Some of you folks might remember the Y2K frenzy and all the hysteria that came with it. The world was on the edge of its seat, prepping for a technological apocalypse. Churches held seminars, and many of my friends filled their garages with enough emergency supplies to last a lifetime.

In the midst of that chaos, I found myself trying hard not to be disrespectful to their concerns, yet I couldn’t help but feel skeptical. My skepticism wasn’t born out of a claim to superior knowledge or insight. Rather, the situation simply didn’t make reasonable sense to me. Between the conflicting “expert” opinions (and there were plenty of folks who made beaucoup money peddling books, supplies, etc. – follow the money, right?)  and the smell test it failed, I found myself turning not to the ATM for extra cash, but to scripture for reassurance. Isaiah 41:10 reminds us, “Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”

A friend of mine was particularly invested, planning to stay up all night on December 31, 1999, to track the anticipated chaos via shortwave radio. Yet, as the clock struck midnight, the world remained unchanged. The anticipated global shutdown was nowhere to be seen.

I called later on the morning of January 1, 2000, just to see how he was doing.

“We haven’t heard anything from the Philippines,” he said. “That’s sort of concerning.”

As I recall, the Philippines managed just fine.

This was a stark reminder that amidst the noise and fear, God’s peace transcends all understanding, guarding our hearts and minds in Christ Jesus, as Philippians 4:7 assures us.

This memory resurfaces today as I see ads for survival kits cluttering my Facebook feed, promising safety in the face of unspecified threats. It reminds me of the fallout shelter building boom during the very real tensions of the era – as time goes by, we’re aware of just what a legitimate threat the Cuban Missile Crisis was. Yet, as Christians, we are called to live not in fear but in faith. Proverbs 3:21-23 encourages us to keep sound wisdom and discretion always before us, guiding us to respond to fear not with panic but with prudence and discernment.

So, why share these reflections on a serene morning? It’s a gentle reminder that, as believers, we’re called to a different standard. Our trust in God’s sovereignty means we approach life’s uncertainties not with fear but with faith. We are stewards of God’s creation, called to care for our neighbors and ourselves with wisdom and love, echoing Luke 12:33-34’s call to focus on treasures in heaven, not on earth.

Living in fear is easy in a world that often seems designed to scare us. But as followers of Christ, we are reminded that “Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? And not one of them will fall to the ground apart from your Father.” (Matthew 10:29). God’s got this. All of it. Our role is to live out our faith boldly, trusting in His plan, and to spread peace rather than panic.

Let’s be lights in the darkness, voices of reason and hope in a world often gripped by fear. Let’s choose to live not in the shadow of what might happen but in the light of what we know to be true: God is in control, and His love and protection encompass us every day.

It’s all about choices, isn’t it?

I’m not sure why so many struggle with this. Because … you choose the quality of your life. You aren’t a dog, zebra, aardvark, lungfish, or amoeba. You don’t operate on instinct. You have the power to choose. 

Apparently not everyone knows this. Everywhere I look, I see people – Christians! – who have figuratively thrown up their hands and said something like, “I can’t help it. It’s just the way I am.”

You can choose a better path. Remember: You become what you think about. 

In the journey of life, we are often presented with situations that are not within our control. It’s as if we are sailing on an open sea, and at times, the waves decide to show no mercy. But remember, “You can’t always choose what happens to you, but you can always choose how you feel about it.” This phrase carries an essence that is not only profound but steeped deeply in the Christian teachings that guide us in navigating the stormy waters of life.

Often, we find ourselves at crossroads, where the trials and tribulations seem never-ending. But it’s during these moments that our faith stands as our guiding light, encouraging us to choose joy, hope, and resilience over despair. The Bible encourages us in James 1:2-3 to consider it pure joy when we face trials of many kinds because the testing of our faith develops perseverance.

In the grand scheme of things, our reactions and emotions are the ship’s wheel of our journey. They possess the power to either anchor us in tranquility or leave us adrift amidst turbulent waves. But how beautiful it is that, as children of God, we are gifted with the ability to choose the way we perceive and respond to our circumstances.

The story of Joseph, a man who faced unimaginable adversities yet chose to harbor no bitterness, stands as a remarkable testament to this principle. Sold into slavery by his own brothers, wrongfully accused, and imprisoned, Joseph could have easily succumbed to anger and bitterness. Yet, he chose a path of righteousness, maintaining an unwavering trust in God’s plan. His journey wasn’t easy, but his faith and positive outlook transformed his circumstances, eventually elevating him to a place of honor and influence.

Choosing joy and maintaining a positive outlook is not about dismissing the reality of our situations or wearing a mask of false happiness. It is about aligning our hearts with the teachings of Christ, who encourages us to cast all our anxieties on Him because He cares for us (1 Peter 5:7). It’s about standing firm in the belief that God is working behind the scenes, turning every setback into a setup for a comeback.

As followers of Christ, we are called to live lives that radiate the fruit of the Spirit: love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control (Galatians 5:22-23). Even in the face of adversity, we have the divine ability to exhibit these attributes, choosing to feel and spread joy, even when the world around us seems to be falling apart.

Moreover, the choice to feel a certain way, even amidst trials, is a form of worship, a trust in God’s sovereignty, and a testament to the strength of our faith. It’s a conscious decision to let our light shine, even in the darkness, showcasing the transformative power of God’s love and grace in our lives.

So, as we walk this path together, let’s strive to embody the teachings of Philippians 4:8, focusing on whatever is true, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable – if anything is excellent or praiseworthy – to think about such things. It’s not about ignoring the pains and challenges life throws at us, but choosing a perspective that aligns with God’s word and promises.

