meant to be. Who God wants us to be.

Has God called you? Then He will fulfilled His purpose in you. He will equip you, He will enable you, He will protect you, He will accompany you. Are you obeying His commands? Then He is with you to protect you. Are you sharing the word? Then He will accomplish His purpose no matter how the people respond.

I urge to read or re-read The book of Jeremiah in the Bible.

God Bless You

Signs Of The Times – What To Watch For

Wars, Violence, Lawlessness

Watch for wars – big wars, little wars, ethnic wars, wars of all sorts, a,one with escalating violence and increasing lawlessness- with increasingly affect all over the world, Especially English speaking nations (Matthew 24:6-7).

Drought And Famine

Lack of rain and lack of food – will stalk the earth on a massive scale never seen before. Yes, these things will become much much worse.

When there is drought you also have wildfires. After the fires have burned the brush, there is always the danger of flooding when it resumes raining because there is no vegetation. These catastrophes of drought, famine, fire, flooding naturally tend to go together (Matthew 24:7).

Earthquakes And Other Natural Catastrophes

God prophesies that earthquakes and other natural catastrophes will increase as we approach the end of this age ( Mark 13:8; Matthew 27:7).

Disease Epidemics

A plague of disease epidemic and pandemic is beginning to worry public health officials all around the world. And many old scourges of humanity (Malaria and tuberculosis to name two) are re-emerging as super, drug resistant diseases that ignore medicine which was formerly used to combat them. ( Revelation 6:8). Some of the worse plagues of humanity have been animal borne. Diseases will become much worse. (Deuteronomy 28:15, 22, 27-28).

The Rise Of An Aggressive Fundamentalist Islamic Power

In the time of the end, the Bible predicts that there will arise, in North Africa or the Middle East, a charismatic personality who will be able to unify, harness, and lead a powerful block of nations in which Egypt will have a key role. (Daniel 11:31-40; 42-43).

An Ascendant European Union Seeks Global Primacy

Watch Europe! Revelation 13 describes the revival of a great military power. The symbolic language that Apostle John used about a fantastic beast rising up out of the sea, having seven heads and ten horns depicts a recurring, evil political system which has greatly oppressed and heavily influenced the people in Western civilization, and through them, the entire world. (Revelation 13:7; 17:12-14; Revelation 18:3; Daniel 11;36).

A Powerful Religious Figure Leads A Religious Revival

One of the definite signs of the end times, which will herald the close of this present evil age, is a arrival on the scene of a great false religious leader (Revelation 19:19-21). This religious leader will possess great charisma and will receive a very powerful influence over a political power. ( Revelation 13, 17, 19) He will be the long-prophesied, influential head of a great militant church in Europe. It will have an enormous effect on the future of nations of the Western world. A great religiopolitical trading system (Revelation 18:3).

A Great False Religious Leader

He will rise up very soon now. He will deceive many people. Hundreds of millions of people will be deceived. That is exactly what will occur before Christ’s coming (2 Thessalonians 2:1) This man will have supernatural power to deceive. He will have the ability to perform great miracles such as causing fire to come down out of the sky (Revelation 13:13; Matthew 24:4; Acts 8:9-11).

If you know God’s word and obey it you will not be one of those many millions who will be deceived by the soon-coming great “false prophet.”

The Gospel Of The Kingdom Of God Preached To All Nations

This is not the time when God is trying to convert everyone, as many ministers, who are trying to save the world right now would have you believe. God is not going around like a lonely hound dog wagging his tail and hoping someone will pay attention to him. Through his sins, man has cut himself off from God ( Isaiah 59:1-2). Jesus said, “No one can come to Me unless the Father who sent Me draws him, and I will raise him up at the last day (John 6:44).

