Hello!  How is your busy life going? Are all of your plans working out accordingly while life is happening? Many people are right in the middle of living out their plans. Some are preparing for marriage, having children, buying a new home, preparing for a new job, going to a new school, etc… Yet, these same people may be unaware of potential changes that are beginning to occur withi¹n their environment at the same time-which alters the plans.

   The difficulty is when the changes seem to arise out of nowhere and turmoil erupts. It is human behavior to become reactionary when circumstances change (mostly without our permission) and then we try to control the outcome-which is absolutely ridiculous because we have no control.  The problem then becomes how is this handled? For me, it is most likely that fear arrives first, then anxiety piggybacks fear, then insecurity may show up to ensure irrational support of the first two emotions. Perhaps nausea and sleeplessness show up at night because they think they are late to my senseless happenstance.  

   For instance- I just had a situation regarding money. Apparently, there was a mishap with my employer and I did not receive my paycheck. My immediate response was not “let me pray about this”. No, it was not Godly and prayerful- it was shock, anger, emotional, reactionary in a very negative response. I called a friend to complain and then sarcastically asked if he would visit me in prison because I felt my emotions (and actions) were justified-they were not. Seriously, I need to pay rent-I like living indoors! I need to pay for gas, food, prescriptions, and my tithe for Church. I immediately felt like I lost my mind…but, I definitely know I lost my peace. But the Lord promises to always care for His children and provide for them so I must have faith to believe God at His Word, ^“Do not worry then, saying, ‘What are we to eat?’ or ‘What are we to drink?’ or ‘What are we to wear for clothing?’ For the Gentiles eagerly seek all these things; for your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. Butseek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be provided to you. (Matthew 6:31-33)

   As one can imagine it is hard to be calm, cool and collected when a piece of your life is disrupted. What happens is I think I am in control of my life and not God. As a Believer, that reflects a lack of faith on my part. My saving grace is that I did not wallow in my disruption and went to God as soon as possible and made my Petition known (even though He already knew). The plea is regarding my relationship with my Heavenly Father.  Think about how many times we turned to our parents to whine or complain and to plead our case? What was usually the first thing they would say? “CALM DOWN! We will figure it out. I am your Mother/Father, I will help you.”  Well, God says to us “Be Still, and know that I am God.” 

   God says “Be still”- let go of the turmoil-cease striving. When we are striving, we are not at peace within our mind-which affects the body-which affects our soul… basically our whole being. “And know that I am God.” If you think your parents would look out for you, defend and protect you, what do you think an all knowing, ever-present GOD would do for His own? God reminds believers that He is our protective refuge. We do not need to exchange our peace for panic; or force our own conclusions. GOD is sovereign-He is always in control so we do not need to be. 

  Please continue to join me as we grow together with a Renewed Heart.     Melody Elias