Category: Anxiety

It can happen to any of us at any time. We reach our limits. Of patience. Or money. Or hope.

“I don’t know what’s wrong with me,” we may say to a friend. Or to ourselves. Or to God.

Our life may be good, at least from the outside, but disquiet nibbles away at our hearts.

That’s a lonely place to be.

Sometimes we also feel distant from God. We can’t seem to pray or feel connected to the Lord we love, whom we know loves us.

Then we have two choices: We can wrap ourselves up in our frustration and fretting–OR change the way we look at our life.

I hear you saying, “Talk is cheap. You don’t know how hard it is for me!”

No, I don’t. But I know how hard it is for me to climb out anytime I let myself get mired in that pit. Then I have to relearn an old lesson that I learned the hard way.

Call a halt!

By now I easily spot the red flag thinking that leads me into risky territory. It comes sounding harmless enough, just random phrases that stoke my fears or my pride, words like these:

What if ____ ?

Why doesn’t he–or she– ____ ?

Why must I always ____ ?

How long must I put up with this?

Where is God in all this?

Thoughts or words like this pull us down as surely as gravity makes the apple drop.

It took me awhile, but I finally learned to catch myself and say, “Stop!”

I don’t have a never-fail “system,” but usually I ask myself questions that run something like this:

Q: What if? A: Why tie myself up in knots about something that may or may not happen? IF or when the situation changes, I will deal with it then.

Q: Why don’t they care? A: Maybe they do. Each individual may be speaking and acting in ways that feel right to them.

Q: Why must I always ___? A: Stop with the “poor me” stuff! Is it really always? Think of times this other person gave in or came through, even when it cost them. Did I discount that simply because they didn’t react as I would?

Q: How long must I put up with this? A: Think. Am I really the only one “putting up with this”? Or does it work both ways? What’s a mutually fair way to handle this?

Q: Where is God in all this? Even those times I feel far from him, I can know that in Jesus Christ I am never alone and abandoned.

Over time I’ve learned that even though I’m the only one who hears it, when I restate the situation in a more balanced way it calms me and helps me think straight.

Fill your mental reservoir with the Good Stuff

I freely admit it took years of reading and praying–and trying and failing–before this finally became my way of thinking. I know now to make my mind switch over to what lifts my heart and eases the tension in my shoulders.

Many people advise using positive affirmations, but that doesn’t do it for me. I’ve tried repeating phrases like, “I am at peace with the world,” or “I am calm in every circumstance.”

Before long my inner nag taunts me with, “Oh yeah?”

I found it true for me that real peace comes when we connect with the Source:

“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid. John 14:27

Other Bible verses to lift us up

When we feel swamped, it helps to repeat truths like these.

God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear …    –Psalm 46:1a

I am the LORD, the God of all mankind. Is anything too hard for me?   –Jeremiah 32:27

Cast all your anxiety upon him, because he cares for you. –-1 Peter 5:7

I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. —Philippians 4:13

Put the Good Stuff in and gradually you’ll feel the heaviness in your spirit melting away. Even if everything about your life situation stays the same, you will be changed

And I know this for sure: That makes all the difference.

Just passing on what I keep relearning,

Lenore

How to find peace when life feels overwhelming

April 25, 2026
Every day of every year newscasters report the latest bad news of the day. Tornadoes. Floods. Fires.

Most often disasters occur far distant from our daily lives, so we can breathe a sigh of relief.

So we pray for the victims and we also thank God, especially if the "whatever" is far enough away to miss us and our family.

There's no place to hide from the seemingly endless procession of mystery viruses. The never-ending scary headlines. Unrest within these United States of America.

No wonder low-level fear lurks within us, waiting to spring. We do our best to tune it out and paste on a calm, happy face.

Then a fire destroys a home down the street. Thieves empty a neighbor's house. A drunk driver hits someone crossing the street and leaves the victim paralyzed.

Immediately our mind goes to That could be me! Or someone I love! We shudder and think, "Please, God, don't let that happen to me."

But sometimes it does.

What if what we dread hits too close to home to ignore?

