Is Self-blame Closely Related to Worrying?

As a consequence for not being adequately prepared, a college student may imagine the fallout from having failed a major exam. Should the student blame himself or herself for elevating other activities above preparing for the test? Worry is often connected with self-blame and therefore justified.

Self-blame is closely followed by blaming others for life’s problems. Imaginary conversations with oneself and others is common in attempting to justify and manage our failures. Worry is, in fact, an unproductive means for seeking solutions to unsolvable problems we have created.

Worry steals time and energy that should be directed toward  learning valuable lessons God is willing to teach you. Listen to God’s word from Psalm 34:4. “I sought the Lord and he answered and delivered me.” Trusting in God gives you confidence to go forward and face the future knowing that you are not alone. Believe God is with you.      

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Trust God from the bottom of your heart; don’t try to figure out everything on your own. Listen for God’s voice in everything you do, everywhere you go; he’s the one who will keep you on track.

~Proverbs 3:5-6 The Message

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What Is the Consequence of Unrelenting Suspicion?

Mismanaged emotions are a prime cause for alienation, separation, and divorce. What begins as a loving, trusting relationship deteriorates when suspicion and fear replace confidence and trust. Suspicion fosters possessive and controlling behavior.

The reason both justified and unjustified suspicion exist is lack of trust. Suspicion can be destructive, not only for the one possessing it, but for the one to whom it’s directed. Suspicion and fear inspire arguments and conflict.

The more suspicion is allowed to dominate, the more a relationship becomes dysfunctional. When Saul, the King of Israel, became suspicious of David, he tried to kill him. Saul’s fear was responsible for causing an inordinate amount of suffering and grief to David and to himself. God will heal fear and suspicion when they are surrendered to him without reservations, so trust him to do so. 

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Lord, heal me and I will be completely well; rescue me and I will be perfectly safe. You are the one I praise!

~Jeremiah 17:14 Good News Bible

Do not be afraid – I am with you! I am your God – let nothing terrify you! I will make you strong and help you; I will protect you and save you.

~ Isaiah 41:10 Good News Bible 

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In What Ways Are You Dependent on God's Protection?

A primary source of stress and trauma is in the home, where safety and security should be the primary stabilizing influence. Books, television, newspapers, and magazines have shown that violence permeates every strata of culture, creating stress and trauma in its path.

Domestic violence includes physical, psychological, and sexual abuse. Try to imagine the trauma each person experiences when exposed to the destructive force of violence in the home. The offender’s self-respect and integrity are destroyed, while trust for what should be a safe place is lost for the offended.

God never approves of family violence yet promises to be a shelter for those seeking him in the midst of the storm. Psalm 46:1 assures, “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore I will not fear though the earth should tremble and the mountains tumble into the  sea.” 

Trust God to send his help.  

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The [godly,] righteous person faces many troubles, but the Lord comes to the rescue each time.

~Psalm 34:19 New Living Translation

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New Year Plans: Are You Moving Toward a New Beginning?

Today marks the beginning of celebrating a long holiday that extends through New Year’s Day. For others it’s a continuation of celebrating that began with Christmas Eve and includes New Year’s Eve parties to greet what could be a new beginning for God’s plan and purpose for you and the nation.

Have you already begun to anticipate what magnificent things will be in store by trusting in God to bring about good things? By trusting and believing in his undeserved goodness, what can you foresee that awaits for you in the days and months ahead as you move toward a new beginning?

When the Lord God is invited to be actively present in everything you want to be and do in the days ahead, there will be no obstacle that cannot be subdued. Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth and the life,” so by uniting your life with his, contentment, joy, and peace await you.    

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Jesus answered, “You don’t understand now what I’m doing, but it will be clear enough to you later.

~John 13:7 The Message

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What Diminishes Feelings of Appreciation?

We live in an age of buying now and paying later. Maxing out credit cards can be done with ease, while paying the bill may be emotionally conflictual, demanding, and financially challenging. The abundance of things can become a barrier to feeling and expressing gratitude.

Feeling appreciative may evaporate if acquiring things produces a mindset of privilege. If feeling privileged is associated with being in a position to demand your rights, are you then in a place of advantage above others?  When privilege is applied to relationships, expressions of gratitude may be replaced by demands.