Embracing the choice of how we feel about the circumstances that life throws our way is a powerful tool in the Christian walk. It aligns us closer with the heart of God, fostering resilience, fostering hope, and reflecting the love of Christ in our daily interactions. Remember, folks, “You can’t always choose what happens to you, but you can always choose how you feel about it.” Let’s choose joy, choose hope, and choose a faith that remains unshaken, even in the face of trials.

I sure hope these thoughts resonate with your spirit, encouraging you to live a life filled with joy and positivity, deeply rooted in the teachings of Christ.

Until next time, be blessed and be a blessing.

“The mass of men worry themselves into nameless graves while here and there a great unselfish soul forgets himself into immortality.” – Ralph Waldo Emerson

The entire universe revolves around me. You need to know that. I am the most important being to ever draw a breath of life. You, yes YOU, only exist as a bit player in my autobiography. I’m that important. I’m that significant. I’m grateful you get to occupy the same continent as I do.

I hope you recognize snark when you read it.

Because … I swear … this is the attitude some people exude. Narcissism abounds. Self-centeredness is the name of the game. And it may just be that these tendencies manifest themselves in simple, pure, unadulterated worry.

Dear reader, I’m sure this isn’t true of you, any more than it’s true of me.

And yet … and yet …

What is worry, anyway? Isn’t it a form of self-centeredness? Do we worry because of some real or imagined crisis looming? Do we fret if, God forbid, things don’t go as we like?

Let me hastily say that I am making a distinction between legitimate concern and irrational worry. If your child goes missing, best you’d worry! That sort of worry should lead to action, and not some idle brooding.

Emerson, the great transcendentalist, nailed this one. The guy was brilliant. I realize that he was most likely a non-believer, but truth is truth, no matter where you find it.

That phrase – “… men worry themselves into nameless graves” – is a haunting one. The implication is that most people generate fear out of nothingness, or at best out of a perception that “something bad” may happen. It generally doesn’t. The reason I’m calling out worry as a form of self-centeredness is because worry is a solitary task. It implies that the worrier is carrying some burden alone. It smacks of unholy doubt, doubt that God, Who is sovereign above all things, has been given an issue too big for Him, and you’re responsible for taking up the slack. Just in case God fumbles the ball, you’re close by to pick it up and run. In other words – it’s all about you, and not about anyone else. Even Him. It’s a subtle form of disbelief.

Before you beat yourself up (or wish that you could beat me up), realize that worry does indeed send one just that much closer to a nameless grave. I mean, it’s self-evident that worry simply isn’t healthy. Worse, it doesn’t help. But some folks embrace it, marinate in it, and feel good because they feel bad. Worry is evidence that they “care,” by golly. And it kills. It’s slow-motion suicide.

So Emerson suggests a cure in the same breath: “… while here and there a great unselfish soul forgets himself into immortality.” No more nameless graves.

That’s lovely. I’m glad Emerson was here to walk amongst us mortals for a while and give us such wisdom. The call here is for us to be simply unselfish, to shift our focus from ourselves, how we feel, and what we fret over … and release it. (Yeah, I know. One does not simply “let it go.”) But to forget oneself, to lose ourselves in a cause bigger than ourselves, to cast our lives into the arms of One Who alone can give us comfort – man alive. Isn’t that something worth aspiring toward?

This is what banishes worry. If you’re a believer, you have to accept that God is bigger than you, that He has a supernatural vantage point of whatever the situation is that you don’t have, and that He isn’t bound by time and space. He sees what instigated your worry, what you are doing in the midst of it, and what the resolution will be – all at the same time. (Good luck wrapping your head around that!) It is forgetting yourself, looking to Him, and releasing your concern like a helium balloon.

Re-read that quote. It’s magnificent. And take comfort in the ancient script found in Philippians 4:6-7 – which, according to data released by Amazon is the most highlighted passage in Kindle ebooks, and has comforted untold millions:

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your request to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”

That’s it, right there.

Hope. Hope. I’m revisiting this blog from March, 2020, because it still feels timely. I’ve tweaked it a little.

Jehovah-Jireh. Here’s a Bible study and a little Hebrew lesson.

I’m sharing this because it grew out of my own quiet time and was beyond encouraging. I want you to benefit from it, too.

We could all use some encouragement. Because many of us are scared.

Jehovah-Jireh is Hebrew, and is translated “The Lord Will Provide.” Of course He will; but why do we so often behave like He won’t?

I’ve written plenty in recent weeks about COVID-19, and it has occupied our minds. It’s affected and will continue to affect everyone.

Odds are you wont get the coronavirus. And if you do, the odds are extraordinarily in your favor that you will get well. I’m not factoring in high risk folks – this is for everyone else.

What will impact us all are the financial ramifications. This isn’t about the politics or vaccine mandates or any of that. (Well, I guess it sorta is, but that’s not my point.)

This: You may have faced a job layoff during this unprecedented time. Someone you know or love might be in that place, even if you aren’t. I don’t know the stats, but I know many, many people live paycheck to paycheck. And now people can potentially lose their jobs if they refuse to be vaccinated. (This isn’t some political posturing on my part. I’m just stating a fact.) No one is immune. Ripple effect, right? Think that causes some folks to lose hope?

It’s almost 2022, and people are legitimately wondering how they’re to pay their rent, their mortgage, their car notes, their utility bills … all that.

Can you say stress?

Well, pilgrim, check this out:

Genesis 22:14 (ESV)

So Abraham called the name of that place, “The Lord will provide”; as it is said to this day, “On the mount of the Lord it shall be provided.”

The Lord will provide = Jehovah-Jireh.

You can read Genesis 22 for the whole story. It’s quite familiar. This is the tale of God telling the patriarch Abraham that he was to go up on the mountain and sacrifice his son Issac.

There’s plenty to unpack there – for instance, why would God ask for pagan human sacrifice? How could Abraham be so assured that God would provide a sacrifice? What about Abraham’s words to the others that had accompanied Issac and him – “I and the boy will go over there and worship and come again to you?”