Pink slips or a business that doesn't make it ends the paycheck(s) we counted on. A dream dies. A lab test reveals a life-threatening illness. Someone we love dies.

Once we stop reeling from the shock we realize there's no escaping this awful new reality.

And we cannot find one particle of good in any of it.

At times like that we may feel abandoned, as if our Heavenly Father loves every other person on the face of the earth but us. We know that's not true, but still, our pain and fear weigh us down.

Somehow, somehow we make it through one day after the other.

When tragedy threatens–or strikes–what keeps people going?

Counselors and TV personalities offer thousands of words of advice. Most of it boils down to, "Simply change the way you look at your situation. Visualize yourself as strong and fearless and refuse to think any negative thoughts."

Yeah, sure.

These "experts" would be out of business if any of us knew how to do this.

Yet we needn't dissolve into a puddle of fear. Strength that goes way beyond our own is available at any time.

God's strength.

Peace-in-the-midst is as available as the air we breathe

The best antidote to fear–and the only one I ever found that works–is to fill my mind with Bible verses like these. I repeat them over to myself, aloud or silently. Here are a few I love:

"Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go." Joshua 1:9

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:6,7

The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The LORD is the stronghold of my life; of whom shall I be afraid? Psalm 27:1

I can do all things through him who strengthens me. Philippians 4:13

"I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.” John 16:33

"Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” John 14:2

In good times or bad, we are not alone

And we are not powerless. Jesus walks with us through whatever may come. Always. Every day. Every moment. Every second.

Yes, the horror may come near us. Tragedy of one sort or another may change our lives, simply because we are human beings and we live in this imperfect world. We may feel we have no strength–physical, mental or emotional–to go on.

That's the time to hang onto Bible verses like this:

… In all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. Romans 8:37.

As long as we keep our eyes on Jesus, whatever comes will not destroy us.

Count on it.

Count on it!

Trusting, too,

Lenore

You Can Stay Strong If Disaster Comes

May 28, 2024
Have you ever looked up to the ceiling of a room and spotted a flyspeck you never noticed before?

Right away it's as if the rest of the room didn't matter because that FLYSPECK blotted out everything else.

Think of that "flyspeck" as an example of how a small concern easily can become the only thing one can think about.

Learning along the way

I wasted years fighting the tendency to get hung up on small annoyances and faults I spotted in other people. I easily could overlook the 90 percent positive in a situation because I was fixated on the 10 percent that wasn't.

All I accomplished with that was to cheat myself of joy, over and over.

Once I clearly understood that huge flaw in how I looked at life I wanted transformation.

I tried to do my part: I prayed and kept reading the Bible. I read good books about managing one's thoughts and staying positive. Still, I often found myself slipping back into that weakness.

Lesson learned: Habit is a tough task-master and will not easily give up its hold on us.

Change came, but at a crawl

I started small, by paying attention to how I responded to the everyday ups and downs of life. I posted sticky-note reminders around the house. Some days I made lists I could check off and reread as evidence of progress.

Silly as it may sound, it gave me a lift to say (or whisper) "'Atta Girl" to myself at any evidences of change for the good. (It still does.)

We all need encouragement, every bit as much as a toddler who is learning to walk.

Lesson learned: Only later did I understand that prolonged effort and what seemed to be slow progress actually helped build my faith and inner strength.

One step at a time

It's both encouraging and discouraging to realize there is no one perfect method to change. How could there be? Each of us is a one-of-a-kind creation. Some of us work through our challenges by talking with a friend or family member, while others thrive with the help of a pastor or professional counselor.

What I write here is simply how it worked for me. It sounds basic because it is.

First I had to promise myself I would concentrate on what is good and hopeful and not get hung up on the "what ifs" that popped up along the way.

Over time I learned how to "switch channels" and now when I slip up, it's not long before I'm back on track.

Other learnings as time went on

As any parent knows, our children are not carbon copies of us, which shows up early on. Most of us aim to learn and grow and adapt as we go. We made/make mistakes because we're in training. Our overall goal is to understand and work with the children God gives us.

