A Time For Anxiety

I never really thought that I had anxiety. I mean, I know a worry... a lot. I stress... a  lot. I hate talking in person... a lot (because what if I say the wrong thing... which I tend to do? Isn't it better to just be quiet than say the wrong thing? Hmmm....)

But a few days ago, I read a post about Anxiety. It sort of fit me to a tee.

About a week ago, my husband's cousin died of complications from H1N1. He was just 36. He was a preacher and had a wife and 2 small girls. That sort of gets you thinking. If you can die of the flu, how safe are you in the world?

Now, I'm not stupid. I know you can die at any time. A car crash. A house fire. A flippin' meteor can fall on your head.

I get that.

But the flu?

Really?

Thus started the 'Do I need a flu shot?' debate in my head. This post isn't about that. It's your personal opinion if you get one or not. Some people do. Some can't. I've never had one.

The fear of the unknown. I think that's what leads to my personal anxiety. I like knowing where I'm going. I like knowing specifics. I'm kind of like my six year old that way. She freaks out if she doesn't know what's coming next. I guess she got it from me (yay... she didn't get my eye color, but got my anxiety. Poor kid...)

A lot of times, I feel like a failure because I don't know what to do. Like being a mother. If there was a handbook, I'd be all over it ;) Some people seem like a natural. I feel like I just make kids cry. Ever have days like that? They aren't pleasant.

I knew I wanted my first post of 2014 to be about anxiety because, like always, there is so much we don't know. A war could break out tomorrow for all we know (now you are worrying about it, aren't you? Admit it ;) )

Psalm 139:23-- Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts.

I'm guessing God doesn't have to search me too thoroughly to know my anxious thoughts ;) They are pretty apparent (well, to me anyway. My husband says I'm hard to read...)

Philippians 4:6-- Don't worry about anything: instead; pray about everything. Tell God what you need and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God's peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.

I don't know about you, but that seems pretty good to me.

What I get out of this? Two things:
ONE: There is no use in worrying. Things will happen like they are going to happen anyway.

TWO: There is no use in worrying. Things will happen like they are going to happen anyway.


I watched an episode of ER the other night (Yes... yes I did). There was this lady who was afraid to get out of her house. The therapist finally convinced her to do it, and all these terrible things happened. Was it a coincidence or would it have happened anyway? I'm thinking it would have happened anyway.

There is no since worrying about the future because the future will be what it'll be. That's both comforting and scary. We can change certain things: we can NOT drink and drive. we can NOT over eat. We can wash our hands after meals so we don't get sick.

But we can't control others. We can't make them NOT drink and drive. We can't NOT make our spouse live healthy. We can't force our preacher to use germx and spread germs.

There are things in life we can't control, and that's scary.

But it also makes every day a miracle.

Yesterday is gone. Have a fight with your spouse. Okay, let it go. It's over. You can't take it back, but you can learn from it today.

Tomorrow may never come. It's a scary thought, but it's true. There is no use in worrying. Things will happen like they are going to happen anyway.

Focus on today. How can you live today to make life better for those around you? Will worrying about tomorrow hamper your happiness today?

Has any of this helped me? I don't know. I still worry. I think all parents worry whether we want to or not. When you have people who depend on you, it happens.

But that doesn't mean we should let it control us.

There are such things as accidents. You can't control everything. We have to understand that.

My verse for this week...

Philippians 4:6-- Don't worry about anything: instead; pray about everything. Tell God what you need and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God's peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.

 

~Kelly

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A New Year. A New Blog. A New Outlook

Hi. Remember me? I haven't blogged since... oh August. I've been *busy*. That's what happens when you have four bestselling novels, more to write, editing, working basically two jobs, with three kids... and a husband...

And it was also an excuse. 

I started this blog in 2010 (I think lol). The goal was to write 1 devotional every day for a year (hence the 'Encourage 365') And I did it. I wrote every day for a year... and I was so proud.

I'm not sure if it was right or wrong to be proud. I mean, it was good that I fulfilled my commitment, but was I really writing what God wanted or was I just trying to fill spaces until the year was up so I could say 'I did it!'

I gained followers. Over 100 in fact. I was over the moon. And I was grateful for it.

I also started the Devotional blog directory. It grew and I was so grateful for it.

And I started to get regular contributors... and I was grateful for it.

We were growing. And I was grateful. And proud.

And then I got 'busy'. And I got, honestly, burned out.

Last December, I announced that I was going to blog every day again. We were going to read the bible in a year, I said. It was going to be Epic, I said. We were going to do it together, I said.

I stopped after January.