Whew.

Truth is, God sent an angel to stay Abraham’s hand. Abraham recognized the timeless truth that the Lord will provide, and He did.

Don’t miss this. God is Jehovah-Jireh, then and now.

God is our only provider, He and He alone. And the command is to not be afraid. Don’t be afraid. 

Cling to this truth.

Not only does God provide, He is your provider.

I know what you’re thinking, because I’ve thought it, too: “Okay, Lord, I get that. But here’s my checkbook. What am I supposed to do now?”

I’d suggest that His provision doesn’t always come in a way we’d think or expect. We’re to be open-minded and open-hearted.

Jehovah-Jireh. The Lord will provide. Our attitude should be that our hands are wide open to receive. This is beyond scary, sometimes. It’s because we can’t see the future, and what we do see looks dismal.

We’re at a place of choosing: Do we choose to believe He will take care of us?

Even beyond that, what about our emotions? Your rational mind may believe God is indeed Jehovah-Jireh, and that He will provide. Why, then, are you anxious, stressed, and an emotional wreck?

God can handle our emotions, too. If you’re scared, tell Him. Angry? He’ll take whatever you want to throw at Him. Just don’t stop there. Ask Him to heal your emotions with His perfect love. That will give you hope.

Since God is Jehovah-Jireh, as provider He is ready to give you all He knows you need.

He won’t leave you or forsake you. He’s promised. I’d wager that, if you look back, you can point to times in your past when He provided, in ways you didn’t anticipate. So, knowing that God doesn’t change, what are your expectations of Him now?

Jesus certainly understood that there would be times when we’d say, “Lord, I don’t have a clue as to how You’re gonna work this out.” And yet:

Matthew 6:25-27

²⁵ “Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? ²⁶ Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? ²⁷ And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life?

See any loopholes or exceptions there? Me neither.

I think in these days we need to do a lot of listening and a lot of letting go. It’s releasing your worry to God and asking Him what He wants you to learn about Himself and you. He wants you to have real hope, not hope based on anything outside of Him.

One ancient story tells of the children of Israel who’d been set free from Egyptian bondage. They were wandering around in the wilderness, and they were hungry.

God feeds them manna.

Know what? This was a food they’d never seen before, so they didn’t know to ask for it. They didn’t even know what it was, and yet it was provided for them.

In these times of crazy uncertainty, we’re called on to trust in God, who has promised to provide what we need. Maybe it’ll be in a totally unexpected way.

Be still. Feel God’s presence. He sure does love you. He’s Jehovah-Jireh. He’ll provide for us all. He gives hope.

Note: There is an app available called “Abide” I heartily recommend. It’s guided prayer and meditation, and it is balm for the soul. Some of my thoughts today grew out of a prayer time from Abide a few days ago. 

What am I afraid of? That’s a pretty provocative question, right?

So what are you afraid of?

I wouldn’t classify it as a full-blown phobia, but I am afraid of heights. I do fine if I’m strapped into something secure (think theme park rides), or if there’s a guard rail between me and the void. But put me on a roof, or a ladder, and I’m gonna have heart palpitations and sweaty palms.

That, however, isn’t the kind of fear I’m talking about. When I think in terms of what I am afraid of, mine is more existential.

Disclosure time. Don’t judge until you read this whole blog.

For as long as I can remember as an adult, I’ve had this fear of being destitute and not being able to provide for the needs of my family or myself. It’s not really a fear of being jobless, but rather not having enough money to meet my obligations and simple necessities. I might even identify this as a fear of being broke.

That is what I am afraid of. You may think that’s foolish, but I’m keeping it real.

Stay with me here.

Several years ago, there was a book and a movie called Still Alice. 

Julianne Moore won the Academy Award for Best Actress for this one. It tells the story of Alice Howland, a linguistics professor diagnosed with familial Alzheimer’s disease shortly after her 50th birthday.

I’m probably mangling this quote – Google didn’t help me this time – but Alice says, “I have no control over which yesterday I keep and which ones are deleted. My yesterdays are disappearing and my tomorrows are uncertain. So what do I live for?”

And you think you have problems.

Point being – there may be times when we find ourselves in moments of hesitation and uncertainty when it comes to God’s plan for our lives. We might find ourselves afraid of what might be coming into our lives.

The obvious – and uncomfortable bottom line – is “do you trust God?” My goodness, what a confrontational question.

Say it with me: “Of course I trust God!”

Yeah, but, why are we so often afraid? My scriptured-up side says, “What can mere mortals do to me?” My pervasive flesh says, “Yeah, but …”

Ouch.

I don’t think we’re alone in this at all. A quick perusal of ancient script verifies this.

I wonder was Moses afraid? Here he is with a literal country wandering around with him for forty years in the desert. Was he afraid of what was ahead?

Take Abraham. He boldly (it seems) took his only son Isaac up the side of a mountain with the goal of killing him because God had commanded it. Was he afraid?

Or even Mary. Here she is with her newborn,  presenting Him in the temple, and old Simeon said “and a sword will pierce your own soul.” Think that might’ve made her fear?

Back to the question: What are you afraid of?

I’m finding Psalm 56:4 helpful here. This is from the Christian Standard Bible translation:

In God, whose word I praise, in God I trust; I will not be afraid. What can mere mortals do to me?

Look. I know my fears are irrational. Really, now – what part of Creation should frighten me, since God is my Father and He created all of Creation?

I suppose we can be afraid of both the known and the unknown, as in I know I’m afraid of heights. That still isn’t a primarily rational fear.

It’s that fear of destitution, in my case. That’s a man made, cultural construct. Yep, it can be oppressive on a bad day.

That’s why I constantly pray, “God, be patient with me. I’m better than this.”

That’s my little confession. And the key to fixing this is to fall back into the arms of Christ.