Before we know it our kids are adults and they appreciate being treated as such. We often want to help and share what we learned from our own lives. Maybe they'll be glad for that, maybe not. Then what?

Lesson learned: It's good to take a step back and remind ourselves what we love and admire in them and in their choices. We need to be sure to let them know this, too. Often.

Avoid leaping to conclusions

Thanks to the Internet we can look up every nuance of everything, including ever little twinge or ache or upset we might encounter. Once we read all the awful outcomes this might indicate we sink into fear and alarm. All this before we go to the ER or see our doctor.

How do I know? Been there, done that.

No more. Overall I try to do what I can to stay healthy and get medical care when needed. I thank God every day for my "ordinary abilities" like being able to see and hear and all the rest. I never want to take that for granted.

Most of all, I trust that God is watching over me.

Casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you. 1 Peter 5:7

For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.   2 Timothy 1:7

Concentrating on what's good in life is not new thinking

Here are a few lines from a piece called "Salutation to the Dawn," written in about 2500 B.C., author unknown:

For yesterday is but a dream
And tomorrow only a vision,
But today well lived makes every yesterday
a dream of happiness
And every tomorrow a vision of hope.

For me, the best advice about living in the present always is this, from Psalm 118:24:

This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.

"Let us … ." We can choose to rejoice and be glad in each day and what the day brings. Whatever comes, we have the power to choose how we look at our lives.

So let's forget about the flyspecks. The ceiling is not where we live.

Let's live in the day we're in and decide to be glad in it!

Still learning,

Lenore

Get Your Eyes Off That “Flyspeck” and Live!

April 25, 2024
Some of us know anxiety like the back of our hands, the low-level uneasiness that never settles down.

Take a nap, take a walk, take a pill, it's still there. Sometimes we blame it on current events or relationships or family situations. Other times we can't figure out a cause for the nagging sense that something "isn't right."

Could the root cause of our unrest be a matter of the soul?

Easter, when Jesus set things right between God and us

But first came Christmas and what the angels announced to the shepherds:

For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. Luke 2:11

Jesus, true God and true man, was born as a human infant.

When Jesus was about thirty years old he began to teach and preach about God the Father and about the reason he was born.

"For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life." John 3:16

For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 6:23

Jesus gave his life for you and me, to pay the price for all the ways we fail to live the way God would have us live. That is, to live a perfect life in thought, word, or deed.

It cost Jesus everything. All it costs us is to let go of our easy skepticism and truly investigate God's written word.

Primary source material abounds. Just read the eyewitness accounts found in the Bible: Matthew, Mark, Luke and John.

The record doesn't stop there

Several respected historians of the time described the same events. One was Josephus, a well-researched and respected Jewish historian, who lived from 37-100 AD. He wrote "Jewish Antiquities" in 93 AD. Here are some excerpts from that book.

(Jesus) "a wise man … who performed surprising deeds and was a teacher of such people as accept the truth gladly … Pilate had condemned him to a cross … He appeared to them spending a third day restored to life, for the prophets of God had foretold these things and a thousand other marvels about him … And the tribe of the Christians, so called after him, has still to this day not disappeared." –Book 18, Ch. 3, part 3.

Josephus, like all historians, recorded facts, names and places. These historical accounts prove it's no myth that a man called Jesus lived and died on the cross, then three days later, he rose again to life.

What then? After that the risen Jesus, fully alive, showed himself to believers (Acts 1:3). He wanted them to know for sure that he was not a spirit or a ghost, but truly a human being. They touched him and Jesus talked with them. He ate ordinary meals with them.

After forty days he ascended to Heaven to sit at the Father's right hand.

The cross was God's way out for you and me

Our loving God knew we human beings cannot live an absolutely holy life because we all fail, all the time, even with our best efforts. We can't even live up to our own good resolutions.

For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. Romans 3:23

If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 1 John 1:8-9

That's why Jesus, the Son of God, came to earth to willingly die in our place.

God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God. 2 Corinthians 5:21

Jesus died so we can live free from guilt and fear of punishment and hell.

