In the course of one day, so many forces can threaten to undo you: the dropped raw egg on the floor at breakfast, snappy words spoken in haste, nagging worries about someone you love, the wondering how you’re going to get it all done.
God’s love is our anchor in the teapot tempests and big storms of life. How do we keep ourselves firmly rooted in Him? Even little challenges threaten to shipwreck me and leave me floundering.
Today, I’m going to focus on keeping myself in God’s love, no matter what obstacles I meet up with. If my girl and I argue, if my husband and I exchange words, or if I burn dinner I’m going to:
Stop
Breathe in Deep
Focus on God’s Presence
Reach Out to Jesus
Call on His Name
Ask the Holy Spirit to Fill Me
And Receive His Love By Faith.
I want to keep myself in God’s love. Friend, I pray that today you’ll have a sense of His presence even when you’re running late, stuck in traffic, or on hold calling about your broken washing machine.
Let’s keep smiling and keep ourselves in God’s love no matter what.
Now it’s your turn. What’s the biggest challenge you’ve faced this week?
This is the first time that I’ve linked up to Kate Motaung’s Five Minute Friday. Writers all around the world join in a flash mob of free writing. This week’s prompt was “keep.” Join us over at Kate’s place for fun and encouragement.
Also joining with Susan B. Mead’s #Dance With Jesus Linkup.
Love your post. So needed to read it (my biggest challenge is my daily challenge; see my FMF post) {Your FMF neighbour}. Thanks so much for posting these words, which have soothed me.
I love that. My biggest challenge is my daily challenge. Mine too! Look forward to reading your post.
🙂
I’ve been spending much time focused in God’s promises. There are so many to reflect on and it really brings to light how deep His love is for us. Thanks for the encouragement! Blessings.
Yes, Beth! Focusing on His promises is a wonderful way to receive His love.
I’d never heard of this FMF linkup — I will definitely have to try it sometime! I like what you have done with “keep,” especially your list of steps. Just this morning I read an upsetting FB comment by a fellow church member and it made my blood boil. I wanted to respond immediately in anger. But (maybe because at age 50 I am starting to get to know myself!) I didn’t. I walked my son to school and prayed for insight into why the person might have this bee in her bonnet, what she might be looking for by making this remark, etc. It calmed me down and gave me perspective. So I sort of see that as keeping myself in the love of God. By jumping into the fray (esp in an angry spirit) I would have been stepping outside the peace and love that God wants. (Mind you, there are definitely times when acting out of love requires a quick rebuke or intervention but I don’t think this was one of them.)
Good for you, Jeannie. That was definitely keeping yourself in the love of God. Interesting you share this. Just last night a person kind of upset me with a reaction, and I went to bed thinking I’d call her in the morning. Praise God I forgot. A little time adds perspective. And I think you should definitely try the Five Minute Friday. As a writing instructor and writer yourself, you’d be a natural!
Betsy, this has been a smooth sailing week for me. I feel a little guilty even saying it, because I know there were people experiencing the exact opposite; being tossed and turned by the storms of life. I did realize this week that I’m still holding on to some old hurts from the past, so your reminder to keep myself firmly anchored in God’s love was encouragement I really needed to hear. I know that centered in His love is where the healing happens and I can be reminded of who I am and to whom I belong. Also, when I read your words “keep smiling,” they reminded me of Kirk Franklin’s song ‘I Smile.’ Guess what’s playing in another tab now? “I know God is working so I smile!” 🙂 Have a great weekend, friend!
I loved that song, Tarissa! I’ll pray for you to keep yourself firmly anchored, and that God will pour out His love over you and your heart. God often reveals things we don’t realize, like holding on to old hurts. I had an experience yesterday, realized I was still offended, and praise God, I let it go! Glad you had a smooth week.
Yes, I would say my biggest challenge is keeping perspective clear and not focusing on the small irritations of life but looking at the big and the bigness of our God and His faithfulness to us in the midst of our small.
Thank you for these encouraging words!
You and me both Rachel. I’m preaching to myself here!
My biggest challenge? Losing my voice and trying to teach full time! Fortunately, I have wonderful students who put up with six days of whispering and don’t poke fun at my now-bass and raspy voice. It wears me out. Looking forward to the Sabbath and a day of rest!
Oh Anita, that DOES sound terrible. So sorry. I hope you’re feeling better. Hope you enjoy some rest.
