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Living Beyond the Fog

Kayak 2014
One of my favorite pics from Summer 2014

A special welcome to those of you who are joining me after reading my post on Our Daily Bread’s Facebook page on Friday, September 26th. It was truly an honor to be featured there. I pray you will feel at home here and that you will be encouraged. Blessings!

I had such a lovely time vacationing with my family at a lake in Upstate New York this past August. It was such a time of refreshing especially for me as I love being by the water, and I had just come back from my short-term missions trip to Peru.

I made sure to go kayaking several times while I was there. The more often I went, the braver I got and the further out I ventured.

On one particular day, I kept feeling led to keep Moving Forward. All I saw ahead of me was the open sky pictured above, the peaceful water, and the outline of Vermont’s skyline in the distance. I could have stayed out there for hours.

As I kept paddling, I felt the Lord showing me that this is what’s ahead for me. Just a wide open place that He has prepared. The recent storms I have been going through are over, Praise God! The fog has lifted, Amen! Now I can walk in some of the promises I have been waiting on God for. Glory!

I don’t share this to brag, but to encourage you. Whatever storm you may be in right now please know that things get better and brighter. It may not happen overnight. Your situation may not change in an instant. But do trust that God is working in you and through you during your tests and trials, and that He has a beautiful plan for your life!

Keep paddling forward even if the water feels choppy at times. Keep following God even if you can’t see a clear picture of what’s ahead. He will lead you to still waters and safe pastures! He knows the way. In fact, Jesus is the way so let’s keep our eyes fixed on Jesus!

“He brought me out into a spacious place; he rescued me because he delighted in me.” (Psalm 18:19)

Did this encourage you? Please hit “like” and be sure to sign up below to have my weekly encouraging blog posts e-mailed straight to you for free. When you subscribe below, you’ll also receive the free “12 Journal Writing Prompts” PDF I created to help inspire you as you write/journal.

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For more encouragement and to learn how I can come alongside of you as your Life Coach or to invite me to speak at your event, visit my website www.aboundingfaith.com. You can also find me on YouTube and Pinterest.

THE HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

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Obey God Anyway


Hendl / Foter / Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 2.0 Generic (CC BY-NC-ND 2.0)

 

Ever notice that sometimes obeying God doesn’t make sense?

I just finished taking a class on the Old Testament prophets and the Bible passage that I focused on for my final paper is found in Jeremiah 32. God instructs the prophet Jeremiah to buy a field from his cousin in a town that is already being occupied by the Babylonians.

For 40 years Jeremiah had warned the people in Judah that destruction was coming, but they refused to repent and continued worshipping idols. Poor Jeremiah was beaten, isolated, and imprisoned.

But now the prophecies are coming true. Judah is under attack and the people are about to be taken into captivity. In the middle of all this, while Jeremiah is still imprisioned, God tells him to buy the field and to have it witnessed.

In the natural, that looks like one of the worst investments ever, right?

Jeremiah must have found this request absurd to say the least. Here’s what he said, “See how the siege ramps are built up to take the city. Because of the sword, famine and plague, the city will be given into the hands of the Babylonians who are attacking it. What you said has happened, as you now see. And though the city will be given into the hands of the Babylonians, you, Sovereign Lord, say to me, ‘Buy the field with silver and have the transaction witnessed.’” (Jeremiah 32:24-25)

Jeremiah doesn’t understand why God is asking him to do this.

Isn’t that what happens in our lives too?

Sometimes God asks us to do things that seem a bit outrageous or uncomfortable. We know it’s from God, but we’re not sure why He’s asking us to do it. It doesn’t even have to be something extreme. He could ask you to reach out to a certain person, volunteer to serve in a particular area or to bless one of your enemies in some way.

What do you do in those moments?  Do you wrestle with God for days or weeks and try to convince yourself you must have misheard God or misunderstood Him?

Or do you obey?

Jeremiah chose to obey. Then he prayed and praised God for being the maker of heaven and earth and for all the miraculous signs and wonders He performed as He brought the Israelites out of Egypt. He declared that nothing is too impossible for God and all the way at the end of his prayer he basically questioned why God asked him to buy the property.

God’s response to Jeremiah is classic and it applies to us today as well, “… I am the LORD, the God of all mankind. Is anything too hard for me?” (Jeremiah 32:27)

Yes, God is Sovereign and He has a plan and His plans will come to pass no matter what.

God goes on to say that judgment was coming, but after 70 years He would restore His people to their land and that’s exactly what He did.