He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed. 1 Peter 2:24

He did it all for you and me, so we could have eternal life, life that never ends.

Jesus said to him, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." John 14:6

What now?

Once again we find the answers in the Bible.

If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved. Romans 6:23

When we confess our sin to God, we hand over all our failures and mistakes and uncertainties. All of it. And we are to leave it there.

Because Jesus died in our place, our loving Father answers, "What sins? My only Son paid your debt in full. My dear child, I love you."

It's as if God looks at us through one of those lenses equipped with a filter and sees only his perfect Son.

We can swap anxiety for peace. For good

Jesus living within us means we are never left alone to fear what comes next. Not even death, because we know that's not the end of our story, either.

This is only the beginning of the good stuff.

So let the anxiety go. Take a deep breath and relax. Let yourself believe in Jesus as your Savior, knowing he will not deny you. Feel the peace of being loved and accepted by God, without any ifs, ands or buts.

Next time anxiety comes knocking, turn your mind to the chorus of the beautiful old hymn, "Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus."

Turn your eyes upon Jesus, Look full in His wonderful face,

And the things of earth will grow strangely dim, In the light of His glory and grace.

Happy Easter! May you know the lasting the deep-down peace and joy of knowing and trusting Jesus Christ as your forever friend and Savior.

I'm praying for you, gentle reader,

Lenore

Swap Anxiety for Peace That Lasts

March 28, 2024
Have you ever realized you walked blind and deaf through the day you just lived?

I have.

Times I listen, but do not hear and look, but do not see.

If you asked me I would reply, "Oh sure, of course I see the people and I know there is beauty all around me."

But that's a ho-hum response, isn't it?

Yes, I make it through the routines of the day, but here's the problem: My heart isn't in it.

This happens most often when I feel overwhelmed by some knotty issue I have to work through. Or some not-very-important choice between one thing and another and I can't make up my mind.

Whatever the reason, life feels full of stress and even though I know it makes no sense, I can't find calm.

Ever been there?

Proven ways to recover sight and sound–and joy in living

I learned a long time ago that at least for me, positive thinking and power affirmations are not enough. Mindfulness and meditation are trendy, but their power doesn't last long. Only some form of a strategy like this wakes up my senses and gets me back on track.

Realize the root cause almost always traces back to getting too wrapped up in myself and what I can do on my own. That usually follows a spell of neglecting to regularly spend time in the "Manufacturer's Handbook," aka, the Bible.
    Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path. Psalm 119:105

Remember who's really in charge of the future.
   For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." Jeremiah 29:11

Remind myself Jesus walks with me through each day–and night.
"… And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” Matthew 28:20

Recount God's blessings, past and present. Often.
    From the fullness of his grace we have all received one blessing after another. John     1:16

Recall his promises. Daily.
   “Come to me, all who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” Matthew 11:28

Relax because I know who He is and I know who I am in Jesus.
    "I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that     bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.” John 15:5

Rejoice in the peace he gives.
"Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to     you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.”  John 14:27

Revel in the magnificence of it all, including the world all around me.
    Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever. Psalm     136:1

    And God saw all that he had made, and behold, it was very good. Genesis 1:31

“Be still and know that I am God. Psalm 46:10

This last verse is a good place to park my mind because it lays out the order of things.

Recalling what’s true resets our perspective

It's as if we look at our life and our world from another angle and it opens our eyes and ears. As Grandma used to say, we “get our heads on straight.”

Don't expect instant breakthroughs or sudden insights that solve problems. Most of the time the people around us stay the same and our lives look the same from the outside.

Rather, this is an inside job. We see more clearly the wonder and the joy of living that God showers on us every single day.

And that, my friends, makes all the difference.

Here’s to living life–fully,

Lenore
Don’t miss the wonder of your life

April 29, 2023
Maybe you've noticed this phrase here and there on gift shop plaques and posters and wondered where it came from.

It traces back to a motivational poster printed by the Government of the United Kingdom in 1939 as Hitler's troops were rapidly advancing through Europe and it seemed inevitable that Great Britain would be invaded.

