Category: Life

Refreshed through Worship

When was the last time you worshiped God? Truly, completely, worshiped Him, and focused on Him alone, instead of on yourself?

I have to say, for me, it had been a long time.

Last night at my church, however, I had the opportunity to do just that.

Our church group, called “The Well,” focused the time of worship on the theme of Come and See. It was based on the story of the Samaritan woman who came to a well to draw water, and after meeting Jesus, was offered the living water that flows from Christ Himself (John Chapter 4).

We sang worship songs to God, focusing on who He is and what He has done for us. We also participated in two activities. During the first we were able to dip our hands into a bowl of cool water to symbolize the refreshment found in Jesus. In the second activity, we were encouraged to write down the name of a person we know who needs refreshing from the Lord–either refreshment through salvation, or continued refreshment from Him for their daily walk.

This truly was a refreshing time for ME, as well. As I focused on worshiping Jesus, He poured out His living water of refreshment on my parched soul. He knew what I needed, and He met me where I was!

I would encourage you to take some time–either alone, or in a group–to worship your Savior. You may be surprised by how much refreshment He brings to your heart! He is “Mighty to Save,” and in Him can be found everything that we need to live an abundant life that is pleasing to Him.

Photo credit: kristen_w

The Perfectionism Monster

Scared. Out. Of. My. Mind. That’s how I was feeling regarding our church hand-bell rehearsal yesterday. We will be playing for the first time during our church’s morning services this upcoming Sunday, and I was not feeling ready–at all.

A lot of it has to do with my perfectionism. I am a self-proclaimed perfectionist; and not proud of it! 🙂 I have a deep yearning to meet all expectations, please every person that I come in contact with, excel at every opportunity that I undertake, and never, EVER, make a mistake.

I believe that at least some of my desire for perfection stems from my struggles with OCD (obsessive-compulsive disorder). Another part of it could spring from incidences in my past which made me feel un-loved.

Maybe you can empathize with me? With the craving to have all things work out just as planned? It’s like I want everything wrapped up with a neat little ribbon before being introduced into my life. How far from reality this expectation really is!

But how to combat it? It seems to infiltrate every aspect of my being. I try to fight it, but it only seems to grow stronger–like a cookie-monster whose acquisition of cookies does not satiate him, like it should, but only causes his desire for cookies to grow.

cookie-monster

The only way that I know to counteract this natural tendency of mine is to kill it with grace. Yes, God wants us to be “perfect,” (or complete) and “holy,” (or set apart from sin). But He also knows that this is a process, and that it is not something that happens overnight!

I (and all followers of Christ) are in the process of being sanctified–or being transformed, moment-by-moment, into the image of Jesus. This is accomplished through reading God’s Word, through prayer, through fellowship with other believers, through service to others, through trials…and any other number of things. I believe that what’s important is not so much how “perfect” we are, but how surrendered to Him we are willing to be. Because the truth about perfection is that Jesus Christ is the only perfect Being, and He is the only One who can do this work of change in our lives.

But back to killing perfectionism with grace. A chapter of Scripture that has really changed my life and my viewpoint of God is Psalm 103. I would encourage you to read the entire chapter, and you can do that here. But I will share with you a few of my favorite verses from this passage.

8 The Lord is compassionate and merciful,
    slow to get angry and filled with unfailing love…

11 For his unfailing love toward those who fear him
    is as great as the height of the heavens above the earth.
12 He has removed our sins as far from us
    as the east is from the west.
13 The Lord is like a father to his children,
    tender and compassionate to those who fear him.
14 For he knows how weak we are;
    he remembers we are only dust.

God understands us! He considers Himself our Father, and we His children.

Lord, help us to remember how much you love us when we are attacked by the “perfectionism monster!”

perfectionism

P.S. My hand-bell practice went a lot better than I expected, thank the Lord! 🙂 It seems that when I relax and breathe, I’m able to think more clearly, enjoy what I’m doing more, and just focus on doing my best for my Savior!

Photo credit (for cookie monster): Unknown

Turning Off the Worry Switch

through-the-looking-glass

Racing thoughts. Irrational thoughts. Relentless thoughts. When will they end?

I lay awake at night, sleep eluding me, and wonder why my mind won’t just “shut down.”

I had a fairly good day: accomplished several chores, worked on my blog, shared some time with my husband, caught up with my mom over the phone, and took our dog for a walk in the crisp late afternoon air. But for some reason, it seems like there are things left unfinished.

Either that, or I’m concerned about tomorrow.

I must wake up early to go to the Behavioral Health Center that I was discharged from a month and a half ago, in order to sign for and pick up my records. This should be the first step in (hopefully) attaining continued temporary disability benefits.

Then I need to travel to the DVR (Division of Vocational Rehabilitation) Center in order to take a Career Scope test. The goal of the test is to find occupations that would be compatible with my likes, abilities, and skill set, while taking into account my mental health issues. I’m hoping that ultimately they will be able to provide free training for me in a new, suitable career. Prayers are appreciated! 🙂

Later in the evening, I have hand bell rehearsal at my church. It should be fun, albeit challenging. My husband and I are actually attempting to arrive early in order to go over our parts individually.

Maybe by putting these thoughts on “paper” I will be able to let them go. To turn the “worry switch” off in my brain and be able to rest in God and His loving and competent control of my life.

These are the type of thoughts that I want to fall asleep thinking about. 🙂