Faith Again Becomes A Matter Of Life Or Death

Persecution of the Christians (Revelations 12:17; 14:12). Jesus said, “Then they will deliver you up to kill you” (Matthew 24:9). He is speaking to His people, His genuine disciples. The Apostle John gave the church and anyone who reads the Bible a test that can be used to determine who is a bona side Christian and who only masquerades as one. “Now by this, we know them Him, if we keep His commandments He who says, I know Him and does not keep His commandments is a liar, and the truth is not in him ( 1 John 2:3-4). It is these commandments keeping Christians who will be persecuted (Matthew 25:9)

A Crisis Strikes a Jerusalem

Watch! The modern nation of “Isreal,” populated by the descendants of the biblical tribe of Judah (plus significant remnants of Levi and Benjamin ) will suffer military loses with part of its territory occupied by enemies just before the Second Coming of Christ (Zechariah 14;1-2).

“For behold, in those days and at that time, when I bring back the captives of Judah and Jerusalem. I will gather all nations and bring them down to the Valley of Jehoshaphat, and I will enter into my judgment with them there on the account of My people. My heritage Isreal, whom they have scattered among the nations; they have also divided up my land. (Joel 3:1-3).

The Abomination Of Desolation

When the city of Jerusalem is attacked and conquered, the foreign occupying power will begin what the Bible called the “Abomination of Desolation (Matthew 24:15-20).

A prophecy foretells that Jerusalem is again to be surrounded by armies and an idol will be set up in the Holy Place (Zechariah 12:2). Jesus warns those who are faithful to escape quickly when this desecration takes place.

The Great Tribulation -The Collapse Of The English-Speaking Nations

Before the glorious Second Coming of Christ to establish His Kingdom, watch for the decline and eventual conquest of the English -Speaking nations by their enemies – The great tribulation.

The Bible reveals that the worst, most indescribably terrifying time in the entire history of this planet is soon to occur. (Jeremiah 30:7). It will be such an awful time that the destruction and genocide of World War 2 will seem like a picnic in comparison.

The Pivotal Old Testament Prophecy

The pivotal scripture of understanding the end time prophecy is found in the Old Testament, in Leviticus 26. When we rightly understand our national identity this prophetic chapter takes on new, urgent meaning.

In Leviticus 26 and Deuteronomy 28 are powerful prophetic warning for us today, because God does not change. God promised that if we obey Him, He would set us ‘High above all nations of the earth” (Deuteronomy 28:1). However, if we do not obey His commandments. “ Cursed shall be in the city” (Deuteronomy 28:16). Are we cursed in our cities? Think about it. Millions of Americans are afraid to go out of their own homes. Elderly people and others all over this land are afraid to venture out at night in this “land of the free, and of the brave.” We are locked in our homes like prisoners,! No, we are not blessed in our towns and cities anymore.

Out disobedience will bring curses in our food supply, causes In sexual relations and curses in whatever policies or programs that we nationally attempt because we have turned way from our Great God.

When You Just Don’t Care

Have you caught yourself thinking “I don’t care” lately? It can be important to notice and acknowledge this. While ‘I don’t care” May feel true in the moment, it also is likely to be a signal that something is not right. It may be calling your attention to what needs adjusting or changing in your life.

The phrase “I don’t care” when thought or said at home or work (or both) is a hint that something is out of balance or not working for you. It’s usually about a relationship, situation, or context in which you normally would, or maybe should actually care. But you may be too stressed, overwhelmed, or even burned out, to feel like you care in that momy.

When the words “I don’t care” shows up frequently in your thoughts or in your speech, it can be a strong indication you are overwhelmed, exasperated, depressed, or burned out. Listening to yourself to know what’s behind it can help you get clearer, and also get more choice or control over feeling better.

How do you tell the difference? Here a few things I do to help:

1. Begin by checking on your emotional energy that’s behind the “I don’t care” phrase, when you think it or say it to others. “I don’t care” almost always has more information to it than just those words at face value. Noticing what else is there in your body and feelings can give you more information. Our sensations and emotions are there to give us more information about what’s going on for us, and what we want and need. We need to become more in tune with them. They can point to the next steps for more balance, control, and happiness.

For example, if “I don’t care” comes up for you when demands are being put on you again, this could reflect the overwhelm or stress we have. You may notice more exasperated, frustrated, or angry underneath the “I don’t care.” That’s information. When we are pulled in to many directions, with tasks, especially for others, over time this can lead to self-distancing of the “I don’t care” phrase. It can be a signal that it’s time to speak up, set some new boundaries, and to choose you more often – or all of the above.