Some months later the Nazi Blitz actually began. A woman I knew was in her twenties at the time and worked in London office. She told of her experiences. "Night after night the Nazis rained bombs on London and other vital towns and seaports and mortars boomed. Every night we headed for the safest place to be, which was in a bomb shelter or in a subway (Tube) tunnel. Truth is, hardly anyone really slept.

"Our lives settled into a dreary, endless routine. When mornings finally came we dragged ourselves up to the streets and picked our way through the rubble, determined to carry on with our work as best we could."

Strangely, Hitler never invaded the British Isles. Even the keenest military experts never could explain why he didn't seize his advantage and put his troops on this island nation.

Brits who believed in God proclaimed with confidence, "It is purely by grace, God's grace."

If we have eyes to see we'll know that explanation also fits our lives

As we comb through our personal history we find times when things "worked out," although we couldn't explain how or why.

At some later point we may discern a sort of pattern we couldn't make sense of at the time. Perhaps we finally spot a connection in what had appeared to be haphazard occurrences. "Ah, coincidences," we say.

My friend, with our loving God and his people there are no "coincidences."

Our bottom line is the same as Christians in all times have found to be true: It is by God's grace. Remember Romans 8:28?

And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.

Did you catch that? ALL things

The goods. The bads. The boring hours that tick by too slowly.

The growing and exciting times. The times we waited for a diagnosis and prayed for a miracle.

The will-this-never-end periods. The how-did-it-all-go-by-so-fast years.

ALL of it.

You and I never will understand everything that comes into our lives. We cannot because only Almighty God is all-knowing. Only He knows the end before the beginning.

As Christians we can be sure of this: Our gracious Lord loves us. HE will work all things together for our good. In His time. In His way.

This is true even if it seems that right now, nothing in our life makes sense.

All He asks of us is that we keep putting one foot in front of the other, keep trusting him and live our days in faith.

Handholds for our hearts

Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me.–John 14:1 (ESV)

But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." –2 Corinthians 12:9a ESV

Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.                              –Philippians 4:6-7 ESV

Whatever is going on in our lives, in every moment of every day we have all we need.

God still holds the world–and us–safe in the palm of His loving hand. This means you and I truly can Keep Calm and Carry On through whatever comes.

Living it out, too,

Lenore

Advice that Fits Every Situation: Keep Calm and Carry On

March 11, 2023
I've loved Christmas since I was a little girl singing and "saying my piece" for the Christmas programs at church and school.

No matter how much styles and times change, Christmas still brings with it beautiful trees and wreaths and lights of every color. People smile for no obvious reason and there's a happy frenzy that makes us feel more alive, whatever our age.

One of the joys of Christmas is touching hearts across the miles, whether by phone, texts or Emails and Christmas letters. Time and distance melt away and it's as if we had seen each other just last week.

What's your favorite Christmas decoration?

Mine would be the Christmas star because it shone its light on the stable in Bethlehem where Mary and Joseph found shelter, then laid the Christ Child in the manger.

We put a star up for many years, on our house, wherever we were. It was nothing fancy, just a long string of lights threaded through screw eyes on our back deck pillars and on the upright cross beam. All anyone saw from a distance was our twinkling star, rather like this photo.

The story behind our star traces back to another time, another place, another star. We were in a new town and knew we'd be moving on, but had no clue where my husband's job would take us next. Or when. To me it felt like waiting for the other shoe to drop.

(Did I mention I'm not so good at waiting?)

That first December in our "home-for-awhile" someone erected a huge Christmas star on a distant hillside. I could see it shining clearly in the darkness every time I turned off the freeway. As I drove the mile or so to reach our home it seemed I headed straight toward that star.

Often I drove those streets in tears. Tears of gladness that despite all the commercial hoopla someone, somewhere, still cared about the Christ Child and the star that brought the shepherds running to Bethlehem. I confess to tears of self-pity, too, wishing we knew what would come next and asking God (again) to fill me with patience.

That far-away star calmed my heart. It was as if "somebody" placed that star there just to remind me that Jesus Christ was born to bring me peace, too!