Then, this December I was shopping right before Christmas (like RIGHT before.. on the 23rd) and a woman stopped me. She'd almost completed the 1 year bible plan I started in January. She was so excited! I felt like a huge loser.

BUT, this isn't about the past. It's not about the 365 days of blogging I did. It's not about the directory. It's not about my books. It's about me. That might be selfish lol, but I got to thinking and I was missing something. I do a lot... but I'd given up something I really liked in the process.

I don't know all the answer... Heck, I don't know any of them to be honest. I have lots of questions though. On facebook, there is a lady called 'The World's Worst Missionary' (or something like that). From her, I realized, I don't have to have all the answers. I don't have to know 'everything' to blog. I don't have to know all the biblical answers to write about it.

I just have to do it. Because I guarantee most of you don't have all the answers either.

SO, where does that leave us. My goal for 2014 is to blog once a week (Encourage 52 would be more apt I guess lol). I want to blog over things that are happening in my life. Maybe things I don't understand. Maybe things we can work out together. I'm excited about this. I'm not worrying about replies (though comment if you want :) ). I'm not worrying about 'reach' or people who have seen my post... or anything like that. I'm just blogging-- and hoping-- and praying it helps someone (maybe even me).

My first devotional for 2014 will be up tomorrow. It' about anxiety. I'm so excited to write one again. Like I said, it's been a while.

That said, I'm deleting the Devotional blog directory. I'm so thankful for everyone who has signed up over the years. Truly, from the bottom of my heart. But I can't maintain it any more, and it's not what this blog is about any more. I hope you all understand <3 If you 'Unfollow', I understand. I love you all very much and appreciate what you've done. I also love your blogs :) I still read them (mainly if I see the link on facebook).

So, there is it. A big confession. A big bombshell. And a big goal for 2014. Here's to 52 weeks of devotionals <3

~Kelly
 

New Blog in Directory-- CATCHING THE OVERFLOW

Catching the Overflow is about seeing all the grace that God has heaped on us. Being able to find the moments when we are filled with his overflowing love. Life can be hard, but with Jesus in our hearts we will always have someone who cares about us. 


**I know it's been a long time since I've posted anything (Nearly 2 months!), but I wanted to welcome Andrea to the blog directory! If you have a moment, please go check out her blog. :)

~Kelly

THis Woman Writes-- New Blog in the Directory :)

I'm excited to announce a new blog in the directory....

 

 

This Woman Writes addresses modern life’s oddities and ends through the eyes and perspective of an ordinary Christian – me. Contempo Christianity -- http://thiswomanwrites.areavoices.com/ -- is my weekly Wednesday Christian-based article, delving into what it means to live one’s faith in the 21^st century environment – both religious and secular.

  

 

WELCOME :)

 

~Kelly

Life Stinks... without God Guest Post by Mike R.

Life Stinks...

...Without God.

"live in such a way that those who don't know God

 will come to know God because they know you"

- Unknown 

Our life in God is essential to the eternal life that awaits our coming. Christ came and made known God. He made known the God, that prophets tried to teach, but no one listened. Christ took off his heavenly, king robes, and appeared as one of us, so that we may have life in him. 

It is necessary that we, whom believe in God, keep that life going; making sure it doesn't get flat. Like a car tire. It will eventually go flat, because of all the driving, so for the protection of the car and the tire it is an absolute thing to keep filling it up with air. 

Same as our life in Christ. It can and will get flat.We often must go to mass, confession, and when we can renewing retreats. But we must watch, that going to mass doesn't turn from a ritual to a habit. We have to watch to make sure we are need and want to, not that we have to. We have to be careful for it easy for this it to turn into a regular habit.

But that isn't enough. 

No, not even close. Our life in Christ isn't simply one that requires us to go to a building we see once a week. As St.James puts it, "...Faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action is dead" [James 2:17] It it the daily action we do, that also keeps the tire spinning. It is how we walk about, and living our lives. It's if we choose to be the Priest filled with pride, or the kind Samaritan that decides to help out those in need. 

Moreover, our Christian life isn't one that's easy, and lazy. It's a life that takes courage and it takes us going out of our own way to do the Lords will. It is a call, to go and be brave, to go against the 'wave.' It is a life that requires us to practice what we pray. It is a life dedicated to the work of God.

When we are done this earthly life, and have moved in front of the gates of heaven, God will be happy to accept us, when he sees his will, not ours. It is hard, to have that listed, but of course through the power of prayer, it is possible. 

May we, the people living the Christian Faith (and the Future ones) live the life of Christ. By praying for the strength from God to be able to preach and to do his will! 

Come see my Blog at:

Praytogodtoday.blogspot.ca