Jeremiah buying the field was a step of faith and a sign that God would keep His promise.

I don’t know what God is asking you to do, but I want to remind you that when God speaks, He means what He says.

Even if your situation looks hopeless, or God asks you to do something that you don’t understand (like buy a field in a city that is about to be destroyed) you and I need to trust God. He knows what He is doing and He knows what’s best for us!

Did this encourage you? Please click “Like” or leave a comment below.

To get these posts e-mailed straight to your inbox weekly, and to get my free e-booklet MiraculousLovely Abroad: Lessons and Snapshots from the Mission Fields, click here.

For more encouragement, and to learn how I can come alongside of you as your Life Coach, visit my website www.aboundingfaith.com.

THE HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

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Sailing into a Storm

photo (86)
Another beautiful sunset from my recent vacation.

Lessons from the Storm at Sea

On my recent vacation that I mentioned here, we came across some rough weather. It was our second day at sea, and my Mom, my sister, and I were enjoying lunch when my sister saw a flash of lightening. I kinda brushed it off. I didn’t see the lightening because I was sitting in the opposite direction of her.

After a few minutes, my sister saw more lightening.  And eventually I saw the flashes off in the distance. I also saw the storm clouds. Uh oh.

What comforted me were the thoughts that God was ultimately in control, and the crew must have been used to maneuvering around this kind of weather. I’m sure the captain didn’t panic. I’m guessing he didn’t get tempted to turn around and retreat or cancel the trip. I’m sure he had experienced this hundreds of times and was prepared to stay the course. The ship may have taken some extra steps to get out of harms way, but the mild storm didn’t seem to rattle the captain or crew enough to stop them in their tracks.

What an odd feeling to be on the ship calmly headed in the general direction of a storm. After I finished eating, I just went about my relaxing day.

What would happen if we approached the storms in our lives with that same quiet confidence? As believers, God is the “Captain” of our lives. He knows how to navigate us through any storm or trial.

Oh, that we would TRUST God to be the Sovereign Lord of our lives! Every area of it!

It did rain that day, but we were all safe in the ship, thank God.

The rain followed us a bit, which was fine. When we arrived at the first island the following day, there was a brief sun shower that didn’t stop any of our fun. The next day at the second island, we must have just missed the morning showers because there was a STUNNING rainbow there to greet us!

So what are some of the lessons I was reminded of?

When Storms Come, They Don’t Have to Paralyze us or Deter us. With God’s Grace, we can continue on the path that He has for us. We don’t have to cower in fear or give up even when things look rather dark or scary. “So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” (Isaiah 41:10)

Trust that the Lord, our ultimate Captain, Knows how to Get us Through the Storms Safely! God isn’t asleep at the wheel. Your storms haven’t caught Him by surprise. “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.” (Proverbs 3:5-6)

You can Still Enjoy Your Life Even While it’s Pouring. Thankfully, storms don’t last forever. But don’t wait until they’re over to praise God. Ask God to give you the strength to worship Him and thank Him despite the clouds, wind, and rain. “I will extol the LORD at all times; his praise will always be on my lips.” (Psalm 34:1)

Rejoicing and Rainbows Come After the Storms! God will bring you through, and will restore you, renew you, and refresh you. He’ll also put a new song in your heart! “You turned my wailing into dancing; you removed my sackcloth and clothed me with joy,  that my heart may sing your praises and not be silent. Lord my God, I will praise you forever.” (Psalm 30:11-12)

No matter how hard the wind is blowing right now, be encouraged that God is with you! He knows the exact route to take to get you to where you’re going!

Did this encourage you?  Feel free to leave a comment or hit “Like” below. To get my free e-booklet MiraculousLovely Abroad: Lessons and Snapshots From the Mission Fields and to get these posts e-mailed straight to your inbox, click here. To find MiraculousLovely on YouTube, click here.

THE HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

 

 

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Perfect Timing

sign - Copy

I saw this sign the other day, and it just spoke to me.

Ever have that feeling that something good was right around the corner? Like something that you have been hoping for was on it’s way.

It’s a great feeling, right?

I can’t place my finger on it, but I’m just sensing something really good is on it’s way!

Perhaps it’s that whole idea of “after obedience, comes the blessing.” The idea that there is a time to sow and water and plant and then there is harvest time where you get to reap your rewards!

Maybe it’s because God just blew all my expectations out of the water during my recent short-term missions trip! All I can say is that God answers prayers, He is working, and His timing is perfect!