That scripture I shared with you? It says to not fear, but to trust and to praise.

The Hebrew word for “trust” is batah (and no, I’m not a linguist. I just have some handy tools). It means “to put confidence in,” but it also carries the sense of “falling to the ground.”

That’s a very vulnerable, submissive position right there. On your face.

And that word for praise? That’s gonna be the word halal, the root word of hallelujah. But it also carries the sense of “to shine” or “radiate.” So, yeah … does your life reflect Jesus? Does it shine?

What do shining or taking a posture of humility have to do with fear? How does that impact what you’re afraid of?

Imagine that you’re kneeling. Psalm 118 talks about God being by your side. Feel that. Imagine you’re leaning on Him, and that He is facing your fears for you. Listen – there’s a battle raging around you and before you. And what does God say to you?

You look around, and before you is a scene of victory. Is your face shining? How do you respond to God now that your enemies and fears have been destroyed?

Hebrews 13:6 carries this same theme.

So we say with confidence,
“The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid.
What can mere mortals do to me?”

Here you go: You can come out of distress, because you call Him Lord. He will set you free from fear and be your helper. Earthly fear means nothing with God at your side.

Soak in this.

He is an all-knowing and sufficient God. He gives hope. You can’t do this on your own strength. It has to happen in His strength.

Do this:

Call out your fears by name. And as you do, say “what is it in this I need to fear?”

Watch what happens. Embrace it.

Be well.

“The mass of men worry themselves into nameless graves while here and there a great unselfish soul forgets himself into immortality.” – Ralph Waldo Emerson

The entire universe revolves around me. You need to know that. I am the most important being to ever draw a breath of life. You, yes YOU, only exist as a bit player in my autobiography. I’m that important. I’m that significant. I’m grateful you get to occupy the same continent as I do.

I hope you recognize snark when you read it.

Because … I swear … this is the attitude some people exude. Narcissism abounds. Self-centeredness is the name of the game. And it may just be that these tendencies manifest themselves in simple, pure, unadulterated worry.

Dear reader, I’m sure this isn’t true of you, any more than it’s true of me.

And yet … and yet …

What is worry, anyway? Isn’t it a form of self-centeredness? Do we worry because of some real or imagined crisis looming? Do we fret if, God forbid, things don’t go as we like?

Let me hastily say that I am making a distinction between legitimate concern and irrational worry. If your child goes missing, best you’d worry! That sort of worry should lead to action, and not some idle brooding.

Emerson, the great, transcendentalist, nailed this one. The dude was brilliant. I realize that he was most likely a non-believer, but truth is truth, no matter where you find it.

That phrase – “… men worry themselves into nameless graves” – is a haunting one. The implication is that most people generate fear out of nothingness, or at best out of a perception that “something bad” may happen. It generally doesn’t.

The reason I’m calling out worry as a form of self-centeredness is because worry is a solitary task. It implies that the worrier is carrying some burden alone. It smacks of unholy doubt, doubt that God, Who is sovereign above all things, has been given an issue too big for Him, and you’re responsible for taking up the slack. Just in case God fumbles the ball, you’re close by to pick it up and run. In other words – it’s all about you, and not about anyone else. Even Him. It’s a subtle form of disbelief.

Before you beat yourself up (or wish that you could beat me up), realize that worry does indeed send one just that much closer to a nameless grave. I mean, it’s self-evident that worry simply isn’t healthy. Worse, it doesn’t help. But some folks embrace it, marinate in it, and feel good because they feel bad. Worry is evidence that they “care,” by golly. And it kills. It’s slow-motion suicide.

So Emerson suggests a cure in the same breath: “… while here and there a great unselfish soul forgets himself into immortality.” No more nameless graves.

That’s lovely. I’m glad Emerson was here to walk amongst us mortals for a while and give us such wisdom. The call here is for us to be simply unselfish, to shift our focus from ourselves, how we feel, and what we fret over … and release it. (Yeah, I know. One does not simply “let it go.”) But to forget oneself, to lose ourselves in a cause bigger than ourselves, to cast our lives into the arms of One Who alone can give us comfort – man alive. Isn’t that something worth aspiring toward?

This is what banishes worry. If you’re a believer, you have to accept that God is bigger than you, that He has a supernatural vantage point of whatever the situation is that you don’t have, and that He isn’t bound by time and space. He sees what instigated your worry, what you are doing in the midst of it, and what the resolution will be – all at the same time. (Good luck wrapping your head around that!) It is forgetting yourself, looking to Him, and releasing your concern like a helium balloon.

Re-read that quote. It’s magnificent. And take comfort in the ancient script found in Philippians 4:6-7 – which, according to data released by Amazon is the most highlighted passage in Kindle ebooks, and has comforted untold millions:

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your request to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”

That’s it, right there.

And one more thing. You’d honor me if you would check out a workshop I’ve created that addresses this very thing. You can see it by clicking on the blue CRUISING THROUGH CHAOS link:

CRUISING THROUGH CHAOS

NOTE: I first posted this blog, The Gate of the Year, back in June. I’m not one to recycle my posts, but, I dunno. It came to mind this morning during my quiet time. So many folks as of this writing are on edge, strung out, worried senseless. This was comforting back in June, and even more so today. Read it and share it. 

“The Gate of the Year” is the popular name of a poem by Minnie Louise Haskins. She titled it “God Knows.” I’ll share its best-known stanza in a moment.

A quick history lesson.

According to Wikipedia, the poem was written in 1908 and privately published in 1912. King George VI quoted it in his 1939 Christmas broadcast to the British empire. It was thought that his wife, Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Consort, shared it with him. Now it’s believed that Princess Elizabeth, aged 13, gave the poem to her father.

The Gate of the Year gave comfort to the Queen Mother all her days, and was a real inspiration to Brits in the Second World War. She had its words engraved on stone plaques and mounted on the gates of the King George VI Memorial Chapel at Windsor Castle.

