How To Cast Your Anxieties to Him this Easter, Or Any and Every Day of the Year...

It is Spring and my life is hectic. Easter has come early this year....I was in the middle of beginning a typical Easter-themed blog post, but instead....I somehow came across this Peanuts comic strip:


(Peanuts comic strip credit to Peanuts Worldwide @ schulzmuseum.org)


And it struck a chord with me.

See, I can remember periods in my life when I would live by this philosophy.  I didn't choose to live this way; it just seemed to be my default setting when life got tough.

If only I can make it to Friday afternoon, the weekend will be better.
If only I finish grad school, I can get out of this boring job and get a really good one.
If only I can find a better job or get a transfer to a better school,  or a better area, or closer to home; things will be better.
If only I can survive my child's terrible two's, or four's, or twelve's, or teen's;  things will get easier.
If only I can get caught up on these work deadlines; my days will be more relaxed.
If only I can get past my required daily routine; I will have time to rest.

I could go on and on...but the point is...that I was living during those times by just "mentally surviving" day by day. My hope was in some potential future state of "better."

Maybe  I am only one of a small percentage of people in the world who ever lives this way. Though, I suspect I'm not. I suspect there are many who put on a happy face sometimes; but inside they are just dreading things, day by day.

If only I made more money....
If only I could find the right boyfriend, girlfriend, spouse....
If only this bad thing hadn't happened in my past...
If only I could make time to go on vacation....
If only someone hadn't left me....or passed away....

Stop. Just stop.

I finally discovered a better way, a better daily philosophy. And that philosophy is based on this:

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

And that is exactly what I do. When I wake up, and as I'm getting ready for the day, I just cast it over to Him. I usually don't even ask for anything specific. I don't ask for any particular outcome. I literally just cast -- or toss -- all my concerns to Him. Sometimes I imagine myself with a large sack, like a stuffed laundry sack, tossing it over to Him.

He asked for my anxieties! So I let Him have them! If I don't give them to Him after He asked for them; then I'm just responsible for making my own mess in my own head.

The reason I typically do not ask for a particular outcome is because I can trust that He already knows the best outcome -- and if I give it to Him; with no strings attached, and with no demands for a particular outcome, then He will work out what He wants -- in His way - without my interference.  

And His way is much better than mine. It develops within me a better attitude. His way helps me to focus on the positive and on the small victories and pleasant moments within each day.

At the end of the day, I find that:

My way brings me overwhelm and stress.
His way brings me peace and rest. 

I typically pray something simple, like this near the beginning of the day:

"Lord, I wake up. I don't even know what to ask for or what to look for today. I'm starting to feel stressed about all I have to do, and I'm becoming overwhelmed. I just give it to you. Go before me and work things out according to what you know is best. I know it may be a tough day; but I am trusting you to get me through...and with a right attitude."

So this ended up not being a typical Easter post at all. However, if you really think about it; it is what Easter's Resurrection Day is all about, isn't it?

turning dread into joy;
turning sorrow into purpose;
turning restlessness into rest; and
knowing that our hope is not in a future "better;"
but that our hope is in the risen Lord, who overcame everything -- even death -- in a way that only He can do.

And He is with us in in spirit in our day by day.  When we remember that as often as we can throughout the day; we are "practicing His presence," and everything changes in perspective.

"Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love, for I have put my trust in you. Show me the way I should go, for to you I entrust my life." -Psalms 143:8 (NIV)


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If you would like to learn simple, practical ways to walk with God every single day, then you would really enjoy Closer to God: Simple Methods, Starting Today

If you want to learn more deeply and fully about what Jesus taught, then you would enjoy He Called: 56 Daily Studies and Reflections with the Words of Christ. There are also 14 videos that go along with this book on this blog here: Teachings of Jesus videos

The author also interacts with her readers on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/GospelLifeBooks

Author's other books can  be found at: https://www.amazon.com/Sherry-Elaine-Evans











Who Are the Spiritual Fools? Easter and April Fools Day Thoughts

This year, Easter Sunday falls on April Fool's Day.  The last time these two dates coincided was in 1956.  So of course, it is proper at this time to consider some biblical teachings on the characteristics of being a spiritual fool.

Below is a list of some of my favorite Biblical teachings on "foolishness." Many times, I read these and I think to myself, "Oh, I know so-and-so acts like that a lot!"  I start thinking about all the other people I know who act foolishly. But if I'm truly honest, there are areas where I act foolish too. So when you read over these, read them twice. The second time, ask yourself, "If I'm honest with myself, am I acting like a spiritual fool in any areas?"

If I wrote on every single Biblical teaching of foolishness vs. wisdom in the Bible, it would likely run more than 400 pages, so here are just a few of my favorite teachings on what to avoid as foolishness.  Perhaps they are my favorite teachings because they are the very habits I have had to ask for God's help in correcting these areas most in myself?

First, here are some Old Testament proverbs and teachings on foolishness:

"A fool takes no pleasure in understanding, but only in expressing his opinion." - Proverbs 18:2 (ESV)

"A fool is quick tempered, but a wise person stays calm when insulted." - Proverbs 12:16 (NLT)

"A fool's way is right in his own eyes, but whoever listens to counsel is wise." - Proverbs 12:16 (CSB)

"Be not quick in your spirit to become angry, for anger lodges in the bosom of fools." - Ecclesiastes 7:9 (ESV)

"Doing wrong is fun for a fool, but living wisely brings pleasure to the sensible. - Proverbs 10:23 (NLT)


Now, enjoy some New Testament teachings on foolishness vs. wisdom:

"For although they knew God, they did not honor him as God or give thanks to him, but they became futile in their thinking, and their foolish hearts were darkened." - Romans 1:21 (ESV)

"But are you willing to recognize, you foolish fellow, that faith without works is useless?" - James 2:20 (NASB)

"And I will say to my soul, Soul, you have ample goods laid up for many years; relax, eat, drink, be merry.’ But God said to him, ‘Fool! This night your soul is required of you, and the things you have prepared, whose will they be?" - Luke 12:19-20

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If you would like to learn simple, practical ways to walk closely with God every single day, then we recommend Closer to God: Simple Methods, Starting Today. 

If you are looking to learn more deeply and fully about what Jesus taught, then we recommend, He Called: 56 Daily Studies and Reflections with the Words of Christ. There are also 14 videos that go along with this book on this blog here: Teachings of Jesus videos

If you would like to read posts like the ones from this blog in book form, then you will enjoy the author's title A Key Question for All Life's Problems available as a Kindle book. The excerpts in the book may be read for personal spiritual growth, or used as sermon starters or lesson outlines. 

The author also interacts with her readers on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/GospelLifeBooks

Find all books and ebooks from this blog author at:  https://www.amazon.com/Sherry-Elaine-Evans