Peace that lasts, whatever the circumstance. Every day of the year. Whatever comes – or doesn't.

(Jesus said) "Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give it to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid." John 14:27

Experience teaches us it's impossible to know what will come next in our lives

A letter, a phone call, an unexpected, unwanted diagnosis can turn our lives upside down in an instant. Most of us have lived at least one of those circumstances at some time.

Over the years I've gained a new appreciation for that familiar phrase, "Life is fragile. Handle with care."

That maxim stops too soon for us Christians. I think a better motto would be, "Life is fragile, but whatever comes, I can be at peace because God loves me and He has the last word."

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. Romans 15:13

We can count on the One who knows the future

Here are some much-loved verses to post on our mental bulletin boards. They fit every day of our lives.

Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. Colossians 3:15

And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:9

"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." Jeremiah 29:11

The Christmas gifts we cannot buy

All these are the gifts of God because of that Baby born in Bethlehem so long ago and laid in a humble manger.

The fully human child who also was fully God. I like the way John, the writer of the Gospel of John, lays it out for us:

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. In him was life, and the life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, but the darkness has not understood it. John 1:1-5

Beautiful words but to our human minds, a mystery we cannot ever understand. How could we? This is God, not just another human being like us. Our call is not to explain, but to believe.

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. John 3:16

Keep your focus on the star

The star that led the shepherds and later the Wise Men to Jesus, the One who is the light in our dark world. The One who points us to God, the Father, even now.

Jesus said to him, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." John 14:6

Because He came on that starry night, when we have Jesus in our hearts you and I can live in peace, even while not knowing what comes next in our lives.

It is enough.

My friend, may you know the JOY of Christmas every hour of every day – and night – all year long!

With love,

Lenore

Take a broader view of the Christmas star

December 16, 2022
We seldom think about the messages we send the world, but we should.

I got a shocking reminder of that truth one day when I was out shopping. A smiling white-haired lady who looked a bit like my late grandmother put her hand on my shoulder and said, "Aw, Honey, it can't be that bad."

I stared at her in confusion and said, "Excuse me? I don't know what you mean."

Eyes twinkling, she smiled and said, "Well, I noticed you look like you lost your last friend. I just want you to know whatever the trouble is, you'll get through it and it helps to smile. That's all.

"Now you take care of yourself, Sweetie. Whatever's going on with you, it's just life. Sometimes life is hard, but you can do hard, I know you can. You'll be okay."

I thanked her for caring, still mystified.

Then I passed a mirror–and stopped short. She was right. I did look grim.

Do you ever do that?

That day I realized I probably wore that face more often than I knew. Whether I label it "concentration" or "preoccupied," that face was not a good idea.

First, because pinching up one's face leads to (gasp!) wrinkles.

Second, because what people read on our faces affects their moods.

Third, because if we say we have the joy and peace of Jesus, we'd better look as if we do. Otherwise our words of faith sound empty.

Fourth–and just as important–it's not fair to the people in our world.

As someone said, we owe the world a happy face

Why? Because you and I affect the people around us. Our families. Our co-workers. Strangers in stores.

Each of them is walking around and dealing with their lives and their problems, which may be all they can manage at the moment. Why should they have to dredge up strength to keep from "catching" our bad moods?

If you're a mom or dad you probably know that when we parents crackle with tension our kids walk on tiptoe around us.

And if we live in Tension City our children pattern the behavior as the way to live. Our uptight way of coping with life becomes their "normal."

Yes, but "Nobody knows the trouble I seen . . . "

That old spiritual speaks truth, doesn't it? No one can know or feel exactly what another person is living with. As the song says, nobody knows our hurt and pain but Jesus, who says:

"Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest." Matthew 11:28 ESV

"Heavy laden." Don't we feel that way sometimes?

The NIV translates that verse:

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest."

Whether we're feeling overworked and over-stressed, weighed down by cares or stuck in a situation we cannot change, He can give us rest.

It's the only rest that lasts.

Eight hours of sleep or a nap refreshes temporarily, but deep-down rest for our hearts can be found only one place. In Jesus.