These are some powerful words:

And I said to the man who stood at the gate of the year:
“Give me a light that I may tread safely into the unknown.”
And he replied:
“Go out into the darkness and put your hand into the Hand of God.
That shall be to you better than light and safer than a known way.”
So I went forth, and finding the Hand of God, trod gladly into the night.
And He led me towards the hills and the breaking of day in the lone East.

I wish I’d written this.

So why this current fascination on my part? Let me parse it.

And I said to the man who stood at the gate of the year: “Give me a light that I may tread safely into the unknown.”

Here are two fundamental wishes. These are especially meaningful when you have some hard questions and answers aren’t forthcoming (hello, 2020!)

The desire for light is self-evident. You want to be able to see where you’re going.

“Tread safely into the unknown.” If light is available, then the unknown isn’t quite as scary. In these dark days, if you knew what lay ahead, wouldn’t you be comforted by knowing? (Or not; if what lay ahead is disastrous, you might not want to know.)

There have been times in my life – and, in all likelihood, yours too – when you took a leap of faith and hit the ground with a sickening thud. Your faith was misplaced. You let the clamor of the world drown out that still, small voice. Or, worse, you “followed your heart.” Ancient script teaches that the heart is deceitful above all things. Following your heart sounds noble, but it’s not a good idea.

And he replied:
“Go out into the darkness and put your hand into the Hand of God.
That shall be to you better than light and safer than a known way.”

Yes yes yes.

You’ve probably said things like:

I thought God wanted me to marry him.

I thought I was supposed to take that job.

Moving to a new house felt right, somehow.

Here’s the lesson here:

• It’s not a matter of removing the darkness. It’s a matter of accepting the darkness and prevailing in it.
• God’s hand is big, protective, and firm. He doesn’t let go of you. People might. He won’t.
• If it’s safety you crave, then the most perfectly safe place in the universe is in the hand of God, and it doesn’t matter how dark it is.

So I went forth, and finding the Hand of God, trod gladly into the night.

Here’s a subtle nuance. The picture is of someone (you? me?) moving first and then finding the hand of God. It’s knowing that He’s already there, whether you have reached Him or not. The poet draws the picture of taking God’s hand and trodding gladly into the night. No fear, no apprehension. Just the simple joy of knowing God’s got you.

It doesn’t matter the circumstances of what brought on the darkness. They might not change.  The mandate is to be glad in those circumstances. Crazy, I know. But it all is centered in God holding your hand.

And He led me towards the hills and the breaking of day in the lone East.

Sweet.

Get this picture.

• God leads, and the journey begins in darkness.
• He leads toward the hills. Hills conceal, but there is the promise of something else beyond what can be seen.
• The day breaks in the East. There is the certainty of sunrise, and, blessedly, visual confirmation that it is indeed dawn. A new day with new possibilities and new hope.

The Gate of the Year

So heart be still:
What need our little life
Our human life to know,
If God hath comprehension?
In all the dizzy strife
Of things both high and low,
God hideth His intention.

God knows. His will
Is best. The stretch of years
Which wind ahead, so dim
To our imperfect vision,
Are clear to God. Our fears
Are premature; In Him,
All time hath full provision.

Then rest: until
God moves to lift the veil
From our impatient eyes,
When, as the sweeter features
Of Life’s stern face we hail,
Fair beyond all surmise
God’s thought around His creatures
Our mind shall fill.^[3]

I’d like to share my “why” with you. Specifically, it’s my why as it relates to my newly-launched course, COVID Crusher.

I wanted to offer a way to get some clear and actionable training on how to be freed from the emotional and mental burden of COVID-19 in five days.

Part of my motivation was that I didn’t want people to have to worry about the burden of uncertainty the pandemic has brought about.

I wanted to provide the tools necessary to move past the discomfort and hard questions and move into a much better state of mind and heart.

“So, Tony,” you say, “If you’re so anxious to get this in the right hands, why don’t you just share it? I mean, you’re charging for it. Why?”

I am indeed, and it’s simply because there are development and hosting fees I have to pay to make it available in the format I’m presenting. (I’d add that teachable.com absolutely ROCKS.)

So there’s that. And since you’re such a faithful reader, I wanted you to know that. People who say they aren’t concerned about money will lie about other things too! (That’s humor, btw.)

For me, this isn’t a political issue, or even a physical health issue. What concerns me greatly is the mental and emotional toll it’s taking on people. Here’s a word from Johns Hopkins psychologist George S. Everly Jr.:

Every disaster brings psychological casualties that far outnumber physical ones. Common reactions include depression, grief, guilt, generalized anxiety and post-traumatic stress.

With regard to this pandemic, we’re seeing all of these things. If that weren’t enough, many people have lost their jobs, and they may have preexisting psychological problems. There could be an uptick in physical, emotional and sexual abuse, causing more angst.

That’s what put me over the proverbial edge. I felt compelled to do something, even if it was wrong. That’s part of my “why.”

Here’s what it isn’t.

 This is not a physical cure for COVID – 19. Duh.

●     It isn’t medically-based. That’s the job of medical professionals. That ain’t me.

●     This is not a politically-motivated program. It’s as far from that as it could possibly be.

●     It isn’t some conspiracy theory insider piece. (I don’t want to offend you if you’re into conspiracy theories – some folks love ‘em. I’d just say that you won’t find anything in this dealing with implanted microchips, the Illuminati, or alien DNA.)

Here’s what it is.

●     It’s a guided course of study. It’s accessible and understandable to anyone from, say, 13 years old and up. Parents, take note.

●     It is designed to bring life transformation. You won’t be the same after you complete it.