My biggest challenge is PMS. Yep I just had to say it. And Home School and parenting. Somehow all these seem so much harder when hormones are screaming. I’m learning to slow down during this time and that is so hard for me to do. I have to put myself in timeout most of the time. It’s really not that bad though. When I put myself in timeout – I put my eyes on Jesus and pray. Read His word and listen to worship music that soothes my soul. The dishes and laundry pile up. But so what. It’s only a week. And thank God I can do it. Now the truth is my friends, I don’t always do this and I end up a mess. God is really like a wool blanket for me on a cold dreary ice cold night in winter time. I can only warm up in His all knowing embrace. At the end of the week my house will kind of be a wreck. But my soul will be strong and mighty in His word. I can always catch up later on house work.
Putting yourself in time out sounds like a great way to handle PMS. I might have to try that myself. I think you’re right. Catching up on housework is much easier when your soul is strong! Thanks for being here today.
All good tips Betsy. I need to post them on my frig. Thanks for sharing!
Chrsity
Thanks for being here today, Christy.
Totally wish I had read this earlier! At least I have read it before the start of another day! I was running late and I just started getting really angry, even at inanimate objects! Thank you for this reminder to reach out to Jesus! These words are very uplifting! Thank you for sharing at Dance with Jesus 🙂
Yep, running late gets me too, almost every time. That’s why I wrote this to myself! Have a great weekend.
Yay, Betsy! Your first FMF post! I’m celebrating you today! You are such an encourager. I wish I would have been able to read this before I left for work this morning. Great stuff! Such a blessing you are to me. Thanks for helping me keep my focus on Him tonight.
It was fun, Julie. I’ll definitely try it again. Let’s keep our focus on Him this weekend, shall we?
Betsy, wonderful post! We need to “keep” ourselves “in the love of God”. You not only encouraged us, you shared how we are to do it. Blessings!
Thanks Joanne. This is just what I’m trying to do myself!
My biggest challenge is keeping Our Lord in heart and mind during a work day. Away from work, I follow a similar outline to yours, and I ask the Lord to take all my worries, cares, and anxieties away and to replace them with His love and His peace.
But during the day at work, I sometimes forget about Him for hours.
Thanks for this wonderful reminder to keep ourselves in the love of God during our biggest challenges and to keep smiling!
Oh yes, Deborah. I can relate to forgetting about God for hours while working. Home school is so intense for me this year (shuffling back and forth between a senior taking challenging courses and a dyslexic sophomore who needs lots of tutoring, grading, lesson planning, reading ahead. 12 different classes.) I’m not working outside my home, but believe me, hours can go by and I forget about Him. Grace to you on the job. I know your new job is stressful!
Beautiful post and graphics, Betsy! “Let’s keep smiling and keep ourselves in God’s love no matter what.” So inspiring to me as I face my challenges to write and not worry about editing so much just yet. Have a great weekend and hope to see you on the Compel forum! Kim Stewart. Kimstewartinspired.com
Thank you, Kim. May the Lord bless your writing! I had to leave Compel–although I loved it–for several reasons, but I hope to visit your blog and catch up with you.
Thank you! Much needed words to today. Thanks for sharing at The Weekend Brew!
Blessings, Barbie. Thanks for your visit. I love the Weekend Brew. Love the name, love the people there.
I’m so glad you joined FMF. It’s one of my favorite communities. Keeping God’s presence in our hearts and at the center of our day will always help in those egg dropping moments. Thankful always when you join us at The Weekend Brew. Blessings!
Thank you, Mary. I think I’m going to enjoy it too. I appreciated your post at the Weekend Brew today!
Keeping my focus on the Lord in the midst of many interruptions. Praying without ceasing. Oh to learn to stay in constant communication with the Lord–letting Him lead me in every moment and every challenge and rejoicing in every blessing! Love this post, Betsy!
So glad for your week of seeking God in prayer, Sabra. 🙂
Love your new blog look, Betsy! Have a blessed week, friend:)
Thank you, thank you Kristine. You have yourself a good week too.
Hi Betsy! So nice to meet you today! I have many challenges this month…I broke my leg on January 1st. Great way to start the year! I have been non-weight bearing since. Oooh. I have been learning patience! Well, at least I hope so. Take a breath, that is always good advice. Kind of like counting to ten, but much more in line with the song of God’s Breath.
I visited you on FB too. I hope we can encourage each other to spill out our grace to others!
Blessings,
Ceil