In that case, “I don’t care” is more a sign of too much negative stress. If the situation has been going on over a long period of time, burnout can frep in as well.

2. On the other hand, “I don’t care” and you check on what else in within “I don’t care” and you find more of a helpless, discouraged energy to it, that’s a different emotional end of the spectrum. In that case, the information you emotions are giving you may be more about your experiencing depletion, discouragement, or burnout. For many places, “I don’t care” then translates into “I just can’t do it anymore,” or “I can’t keep trying here any more – or for some people, even being able to imagine doing anything about it. By that point the burnout may be more serious, and it would be important to pay attention and maybe seek professional support.

I’m usually the type of person that gets burnt out and tends to just say “I done, I can’t do this anymore” and walk away from the entire situation. And then figure things out later when it can be to late.

But, it important to know and remember that there are always options internally even with challenging outer circumstances. And with burnout, paying attention to the internal options can help give you energy and clarity to make decisions about the external situation.

When burnout is an issue, it can help to pay additional attention to the internal options first to help give you the energy and clarity to make decisions before you at “that’s it I’m done “ situation. It can save you a lot of hurt in any situation (I’ve learned).

  • If you check inward and notice discouragement in your occasional thought or statement of “I don’t care,’ stick with it a little further to identify what’s bothering you about the situation or the person more specifically. Where do you have power, choice or control in the situation, even if it initially feels like you don’t? What would need to change in the situation for you to feel your control and capacity again? These questions can give you a place to start to generate options and know your own truth more clearly.
  • “I don’t care” can also have irritability to it, or sarcasm, or more direct underlying anger. This can be present in high stress situations that have gotten more chronic, and also when long-term stress is developing into burnout,
  • If you notice “ I don’t care” is in your thoughts and speech many times a day along with feeling depleted hopeless energy, or with an irritability or angry feeling to it, that may indicate depression, burnout, or both.

These days “I’m depressed” can either mean your having difficulty getting out of bed in the morning for days or weeks at a time (clinical depression) or I’m actually not getting out of bed some days when there are things to do and responsibilities waiting. Clinical depression can include changes in weight, appetite or both. It can include changes in mood over a period of two weeks or more. If this is happening please get help.

“I don’t care” can also reflect burnout. Burnout can be different than clinical depression, in which the feelings and mood can be discouraged or “down“ during burnout, or irritable and angrier than usual, without meeting the criteria for a clinical diagnosis of depression.

But feeling discouraged, down or more negative and tired than usual does not have to fit the criteria for clinical depression to be serious.

By definition, burnout includes physical exhaustion as well as metal and emotional exhaustion. “I don’t care” in this case can be more of a indication of depletion, of needing rest and renewal on more that just the physical levels. It can be a signal of feeling so spent that you’ve given all you can give, so your disconnecting. I’m saying “I don’t care” to not feel even more demands on me to keep doing more and giving more, when I feel like I have nothing more to give. I may be distancing myself with irritability because I’m just spent and frustrated.

I urge you not not wait until you reach the “ I don’t care, I’m done phase. Check in with yourself to see what kind of energy underlies the “I don’t care” that you catch yourself thinking or saying out loud, you get more information about your experience. Knowing whether you’re “stressed out” or heading more toward “burn out” can help you understand your specific experience better. It can help you listen inward more skillfully, then be able to take the most appropriate steps to get back on track and recover physically, mentally, and emotionally.

We all need to learn to transform stress into success from the inside out,

Keeping The Faith

We cannot store faith, we cannot hoard faith, the only way to keep the faith is to use it. The word of God says, faith comes from what is heard, and what is heard comes through the message about Christ. So, believing comes by hearing and hearing from the Word of God.

Ways To Keep The Faith

Remember that God is in control

Even in our worst circumstances, know that God has a plan and purpose for every situation: “The steps of a man are ordered by God and He delights in his way. Though he falls, he will not be overwhelmed, for the Lord is holding his hand” (Psalm 37:23-24). No matter how bleak things look, God is working out your situation for his glory. Sometimes our path is smooth and flat; other times, our path is so rocky we find ourselves stumbling aimlessly and falling frequently. Yet, God knows where those steps are going to lead, but we must trust Him with our life’s direction. Don’t meander off the path, but place one foot in front of the other. Soon, your path will straighten and you will understand the purpose of that rocky path and also the promised land toy were meant to find.

