Tools to Lead Us on Paths of Righteousness

Each day we have the opportunity to teach our children special things to shape their hearts and minds for this life and the eternal after.  I’ve learned  and applied a lot of tools from the Anxiety class I’ve been attending at church – and I’ve been using them with our kids too. 

"He restores my soul; He leads me in the paths of righteousness For His name’s sake." Psalm 23:2-4

One of the tools is to BREATHE when I feel anxious and my mind races on a path of unrighteousness.  Even before the class I was putting this tool into practice and helping our children do it when they got upset and couldn’t “get a grip.”  However, now I’m learning that it’s a way to glorify God!  When we use our body the way God created us to use it, we glorify our Creator and we can be more useful in His hand if we are not all worried and panicked.  Something our teacher noted was that in Scripture anytime God breathes, He is doing something (and with God it is usually something pre-t-t-y amazing!) 

Along with that, another tool is to use their mouth to tell their brains what to do.  This is the tool to help stop the brain from going down those paths of unrighteousness by actually saying out loud, “STOP.”  Usually when we get panicked about something it’s because we’ve fabricated a scenario in our minds that is not true. 

"Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things." Phil 4:8

The other day we were at the beach and one of my kids was freaking out that the waves were going to come up and get us.  Mind you, we were the farthest up the beach to the reeds, under palm trees and right next to the lifeguard station.  I put these tools into practice but they didn’t work right away. .. so I panicked – no, just kidding!  J  After a little while we were all fine and had a great two-hour picnic and play at the beach.

Turning over a new leaf this summer

 1 Timothy 2:1-4  First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way. This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.

      I've been hearing a lot of people talk about kids and stress lately. It seems to be everywhere I turn. Anxiety attacks among kids are on the rise. Funny I don't remember any of my friends having anxiety growing up. So how much is too much? And why is this happening?  We as moms juggle many plates but what about our kids plates? They can include school, grades, peers, sports, music, family, friends, and of course we want them to be good Christians so there is church, maybe they volunteer, go to youth groups, etc. When it comes to school they strive for honors and then AP, they have to go to college to do well in life these days and in order to get into college they have to have a competitive GPA and be well rounded. MSNBC just covered a story called "Race to Nowhere" which is a documentary covering these very issues.
 
     When I think back to my childhood and the things I enjoyed most were things like riding my bike around the neighborhood, sitting in my living room on Saturday morning to watch cartoons, and card games with my family. I needed downtime and so do my kids. We as moms need to check our hearts or motives to want our children to produce. If we are all about performance what is driving us? Are we signing up the kids for sports because our friends and neighbors have signed their kids up? Are we trying to keep up with the Jones's? Do we want to make sure our pride is fed with our little genius's or musical prodigies? Maybe the motives are pure? We want to make sure our kids do well get good grades and are well rounded. Don't get me wrong I believe  having an extracurricular activity is important and a great tool for kids but are we overdoing it when what our kids really need is to be home with the family laughing, playing games, and enjoying one another. They need to feel safe and rested. Here's a little game/test you can do with your child. Ask them to fill in the blank. Our family is______. I pray they say fun!

1 John 2:16-17 For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride of life—is not from the Father but is from the world.  And the world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever.
prayer:
Dad,
     Forgive me for jumping into commitments for myself and my family without first asking you. Please help me to evaluate and reevaluate the commitments me and my family have made and make changes where necessary. Help me to take advantage of the time I have with my children to laugh with them and build our relationship. In Jesus holy name,
                                                                                                           Amen

Anxious to Help

I went to my first Unmasking Anxiety class the other night at our church.  Our speaker covered a lot in two hours so when I went home I had a lot to talk about!  But one of the main things I learned was that we have the power to change what we are thinking.  God made our brains able to direct the rest of our bodies to do some amazing things like have the strength to give birth (or go through c-sections).  He also allows us to think thoughts that will send messages (via chemicals*) to our bodies that allow us to feel anxious, scared, or sad (for the proper times).

For homework we were asked to research verses with the word “thought” and I found Proverbs 12:5, “The thoughts of the righteous are right”.  That goes along with Philippians 4:8 which has helped me a lot when I think of something that prompts anxiety in me.

“Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things.”  Philippians 4:8

Then I read another interesting verse in Proverbs, “But counselors of peace have joy” Proverbs 12:20b.

