The Choice is Yours

Life is full of choices. For example, while driving, we choose one direction at a four-way stop. At the market, we choose a favorite brand over others. We also make choices about the time we spend on TV and social media.   

Being able to make choices is a blessing. This awareness struck home while I was fighting cancer. I realized I could not think positively and negatively at the same time.

You’ve probably heard this old saying: “You can’t keep the birds from flying over your head, but you can keep them from building a nest there.” In other words, thoughts can come unbidden, but we can choose the ones we want to keep.

A few years ago, I wrote a poem about this:

A CHOICE IN TIME

Darlis Sailors

Memories float through our minds

Like clouds in the sky

Some are dark and we hurry them on

Others are bright and we ask them to linger

 

Memories contain both darkness and light

We live in sunshine and shadow

Forgiveness may wipe some dark clouds away

While love brightens others like sunshine

 

Memories can also be bitter or better

Life becomes better by choice

We lift up our head to look for more light

And choose to move out of the shadows

 

Memories are colors inside our mind

We pick which ones we will keep

Joy comes with light, sadness with darkness

We choose the color that’s right

Philippians 4:8 is a well-known scripture about choosing our thoughts. We are to aim for positive things that are true, honorable, right, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent, and praiseworthy.

Verse six, however, recognizes the negatives in life. We are told to be anxious for nothing, but to present our prayers and petitions to God, with thanksgiving. That would probably produce some of the positive memories suggested in verse eight.

The choice is yours, and mine. I'm glad, because to me that's a blessing.

Pixabay: Choice; geralt.      

Wanted: Personal Peace

I need cataract surgery this year. I met the surgeon and his assistant, and I was told to call her with any questions.

After calling her two days in a row and leaving the required details, there was no reply. After my third try, I decided to let it go. I read their information packet, listed my questions, and made the required appointments with my primary care, EKG, and labs.

Friday night, I shared my anxiety with my local Goddaughter.  Even positive reports from those who had experienced it did nothing to calm my fears.

After we watched a DVD, I talked about surgery again. She said, “You’re worrying and not trusting God.” The next thing I knew, she was praying, asking God to calm my fears and give me peace.

God answered that prayer in three different ways:

(1)    Later that night, she sent a scripture. It was *Isaiah 26:3: You will keep in perfect peace the steadfast of mind, because he trusts in you.

(2)    The next morning, I opened my Bible, and a colorful scripture card fell face up. John 14:27: Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you . . . Do not let your hearts be troubled; do not be afraid.

 (3)    Sunday, I listened to a favorite TV Bible teacher. His text was Philippians 4:6-7: Be anxious for nothing . . . present your requests to God. And the peace which surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.  

I received a call from the head of the surgery center a few days later. She was very pleasant and answered all my questions. I started to feel better about this up close and personal eye surgery! But God, in His love, had one more message of peace!

In a weekly study, the verse for the week was Psalm 56:3-4: When I am afraid, I put my trust in You. In God whose word I praise . . . I will not be afraid . . .    

I finally got the message! “Lord, I trust Your word, and I trust in You!” I don’t have surgery dates yet, but it doesn’t matter. I now have God's peace.

*All scriptures are from The Holy Bible, Berean Standard Bible, BSB, Copyright 2022 by Bible Hub, Used by Permission, All Rights Reserved Worldwide.

Pixabay: Woman, Girl, Freedom Image; JillWellington.

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!

  

Relevant Advice

How many times do you have to hear the same advice before you take it seriously? One of my favorite Psalms is number thirty-seven. I have read it many times, in different translations.

It’s not a long Psalm, only forty verses, but the word “fret” catches my immediate attention. It occurs as part of a three-word phrase three times in the first eight verses.

When you fret, you allow yourself to worry or become upset over something. Anxious thoughts fill your mind, gnawing away, causing you to be disturbed or even angry.

If anyone had a reason to fret, I’d say it was David. He started out as a shepherd boy, was anointed to be king, but then had to wait for God’s timing. While waiting, the king in power made his life miserable. David and his supporting army were constantly fleeing for their lives, yet his faith in God shines clearly in the advice of this Psalm.

Read for yourself David’s words about fretting:

PSALM 37 (NKJV)

VERSE 1

Do not fret because of evildoers,

nor be envious of the workers of iniquity.

VERSE 7

Do not fret because of him who prospers in his way,

Because of the man who brings wicked schemes to pass.

VERSE 8

Do not fret - - - it only causes harm.

Read the full chapter and you’ll see that David was convinced that trusting the Lord brings rewards now and for eternity. He also believed though the wicked presently flourish, they’ll find eternity to be just the opposite.

Do not fret is relevant advice. It’s easy in our day to stay disturbed over the economy . . . higher prices on food and gas, rents out of reach, and a medical system on overload. Yet David encourages us to choose our thoughts wisely, giving God a premium spot.

In place of “do not,” David advises “do this:” Trust in the Lord, do good, feed on His faithfulness, commit your way to the Lord, trust in Him, rest in Him, wait patiently for Him, depart from evil, do good, and keep His way.  

Do not fret, but do live freely. You can read Psalm 37 and start following God’s Word today. If you don’t have a Bible, your cell phone can be a good source. My favorite app happens to be the YouVersion.

  

A Useless Spin Cycle

A USELESS SPIN CYCLE

We have a lovely new washer with a glass lid. Sometimes I get satisfaction out of seeing the spin cycle throw off water. It makes the clothes easier to dry. But there's another spin cycle that only makes me laugh.

We were traveling to Idaho to visit friends. Some other friends said, "We're going north, too. Can we follow you to the Oregon border?" We said, "Sure. That sounds like fun."

Now and then we would stop so they could walk their cute little dog. It was fun to eat together, and sometimes we shared the map while planning the next break.

My husband was in the lead with our little Toyota Echo when we arrived in Boise, ID. The city was unfamiliar to us and we were trying to stay alert to one-way street signs. My husband kept going around and around the same blocks. He finally pulled into a parking lot.

Our friends pulled in behind us. When they got out they were laughing. "We wondered when you would ever pull out of that spin cycle."

We had to laugh too, because spinning around the same blocks was not getting us anywhere. The action was totally useless.

A Real Life Spin
As humans, we deal with another useless spin cycle. I doubt there's anyone who has managed to avoid it forever. Some people pass it off as a joke. They say, "I don't worry about anything. I'm just overly concerned about everything."

There are plenty of things beyond our control and lots of opportunities to feel anxious or worried. Sometimes it's about our current situation. Other times it's about the future. We worry because we don't see any forthcoming answers or changes for the better.

A spin can start off slow, but once in motion it creates its own energy. The result affects people in different ways. Some get uptight physically. Some lose sleep. Others find it hard to concentrate. And, of course, worry never brings a sense of joy, only frustration.

Have you ever had your washer get off balance during the spin cycle? It makes a disturbing sound that says, "Get in here. Change things around!" Mental spin cycles require some help to change, too.

What to Do
Ask yourself, "Is there anything I can do to change the situation?" If there is, do it. If not, begin to redirect your thoughts to positive things. Do not allow worry to continue its mental spins.

I've heard people say, "I do what I can and trust God to do the rest." There's some balance in that. Instead of being lazy or presumptuous, they are wise. While using foresight to plan for the future, they recognize their limitations and turn to God for help.

My mind was in a useless spin cycle this week. When I realized what my worry was, I took my own advice. Changing the cycle from negative to positive was worth the effort, but it took more than one adjustment to balance my load.