The Puzzle of Life

I was never into puzzles. My mom, on the other hand, enjoyed every kind of puzzle that came her way.

I’d have probably avoided puzzles forever had not my sister-in-law urged me to try “just one.” What took her a few hours, took me days, but once completed I had to admit I liked the challenge and the sense of accomplishment.

Thanks to her, I now have a closet full of jigsaw puzzles. She kindly sticks to my request for 300 pieces only, but here’s the best part. She works them first to make sure all the pieces are there. I like that!

Life often seems like a puzzle. Looking forward, I don’t know what pieces I’m missing. Looking backward, I can see how God has fitted all my pieces together, so far.

I’m facing some unexpected challenges and have been encouraging myself in the Lord. First, I asked myself, as David did, “Why am I downcast? Why am I uneasy?”  

It’s good to take time for self-reflection. But then what? I chose to follow David’s example. He said he would continue to put His hope in God and praise Him for the salvation of His presence.” (Psalm 42:5).  

It’s impossible to be both positive and negative at the same time. John 14:27 tells me, “Do not let your heart be troubled.” Letting something happen means we permit it, tolerate it, or allow it to happen.   

The opposite would be to “stop” it ---shut it down, terminate it, or, as some would say, “knock it off!” The thing is, it’s personal, and no one can do that for you but you!

I’m choosing to calm my heart and mind by focusing on Romans 8:28 and Philippians 4:6. Not only do I believe God can work all things together for my good, I believe I can pour out my heartfelt needs to Him. I also find joy in thanking Him for things He has already done!

My life may be a puzzle, but the One who gave it to me knows what the missing pieces are, where they need to go, and when. I’m choosing to hope and wait on Him.

Pixabay: Jigsaw Puzzle Game; OpenClipart-Vectors. 

Give Worry the Boot

Would you like to have happier days? Give worry the boot. I was reminded of this when my town performed its annual New Year’s Eve ritual. A famous saloon in our historic downtown drops a large neon cowboy boot from its second story.

It’s not as exciting as the New York Ball Drop, but it’s not meant to be. New York is bringing in the New Year while our town is giving the old year “the boot.” If you haven’t heard the term, it’s for real- - -give something “the boot,” a kick or a shove to get it out of the way.

Paul advised us to give worry or anxiety the boot. His advice in Philippians 4:6-7 has three parts.

Part One: Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Life gives us plenty to be distressed, miserable, or fearful about. If it’s not the world news, it’s probably something on a more personal level. But we all know our worry or stress changes nothing in the world or us.

Even Jesus said that in this world we will have troubles. But we are to take heart and be encouraged because He overcame these things, and He has solutions for us (John 16:33).

Part Two: Give Thanks. Once we’ve given our anxieties over to Jesus, we can choose a new focus. Being thankful is not an automatic spiritual response. You may need to remind yourself of what God has done in your life. If you need a jumpstart, review Psalm 103:1-5. And nature may have some reminders, too.

Don’t forget to look out and up. Modern technology has us looking down most of the time. It’s amazing how I find beauty as I’m driving if I only look for it. And at home, I sometimes take time to enjoy the evening sky.

Part Three: Receive Peace. This is a result of giving your worries to God and having a thankful heart. Paul says this happens as you continue to live your life with faith. Remember God’s timetable is not ours, so give Him time.

Opportunities will abound to give worry the boot. The new year marks a fresh start, but we must keep the faith to the finish line!

  

You Can Count On This

Recent world events have people on edge. The signing of certain peace agreements had given us hope for the future. When a friend recently quoted 1 Thessalonians 5:3, I inwardly brushed it off. It says when people say peace, peace, sudden destruction will come.   

That section of scripture refers to the Lord's second coming, but scripture also comes true on several levels. In hard times we seek for an anchor. We want something to believe in, something to hold us steady. What can we do?

Movies have given us some memorable songs about confidence. In The King and I we learn when we’re afraid we can whistle a happy tune. In Sound of Music, we learn we can be encouraged by thinking of our favorite things. As much as I enjoy these musical productions, I have a different way of gaining confidence.

