We’re all living like emotional sponges right now, soaking up everyone’s opinion, everyone’s drama, everyone’s hot take on literally everything. And as someone who needs medication just to slow my brain down enough to think instead of react, let me tell you: this is not sustainable. Are you feeling it, too? We’re in the middle of a full-blown emotional real estate crisis and it’s frankly exhausting to say the least.
Afraid of being victimized again, I armed myself by keeping my bedside lamp on all night. I reasoned that, if the bad guy broke in, the light would allow me to see his face and identify him later in a police lineup. One bedtime, in desperation, I cried to God for help, and He brought Psalm 127:1 to mind: “Unless the LORD protects a city, guarding it with sentries will do no good.”
Sometimes when I pray, the Lord shows me these lovely pictures. I used to think these were mere daydreams interrupting my prayer focus. I’d try to refocus, but the images continued to break my concentration. One day, in a small prayer circle, the woman who prayed before me shared the pictures she saw as she prayed. I’d never heard anyone share in this way before, but her courage inspired me to share the pictures I saw.
Each year as my family decorates the tree, we sing “The First Noel” and add on those yarn wreaths. We remember it is a “choice to rejoice.” It also seems as we reflect on that first Christmas and our decision to “choose joy,” we can see why God placed this vital truth in our lives as a strong foundation for our future.
These holidays are for making memories, with relatives traveling great distances to connect. Instead of dreading the gathering, I offer guidelines for maintaining a calm and enjoyable meal, ensuring we cherish our time together despite our differences.
We are called to peace due to the nature of God himself. God commands us not to fear, no matter what He calls us to. Great pressure comes with the role of leadership. God knows this, but He calls us anyway.
We feel dried out and weary as we limp along in life doing what is necessary while our heart feels empty. Those are the times to pray the promise of Isaiah 35:6:
Linda Evans Shepherd I was furious. “They want to do what? Take another MRI of Laura’s brain?! No! I won’t allow it.” Nurse Sharon was patient with me. “You don’t…
by PENELOPE CARLEVATO, RN in Leading Hearts Magazine DO YOU EVER HAVE DAYS WHEN YOU ARE EXPERIENCING ANYTHING BUT PEACE? Life seems disjointed and aimless? Many days I feel overwhelmed…
LH editor Amber Weigand-Buckley talks with co-Authors Edie Melson and Rhonda Rhea about their new book debuting September 24th—Unruffled: Thriving in Chaos published by Bold Vision Books. Read more in the new issue of Leading Hearts Magazine at leadinghearts.com or get this issue delivered free to your mobile device by texting LEADINGHEARTS to 64600.
Read Edie’s Article Unruffled Ministry: Soul Care for Leaders by Clicking Here
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