I have to be honest, I really needed this verse today. It is so easy to get caught up in the world and the busy-ness of life. The grind, the everyday actions that don’t feel like a struggle until you take 5 minutes for yourself to sit down and do nothing. The real battle is in my own head, do you have the same issue? I need to…….I didn’t……..If that doesn’t get done…….. these are the beginning statements of the many thoughts I have throughout the day, and it causes me to feel like a hamster on a wheel.
In this verse today a few words really hit my core. One of them is Helper. What does a Helper do? HELP!! For someone who is always trying to do everything, fix everything, be there for everyone, and not drop all the balls that are juggling in the air the best gift ever is a HELPER! This Helper that Jesus is talking about is one that is focused on the innermost parts of you and your spirit. “He” is the Holy Spirit. The parts of you that are hidden, broken, tired, challenged, distracted…. those are the parts that this Helper wants to assist. Taking time to really let Him in, praying that He find the source of trouble in your heart and mind, can get you focused. It lets you give the burden to Him, and ultimately to God through Jesus Christ.
What if you’re not really burdened, you’re just busy?
It’s ok to be busy right? If you’re a doer, most likely you have a hand in many projects and passionately invest yourself in your life. That includes signing up for whatever is needed to help your kids, your husband, your friends, and your family. It’s great to do that, you just can’t forget about God and yourself. Here’s why…. your time with God helps guide the purposeful life you’re trying to live with all those projects and passions. When you pray or just talk to Him, you are talking to your Creator, your Father, the One who loves you so much He sacrificed His Son for you to have life beyond what you know exists. When you read about Him in the Word you are taking action to learn about His character. When you listen for Him the silence is more impactful than any noise happening in your life at the moment.
But you know Him…the Spirit of Truth, the Helper
The Helper isn’t a figment of your imagination. You know Him. He works in your heart and you know it because you feel it. He dwells in you. He is that “gut-feeling” when something isn’t right. He is that instant thought of “give” when you see a homeless person on the street. The guiding voice telling you to choose what’s good and right when everyone else is saying what’s wrong, that’s the Spirit of Truth. He will show you how to discern from what is real and what isn’t. He helps you to distinguish the difference between feelings and fact. He dwells in you and is with you. Jesus sent Him and wants you to trust Him and rely on Him.
Here’s what happens when you do all those things…..
When you pray, He is listening to your prayer and the Holy Spirit is searching your heart. Sometimes you don’t know what to pray, but you simply trying is more than enough because the Helper is there. “Likewise the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered” (Rom 8:26, NKJV). When you read, He is still searching your heart for the part that needs mended. He wants to help you receive His word the way you need to hear it. You are being submissive by reading His word, even though you may not think so. You are choosing to learn about Him, spend time with Him, and taking initiative to focus on Him and not yourself.
Focus on the prize
The Lord has a purpose for you…do you know it? Do you feel it? He breathed life into your spirit with a purpose that is only meant for you. The more time you spend with Him the more you learn what that purpose is. He is working on many things amidst the purpose He sees in you, so you won’t have all the answers you seek. He gives us instructions on how to walk with Him all throughout his Word. Jesus says“but seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you” (Mat 6:33). Look in the Word not the world. Jesus will guide you and His Helper will reveal things to you so you know the truth. His peace will cover you and He will never leave you stranded. You can always count on Him…. ALWAYS.
The more you focus on His way, the more you see your purpose.
Stopping yourself from going and going to try and spend time with the Lord is uncomfortable at first. Especially if you are taking care of people in a way that defines what you believe is your purpose. It’s easy to get distracted by our routines, but the purpose for everything we do is found in Jesus Christ. He gave us freedom by exchanging His life for ours. In everything we do we can take joy in it for Him.
“And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of inheritance; for you serve the Lord Christ” (Col 3: 23-24). You are the light of the world. Jesus shines that light inside of you. Light overpowers darkness. Any darkness in your life cannot compete with the light inside your spirit.
