Day by Day

Godspell anyone? Ok, that’s not what I was originally thinking but my brain seems to be on endless album of all the songs I've heard in my life, and certain words trigger tracks that have been long tucked away.

I’m a worrywart and anxiety ridden, but hey at least I admit it. Lately I've felt the pressure of planning start bottling up in my stomach, the desire to want to know what’s going to happen. My brain knows that sometimes we don’t know what’s going to happen and aren’t supposed to, but the problem is my brain is a little far from my stomach. Even if my mind is shouting to the gurgling below, it just can’t seem to calm the storm.

The questions don’t help either. How long are you teaching in Phoenix? When are you moving home? Are you seeing anyone? I see lots of people thank you.

Maybe it’s because I’m 27 and 254 days old and aren’t you supposed to have your life together by 30, which gives me 2 years and 132 days to be settled and I know where I’m going to be in 10 years, do you? (Yes, that’s a Greek reference.) Can you hear the anxiety stew bubbling yet?

In ABC family’s Greek, Evan asks his girlfriend Casey that question. “I know where I wanna be in 10 years, do you?” Casey doesn't answer but repeats the question to her ex-boyfriend, but soon to be boyfriend, then ex-boyfriend, then boyfriend again…oh, the beauty of college sitcoms centered around Greek life…Cappie answers, “I wanna be with you.”

Ok, so maybe it’s not the best show ever made but isn't that what we should be saying to God? I don’t know where I’m going to be in 10 years or 10 months or what I’ll even be doing in 10 days, but I know I want to be on track with God.

For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.

Jeremiah 29:11

Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you.

1 Peter 5:6-7

The thought of me being in control of my life is actually pretty terrifying so I’m thankful there is Someone looking out for me 24/7. If I keep pursuing Him, He will direct by steps, little by little, day by day.

Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.

Proverbs 3:5-6

Does a dad teach his kid to ride a bike the first time by sitting him on top of the seat, saying go, and pushing him out onto the looming asphalt? No. He probably holds his hand, runs alongside him, and lets go when he feels the kid is ready.

Let God hold your hand. He’ll lead you along the looming asphalt even if it is terrifying. You might not know what is around the corner, but God does and when the time is right He’ll show you. Until then, follow him, day by day.

14 Bible Verses For When I Can't Understand God's Plan

Victors (And no, I'm not talking about Hunger Games)

I’m so glad we can be conquerors through Christ, aren’t you? Battles are taking place all the time. We have big battles in our lives that are hard to forget, and then we have daily battles so small we don’t even realize they’re waging. I’m reminded of my recent battle often. The memories are in the scent of Japanese Cherry Blossom and the melodic harmony of Revelation 19. They’re in the red ThermaCare boxes that line the bottom shelves at Target and the bright light that radiates from my iPad at night. I could have thrown out the Japanese Cherry Blossom or stopped listening to Revelation 19, but instead I craved it because during one of the most difficult times in my life I clung to the message that is at the end of all three parts of the hymn: He is wonderful.

Luke 4:1-13 gives us the story of Jesus being tempted by the devil.

 And Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan and was led by the Spirit in the wilderness ² for forty days, being tempted by the devil. And he ate nothing during those days. And when they were ended, he was hungry. ³ The devil said to him, “If you are the Son of God, command this stone to become bread.” ⁴ And Jesus answered him, “It is written,‘Man shall not live by bread alone.’” ⁵ And the devil took him up and showed him all the kingdoms of the world in a moment of time, ⁶ and said to him, “To you I will give all this authority and their glory, for it has been delivered to me, and I give it to whom I will. ⁷ If you, then, will worship me, it will all be yours.” ⁸ And Jesus answered him, “It is written,

“‘You shall worship the Lord your God,
    and him only shall you serve.’”

⁹ And he took him to Jerusalem and set him on the pinnacle of the temple and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down from here, ¹⁰ for it is written,

“‘He will command his angels concerning you,
    to guard you,’

¹¹ and

“‘On their hands they will bear you up,
    lest you strike your foot against a stone.’”

¹² And Jesus answered him, “It is said, ‘You shall not put the Lord your God to the test.’”¹³ And when the devil had ended every temptation, he departed from him until an opportune time.

Jesus resisted temptation and so can we because He lives in us.

And I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Comforter (Counselor, Helper, Intercessor, Advocate, Strengthener, and Standby), that He may remain with you forever—

John 14:16 AMP

My temptation during my 60 Days with a Grapefruit was to lose the promise of the goodness of God and the strength He promises to His children. With Joyce Meyer’s many messages ringing through my head, I knew if I let me mind slip and start thinking negatively everything was going to plummet very quickly. Did I always maintain a positive attitude? No. My body was already falling apart and there was little I could do about it except take endless bubble baths with Japanese Cherry Blossom and open countless boxes of ThermaCare heating pads. I could control my mind however and that’s why when I felt I was at my breaking point I pushed the sweet promises of Revelation 19 out of my lips. 

Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him.

James 1:12

⁵⁶ The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. ⁵⁷ But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

⁵⁸ Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain.

1 Corinthians 15:56-58

Whatever temptation is knocking at the door of your heart or trying to squeeze itself into the small but powerful crevices of your mind, remain steadfast. Christ promises that we can. We will have complete victory when we see our Father in the glorious heavenly realms, but while we wait and walk…or sometimes drag…ourselves down the beautifully crooked paths he has set before us, we can victory now. Victory to know whatever our circumstance is, it is temporary, but also knowing through all things God is still good.

No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. 

Romans 8:37

We can be conquerors, victors, because Christ has had victory first.

For everyone who has been born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith. ⁵ Who is it that overcomes the world except the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?

I John 5:3-4

For because he himself has suffered when tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted.

Hebrews 2:18

If something is pulling your heart in the wrong direction, hold on to these promises from the God that loves you so. He cares for you and can help you stand strong.

Both riches and honor come from you, and you rule over all. In your hand are power and might, and in your hand it is to make great and to give strength to all. ¹³ And now we thank you, our God, and praise your glorious name.

1 Chronicals 29:12-13

His strength is available to you. The same hands that formed the world into being and raised Jarius’ daughter from the dead are offered to you.

But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. 10 For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

2 Corinthians 12:9-10

If you’re too weak to reach out and take His hands, let go. Let His loving Hands catch you, comfort you, and give you are the strength you need to be a victor in Christ.