The day after my class I had the opportunity to share with our son how he can choose a different way of thinking.  We were at a park with a carousel and he didn’t want to go on unless I was sitting with him in the seat because he was NOT getting on a horse, of course.  J I was armed now with Scripture and with a tiny bit of sensible knowledge.  Just set your pattern of thinking to be healthy rather than something poisonous like, “something is going to happen to me!” or “oh I will be afraid”. 

Let’s stir each other up to think TRUE and right thoughts.  We will help our kids to set those habits that will help them throughout their lives to thrive in Christ rather than wallow in worthless thinking.

*I am not a medical professional.

Bling It!

Today I encountered a mom who was exhausted, a mom in fear, and another filled with anxiety. Exhaustion, fear and anxiety over those God has chosen to place in our homes.  How am I to respond to these Moms?  

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I can relate to exhaustion.  How many hours of sleepless nights have I experienced under the titles of Mom, nurse or teacher? 

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I can relate to fear. Fearing the unknown.  Would I choose the right foods, would they choose the right friends, what kind of experiences would they encounter out of my presence?

I can relate to anxiety.  I’ve known anxiety for our children about developmental issues, financial limitations, and even future relational turmoil.

My friends weren’t looking for me to relate necessarily.  I don’t have the right solutions and often not even the right suggestions.  Truth is, I can’t even fully relate to their situations, because the variables compare to Mount Everest.

The best I could do for them is to “Bling It!” “Bling it” you ask?  Well yeah!  God’s Word is a treasure trove.  If I asked your children what is in a treasure chest they would say it was filled with beautiful shiny things.  Things of value like gold and silver, objects like jewelry and silver serving pieces. 

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My friends need the balm of God’s Word to help them sort through the days events.  I didn’t do a Google search as we spoke; I simply shared the most recent “bling” I had received through my personal study. The verses (or “blings”) didn’t need to be perfectly quoted or explained with a three-point outline.  They only needed to hear it.  His Spirit in them could reveal anything that might encourage, correct, comfort or direct their thinking or possible reactions.

Some of those “Blings” included:

Philippians 4: 8  "Whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable – if anything is excellent or praiseworthy - think about such things.”

I Thessalonians 5: 23 – 24 “…He who calls you is faithful, and He will do it!”

Proverbs 3: 5 – 6 “Trust in the Lord…lean not on your own understanding…”

 Isaiah 54:17 "No weapon forged against you will prevail, and you will refute every tongue that accuses you."

I encourage you to share your “Bling!”  You don’t have to be bashful or ashamed. As God encourages you, just “Bling It!” to others.

I challenge you to care for your family and friends enough to “Bling It!” 

(Another definition of "Bling It!")

May I suggest another way to care for others is through prayer?   I heard Lenea Heitzig say this week about praying for our friends, “Who knows that my prayers might be the ‘game changer’ for another!”

What If?

        How often have you asked, "What if?" or “What’s does my future hold?”  I stand amazed at how God’s Word is living and active.  I HAVE read God’s Word through numerous times…and yet some times I look at His Words and I’m sure I’ve never seen it before.  This week was no exception.

         I was challenged to place two chapters side by side and compare their differences.  Particularly, to find the verses I could claim for my family this week.

         The two chapters were Edom’s future in Isaiah 34 and Israel’s future in Isaiah 35.  I chose Isaiah 35: 3 and 4. 

Strengthen the feeble hands,

Steady the knees that give way;

Say to those with fearful hearts,

“Be strong

do not fear;

your God will come, He will come with vengeance;

with divine retribution

He will come to save you.”

         I have needed these verses to encourage our oldest.  My beautiful bride daughter has been facing the reality of stress in the work place.  She is such a thinker. She can’t seem to shake the “What if?” question.

         I know (and she knows) that God will provide all she needs to glorify Him in her work place.  These verses were the reminder that she need not worry or fear, rather she can commit her hands, her knees and her heart to Gods’ ability to be strong, be present, to respond with vengeance and He will save her.

         God’s Word far exceeds my ability to parent.  I have found the ultimate parenting skills in His Word.  My challenge to you is the same as I received earlier this week.  Place Isaiah 34 and 35 beside one another and compare Edom and Israel’s future then find the verse(s) you can claim for your family this week.