You let your light shine when you are kind, gentle, and encouraging to others. The spirit inside of you filled with the light and truth of the Word of God affects people, especially those who are skeptical. As a result, they wonder about it. When you have a great attitude while you are going through trials, His peace is shining through you. His light gives you joy and peace, no matter what noise is happening around you. Getting that time with Him helps to keep growing that peace in you. What started as being uncomfortable ends up being the most important time in your day.
If you are searching for truth and purpose you will find it. I encourage you to look first in the Word of God at what Jesus says. If you want to learn more about the Holy Spirit as your Helper a good start is in John chapter 14. If you want to learn more about the light inside of you from Jesus go to Matthew chapter 5. There are many more verses and wonderful references all throughout the Bible, but I’m focusing on these as a start.
I pray you find the truth and you learn more about the great purpose you have in Christ. You are so very important and special. You can do amazing things!!
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Anxiety….an emotion that causes a fear of everything possible which inhibits possibilities.
Being anxious is something most everyone can relate to, even if it’s about simple things like what the weather will be on your drive to work. But these “simple” thoughts or worries can cause a severe snowball effect of fear that can eventually debilitate some people. It goes from simple worry to panic in a flash, which causes a mental breakdown. Maybe you are fortunate to not be gripped by the anxiety strong-arm, but many are not. It is rooted in fear, which causes an inner turmoil of questioning everything, especially yourself.
I’ve been anxious about many things in my life, questioning everything, including God.
There will always be something to worry about, but you don’t have to. Your focus changes when you’re in different seasons of your life. Experience helps you to weather the storm, or sometimes just be afraid of another. Your focus on what is worrying you right now will not last forever. It will not consume you because you have the power to not let it. Your power lies in Jesus Christ. The way that power works is when you surrender and give it to Him it’s no longer a weight holding you down. That may not be the kind of power you’re looking for, but it’s the only kind that can truly heal you right now.
Be anxious for nothing
Worry doesn’t focus your mind on the Lord. As a result, it takes you farther from submission and closer to trying to control things you can’t. However, when the Lord is the focus, trusting in Him takes over. Faith in His strength, when you are weak is the only real control you have. The Lord is in control, no matter if we submit or not.
When we go with Jesus, He gives us rest. Burdens are not often discussed, and there are many people who carry burdens in which no one knows about. Burdens can be any range of things on your mind or heart that weigh you down. Many burdens seem to be out of our control completely, but still exist. We would get rid of them….but we can’t. But then…the Lord is in control. Jesus can change it, we just have to get out of the way. This is where we must trust in Him, and not lean on our own understanding. We have no idea of how to create our own peace, if we did we wouldn’t have had any burdens in the first place.
When is the last time you struggled with a choice or decision that had you strangled?
Trust me, you are not alone in the struggle. Whether it’s a minor decision or one that can affect your entire life, it makes up your path. You can’t see the future because if you could you would easily choose. Here is where your control seems to be, but this is actually the point of surrender. Give it to God, trust, and be patient. Sounds simple enough but this is the hardest part.
Give it to God, trust, and be patient
My husband and I disagreed on an issue before we were married, one that led me to move out and us to really work on things. We were hanging by a thin thread. I had no idea what way to go. No clue on how to choose my next step. I gave it to God. Truly opened up my mind and heart and trusted Him….days later my husband proposed to me. We were working on things but I trusted him. I believed in him and there was no doubt that saying yes was the best possible answer I could give.
In the midst of me letting go to God so He could work in my life, He was already working in my husband’s. The result…..a trusting, solid, Christ-centered marriage that fulfills not just my life but my husband’s as well. We are extremely blessed and grateful! We have issues at times like any normal marriage and struggles occur in our life; but when we focus on Jesus the burden is light.
Take the focus off control and replace it with submission.
As humans we don’t want to submit. We want to live right now, doing whatever we want however we want. Instant gratification is rampant and we are living in an age that supports everything about it. The world will agree with you when you choose those things outside of what God wants for you. You are not of the world, therefore you will have conflict within it (John 15:19) Your desire for control and quick fixes will always be accepted in the world because that’s the very foundation of what it thrives on. Choosing the path of most resistance will most likely be the right one. Submission is an act of wisdom, not weakness. It starts with prayer.