Life. It will wear us down, but Jesus lifts us up. Always.

The key is to turn our thoughts and our hearts to Him instead of getting mired in the problem-of-the-moment.

He's the One who carries us through each day on His shoulders, who turns our mourning into dancing.

(Jesus said) "I have said these things to you that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world." John 16:33 ESV

If we keep our eyes on Him we can be at peace, even during the hard times–and our faces will show it.

As that kindly lady in the store put it, "Whatever's going on with you, it's just life. Sometimes life is hard, but you can do hard, I know you can."

My friend, you can do hard, I know you can.

I wish you peace and joy in Jesus, today and every day,

Lenore
Be careful what your facial expression broadcasts

October 17, 2022
WATCH OUT! DISASTER IS COMING YOUR WAY!

Variations on that theme run through every talk show and every news report. Whether it's the latest COVID variant or inflation or the weather, it sounds like everything is bad and getting worse.

Many of us might nod in agreement.

This keeps us running scared and feeling unsettled. We're living out the old cliché, "Waiting for the other shoe to drop," because no one knows what comes next.

Or perhaps what troubles you and wakes you with a racing heart has nothing to do with any headline news. It's way deeper, down to your core. Maybe you can't even remember when the haunting started.

This brings the question: Is it possible to maintain a calm center, no matter what comes?

That's our job as grownups, isn't it? Especially if we're Christians.

Sure, but how?

How do we ditch living in fear? Whatever our challenge, it's always wise to begin with the basics: principles that are true, no matter who we are or what the situation.

Be watchful, yes, but fearful, no

Focus our attention on facts, not rumors, nor on the endless "what ifs"

Do our best to live healthy by eating right and getting plenty of sleep

"Think health" instead of "thinking sick"

Speak peace instead of fear, knowing each time we do we reinforce the peace within us

These simple things make sense 365 days of any year and we have power to carry them out right where we are.

Yes, but … that doesn't sound like enough

I know. When we're feeling shaky inside and can't get to sleep at night we want something tangible. Authoritative. Something we can hold onto.

The truth is, calm that won't quit never comes from "out there." A government official or an "expert" with a string of degrees or even our trusted long-time doctor saying, "Don't worry," only quiets fear for a few hours.

That's because we know the truth: Like us, they're only human and they only know what they know … so far.

We want more. We need more.

So where does that leave us?

How do we shed this deep-down fear that weighs us down?

The "more" we seek comes from within. Each of us constantly fills our minds and hearts with something–and we get to choose what it is. This dictates our day-by-day question:

Will we feed the fear or feed the peace?

It takes no effort to stoke uneasiness. All we have to do is look and listen.

To nurture inner peace costs us something. I'm not talking yoga or meditation or any of those self-help relaxation practices. As useful as they may be, they don't fear-proof our hearts for long.

(How do I know? Over the years I've tried several of those methods.)

Here's what I learned from dealing with my own "hard stuff"

First I had to gather up all the tormenting "what ifs" and stuff them into a box in the attic of my mind. (Yes, they kept creeping out but if I persisted, gradually they stayed put. At least most of the time.)

All day, every day I need to remember who I am. I am loved by God, simply because I believe in Jesus as my Savior. Period. That's what the Bible calls "grace."

For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith–and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God–not by works, so that no one can boast. Ephesians 2:8-9 NIV

Did I pray? Of course, and God always, always, always gave me strength and courage to face whatever came.

I drew courage from the Bible, too

For years I have underlined verses that touched my heart and spoke to my spirit. I also jotted down brief references on the blank pages at the back, in case I forget where they are. (These days I also have the Bible on my smartphone and often list my notes there.)

Bible verses like these:

The Lord will keep you from all harm–he will watch over your life; the Lord will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore. Psalm 121:7 NIV

When I am afraid, I will trust in you. In God, whose word I praise, in God I trust; I will not be afraid. …   Psalm 56:3-4 NIV

For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-control. 2 Timothy 1:7 NIV

(The Lord said to Joshua)  "Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go." Joshua 1:9 NIV

(Jesus said) "Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid." John 14:27 NIV

As time goes by you will discover verses to add to that list

Look for verses that touch your heart because they speak faith and reassurance. Keep them at the ready for whenever you feel fainthearted about your life or about the future.