I find it in God’s word, for several reasons: (1) God has said not to be anxious about anything, but to make our requests known to Him (Philippians 4:6 NKJV), (2) I have read a great many testimonies, from our times, as well as centuries before us, of answered prayers, and (3) God has given us His word with a purpose.

After using an example of the trustworthiness of rain to make things grow so we can have food, Isaiah 55:11 (NKJV) says: So shall My word be that goes forth from My mouth; It shall not return to Me void, But it shall accomplish what I please, and it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it.

Read the Psalms and you’ll see David pouring out his heart to God. You’ll also see praises and songs of thanksgiving to a God who answers prayer.

After decades of following David’s example, I can tell you God does hear and answer prayer.

God always keeps His word. As you read scriptures in your Bible or on your cell phone, note those that really speak to you. As I studied Psalm 27 this week, the last verse reminded me that answers to prayers are not spontaneous. We are to place our confidence in His word and not give up.   

Photo: Pixabay, Harvest Background, Sunset: akirEVarga 

A Promise and Time

 

People think it’s strange when I take off my glasses to read. Even when I explain why, they seem skeptical. Maybe my experience is more unusual than I think.

A school eye test in sixth grade revealed my need for glasses. The doctor said I needed bifocals. Hardly any kids I knew wore glasses and I thought bifocals were for old people! I wasn’t a bit happy until I heard him say, “If you wear these now, you won’t have to wear them when you are older.”

I graduated from high school wearing bifocals . . . completed college, got married, and started teaching, still wearing bifocals. Years went by right up to retirement. That’s when I realized there’d been a change.

It happened in a photography class. I noticed people around me putting on their glasses to see close up, while I took mine off. I questioned my eye doctor at my next appointment and he confirmed, “You don’t need bifocals. You can read without them.”

Wow! After all those years the sixth-grade promise came true! Of course, promises aren’t made when something is imminent. Promises take time to fulfill.

Jesus made a promise that He was going away to prepare a place for those who believe in Him and would return later to take them to it (John 14:2-3).

Perhaps you feel about His return like I felt about my bifocals. I heard the promise, but years went by before it happened. I could do nothing to make it happen sooner. In fact, Jesus, like us, is waiting for the promised day of His return. He said only His Father knows the day and hour (Matthew 24:36).

His promise, like all others, requires time. World events have people asking, “Are these the last days? Is Jesus coming soon? Is the rapture real? Is there really going to be a Great Tribulation?” The Bible has proven true over thousands of years, so the answer to these prophecy questions is “yes.”

If you would like to learn more, I recommend *Dr. David Jeremiah of Shadow Mountain Church in El Cajon, California. He has been a minister, Bible teacher, and author for over forty years, and has also written several understandable **books about end-time events.

Make yourself a promise to pursue answers to the above questions. Then take time to fulfill your promise.

*Find Dr. David Jeremiah online under Turning Point. **His books are available wherever books are sold.

 

Swords or Salve

SWORDS or SALVE

My parents owned a sword. My uncle had brought it home from the Orient when I was just a child. The sword seemed as tall as I was, and mom insisted that it be kept packed away.

Beware The Power Of A Sword

Upon occasion my uncle would visit. After many years, I remember him telling my mom, “That sword and scabbard are worth something, but if you don’t want them, I’ll take 'em back.”

Dad’s feeling about the sword had always been neutral. What I remember was mom’s happiness when it was not just out of sight, but out of our home.

This sword incident came back to me as I was reading a short verse in Proverbs: The words of the reckless pierce like swords, but the tongue of the wise brings healing (Proverbs 12:18).

When you hear the word proverb, you probably think wise saying. If so, you’re right. The Book of Proverbs in the Old Testament is full of wisdom for things like relationships, business practices, and spiritual guidance.

I think we humans tend to be hard enough on ourselves that we don’t need others wielding a sword of harsh, hurtful words.

Get Our Your Salve, Not Your Sword

There’s some great advice in verse twenty-five of the same chapter: Anxiety weighs down the heart, but a kind word cheers it up.

As I contemplated these two verses, I pictured swords vs. salve. I don’t want to be reckless with my words. That doesn’t mean I can’t speak the truth lovingly when necessary, but it means I understand the power of words.

Because people are often careless about what they say, swords will always be with us. But that’s a great reminder to kindly make our words like salve, soothing and healing.