As the Word says, “He has made everything beautiful in its time.” (Ecclesiastes 3:11)

Are you in a dry season or valley right now? HOLD ON! It gets better! The best is yet to come!

Below are some verses to help encourage you that God does show up and when He does, it’s in a BIG WAY!  It’s in a way where you can only say, “That was totally all God!”

  • “Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.” (Galatians 6:9)
  • “… weeping may stay for the night, but rejoicing comes in the morning.” (Psalm 30:5)
  • “Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time.” (1 Peter 5:6)
  • “You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised.” (Hebrews 10:36)

God is Faithful! If He has spoken to you about something, TRUST that He will bring it to pass! And when it happens, come back and tell me! Blessings!

Did this encourage you? If so, please feel free to leave a comment below or to hit “Like”.

THE HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

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The Trust Factor

adamentmeat / Foter.com / CC BY

 

I recently wrapped up my second tour of jury duty. While there’s no convenient time to be picked for a case, I didn’t really mind completing my latest civic duty. I’m thankful that America still gives people fair trials!

As I entered the courtroom for the first time, I was delighted to see the following words in big, gold letters right above where the judge presides, “In God We Trust.”

I was comforted to see that God still has a place in courtrooms!

One of the afternoons, while we were waiting for a witness to load a Powerpoint presentation to share with the courtroom, I sat there staring at the sign.  As I looked at the words, I felt the Lord ask me, “Do you trust me? Then Relax.”

That’s just like God to want to calm my anxious thoughts for that day. It was the perfect reminder that walking with God means handing our cares, worries, doubts and fears over to Him.

“In God We Trust” needs to be more than a nice plaque on the wall or words on our currency. It needs to be our lifestyle.

We need to trust God for our daily provision, our protection, for guidance, etc…

It’s definitely much easier to say than do, no?  As my Pastor likes to point out, if you know how much God loves you, you can trust Him!

I find that when I take my eyes off of Jesus and focus on my problems, I forget who it is that I am trusting in.  If you need a reminder of who God Almighty is, here’s a list of some of my favorite names for God that are found in the Bible. They help me remember all of His wonderful attributes:

Alpha and Omega – “‘I am the Alpha and the Omega,’ says the Lord God, ‘who is, and who was, and who is to come, the Almighty.’” (Revelation 1:8)

Faithful and True – “I saw heaven standing open and there before me was a white horse, whose rider is called Faithful and True.” (Revelation 19:11)

Jehovah Jireh (Provider) – “So Abraham called that place The LORD Will Provide. And to this day it is said, ‘On the mountain of the LORD it will be provided.'” (Genesis 22:14)

Jehovah Rophe (Healer) – “He said, ‘If you listen carefully to the Lord your God and do what is right in his eyes, if you pay attention to his commands and keep all his decrees, I will not bring on you any of the diseases I brought on the Egyptians, for I am the Lord, who heals you.'” (Exodus 15:26)

I AM – “God said to Moses, ‘I am who I am. This is what you are to say to the Israelites: ‘I am has sent me to you.’” (Exodus 3:14)

Immanuel – “The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel” (which means “God with us”). (Matthew 1:23)

Our Redeemer – “Our Redeemer—the Lord Almighty is his name— is the Holy One of Israel.” (Isaiah 47:4)

Whenever you start losing focus, I pray that you will remember how wonderful and powerful and mighty our Sovereign God is! Remember, NOTHING IS IMPOSSIBLE with God!

I hope this encouraged you! It sure did encourage me! Feel free to share a comment below.

THE HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

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Heads up!

Lessons from window washers

photo (50)

Ah, New York City. The concrete jungle where skyscrapers abound. Of all the different ways that people can make a living in the Big Apple, I’m always quite fascinated by the window washers. Yes, those brave souls that enter into those suspended work platforms that slowly inch their way up and down some of the world’s tallest office buildings!

I look at them and I am amazed that they have the courage to do that kind of job!

Did you know that there’s a lot we could learn from those daring workers? For instance:

Trust: Being suspended in midair in midtown (or anywhere) is no easy task. They have to trust that the platform will hold them. They have to believe that they will be kept safe.

Patience: The workers are painstakingly lowered floor by floor. They have to clean window by window. Row by row. There’s no shortcuts when you’re cleaning the outside of buildings that stretch up into the sky.

Teamwork: Many times there are two workers in one platform. They need to work at a similar pace. They also need to look out for each other. Hopefully, they enjoy each other’s company.

Perseverance: They’re working outdoors, so they’re battling the elements on a daily basis. The sun must beat down on them on most days. Other days, they must contend with the wind or even rain.