2 Samuel 22 gives reasons for expressing appreciation to God for meeting all your needs. Listen as David speaks. “The Lord is my protector and strong fortress. He defends and keeps me safe…In my troubles I call on him, and he listens and sends help.” Trusting the Lord God is a privilege and honor. 

     

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God can pour out every gift of his love on you so you will always in every way have all you need and plenty to do any good work.   

~2 Corinthians 9:8 Beck – New Testament in the Language of Today

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New Year Expectations for Positive Good

How are your expectations for this coming New Year affecting you emotionally? Are you feeling confident your expectations will bring you joy and peace? Your expectations are influenced by other people’s beliefs, behaviors, theology, and politics. Whether or not expectations become reality is dependent on your commitment to bring them to fruition.

There are positive and negative expectations. Positive expectations are connected to the belief that if I manage my life with realistic boundaries and goals, I can depend on a measure of success. Negative expectations can diminish your self-esteem, your confidence, and can result in distrust that the future will be beneficial.

To counteract negative expectations, turn your thoughts to faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, who designed you to trust him with all you heart. Then look for the evidence of the hope he will provide. “I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength.” Let this be your vision and hope. Happy New Year! 

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I am confident of this: that the One who has begun his good work in you will go on developing it until the day of Jesus Christ.

~Philippians 1:6 Phillips – New Testament in Modern English

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Trusting the Giver of Hope

Renewing hope that’s beaten down hinges on looking beyond hurt and sadness to God’s future purpose for you. Where there is loss of hope, life appears dark and empty, but by permitting even a flicker of hope to exist, the promise for a good future is possible. Hope can be battered and bruised but it never gives up or quits.

Hope looks forward to a good future like an expectant mother anticipates holding and nurturing a newborn baby. For the Christian, hope waits for God’s future provision and guidance. Hopelessness, however, is barren and unable to give birth to possibilities. Hopelessness must be rejected for it diminishes the initiative to reach for the future.

Believe that God is the giver of hope and strength to endure your present situation. Hope inspires endurance that’s anchored in Christ Jesus. While grief impacts the human spirit, hope inspired by faith makes it possible to endure whatever Christ has placed before you. He will never leave you nor forsake you.  

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“The Lord is all I have,” says my soul, “Therefore I will trust in him.” The Lord is good to those who wait for him, to the person who searches for him. It is good to hope and wait patiently for the Lord’s salvation.  

~Lamentations 3:24-26 International Standard Version

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Need to Control? Trust God

Individuals who are possessed with an inordinate need to control others do so from a position of weakness and fear. Soon after Bill and Kelly were married, choosing the church they would attend evolved into a major power struggle. Attempting to put the issue to rest, Bill told Kelly if she refused to attend his church, divorce would be her choice.

What Bill failed to understand is that submission can be given only where there is freedom to choose. Each time he imposed an ultimatum on Kelly, it left him feeling insecure and without peace. Defiance and sadness highlighted Kelly’s refusal to yield to Bill’s demands.

Both men and women may possess this need for dominance, but controlling others tends to alienate rather than create trust. Forced submission means imprisonment. An inordinate need to control is also a form of enslavement. Isaiah informs us that the Messiah would come to proclaim freedom for the captives. Jesus came to free you from the bondage of sin. 

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The book of Isaiah the prophet was handed to him [Jesus], and he opened it to the place where it says:

“The Spirit of the Lord is upon me; he has appointed me to preach Good News to the poor; he has sent me to heal the brokenhearted and to announce that captives shall be released and the blind shall see, that the downtrodden shall be freed from their oppressors, and that God is ready to give blessings to all who come to him.”

~Luke 4:17-19 The Living Bible

Faith's Priority ~ 2020 Vision of Trust in God

Do you believe on this New Year's Day that the new year can offer a fresh start for your life? If so, have you promised to make lifestyle changes to ensure that a fresh start has a chance for success? Your fresh start has a chance for a positive outcome and success provided you inaugurate Christian faith’s priorities into the action to be taken. 

What do Christian faith’s priorities include? Trusting in God to give you wisdom to choose what to include in your fresh start will determine if your journey will be successful. Trust is essential for activating faith that keeps you on the path when the way grows narrow and distractions abound.

What is an essential faith priority that holds you steady when the way becomes filled with obstacles? Essential is a heartfelt belief that the presence of God will keep you from falling away or giving up when it’s impossible to see what lies ahead. God promises never to leave or abandon you regardless of what you encounter, so keep pressing onward. God keeps his promises.  Happy New Year! 