How do you pray when you don’t even know where to start?
Prayer is our relationship with God and it’s a very special time with Him. There is no specific way to pray, your way is different than everyone else’s. God made you that way. You may pray loud because you’re loud, talk softly in your room, or talk to Him in your car. Praying is your time with God, just you and Him. Sometimes it’s great to simply be quiet. We pray to God to build a relationship with Him through Jesus Christ. The most important part of prayer is taking the time to do it.
Asking for help is what God wants us to do.
Supplication is when you ask God for help or what you need from Him. This is the chance to tell Him what is burdening you or simply what you are requesting from Him. This part is where you say “I can’t do it, please help me, in Jesus’ name I pray” Simple enough right? Some of the hardest words for us to utter are “I need help”. It makes us feel vulnerable and weak, when in reality it’s when we are showing our strongest faith.
Being grateful for what we have instead of what we want
Thanksgiving is about being grateful. Grateful for the life you’ve been given and most importantly grateful for our freedom in Jesus. Everything else you can name falls between. Your family, the air you breathe, the job you just landed, and even some of the unanswered prayers you’ve experienced are all things you can be thankful for. The point of talking to God with Thanksgiving is getting humble and real. There is always something to be grateful for. “He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things?” (Romans 8:32)
Submission leads to peace in Jesus.
The peace of God is like nothing you will ever experience. Peace from the Lord is overwhelmingly calm. You won’t be able to understand until you truly submit to Him. Trust me, I know it’s difficult, I struggle with it daily. Submission is a very hard thing to grasp because we just have to do certain things in our lives. We work, we cook, we take of our families, we do, do, do. Submission sometimes involves a level of patience that only God can fulfill working through you. It’s all worth it. You learn about yourself and Him in the process.
His peace will guard your heart and mind
Think of how you feel when you get into a warm blanket on a cold day. That feeling of comfort consumes your entire body and mind. All you want to do is relax and most likely sleep. You feel safe. God’s peace is like a warm blanket over your heart and mind. It protects you from the cold, treacherous thoughts that can enter. It gives you comfort and reassurance. His peace guards you in a way that only you need. It is your cover in the midst of any storm.
I pray this post has helped you in whatever way you need. I’m grateful for your taking the time to read through it. I pray you have a great day and a wonderful Thanksgiving!
How can we see a blessing when we’re going through a difficult time? When your world comes crashing down, it hurts too much to look up. Anger, fear, and grief all race around you like it’s a competition to see who gets to keep you in bed for the day.
But God knows your heart. He reveals things in His time. He gives us every spiritual blessing in Jesus. Even through cancer…
Going for my checkup at the “woman doctor” I was prepared for an irregular result from the test just as I’ve had for the past ten years. “Abnormal squamous cells of undetermined significance” is what I was expecting with “just watching it” every 6 months-year.
I received unexpected results instead.
I got the results over the phone from the nurse while driving to work. I heard words like “precancerous” and “high-grade,” but couldn’t focus. I wanted to talk to my doctor about it, but didn’t hear from her for three days, and it was initiated by me. Instantly, I realized it was wrong. This was all wrong.
If you or your loved one has ever heard words remotely close to “cancer” time instantly looks different to you.
I didn’t get any follow-up for a month. A month is an eternity. I’m a nurse by profession and knowing too much hurt my optimism. It wasn’t good.
The doctor told me that my results were concerning for cancer, and not the “good” type, the bad type that is unpredictable. I didn’t even know there was a good type of cancer…. did I miss something in nursing school?
She said I should get a hysterectomy. A hysterectomy would not only remove my entire uterus and cervix but my chance to have any more children too.
My eyes watered as I looked at my husband. I can’t even imagine what was going through his mind at that moment. The doctor spoke fast and matter of fact, which was really surprising because she was always so nice. I guess you don’t see the true colors of a doctor until what you have is not “within normal limits.”
