note to self...

Don't expect the peace and provision of God to come to you automatically in times of difficulty. Many people have given up because they didn't understand the faith factor. God wants you to believe Him before you see Him act. It's the essence of faith. Trust Him when you don't feel like it. Trust Him when you don't see his answer. Your faith is the doorway for His activity. He will bring peace as soon as you cross the threshold.

Note to self

life is a series of problem solving situations. Each day you will be faced with some type of problem which you will either try and solve yourself or ask God for help. You will save hours of frustration by not attempting the first route and immediately go to God. If you yield to His wisdom, the answer will come. Wait for it. In time, trusting God for everything will be your lifestyle, which is what He is after.

notes to self...

I stumbled across some old binders filled with notes to a loved one struggling to hang on to God. I knew her exhaustion. I undetstood the temptation to give up. And I felt her longing for escape. I'd been there.

Someone needed to encourage her before she tip-toed into oblivion. The possibilities scared me into writing to her each day.

I became her coach. Sharing what I'd learned while merely a stroke ahead in the struggle to stay afloat. The notes became a lifeline between us, offering hope in digestible bites.

She did exactly as I suggested. Memorized the verses I gave her, and avoided the snags I encountered.

As I grew stronger, I knew she would survive.

In time I no longer needed to write the words to her. She lived them. I could let go of begging God for her tomorrows.

I know because the words were notes to myself.

note to self...

Some days you will be bombarded with confusing thoughts. It may be an unrelenting song stuck in your head, doubts about God or yourself, obsessive ruminations over something out of your control, or just mental static from the noise around you. This internal turbulence can send you to a bad place if you try and figure out where it came from, or let it steal your attention. Don't engage in the battle and rabbit-trail yourself into anxiety.

The best way to combat these intrusions is to ignore them. Replace the climate of your brain with music based on truth. It is as simple as it sounds. The truth will guide your thoughts back to a safe haven of peace, and the unwelcome poachers will fade back into the darkness from which they slinked.