Hey, friends. Thank you for stopping by. My writing journey has been a long one, and I'm thankful I stayed on the path where God has taken me. If you are a reader, thank you so much. As an author, I appreciate you more than I can say. If you're a writer and you've been penning words a long time or just a little while, trust God with your journey. He knows what's ahead.
Saturday, June 5, 2021
Don't Worry
Then Jesus said to his disciples: “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat; or about your body, what you will wear. For life is more than food, and the body more than clothes. Consider the ravens: They do not sow or reap, they have no storeroom or barn; yet God feeds them. And how much more valuable you are than birds! Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to your life? Since you cannot do this very little thing, why do you worry about the rest?
We can worry something or worry about something.
The dictionary says worry is used two ways. Snapping, biting, and tearing particularly at the throat or mental distress, anxiety, pondering on something that might or might not happen.
From the definitions I read, it sounds like the act of worrying could go either way. The tearing at the throat is pictured as a terrier going after a rat, but sometimes I feel like worry tears at me, not just mentally, but physically, too. Worry has a way of beating a person down.
Jesus, in his great wisdom, knew worry was an enemy. He taught his disciples not to be anxious about what was to come. Imagine being Jesus’ followers. They had to sense danger with so many people against Jesus.
But in his way of teaching, he assured them God would take care of them. He provides for the ravens, of course he’d take care of his followers.
Worrying adds nothing to our lives. As we’ve found with modern medicine, stressing about life contributes to high blood pressure and anxiety. Yet in our society, worry has almost become an obsession. Jesus wants me to spend my energy on my faith and the way I treat others, instead of fretting over things I have no control over. He wants me to use my time loving him and loving people, and the rest will fall into place.
To keep worry from strangling me, I’ve learned to turn my thoughts to Jesus, and if I wait most issues work themselves out. As I’m a work in progress—prayer and time spent in the Bible help me balance my worry with trust. Instead of imagining all the terrible scenarios that could happen, I accept God’s providence and pray my faith outshines my worries.
Cast your cares on Jesus because he cares for you.
Saturday, April 17, 2021
Anxiety is a Beast
Philippians 4:6
Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and
petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.
“Life is better when you cry a little, laugh a lot, and
are thankful for everything you’ve got.”
As one who lives with anxiety, I cling to Philippians 4:6.
When I look back over my life, anxiety raised its hand way too
often. In school, I was the kid who wanted to hide when we read aloud in class.
I’d just as soon fade into the brick wall as wait to be called on for the
kickball team. I wasn’t just shy (although I was shy) I was terrified of
attention.
That was my anxiety. The beast has a unique way of manifesting
itself in all of us. Most of us feel anxious in certain situations due to
stress. Some anxiety is normal.
As an adult, my anxiety reared its head as panic attacks. In my
forties, I returned to college to finish my Bachelor’s degree, but I absorbed
more information, at one time, than my brain could handle. To get technical—the
serotonin didn’t hang out long enough for the process. The doctor figured out
the problem and recommended medication. To me the meds are no different than if
I was diabetic and had to take insulin. I need them.
But along with the medication, I have another healer in my pocket.
Prayer. When I seek God’s attention and pour out all that I’m thankful for—the
anxiety dissipates. Yes, I cry and laugh. Laughter is wonderful, tears
sometimes help, but the best antidote for anxiety is gratitude. I can sit and
talk to my heavenly Father about all the wonders of spring. As I observe my
flowers, I say thank you. When I think of my loved ones, I pray thanks. When I
consider Jesus’ sacrifice for me, I bow in appreciation.
God created the science behind the meds which help my anxiety, and
he’s given me joy and peace in place of fear.
Replace anxiety with gratitude.
Click to tweet: Anxiety is a Beast
Wednesday, October 14, 2020
Worry or Pray
Saturday, June 17, 2017
The Muck of Worry

Worry is a pariah that results in paralyzing fear. Instead of worrying—pray and trust God.
Monday, June 5, 2017
Incredible Beauty

Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life?"And why do you worry about clothes? See how the flowers of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these." -Matthew 6:27-29How about you? What part of nature reminds you that you are cared for?
Wednesday, May 3, 2017
Saturday, April 29, 2017
Oh, to be a Bird
“Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life?"

Matthew 6:33 But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.