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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.

~Psalm 143:8 New International Version

You, Lord, give perfect peace to those who keep their purpose firm and put their trust in you.

Trust in the Lord forever; he will always protect us.

~Isaiah 26:3-4 Good News Bible

Pay Your Dues – Activate Your Gifts

Studies indicate that many intelligent people spend their lives being underachievers. One reason could be they may feel too insecure to activate their gifts. Joseph had every excuse to be an underachiever. Although intelligent and insightful, he faced incredible harsh realities like being sold into slavery, falsely accused of a crime and sent to prison.

 

Joseph paid his dues, but never believed God abandoned him or left him to his own devices. God supplies your needs, as Jeremiah 32:17 confirms. "O Sovereign Lord, you have made the heavens and the earth by your great power and out-stretched arm. You reward everyone according to their conduct and as their deeds deserve."

Joseph consistently made the best use of his abilities when in prison and while serving the king of Egypt. His confidence was securely anchored by faith in God's purpose for him even when that purpose seemed unclear. Yet Joseph believed God was capable of unimaginable success in completing an extremely difficult task, so trust God completely.  

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You can be sure that God will take care of everything you need, his generosity exceeding even yours in the glory that pours out from Jesus.

~Philippians 4:19 The Message

Beware of Evil, Prowling Lions

Opportunities that come our way can be to secure our betterment or to create a disaster. Some opportunities build bridges to prosperity, happiness and joy. Others build bridges to failure and suffering. After Joseph adjusted to life as a slave, his peace and comfort began to unravel when Potiphar’s wife began making sexual advances. 

Genesis 39:7 portrays her objective. “Come to bed with me.” Now listen to Joseph’s integrity. “My master has withheld nothing from me except you, because you are his wife. How then can I commit such wicked sin?” These attempts at seduction became more provocative and an endless temptation. 

          Being acutely aware of what God considered sin played a major role in helping Joseph keep his distance. He refused to permit his capacity for godly judgment to be over-shadowed by evil opportunities. Allow Joseph’s witness to inspire you to remain faithful to God’s grace and mercy. Choose to live only by standards that bring glory and honor to God.  

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Be careful – watch out for attacks from Satan, your great enemy. He prowls around like a hungry, roaring lion, looking for some victim to tear apart. Stand firm when he attacks. Trust the Lord, and remember that other Christians all around the world are going through these sufferings, too.

~1 Peter 5:8-9 The Living Bible

Revenge Is Evil ~ God's Way Is Best

Getting through life without being hurt is impossible. It happens when someone we trust acts out in ways to hurt our feelings. Even if unintentional, the damage to trust can be long-lasting. Two initial responses to being hurt are to pretend everything is fine or to punish the offender by seeking revenge.

Jacob’s sons took the revenge approach when a man from their neighborhood raped their sister Dinah. They plotted to annihilate anyone remotely responsible for this crime. Revenge includes a calculating mindset encased in hatred or rage with little consideration of repercussions, including how others who were not involved would be affected.

          Whether we internalize pain or plan revenge, neither will dissolve the hurt we feel. God is not pleased with revenge as payment for hurtful behavior. Although God does not respond on our time schedule, he ultimately brings justice in his time and in his way. God’s desire is for us to trust him to do what is right and beneficial.
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Don't take revenge, dear friends, but let God punish, because the Bible says, "I alone have the right to avenge. I will pay back," says the Lord. 
~ROMANS 12:19 Beck - New Testament in the Language of Today

Keep on Fighting the Good Fight

Obstructions can be an invitation to fight or a summons to admit failure. Inherent in human nature is the tendency to struggle to pursue what appears unattainable. Struggling against obstacles tests the strength of our character to succeed. Successfully fighting obstacles hinges on resilience and endurance.

 

          Fear and discouragement often converge to defeat faith in oneself and block the pathway to success. Discouragement is to be expected when continuous obstacles challenge the will to reach an objective. Fear and embarrassment of failure can be replaced by determination to fight the good fight of faith and do what is right.

           After Jacob settled in at his uncle Laban’s house, he soon discovered he had met his match in the game of manipulation and deception. He was challenged consistently by his uncle’s attempts to keep him off balance. God had begun His work of redemption in Jacob, so he felt compelled to trust God as if it were his only option.