I cleaned out my pantry and refrigerator today. Boy, did I find some interesting stuff! Leftovers, half-eaten bags of snacks, old candy, and even a couple of impressive science-looking experiments that were taking on a life of their own. It was a mess. As I was tossing out the junk and reorganizing the shelves, I started thinking about how our hearts need to be cleaned out from time to time. I’m sure we all have some stuff in there that has gone sour or rotten that could make us sick. Maybe some leftovers. Or some things that we meant to
Category: letting go
“With the past, I have nothing to do; nor with the future. I live now.” ~Ralph Waldo Emerson Planning ahead. We’ve all been told that this is a very responsible way to manage our lives. Five-year plans, ten-year plans, education plans, retirement plans- these are all good things. I am certainly not opposed to good planning. However, we can get so caught up in thinking about the future that we forget to enjoy the present. We start anticipating the next season before the current season has even ended. Sometimes all of this looking ahead can cause us great anxiety. We
We live in a fallen world where pain and loss are a part of the human condition. Whether it is the loss of a job, a home, a beloved pet, a close relationship, or the death of a loved one, all of us have or will eventually have occasion to grieve. It is a natural part of life, and yet most people have no idea how to deal with it. Much has been written on this topic, but I do have a few thoughts that I would like to share with you based on my own experiences with loss. Grieving
The term “control freak” is widely used in our culture. Some even wear it as a badge of honor. While self-control is a fruit of the Spirit, the control I’m referring to definitely is not. This desire to be in charge of every little thing can quickly become a stronghold in our lives. Soon we begin to try and manipulate others to get our own way. What we thought would bring us peace actually causes anxiety and chaos. I believe that this desire to be in control is actually rooted in fear. We like our ducks to be in a
“Swallowing your pride seldom leads to indigestion.”~anonymous Pride is quite sneaky and deceptive. It leads us to believe that we can do it all and have it all in our own strength. Pride tells us that we alone are enough. It partners well with stubbornness. Proverbs 16:18 tells us “Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall.” I like The Message translation of this verse, “First pride, then the crash—the bigger the ego, the harder the fall.” If we want to live our lives completely surrendered to God, then we will have to let go of pride.