A Healthy Choice

Today I was inspired by Proverbs 17:22. A joyful heart is good medicine, but a broken spirit dries up the bones.  

Three references explained a broken spirit. One indicated it could be sorrow, another anxiety, and the third mentioned bitterness (Proverbs 12:25, 15:13, and 14:10).

I thought back to 2007 when I was in Phoenix for treatments of Stage 3 Breast Cancer. We had purchased a small co-op the year before, thinking it would be a nice vacation place two hours from our place of ministry.

There, on my own, I pursued a daily Bible Study. *Intervarsity Press had some nice **inductive, topical study booklets with about eight lessons each.

I learned to appreciate the Psalms. David poured out his heart to God, and so did I. To this day, I thank God for the nearness of His Presence during nine months of chemo, surgery, and radiation.

But one day, the “merry heart” verse from my childhood came to mind. I was already practicing being thankful. At bedtime each night, I would count off ten things I was thankful for from THAT day, no matter how small.

I was at peace, but to me, a merry heart meant laughter. I thought back to some old sitcoms I had enjoyed, and purchased a season of Mary Tyler Moore. Then someone gave me some “Mayberry” episodes. It felt good to laugh out loud.

I refused to be downhearted, homesick, or depressed. I looked to the Psalms for help and focused on Psalm 34:4-5: I sought the LORD, and He answered me; He delivered me from all my fears. Those who look to Him are radiant with joy; their faces shall never be ashamed.

Make a healthy choice. Choose to let go of despair. Seek to be cheerful. Improve your outlook. Perk yourself up and improve your mood.

Seek God in His word and through prayer. Do your part, and He’ll do His.

Pixabay: Emoji, Face, Smile; Mohamed_hassan.

*Check online for Intervarsity Press study booklets. I purchased mine from ChristianBooks.com.

**Inductive Bible studies are not complicated. They ask a question, you read the recommended scripture, draw a conclusion, and write your answer in the space provided.

 

Your Day, Your Way

Ok, let’s get personal.  Have you ever had someone ask, “What’s wrong?” You may feel like thunderclouds hang over your head, but you’re not ready to share. So you say, “It’s personal,” expecting them to drop the subject.

Let’s face it. Emotional discomfort is real. We all have a conscience that tries to get our attention from time to time.

You may have heard the saying, *“Most people are as happy as they make up their minds to be.” In other words, we live our lives as a matter of choice.  

David said that when he refused to acknowledge his sin or wrongdoing, he was miserable; he felt drained (Psalm 32:3-4). Sin is not always a biggie like David’s sin with Bathsheba or against her husband, Uriah (2 Samuel 11-12).

Sometimes sin is simply “missing the mark” . . . knowing God’s will, but choosing to do it “my way,” instead.  

Is your day lacking joy, a feeling of well-being, or contentment? Joy is also a Fruit of the Spirit that comes from faith in God’s character and His promises, and gives us hope. It differs from happiness, which can be circumstantial.

You can see by the heading on my blog that I believe in a God of second chances, forgiveness, and new hope day by day. David said that when he acknowledged his sin and confessed his transgressions, God forgave him (Psalm 32:5).

To have our sins forgiven is a blessing from God, a fresh start. But again, it’s personal (Psalm 32:1-2).

Only YOU can offer the sacrifices God desires: (1) A broken spirit, and (2) a contrite heart (Psalm 51:17). Six out of eight **Bible translations used these exact words.

A broken spirit is another way of saying, “I’m humbling myself before You, God.” And a contrite heart means, “I’m sorry for my sin. I’m repenting and turning away from it.”

So, it’s your day, your way! Confession is a personal choice, and forgiveness brings personal joy!

Pixabay: Thunderstorm, Thunderclouds, Clouds; Bernhardjaeck.

*This quote has often been attributed to President Abraham Lincoln, but it cannot be proven. It did appear in a newspaper column in 1914 by Dr. Frank Crane; Ai overview.

**See Bible Translations on the YouVersion Bible app.

 

The Value of Tenacity

A vineyard full of grapes ready to harvest is a beautiful thing. It’s amazing how one vine can support many branches full of fruit. Living in central California gave me a special appreciation of this.

Grapes have been valued since ancient times. They are tasty fresh off the vine, dried in the sun for raisins, or pressed into juice and made into wine.  

Jesus used this valuable resource to illustrate a Biblical principle. It is found in John 15:1-11. I hope you take time to read those verses. But He starts by saying God is the keeper of the vineyard, Jesus is the vine, and we are the branches (v. 1, 5).  

We must cling to Him if we want to bear good fruit. Apart from Him, we can do nothing of spiritual value (v. 5).

We cling to the vine in various ways. First, by faith we believe He is the Son of God. Then we continue in faith to receive Him as our Savior (John 3:16-18).

By faith, we then show our love to Jesus by commitment to obeying His commands and lovingly relating to other believers (v. 10, 12). In Him, we are fruitful in good works which glorify God (v. 8).

Abiding in Christ can keep us level-headed. In times of hardship or trial, we need not despair. When we’re down and our joy seems gone, abiding in Christ will give us the victory. Paul said, “We live by faith, not by sight (2 Corinthians 5:7). It’s also wise not to live by our fluctuating emotions.

To abide in Christ is to trust in Him. We submit to Him, follow His ways, and pursue a lasting relationship with Him.

"Tenacity" is a valuable character trait. Somebody who is tenacious keeps a firm hold on something they don’t want to lose.   

When God prunes us by allowing challenging or hard times into our lives, tenacious people hang on by faith. Careless, unproductive followers fall away and become worthless branches good only for fire (v. 6)

Don’t be a worthless branch! Be tenacious and enjoy a fruitful, eternal relationship with The Vine!  

Pixabay: Purple, grapes, grapevine; MARINOPHUC.