●     It is written to get you results in five days. You can take as much time as you need, but for optimal results you should do one lesson at a time, daily

●     It is applicable to not only the pandemic, but to any other life challenges you may be facing. The principles I share are universal and transferable.

●     It is a set of tools that will help you meet your needs for peace, comfort, and hope even when it seems the world is in flames.

That’s my why. And if you are curious and want to know more, you can check it out right here.

Be blessed.

Find rest. Walk in God’s way and find Him.

Rest seems to be in short supply these days. There’s a splendid irony at work here. Even though the world has slowed down because of the pandemic, we are more internally unsettled than ever. We may still be busy, but there’s that uneasy churning in our soul that is taking its toll.

So rest is something we’d like to experience, right? Just a sense of peace, of settling down, of being free from the worry and angst of the world.

Since I’m speaking primarily to believers, you understand that God promises rest. Ancient script states in Matthew 11:28-30:

²⁸ “Come to me,all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.²⁹ Take my yoke upon you and learn from me,for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. ³⁰ For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”

That’s good stuff right there. The promise of rest. So why the struggle many of us have?

Beats me. But I think a lot of it has to do with simple trust in God.

Here’s some good news about rest. Part of finding rest, experiencing rest, comes with the realization that no evil can touch you.

That does not mean, of course, that you will ever be freed from the presence of evil.  We live in a fallen world, right? So evil abounds.

But evil will not harm you in the strictest sense. It can certainly influence you, but when it comes to eternity – and that’s what I’m talking about – it will not cause you to lose your reward.

You will suffer in this world. You’ll deal with illness and loss. Bad things will happen. Evil things, even. But they can’t touch that  part of  you that belongs to God.

I’m not advocating denial here. I am advocating rest coming from knowing you are His, and He is yours. That’s a pretty secure place to be in. That is an opportunity for finding rest.

Rest means not to struggle.

Consider that. Struggle is the antithesis of rest. When you’re fighting, you aren’t resting. You’re on alert, you’re all wound up, and you’re a bundle of tension.

I wonder if part of our struggles are imposed by the world. Does the word “overwhelmed” resonate with you? Feel like you’re fighting something all the time?

Here’s where that line of thinking will invariably lead. You’ll find yourself struggling, fretting, and feeling swamped by life itself. Worse, there may be a sense you’re all alone in your struggles. Awful. You can’t find rest.

That loneliness comes from a sense that no one can really understand what you’re facing. Actually, that’s true. While some people can empathize, no one will ever totally get it because you are unique in every way. That’s not a bad thing.

I don’t have a magic formula for finding rest for you, or really even showing you how to find rest. So let’s just stick  to basics, shall we?

God alone has perfect understanding of you. He understands you even when you don’t understand you. Crazy, right?

When you need perfect understanding, that’s where you go.

When you need the awareness of a perfect, loving, tender relationship, that’s really your only option.

So. For those days when you’re overwhelmed, when rest seems like a fantasy, and you want to say to the world “Please understand me!”, here’s the good news.

Someone does.

Be well.

Tony’s question: Would you share with the rest of us what YOU do to experience the peace and rest only God can give? Leave your comments below, and don’t forget to share with your friends. 

Do you have a fear of surrender? I’d never really even thought about that.

Here’s what got me thinking about this – overthinking as usual. It’s a quote from Elizabeth Gilbert that deals with a fear of surrender.

Disclaimer: I’m an Elizabeth Gilbert nonfan, for the most part. She wrote Eat, Pray, Love, which was made into a movie with Julia Roberts – it’s waaaaay too New-Agey for me. Then there’s her involvement with Rob Bell. I’ll leave that right there. I don’t think I want to get into Bell right now. You can comment below if you’re so inclined.

Anyway. Here’s her quote about a fear of surrender:

You are afraid of surrender because you don’t want to lose control. But you never had control; all you had was anxiety.

Ponder that, pilgrim.

Here’s the implication: most of us have control freak tendencies. We like to call the shots. We don’t like to think that there are areas of our life we can’t manage.

Surrender implies strongly that we aren’t in control.

Think of a textbook example of surrender. You are in the military. You are in battle. The enemy surrounds you. And the enemy commanding officer demands that you surrender to him.

With that surrender, you are giving up your rights to yourself. You have handed yourself over into the hands of someone else who can do with you what they please.

In other words, you’ve lost control. That’s where the fear of surrender comes in.

Elizabeth Gilbert states that you never had control. All you had was anxiety. You worry about the things you have no control over. Hence, you have a fear of surrender.

I almost hate to bring up COVID-19 again. Dude, I am so over this. But it’s here, and it’s not going away, at least here in the United States … not anytime soon, it seems. I am comforted, sorta, in knowing that the odds are very good I won’t get it, and if I should, the odds are very good it won’t kill me.

What is concerning, though, is  fear and depression are also rising. According to a poll conducted by Kaiser Family Foundation, almost half of Americans report that the coronavirus crisis is harming their mental health. You may not get the virus, but there’s a 50% chance that it’ll mess with your mental and emotional health. That’s where the anxiety comes in. You do have some control over COVID-19 – there seem to be ways to avoid getting it (duh) – but there can be other significant health tolls.

So there’s that fear of surrender, the fear of loss of control. Which you never had anyway. Instead, you just worried.

Worry and anxiety haven’t historically been my kryptonite; I’m the depression case study. That’s been an issue for, like, forever, but my head injury just compounded it. (But, as I’ve stated plenty of times before, good healthcare, both medically and psychologically, along with my faith, keeps things pretty well in check. Yay!)

I don’t know where your head is these days, but I’ll wager a couple of these questions have come up:

• Do I have enough money in case the economy shuts down?
• Will I keep my job?
• What’s school gonna look like in the fall?
• Are we going to have to social distance forever? and masks?
• Will I get sick? Will someone I care about get sick?
• Can life ever be back to normal, or is this it?