Let's be clear about one thing. We Christians do not remember and speak Bible verses as some sort of magic charm. Rather, those times when we quake in fear–whatever the reason(s)–such verses remind us who is really in charge and has the power to help us:

"For I am the LORD your God, who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you." Isaiah 41:13 NIV

He is speaking to you, my friend, and to me. In every occasion or dark corner of fear that comes upon us, now or in the future. We are not alone.

What more could we ask?

Thanking God with you,

Lenore
How to shed the fear that keeps crowding in

October 1, 2022
Everybody wants it, but apparently not many of us can hang onto it.

That's strange, isn't it, when bookstores and libraries offer yards of books telling us how to find peace, not to mention Google's gazillion experts.

But we keep looking.

We pore over articles and books about mental health and happy living and serenity. Some are quirky and off-the-wall, easy to discard. Many others offer good advice and sound principles.

If you're like me you may have followed somebody's program a few times–and it worked. For awhile.

I found–and maybe you did, too–before long the "what ifs?" and "if onlys" slithered in again, invading my thoughts and churning my gut.

All the while I said I believed in Jesus–and I meant it.

Still, I often asked myself, What's your problem? Don't you know you are blessed?

I did. I do.

The breakthrough cometh

I finally got it through my granite skull that peace will never be found "out there someplace" and came back to what I've always said–and thought--I believed:

Only one wisdom source holds true over the centuries: God's word, the Bible.

What's more, it's not about finding peace.

Peace is an inside job, a matter of the heart and will. The Apostle Paul spelled out the secret in his letter to the Colossians:

And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful. Colossians 3:15 ESV

"Let," the little word with giant implications

After checking the definition on http://www.dictionary.com I came up with three questions based on the meanings given.

Will I allow Christ's peace into my heart?

Will I permit it to rule over the "stuff" that threatens to overwhelm me?

Will I grant his peace and calmness occupancy in my heart and mind?

Ouch. That confirms what I suspected. My biggest hindrance stares back at me from every mirror.

And yet he loves me anyway, even though I'm pocked with flaws in my perfect facade.

"Shalom"

This beautiful Hebrew word means peace of body, mind and spirit. A sense of completeness. Wholeness. Harmony.

It's a peace beyond our human understanding, the kind Jesus spoke about to his disciples:

"Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid." John 14:27 ESV

Isn't that what we all long for?

Jesus died and rose again to fill us with new life and peace. Once we know him as our Savior he lives within us by his Spirit.

Not because we're good enough.

Not because of who we are or what we do.

Only–only–by grace, that is, the undeserved love and forgiveness we have through faith in Jesus.

No more worries, it's a done deal

Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. Romans 5:1 ESV

We have peace with God. Now. Forever.

I know, I know, it sounds too simple. We want some tangible proof that guarantees we'll never slip back into unrest.

If that's true how can my sense of peace slip away as if by gravity?

It's not gravity, it's that inner tormentor, a.k.a. the devil, who never stops trying to pull us back.

That "roaring lion" (1 Peter 5:8) tiptoes in like a pussycat and purrs, "Oh really?"

I've found I need to watch my thoughts and my words so I spot anxiety and negativity before they take hold.

That's the time to remind myself who I am in Jesus and read or repeat verses like those above.

Just as important: "And be thankful"

Did you notice those three words in Colossians 3:15?

The more we look for reasons to be thankful the more we find–even in the midst of trying times.

It's not a magic charm. When we thank God for what's good it changes our focus on ourselves. It turns our gaze on him and all the ways he blesses us, day in and day out.

Best of all it reminds us who we are in Jesus Christ: God's much-loved child.

Our moods and our times of feeling discouraged make no difference in this equation. It's not about meeting some elusive standard or "having the right stuff."

It's all about Jesus and believing he loves us.

Could there be a better key to inner peace?

Still learning,

Lenore
Inner peace is closer than you think

August 20, 2021