Blog Archives

5 Steps To Ending Worry in Your Life

10/14/2016

During the last few weeks I have been teaching as series called "Care•less" - not meaning not careful, but living free of worry and anxiety. In the world today it seems like it's impossible to avoid worrying about something. Life brings so many twists and turns. Some are expected and some are a complete surprise. But know this, God was not surprised by what you are going through. As a matter of fact, He saw it coming. Now you might be wondering, God why are you letting me go through this?? However, there is one thing that we should consider before we point the finger at God: He has already prepared our rescue package. That's why God is good, because He didn't leave us alone or forget about our needs. He saw what we needed ahead of time and made reservations for us. All we have to do is receive His strategy, wisdom, direction, and provision that will prove to be the answer to whatever life is throwing our way.

God says in a passage found in 1 Peter 5:5-10 that you can cast all of your cares (worries, anxieties) on Him because he cares for you. BUT there is a specific strategy that this passage outlines, giving us steps to follow so we can live worry free. Here we go!

Forgiven: Hate Cannot Do What Love Does

10/3/2016

Recently I posted on my Instagram account asking people for their suggestions on blog topics. I got a lot of good responses, but one topic was consistent: LOVE.

A man once said that no person gets mad at a blind man for bumping into him. Instead, they just give that blind man directions and show him the way. I mean, who gets mad at a blind man right?? Right now, there are many people in this world who are blind - or walking in darkness, and when they “bump" into us our response can be either be love or offense. We can either get mad, get even, or be kind. After all, they can't see. Jesus says in Luke 17:1 that offenses are bound to come, but we have to remember that being offended is a decision. One preacher used to say it like this: You can’t stop a bird from pooping on your head, but you can stop him from building a nest in your hair. We are encouraged to walk in love in every situation and scenario (Matthew 22:39). The problems in our life come when we decide to pick and choose when we will walk in love, and who is worthy of receiving our love. I'm sure glad that God didn't pick and choose who is worthy of His love... But that's a discussion for another post.

Recently I had my own run in with offense. I had a choice to make. Was I going to let this situation dictate the rest of my day/week, or would I forgive? Something that I have learned is that offense always comes in through unmet expectations. Since I expected this person to act a certain way, I was then surprised by what they did next. I trusted them and they broke my trust. I believed them and they lied. Have you ever found yourself in that situation? Usually the closer a person is to you, the deeper the offense can go because they have such an intimate access to your heart. Anyone who can love you a lot also has the ability to hurt you a lot. I'm not saying that you should have trust issues. I'm just saying, getting hurt or offended happens. But this one scripture always helps me get right - Ephesians 4:32 "...forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you." However, forgiveness can be difficult. So, how do we forgive?

5 Steps To Ending Worry in Your Life

Forgiven: Hate Cannot Do What Love Does

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David S. Winston

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