And so on. Even knowing you aren’t alone doesn’t help much.

Finally, the elephant in the room question: “How do I trust God in all of this?”

Ancient script addresses this. Thanks, Paul. Here’s a classic familiar passage, but it sure merits revisiting. Pretend like you’ve never heard this before. It’s Philippians 4:6 – 8:

6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. 8 Finally, brothers and sisters, 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.

Right? Is that the cure for your fear of surrender?

There’s your pattern, your plan. Pray like there’s no tomorrow. Pray hard. Be specific. Holler if you need to. And then – focus your heart and pour it out in praise.

Here’s Dr. Tony’s prescription:

1. Write out your prayers. Code them in some fashion if you don’t want anyone to snoop. But write them down. This little exercise gets the snakes out of your head and onto paper, where they can be addressed. Do this. No excuses, okay?
2. Don’t sugarcoat anything. This isn’t a time for you to try to convince God of your spirituality. If you’re a holy wimp, that’s okay. Give yourself permission to be weak. Be transparent. It’s not like you’re trying to convince God you’re someone you aren’t.
3. Shift to praise. If you just can’t muster up enough strength to praise spontaneously, crack open your Bible and read some Psalms. Aloud, if you can. Here’s 10 of my favorites:
   1. Psalm 136
   2. Psalm 117
   3. Psalm 100
   4. Psalm 139
   5. Psalm 42
   6. Psalm 56
   7. Psalm 23
   8. Psalm 27
   9. Psalm 37
   10. Psalm 145
4. You’ll see in some of these Psalms where the psalmist says some pretty dark things before moving on to praise. I think there’s a replicable pattern there.
5. Lather, rinse, repeat.

In the spirit of keeping it real, I affirm that these days are just crazy scary. There is that fear of surrender in the mix.

The mandate, though, is to surrender. You are, in effect, giving up your rights to yourself and letting God possess and own you.

That’s some sweet surrender right there.

Be well.

Question: What is the single biggest obstacle that would keep you from totally offering yourself to God, to allow Him to do what He wishes in your life? Leave comments below. And if you’ve found any value in this post, please share it by using the social media links on the left.

Jehovah-Jireh. Here’s a Bible study and a little Hebrew lesson.

I’m sharing this because it grew out of my own quiet time and was beyond encouraging. I want you to benefit from it, too.

We could all use some encouragement. Because many of us are scared.

Jehovah-Jireh is Hebrew, and is translated “The Lord Will Provide.” Of course He will; but why do we so often behave like He won’t?

I’ve written plenty in recent weeks about COVID-19, and it has occupied our minds. It’s affected and will continue to affect everyone.

Odds are you wont get the coronavirus. And if you do, the odds are extraordinarily in your favor that you will get well. I’m not factoring in high risk folks – this is for everyone else.

What will impact us all are the financial ramifications. This isn’t about the politics or stimulus package or any of that. (Well, I guess it sorta is, but that’s not my point.)

This: You may have faced a job layoff during this unprecedented time. Someone you know or love might be in that place, even if you aren’t. I don’t know the stats, but I know many, many people live paycheck to paycheck. In the very few times I’ve ventured out, I’ve been struck by the lack of traffic, of the empty parking lots, of the locked stores and restaurants.

No one is immune. Ripple effect, right?

It’s almost the first of the month, and people are legitimately wondering how they’re to pay their rent, their mortgage, their car notes, their utility bills … all that.

Can you say stress?

Well, pilgrim, check this out:

Genesis 22:14 (ESV)

So Abraham called the name of that place, “The Lord will provide”; as it is said to this day, “On the mount of the Lord it shall be provided.”

The Lord will provide = Jehovah-Jireh.

You can read Genesis 22 for the whole story. It’s quite familiar. This is the tale of God telling the patriarch Abraham that he was to go up on the mountain and sacrifice his son Issac.

There’s plenty to unpack there – for instance, why would God ask for pagan human sacrifice? How could Abraham be so assured that God would provide a sacrifice? What about Abraham’s words to the others that had accompanied Issac and him – “I and the boy will go over there and worship and come again to you?”

Whew.

Truth is, God sent an angel to stay Abraham’s hand. Abraham recognized the timeless truth that the Lord will provide, and He did.

Don’t miss this. God is Jehovah-Jireh, then and now.

God is our only provider, He and He alone. And the command is to not be afraid. Don’t be afraid. 

Cling to this truth.

Not only does God provide, He is your provider. It is literally who He is.

I know what you’re thinking, because I’ve thought it, too: “Okay, Lord, I get that. But here’s my checkbook. What am I supposed to do now?”

I’d suggest that His provision doesn’t always come in a way we’d think or expect. We’re to be open-minded and open-hearted.

Jehovah-Jireh. The Lord will provide. Our attitude should be that our hands are wide open to receive. This is beyond scary, sometimes. It’s because we can’t see the future, and what we do see looks dismal.

We’re at a place of choosing: Do we choose to believe He will take care of us?

Even beyond that, what about our emotions? Your rational mind may believe God is indeed Jehovah-Jireh, and that He will provide. Why, then, are you anxious, stressed, and an emotional wreck?

God can handle our emotions, too. If you’re scared, tell Him. Angry? He’ll take whatever you want to throw at Him. Just don’t stop there. Ask Him to heal your emotions with His perfect love.

Since God is Jehovah-Jireh, as provider He is ready to give you all He knows you need.

He won’t leave you or forsake you. He’s promised. I’d wager that, if you look back, you can point to times in your past when He provided, in ways you didn’t anticipate. So, knowing that God doesn’t change, what are your expectations of Him now?

Jesus certainly understood that there would be times when we’d say, “Lord, I don’t have a clue as to how You’re gonna work this out.” And yet:

Matthew 6:25-27

²⁵ “Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? ²⁶ Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? ²⁷ And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life?