The nurse in me finally showed up. I asked about options instead of removing everything with a hysterectomy. She told me to consult a gynecological oncologist and couldn’t recommend anyone because she “only did one rotation there.”
My husband held my hand as if he was pulling me from a ravene. Once we got to the car, we let it out.
Fear overwhelmed me. But he wrapped his arms around me so tight it kept the fear from getting too deep.
The blessing was least expected.
Even though it was like a lottery picking one from a website, my oncologist turned out to be someone God put in our path. I picked him solely because his last name was the same as a famous hockey player, and I’m a hockey fan. But God knew I would, right?
My husband and I walked into his office and every single person was above and beyond. The aura in the office was filled with compassion, kindness, and gentleness.
Those are the things cancer isn’t.
He was attentive and offered support every step of the way. When my husband asked questions, he validated everything he was saying with thoughtful answers. He was direct, but kind.
This man and his team were an amazing blessing amidst the most fearful time in my life. He did NOT want to take my uterus, he wanted to know more about the situation. He talked with us about all options and we walked away comforted.
Flash forward and today I’m cancer free! I had a small tumor in my cervix, but thankfully it didn’t spread anywhere else. I didn’t need chemotherapy or radiation.
But, I’m still on the journey. The journey is what no one talks about when cancer strikes. It’s like a secret club everyone acknowledges but never speaks about details. Always testing, fearing, hoping, praying.
Blessings are all around us, but fear makes it hard to see them.
God is working behind the scenes for you.
You’ll get angry, upset, scared, and burned out, but keep the faith. Your faith is something no one can take from you. Jesus gives you a gateway to all spiritual blessings. You have every blessing IN CHRIST.
When we realize that God allows both prosperity and adversity, we can better understand how to be surrender our hearts. Our need for control overshadows faith sometimes. As a result, we try to do everything except simply giving it to God.
He will work against the pain in your life so you can see the purpose.
This is Laura Story singing the song “Blessings.” Right after I wrote this post I heard an interview with Laura on Word FM and she talked about the story behind this song. I encourage you to listen and look up her story. It’s very inspiring and hits home.
It’s the worst feeling. As a result, you are physically drained and only want to sleep. You lay in bed wanting to do nothing, also with no appetite because you can’t taste your food.
Maybe it’s even severe enough that you are in the hospital, and feel like a pin cushion because of all the blood they’ve taken and medicines you’ve received. Medicines piled on top of one another to try and “fix” but often just mask for a bit until a new problem arises.
When you’re physically sick the only way to get rid of the bacteria in the infection is to kill it and remove it.
How do you know what bacteria is causing the infection?
You get tested, through blood, spit, or swabs. Doctors who specialize in that know how to use the sample and figure out what’s causing the infection. Then antibiotics are chosen by how the bacteria is known to respond to them.
For example, if bacteria are known to be sensitive to Cipro, that is the antibiotic that is chosen because the bacteria will not be able to fight it. Once you start getting that antibiotic the bacteria die and your body gets rid of it. Afterward……
You start to feel better!!
You want to eat again and get up and walk around. It takes time but there is a light at the end of the tissues. If you have a virus, most likely it will have to run its course, but there are things that can help boost your immune system to fight it.
Physically sick and spiritually sick aren’t all that different.
Your spirit is kindled by the word of God and the relationship with Him.
The nourishment to your spirit is His word. When you are spiritually sick, you aren’t close to God, but get torn apart by the world.
The “bugs” that cause infection are those flesh hosts of lusts, greed, hate, anger, adultery, and lies. Your selfishness runs rampant, and when it’s a really bad case, you don’t even notice.
It feels like you’re always chasing something, but never catching it. You feel broken, beaten, helpless, and hopeless. Your drive and passion for life are sucked out and replaced with negativity and cynicism.
The more trouble we face the harder our heart becomes, which leaves it impenetrable.
