"Let not your hearts be troubled"

Much of our trouble is brought on ourselves. We simply refuse to rejoice in hardships and difficulties. "I am His" is true for believers but we must choose to consistently walk and talk with God. In the onslaught of persecution prayer is our only defense and should be immediate. Our wounds produce an automatic reflex, a punch in the gut, a stab to the heart. Those feelings are for our own good!; otherwise we could not discern right from wrong. Much of life is learning what not to do and it takes personal experience so it will sink in - and for most of us it takes a lot of it. "Let not your hearts be troubled"? When these knee jerk reactions catch us by surprise how are we to do that! Ever hear the saying 'practice makes perfect'? Not what we want to hear, now is it? "He walks with me and talks with me, along life's narrow way. He lives, He lives, salvation to impart. You ask me how I know He lives, He lives within my heart." Isn't that what our heart desires? We need lots of practice and God already knew that and we are given many opportunities to learn.

The other part is the realization and what to do. Many times my children would come to me hurt over what someone had said or done to them. As they grew I was able to share with them the gift in the hurtful things. When people made them feel negative emotions over and over I said 'remember how this feels and do try to never treat someone else that way'. Well, good advice, but God my friend works in mysterious ways! I wanted them to grow up not independent but to grow God dependent. The kicker was and is, God's working out that very same thing in me too. I once heard someone say , ask yourself these questions before you speak or offer advice, 'was it necessary?, was it kind?, was it helpful?' Good advice, but this too takes practice. Practice is easy if we really desire something, love it, and are to the point of obsession about it. If we love the Lord our God we are, but it takes time, patience and growth to realize our deepest desire and guess what? God is not in a hurry. As parents we are so focused on our child's development we sometimes neglect our own. In this case in my desire for my children to grow I didn't even notice how unforgiving I was to whomever had hurt them. I didn't notice but as my children grew, they did! Ouch, Ouch, Ouch! "Out of the mouths of babes come words of wisdom." Instead of comprehending the truth I justified my unwillingness to forgive. Children do indeed learn what they live and we all at times want them to 'do as I say and not as I do'. We must be willing to look deep into our hearts to see what we are instilling into others because others are watching. Our tongues are a mighty sword and they demand much more respect and care than we ever give them. "Take all thoughts captive" is in the bible for our safety and good yet we pop off every chance we get for the most part; causing hurt and pain we never intended. Harboring unforgiveness leads to bitterness, hatred, and revenge and our tongues are the first source of that revenge to surface. "Let not your heart be troubled.", "My peace I leave with you.", "Be anxious for nothing..." "Love your neighbor as you love yourself." ... If we walk and talk with God and take to heart the renewing of our minds through God's word then it will indeed be a lamp unto our feet. When we realize how short we fall it is also critical for us to comprehend our own forgiveness through the sacrifice of our Lord's blood. Then we will truly begin to grasp - are we not to forgive whom God has already forgiven? Love will encompass forgiveness every time! We must choose to forgive and rest in God's love , for "God is love." It is not about the hurt we feel at the onset of the sucker punch but it is all about the unconditional love and forgiveness of Jesus Christ our Savior and Lord. Are we willing to let Him live through us? When we do over and over He takes away our pain and restores our joy! Glory to God in the highest may His name be praised for ever more.

Heavenly Father

Hold tight to us in this battle of life, let us be the vessels that shine Your light so many will join in eternal praise of You! In Jesus' name I pray. amen

Love to all in Christ Jesus C:)