See any loopholes or exceptions there? Me neither.

I think in these days we need to do a lot of listening and a lot of letting go. It’s releasing your worry to God and asking Him what He wants you to learn about Himself and you.

One ancient story tells of the children of Israel who’d been set free from Egyptian bondage. They were wandering around in the wilderness, and they were hungry.

God feeds them manna.

Know what? This was a food they’d never seen before, so they didn’t know to ask for it. They didn’t even know what it was, and yet it was provided for them.

In these times of crazy uncertainty, we’re called on to trust in God, who has promised to provide what we need. Maybe it’ll be in a totally unexpected way.

Be still. Feel God’s presence. He sure does love you. He’s Jehovah-Jireh. He’ll provide for us all.

Note: There is an app available called “Abide” I heartily recommend. It’s guided prayer and meditation, and it is balm for the soul. Some of my thoughts today grew out of a prayer time from Abide a few days ago. 

The coronavirus – no boundaries, it seems. While we’ve faced nasty stuff before, I’ve never seen anything quite like this one in my 60+ years.

The Washington Post had one of the most helpful and interesting interactive graphs I’ve seen so far. It shows how the coronavirus spreads, and techniques that can “flatten the curve” and put this beast behind us. Maybe you aren’t typically a link-clicker, but I would heartily encourage you to check this one out by clicking here after you’ve finished reading the rest of my musings.

Coronavirus – no boundaries. Think about that. Here’s a living organism that can kill us. It’s insidious. Merciless. It has no mind. The virus is a primitive soulless thing, bent on destruction.

I won’t get into the theology as to why such things are part of God’s creation. I’d be in way over my head, real quick.

I don’t know if I can say much more about the coronavirus that hasn’t already been said, or what I’ve said. I won’t say anything about what the CDC or other experts are recommending. By the time you read this, the situation will have changed.

Our vocabularies are expanding. Terms like “social distancing,” “abundance of caution,” “fluid situation,” and “flatten the curve” are such a common part of everyday conversation now that we all sound like experts.

And don’t get me started on toilet paper. There’s nothing funny about the coronavirus, but I swear, I have to laugh at the absurdity of some things.  (Here’s a simple little hack: Did you know that Kleenex tissue is a decent enough substitute for TP? I see boxes of that everywhere. But shhhh – let’s keep that between us, okay?)

Pursuing this line of thought – of the coronavirus having no boundaries – I thought about what life would be like with no boundaries of any sort.

• If there were no fences, your dog would run amok through the neighborhood.
• If there were no locks on doors – or no doors – people and animals could enter your house at will.
• What if there were no road signs? People could drive wherever and however they wish.
• No rules in sports? Sports would be played however the players and coaches wished.
• If there were no laws …
• If there were no limits …

See what I mean? Boundaries are a good thing.

The one consistent I’ve seen in discussions about COVID-19 is that “social distancing”is, so far, the best strategy. I don’t think that plan will change.

But – and this isn’t a stretch – if we’re to talk about the coronavirus having no boundaries, we do need to talk about those good boundaries. The ones that protect our spiritual and personal life.

As important as it is to set physical boundaries, guarding your heart is just as important.

Wrong heart = wrong life.

Your heart is Master Control. It’s ground zero for all the choices you make. Of course you make choices with your head, but those choices are also informed by your heart.

Here are some ways your heart should guide you in these days:

1. You are not the center of the universe. You may think you are, and in your autobiography in which the rest of us are only supporting players, it’s easy to believe it’s all about you. Well, it’s not. People around you are terrified of the coronavirus, paralyzed, and wonder what they are to do. Get creative – figure out some way to reach out to them. The call is for social distancing, not social isolation. You may just be the answer to someone’s prayer.
2. You have to be mindful of “getting” and realize that there are plenty who need to be given to. I actually heard a guy at Walmart yesterday bragging to the cashier that he’d seen this coronavirus crisis coming and he’d bought 400 rolls of toilet paper a couple of weeks ago. Good on him for being prepared; shame on him for gloating about it, which is exactly what he was doing. Give out of your abundance, okay? That’s simple.
3. Exercise some wisdom. I’ll admit that it’s a little disconcerting to see our government officials using the powers of their office to unilaterally make sweeping proclamations about where we go, what we do, who we meet with, what we eat, all that. It seems in most cases they are doing the prudent thing in consultation with folks who understand the crisis. With that being said, unless it’s illegal or immoral, go with what you’re being asked to do.
4. Listen to each other. You don’t have to defend, debate, or explain your feelings about the coronavirus. If you’re scared, that’s okay. If you are secure and fearless, be grateful that you are. Just don’t devalue those who are responding in a way you think is dumb. (Caveat: If someone’s feelings and the expression of them would endanger others, then, yeah, it’s time to call for them to stand down.)
5. We are in this together. It struck me that this is one of those times – again, unique to me – when the whole world is facing a common enemy. It’s not us against them. It’s us against it, and the coronavirus is a pretty awful it. Nationality, gender, political party, race should not be a factor in our fight. And for those who are making this a political issue, carping about what should have been done, I have a box of socks I’d love to send you. I’m just sorry to not be there to stuff ‘em in your mouth. Tell ya what – how about you making a decision in the span of 24 – 48 hours that will impact the lives of millions, and tell me how that goes for you.

There is this:

Psalms 91:5-6

You will not fear the terror of the night,

the arrow that flies by day,

the plague that stalks in darkness,

or the pestilence that ravages at noon.

So much truth there. It certainly applies to the coronavirus.

Finally, in these days, remember: We teach people how to treat us.

Be safe. Wash your hands. Stay in as much as you can.

God’s got this. He has no boundaries.

Visit my website at https://youcanhavehope.com. I’d be honored if you’d subscribe, and I promise not to spam you. I hate that stuff too. Be blessed.