When your spirit is in need of healing, you won’t feel close to God.
You may feel angry or hurt, and blame Him for whatever is causing you pain.
It’s hard for you to pray so you do something else. Then days of not praying become weeks, and eventually years without intervention. You succumb to the world and feel alone.
A hurt that you once could identify becomes an epidemic within you, that you can no longer pinpoint. Your spirit is infected with hurt, distrust, and doubt.
You try to heal it using medications, therapy, and other coping mechanisms that don’t get to the source but just delay the symptom. Some of them start to have “side effects” that give you a new problem. Your spirit is infected with bad bugs that need to be removed so you can regain your joy.
Your life is meant for a great purpose, and you have a gift that you cannot use when your spirit is “infected.”
So how do you “kill” the empty spirit and be made new?
Two words…. Jesus Christ.
Jesus has already defeated what you are going through.
He was tempted with the very things you are in your flesh body, and He fought it. He conquered death and rose again.
Right now, in your struggle with the sickness in your spirit, you have a choice.
Stop resisting and start letting Him in your heart.
He has never lied or not fulfilled His promises. You can trust Him and lean on Him because He only has your best interest at heart. He will not let you down. He wants you to be free from this pain, and have peace.
“These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world”.
It will be uncomfortable at first because you haven’t done it in a while, or maybe never.
The relationship we have with Him is like a father and son. A father and son who love each other talk, share stories, laugh together, and support one another.
The son looks to his father for guidance and the father provides security, protection, and correction. Jesus and God the Father provide the best example of this and help us to understand their character.
You are a creation that is absolutely magnificent.
You were bought for a significant price, and through Jesus you can have the peace.
It is a continuous process to let go of the temporary fixes you have been using and trust in the permanent freedom in Him.
Let go a little more every day and He has a chance to work within you, transforming you, and getting the nourishment to your sick spirit. You can absolutely do it.
Remember, He is knocking all you have to do is open the door.
Every day is a similar pattern. Wake up after multiple bouts of alarm silencing, get some coffee, get the kids up, start getting ready for work, make sure the hubby is up, and off you all go. Five days in a row, off you go. Your life may have variations, but for the most part there is some type of routine that occurs in your house daily.
What happens when the routine is broken?
Not by a sudden tragedy or somebody getting sick, but by something else. You get up exhausted from the activities the day before, you can’t get your mind ready for today. Your body is out of energy but your mind won’t stop. It’s racing with all the “To-Do’s” but makes you feel stagnant. You aren’t thinking clearly, only fragments of thoughts that jump from “did I send that email?” to “what am I doing with my life?” You start questioning everything, which eventually leads to questioning yourself.
Starting down the road of lies, you tell yourself you need to be better.
You aren’t thin enough, pretty enough, smart enough, good enough, strong enough, kind enough and just not “enough.” The mirror becomes your enemy. You try to maintain the routine for everyone but just can’t get a grasp on things the way you want, or think you should. That little bit of doubt in yourself is a seed. The seed gets nourishment from every lie you believe. You want to be good for yourself and your family, but anxiety and insecurity takes over.
Before you go down a road full of worry, driven by claims that you aren’t worth anything, remember that you are not alone.
The Lord knows your heart, He searches it and finds the greatest parts of you deep inside where even you forgot they were. You can always speak to Him, spend time with Him, and cry to Him. Submitting to the fact you don’t have all the answers is really difficult. That is usually the core foundation of endless worry because you have questions and want answers. You’ll never know everything you wish to seek, but God knows your heart and knows the purpose He sees in you.
The more you stop worrying and start submitting by giving it to Him, the more you will be aligned with His view of you, not your own.
He sees you in a greater light than you could ever see yourself. Each day give Him your fear, don’t try to tackle it yourself. He knows how to unravel things in your life in a way to benefit you and your purpose according to Him. His grace is sufficient for you. Jesus has died for you out of the love He has for you. Love that you deserve to feel, and know exists right in your heart.
Let Him search your heart, you will be surprised with the treasure that’s in it.
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