Month: February 2019

Are you fighting a battle right now? Maybe it’s a battle against anxiety or depression. Maybe it’s a battle against finances or weight loss. Maybe it’s a battle against a clingy sin that you just can’t seem to shake off.

Maybe you’re not the one entrenched in the muck and mire of the battlefield, perhaps it’s someone you know.

All I know is that fighting any kind of a battle can leave us feeling exhausted, hopeless and even defeated.

If you, or someone you know, is feeling that way, let me bring you some words of strength, hope and victory. These words come right out of the Word.

Psalm 3:3 tells us, “But you, Lord, are a shield around me, my glory, the One who lifts my head high.”

King David penned these words, and in a sense, it’s as if he’s giving us two names of God within them. God is a Shield and Lifter of heads.

Why is that significant? Because if anyone understood battle and the impact it had on the human soul, it was David.

As we think of the battles we are facing (or perhaps the battles that those whom we love are facing), there is tremendous comfort and hope in knowing that God is our Shield. He’s like an impenetrable force-field surrounding us. The Creator of the universe keeps us safe. Knowing and internalizing this truth is a weapon in and of itself for the battles we fight.

Remembering God’s Truth and promises can give us strength exactly when we need it.

The following quote from Corrie ten Boom reminds us that God’s promises are true no matter what problems, circumstances, or battles we face.

“Let God’s promises shine on your problems.” –Corrie ten Boom 

As we think of a physical shield and how it has been used as an instrument of protection, it’s helpful to know that in ancient times, it was typically made of tough, thick hides that were adhered to a rim. The wearer was able to attach it to his left arm and thrust it in front of his body when attacked.

The shield was most useful when arrows and spears were being deployed. It was not nearly so useful for other weapons such as cannonballs or muskets. Though it didn’t protect every part of the body, it protected the vital parts against certain weapons.

Just as a physical shield does not protect the one who wears it from everything, neither does God protect us from everything. There are certain wounds we will experience on the battlefield. 

2 Corinthians 4: 8-9 puts it eloquently and accurately as we think about the Christian life, ^{8 “}We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; ⁹ persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed.” 

When we are intentionally and actively living out God’s will for our lives, we will encounter battles. And when we begin to feel hopeless, lonely, or defeated, we combat it with the truth that God is our Shield and the Lifter of our heads.

“But you, Lord, are a shield around me, my glory, the One who lifts my head high.” Psalm 3:3

When we feel down and depressed, our very posture changes. Imagine yourself with your head hanging low and God coming up and ever so gently lifting up your chin with His finger. Your head raises up and the direction of your gaze shifts from your circumstances to His loving eyes.

When God lifted David’s head, He helped to relieve his distress, to take away his troubles. He does the same for us.

Friend, keep the images of the Shield and Lifter of your head in your mind, that the Holy Spirit might bring them to the forefront when you need it most.

With this Truth in mind, let us go be radiant this week.

 

 

Friends, my family and I are finally coming out of a 6-week-season of sickness! Pneumonia, bronchitis, fevers, chills and conjunctivitis, you name it, we had it. I can’t even begin to tell you how thankful I am that we have nearly completely emerged from the dark cloud that hovered over us for far too long.

I tell you, I’m a pretty positive person most of the time. I almost always have the ability to see the silver lining in situations, to will myself to choose joy, to smile in spite of my circumstances. However, these last few weeks were so trying, that I found it very difficult to have a positive, joyful attitude.

One of my friends pointed out that when we are unable to walk with joy, God carries us. What a comfort that is. When we are weak, He is strong.

Now that we are out of the doldrums, I feel like I can finally look out around me and begin to be more “others oriented” again. This is a phrase I learned many years ago and it has helped me tremendously in my struggle with selfishness.

I was raised as an only child, which I’m sure contributed to my tendency toward a sometimes selfish and egotistical attitude. God has chiseled away at this over the years and has given me countless opportunities to look outward (instead of inward) and choose the needs of others over my own.

One of those opportunities is Valentine’s day.

When we are making plans for Valentine’s day, we often think of those closest to us, our spouse, our kids or grandkids. But what about others around us? What about our neighbors, co-workers or even the check-out person at the grocery store?

Valentine’s day is such a sweet opportunity (see what I did there? lol) to reach out to others and show them that we care. I mean, just think about how much love we could express with a box of chocolates? 😉 I really believe chocolate should be one of the 5 love languages.

The Bible admonishes us to love one another: ” Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God.” (1 John 4:7).

Now, even though we know we are supposed to love others, it’s so easy to make excuses not to express that love, isn’t it? I’m too busy. Money is tight. I wouldn’t even know what to get my co-workers.

What if we made a conscious effort to push those excuses aside, carve out some time and use what we have to bless someone else?

Here are some simple ideas that you could do this week to show love to people around you:

• Make heart-shaped cookies with your kids or grandkids and give them away.
• Make home-made Valentine’s day cards using construction paper, markers, glitter glue, (whatever you have).
• Go to the local donut store and buy some donuts with red and pink sprinkles on them. Wrap them up with a card that says, “I donut know what I’d do without you.”

Last year, I enlisted the help of my 3-year-old and we made some goodies for friends and neighbors (see pictures below).

• Dip some strawberry wafer cookies in melted chocolate and cover with sprinkles. Put them in a jar and tie a cute ribbon around it.
• Make chocolate covered strawberries by melting chocolate chips and a little coconut oil. Once the chocolate has hardened on the strawberries, put them on bamboo skewers and make a bouquet. Wrap them up in parchment paper or cellophane and tie with a red or pink ribbon.

 

What fun activities to do with your kids, grandkids or nieces and nephews and what a great way to help them be others-oriented too.

It doesn’t have to be an extravagant expression, just something to show that you are thinking of the other person – something that shows that you care about them.

Your friends may share with you when circumstances in their lives are difficult, but they may not share with you the full gravity or extent of those circumstances. They also may not share just how deeply they are impacted by them. A little expression of care can go a very long way.

When I think about the extent to which Jesus showed His love for me, cookies, and chocolates are the least I can do for others.

If you’d like to give a non-food gift, try some fun socks with hearts on them. Pinterest is also a great resource for ideas. Whatever you choose to do, I’m sure it will be very meaningful to the recipients of your love.

What are some things you have done for Valentine’s day gifts? I’d love to read your ideas in the comments below.

Let us go be radiant this week by expressing love to others.