Practice Contentment

Easier said that done, right? How could I practice being content in a situation where I feel like I’ve lost everything? No one undue to having anything better that the Apostle Paul: “I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want” (Philippians 4:12). Many quote the verse, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me,” (Philippians 4:13) without understanding the context.

What it really means to be strength through Christ. This verse doesn’t mean we can try out for a professional football team or be the president of a Fortune 500 company simply because you want it. As Paul stated, he practiced contentment both in times when he was in need and in want. He received the Lords strength in order to do it

Be the Prodigal Child

I know that sounds odd, but consider the account. Two sons, one asks his dad for his inheritance early, Dad is obedient and gives His inheritance to both sons. One goes off and squanders his, the other remains on the family field, slaving away trying to earn that reward. The oldest brother grumbles and wants nothing to do with his brother. The prodigal son comes to his senses and with a heart of humility and repentance comes to his father, knowing he doesn’t deserve his fathers love and forgiveness. In a situation where all was lost, the prodigal son knew he didn’t deserve a blessing, but the older brother expected it. Come to the Lord not with expectation, but with humility and patience. Practice Joy in your circumstances, even when the seem bleak. If you do, God may bless you in ways you can only imagine and definitely don’t deserve.

Pray with shameless audacity

In Luke 11, there is a parable about a pEason that goes knocking on a friends door in the middle of the night for some bread. The friend tells him to go away because it’s night time. The parable ends with this: “I tell you, even though he will not getup and give you the bread because of friendship, yet because of your shameless audacity he will surely get up and give you as much as you need,” God hears our prayers, but sometimes we have to wait for his perfect timing to hear the answer, however, there are times when we choose not to give up and keep knocking to ask God for what we want or need. God honors those that have a faith so reckless that are willing to pound on God’s door if necessary to get an answer. Have enough shameless audacity to ask God for an answer. At best, you’ll get an answer. At worst, you’ll use the time in which you are waiting to productively ask God for what you want.

Ask for help

It can be difficult to keep the faith when circumstances are lass than favorable, but what if God uses our pain in life to help encourage others? Consider those with which you regularly attend church or someone you know, who is also a believer, that may have gone through trials and tribulations as well. How did they cope? Do they have any tips or advice on how to weather this storm in your life?

Even if your friends don’t have any specific tips, you could always use the same extra prayers. The more people knocking on God’s door, the better.

Serve the Lord

There’s something about serving others that allows you to shift your focus from yourself to them. Not sure where or how to start serving! Ask your pastor where you might be able to use your gifts in service to both your local church body and the Lord. This will replace your sadness with joy, anxiety with peace, and restlessness with contentment. If you are keeping yourself busy with service, you won’t have time to focus on your circumstances. You could also serve in your community. I am a Chaplin for a local veteran organization.

If your not sure what your gifts are? Don’t worry so much about whether your service fits with your “gifts” or “calling.” Consider that God raised you up for such a time for whatever need is before you. Whatever you do, do it with a cheerful humble spirit.

Keep Quiet

For me, when I’m feeling bad, I try to self-medicate with eating or shopping, but, scripture is clear: “Do everything without complaining and arguing, so that no one can criticize you. Live clean, innocent lives as children of God, shining like bright lights in a world full of crooked and perverse people” (Philippians 2:14-16). Don’t give in to the temporary pleasure of complaining to someone so you can feel better about your situation. Instead, journal and go to God with your anger and fears. He can handle it. Keeping God at the center will help your light shine brightly in the sky as you light a darkened world.

Keeping Your Faith Is Possible In The Hardest Moments Of Life

I don’t know what you are going through, but I do know it is not impossible to keep your faith intact. Although it is tough, God has equipped each one of us to handle our situations. By utilizing these tools and leaning on the body of Christ, you can navigate the stormy seas of life with peace and contentment rather than anger and anxiety.