Now let’s take a moment to compare some of the above characteristics of good window washers with our walk with the Lord:

Trust: How is your faith today? Are you leaning and resting in the palm of God’s hand knowing that He is in Control?

Patience: How are you handling God’s timetable? Are you still getting frustrated that things are not moving faster, or are you at peace with God’s pace?

Teamwork: How well are you getting along with others? Are you working on resolving conflicts or are you battling right and left with family, friends or co-workers?

Perseverance: Are you committed to sticking with it no matter what? Or are you ready to quit and give up in certain areas of your life?

I know it’s not always easy to trust, be patient, be a team player or to persevere. I hope the photo above will help remind you of these important characteristics and will encourage you to keep allowing the Holy Spirit to work in you and through you.

 “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.”      (Galatians 5:22)

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Beyond the Fog

Lessons from the Bridge

Duncan Rawlinson / Foter.com / CC BY-NC

 

Over the years, I’ve traveled upstate to visit my sister and her family hundreds of times. The best is when there’s no traffic and the sun is lighting the way. That’s when I can relax and enjoy the beautiful mountains in all their splendor.

Of course, the sun isn’t always shining. That’s just part of life.

One of my most harrowing drives upstate was during a nasty rain storm a few years back!  There I was carefully trying to navigate the wet road and desperately trying to stay in my lane as other cars splashed by me on the New York State Thruway. Then I got to the infamous Tappan Zee Bridge that extends for miles and miles over the Hudson River. On a clear day, I enjoy glancing around and seeing the pretty scenery which reminds me of my trip to Alaska.

On this day though, the fog was so thick that I couldn’t see the other end of the bridge ahead of me nor the mountains and water around me. All I could see was the bumper of the car directly in front of me and the occasional car to my left that was battling the fog on the southbound lanes of the bridge. My mind started playing tricks on me, and I started to worry that the other end of the bridge might have somehow disappeared and that I might be driving right into an abyss. The only thing I could do was focus on the car I was now following for dear life. I had to trust that the driver knew where he was going and that neither he nor the cars in front of him would suddenly slam on their brakes and cause an accident.

In that moment, I had to choose to stop thinking about what I couldn’t see up ahead or about the storm that I was literally in the middle of. I had to focus on what I could see in front of me and I had to trust that God would safely lead me to the other side of the bridge so I could get to my family. Thankfully, I did make it across the bridge and eventually to my sister’s house! But the lessons I learned during that trip have stuck with me.

Many times when we’re in a storm, we can’t see things clearly. The road looks so long or too dark. Sometimes it feels like we’re going to fall into some great, big pit before we ever reach our destination. The future looks so bleak and uncertain.

It’s precisely in those storms that we have to lean and trust in God all the more!  He’s the Good Shepherd who goes ahead of us leading us and guiding us to safe pasture. He’s the one that can see the other side of the bridge even when we can’t. In fact, He’s the one that is holding us up all along the way!

If the road looks foggy and unclear to you right now and you’re in danger of losing hope and faith that you’ll ever make it to the other side of your bridge, I’d like to encourage you to call out to Jesus!  He wants to walk with you every step of the way. He really is always just a prayer away!

Hang in there, my Friend! Hear God’s Word for you today, “I will lead the blind by ways they have not known, along unfamiliar paths I will guide them; I will turn the darkness into light before them and make the rough places smooth. These are the things I will do; I will not forsake them.” (Isaiah 42:16)

So keep praying, reading your Bible, and listening to all that God is saying.  And be sure to stay connected to your local church. Before you know it, you’ll be safely on the other side of your bridge!

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Promise Keeper

photo (26)

 

My 7-year-old nephew came bouncing out of Sunday school during my visit last September, and happily showed me the wallet he had made in class. As he held out his handiwork for me to see, I was so blessed by the simple, yet powerful message, “God Always Keeps His Promises!”

I don’t think my nephew realized that his project was speaking volumes to me. It was the exact message I needed to hear. What a sweet reminder that God is Faithful!

It can be easy to get discouraged or disappointed when things don’t seem to be going your way. Perhaps you didn’t get the job you wanted, your car finally went kaput or someone let you down. The possibilities are endless.

The point is that we can quickly lose focus and take our eyes off of Jesus. When that happens, we start to get preoccupied with our problems and start to obsess over what we don’t have.

