Heartbeat

Inner Voice

Each one of us has an inner voice that calls for attention, affirmation, and praise.  We like to be recognized. Sometimes that voice screams to be heard when we feel we’ve been wronged. We want to speak out and explain ourselves in an effort to justify our actions- often only to find that we’re trying to be heard over everyone else’s inner voice.
But seeking peace in Jesus Christ relieves you from the need to always be justifying yourself. It releases the burden of needing to be seen and being the center of attention. Through this peace that surpasses all understanding, we are freed up to accept life and all its challenges.

A Healthy Garden

This past spring, I planted a new vegetable garden. I’ve never really known what I’m doing but I just enjoy the process- and the fresh veggies. I planted kale, peppers, and some herbs- and they started out looking great. Until the kale sprouted and everything else shriveled up. It turns out there’s a science behind what veggies go well together. The kale was sucking up specific nutrients that the other plants needed to thrive.
This is similar to the kinds of people we surround ourselves with. Do we have a circle of friends who build each other up? Or are we all competitive, always sucking the energy out of others?
Surround yourself with generous, loving people. Encourage each other and carry each other’s burdens. Don’t be like my garden. It was a lonely place for the kale.

Going the Distance

If you’ve ever attempted to run a distance of over 26 miles, you’re aware of a phenomenon called “the wall.” Runners will tell you that once your body has depleted its total store of energy, it simply shuts down and the only way to keep going is to “will” your every step.
Depending on your conditioning and skill level, you could hit the wall at mile 10 or 20. Or maybe not at all! Runners who have trained intensively may never even hit the wall.
The Bible tells us that we should condition ourselves for the tough times. It says that if we’ve trained ourselves for the fight, the difficult times won’t defeat us.
The next time you’re going through a tough time, picture God Himself as your running partner and together, you will get through this.

Strangers Next Door

A recent survey by Pew Research reported that a majority of Americans, about 57%, say they only know a few of their neighbors. Even fewer, 26%- say they know most of them.
Look, viewing your home as a sanctuary is a beautiful thing. But it doesn’t mean you need to shut yourself out from those around you. God has called us to make an impact for His Kingdom. This doesn’t always mean traveling overseas to do missionary work. The mission field is in our backyard! Showing the love of God to the people right next door to us is an incredible start.
So, if you’re still trying to build up the confidence to introduce yourself to your neighbors, you’re not alone- but ask God for the strength you need and make an impact in the world right around you.

Hurricanes

Hurricanes are dangerous and destructive. We’ve all witnessed the devastation they can cause.
Yet, scientists tell us that hurricanes are tremendously valuable and that they’re necessary to maintain a balance in nature. They dissipate a large percentage of the oppressive heat that builds up at the equator and are indirectly responsible for much of the rainfall in North and South America. Meteorologists no longer use cloud-seeding techniques to prevent them. They are convinced that hurricanes actually do more good than harm.
Could it be that the same is true with the storms of life? Ask God for the confidence in knowing He can use this difficult time for your benefit.

Overcorrection

When you’re driving in storm- if your car begins to hydroplane, it’s easy to overcorrect and make matters worse. Instead, stay calm, gently tap the brakes, and turn the steering wheel in the direction the car is moving. The worst thing you can do is overreact and send the car out of control by making additional wrong moves.
 
This is the same in our Christian walk. If we find ourselves coming out of a difficult situation, it’s easy to overcompensate and make rash decisions. Instead, ask God for wisdom, listen to His still small voice, and calmly navigate your way to a better tomorrow.
 

True Identity

We live in a culture of performance where what you do helps define who you are.  Our culture is one that promotes status and wealth, education and production. The danger of this is that we can easily slide into finding our identity in our activities and roles. This can even happen within ministry. Our work locates us in the social world and assigns value to us. Centuries of sociological conditioning have served to hard-wire us this way.
But the reality is that our worth comes from God and not our achievements.  Colossians 2:10 says, “In Him you have been made complete.” So, if you’re looking for your true identity, the only place to find it is in Jesus Christ!

Pearls

In the pearl oyster, a tiny grain of sand makes a wound, which causes the little creature a lot of suffering. The oyster begins secreting various minerals to encase the irritant and eventually, a beautiful pearl emerges from the wound.
In life we incur hurts and scars; adversities and afflictions; sorrows and suffering. In Galatians 6:17, the apostle Paul said, “I bear on my body the marks of Jesus.”
Suffering grows us and matures us. Our hurts teach us and strengthen us. Through the power of Divine grace, our own hurts become rich pearls in our character; true marks of Jesus. Trust Him today to transform your suffering into pearls as a testimony of His faithfulness!

Social Ties

 
A recent study suggests that time spent in fellowship with other people is good for our health. People with fewer social ties had significantly higher risks of heart disease and cancer. Doctors claim that social isolation is a source of chronic stress that puts us at risk.
Hebrews 10:25 says, “Some people have gotten out of the habit of meeting together for worship, but we must not do that.  We should keep on encouraging each other…”
So, Don’t isolate!  If you’ve gotten out of the habit of going to church, maybe you should go back. Social ties that are also spiritual are extra good for your health!
 
 

Leave Fear at the Door

Recently, I was listening to an interview with an Olympic high diving champion. They asked her how she overcame the fear to jump from higher and higher platforms. She said she learned a lesson early on- that when she decides to do something challenging, she leaves fear at the door. She literally pictures herself dropping it off and moving forward.
What a great piece of advice. What are you nervous about right now? A job interview? A public speaking event? A high diving competition?
Try her advice. Recognize the fear you have about the event and leave it at the door. The apostle Paul gives us some encouraging words in 2nd Timothy
“for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control”