We forget all the promises that God has for us in the Bible. The one that is speaking to me right now is, “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose.” (Romans 8:28)

That’s right, all things may not be good in our lives but God PROMISES to work it out for our good. So we can thank God for closed doors and start rejoicing over the new doors He’ll be opening!

What are you believing God for today?

I encourage you to open up the Bible and write down, memorize, and meditate on some of the promises that speak to your heart. God has given us so many promises in the Bible. God is the ultimate promise keeper!

Perhaps you’re not familiar with some of His promises for you, or you could use a friendly reminder. Allow me to share just a few of God’s awesome promises for His children:

  • “…no weapon forged against you will prevail…” (Isaiah 54:17)
  • “The Lord Himself goes before you and will be with you; He will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.” (Deuteronomy 31:8)
  • “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” (John 14:27)
  • “In my Father’s house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you.  And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am.” (John 14:2-3)
  • “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” (Romans 10:13) 

God cannot lie! Hold on to His promises for you!

“As the rain and the snow
come down from heaven,
and do not return to it
without watering the earth
and making it bud and flourish,
so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater,
 so is my word that goes out from my mouth:
It will not return to me empty,
but will accomplish what I desire
and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.”

(Isaiah 55:10-11)

Do you have a favorite Bible promise that you’d like to share? Feel free to write it below.

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No Peeking

Lessons from Baking

MissionControl / Foter.com / CC BY-NC-SA

 

I finally started exploring the world of baking. To my amazement, I actually like it!  I thought it would be stressful because I’m the type that doesn’t like following recipes or waiting for water to boil, but it’s actually rather relaxing.

I’ve always been intimidated by the oven so before I baked my first set of brownies ever, I had fun watching videos online to see how the pros do it. I also read an article about oven settings.  Both times I read the tips, these lines jumped out at me:

“While your food is baking, try not to open the door too often to check for done-ness.  Every time you open the oven door to see if your food is cooked, your oven temperature will drop and extend the cooking time.”

I was happy that the disclaimer was there and even happier to think there must be other impatient, novice chefs out there like me. But there was something about those simple instructions that got me thinking about my prayer life and times that I have gotten impatient while waiting on God.

At times in my life, I have been like an anxious baker opening the oven door to check if my “treats” were ready. In my eagerness to find out the status of my treats, I didn’t realize that I could actually be interrupting the work that God was doing and delaying the process even more!

What about you?  Have you ever prayed for a situation, said that you’ve left it in God’s hands and then done something that was the equivalent of opening the oven door to peek if the “goodies” were ready?  Were you then discouraged to find out that you had to wait even longer?

If your answer is yes, then I invite you to join me in heeding the advice to keep the oven door closed until God says it’s time to open it and enjoy dessert!

God works in seasons. He isn’t in a rush. As His Word declares, “He has made everything beautiful in its time.” (Ecclesiastes 3:11)

 

 

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Sweet Surrender

Lessons from the Outdoor Pool

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One of my most favorite things to do when I’m in the water is to simply lean back and float. There is just something so delightful about being able to let go and relax and to feel the water gently taking me wherever it pleases.

On my last trip to Florida, I had the pleasure of swimming in this gorgeous outdoor heated pool overlooking the ocean!  It sure did feel like a bit of paradise to me!  On my final morning there, I was one of only two people in the pool for quite a while so it became my own private oasis. As I floated in the water, I just blocked out everything except for the sun shining over me, the bright blue sky covering me, the palm trees swaying all around me and the warm water carrying me. It’s in those moments that I don’t feel a care in the world. I can just Be Still.

It’s in those moments that I also feel like I’m truly in the palm of God’s hand. I am reminded of what true surrender feels like. As I glided in the water, I kept thinking how important it is for me to be this relaxed in my everyday life!

Does that sound too impossible?  What if we lived every moment as if we truly believed that God is in control?  What if we walked in peace remembering that God is Faithful and He is there with us in good times and bad? What if we could go through our days confident that He knows the way, He knows the next step and His good plan for us will unfold in His perfect timing?

What if we simply leaned back and trusted Him in every circumstance? Wow, I’m taking a deep breathe even as I write this.

The Bible tells us to, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding;  in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight.” (Proverbs 3:5-6)

Did you catch that? We’re not supposed to fuss around and get frustrated trying to figure everything out. We are to lean on Jesus and trust that He knows what He is doing. I know, it’s easier to say than do but it will help you keep your peace and joy.

So the next time you start feeling nervous, frightened, frustrated or anxious about the situations in your life, try to take a moment and lean back and surrender those thoughts, plans or worries to God. He can handle them!

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