Does My Problem Qualify for Peace that Surpasses?

Today's post goes hand-in-hand with last weeks poem, therefore I am making it into a two part series! I will post both last week and this weeks posts in my "Blog Series" page! 

Also, notice the lovely new arrows and sign off graphics that I will be adding to each post to make things more aesthetic! *winks* 

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Does my problem qualify for peace that surpasses all understanding? 

I found myself asking this question when I was going through a rough time in my life. I felt like I was at the end of my rope, but when I saw those around me going through so much more than my “petty problems” I questioned whether or not I qualified for peace. I am so blessed. Can my small (compared to others) problem qualify for God to give me peace? Is His peace needed elsewhere to help someone who has a more worthy problem? If you have ever had these thoughts, let me tell you this:

There is no qualification process when it comes to God’s peace. 

God’s peace is given to comfort and calm His children, no matter how big or small their situation. 

All kinds of problems weigh us down and eventually we become so tired and so worked up that we don’t even know if “peace that surpasses all understanding” is even out there. We worry, we hyperventilate, we cry, we feel hopeless. These problems that we face can be set off by the tiniest of things but go way deeper. Things that are unsettled from months or even years past can resurface themselves with a vengeance no worldly peace can quench. 

Peace from the world is temporary, it lasts for a moment until we can cover up our true feelings, pushing them down, and locking them away. That is, only for them to come back up again in the future. 

Peace from God is felt deep down, a peace that starts from the inside first. It’s that still small voice when the world around you is in chaos. It’s that presence you feel when you are calm and still, despite the circumstances. God’s peace is felt the strongest in the times when all you want to do is sink down on the kitchen floor and bawl your eyes out. The moment that seems hopeless is the moment when God works in our weakness and shows us Hope. 

Some might feel a peace settle over them in a Divine Presence. I have read about how people will be in a stressful situation and then they will pray. Immediately they will feel a peace that surpasses all understanding. Umm, am I the only one who has not experienced this? I’m not saying this cannot happen, but I do believe that peace comes to different people in different ways. 

Peace doesn’t always come in a form of perfect calmness and control. It doesn’t always instantly settle over us. Peace can be known in the craziness. 

Finding peace is when your exhausted, when your at your lowest of lows, you’ve hit rock bottom, and yet you know…And because you Know, you take a step of faith, and ask God to give you peace.

 Peace is knowing that God is in control even when your not. It’s knowing that He is with you and that you are not alone. It’s knowing that He has a plan for you. It’s knowing that He is all-powerful and faithful. It’s knowing that He is the ultimate giver of the peace you so desperately need. It’s knowing and believing in His peace.

I challenge all of us to start searching for God's peace in our lives. Because, there is no qualification process when it comes to God's peace!

Have you ever felt like true peace from God is hard to feel? Have you ever doubted that peace that surpasses all understanding even exists? How can we find this peace in our stressful situations and painful problems? 
Also, stay tuned for next week, because I have a fun bookish related post!!

Lets talk in the comments below! 

To Stay Awestruck

To Stay Awestruck

Written by Brooklyne

Indescribable! 

Never let His glory fade 

The beauty of this earth He made 

From the countless stars, to every small grass blade. 

Never let His glory fade 

Uncontainable!

His mercy’s are new each day

Thanking Him always when you pray

For His rich blessings He bestows, come what may

His mercy’s are new each day

Incomparable!

His love, He freely gives

Those who are searching to believe 

Love is what made Him suffer so that we could live

His love, He freely gives 

Unchangeable!

We are His chosen children

To spread the Truth we’re given

Living in peace with our sisters and brethren

We are His chosen children

All powerful! 

Just for us, He sent His Son

He has already fought and won

Leaving the ninety-nine to rescue the one

Just for us, He sent His Son

You are amazing God!

How then, do we forget?

All the criteria He has met

It seems all we do is worry and fret

How then, do we forget…

To stay awestruck?

This song, Indescribable, is what inspired this poem which I wrote at 12:30AM. My writing inspiration never sleeps! :) Anyway, I hope you are encouraged by this poem, To Stay Awestruck. Let this post serve us as a reminder to stay awestruck of our Amazing God! 

Have you ever forgotten to stay truly awestruck? Name one thing that you find amazing about our God. Thank you so much for reading this poem! Have a wonderful autumn day, and I will see you in the comments! :)

That Moment When Life is Like a Roller Coaster

That moment when you wait in line, not sure of what the roller coaster is going to be like. 

That moment when you fasten your seat belt. 

That moment when you say a prayer. 

That moment when it starts off.

That moment when you start your slow climb to the top of a steep incline.

That moment when your almost to the top. 

That moment when you want off the ride… right now!

That moment when the roller coaster goes from strait up to strait down. 

That moment when your hanging on for dear life. 

That moment when you can't breath. 

That moment when you scream.

That moment when you raise your arms up.

That moment when the rides over in a second.

That moment when you laugh.

That moment when you go and ride it again.

Roller coasters go up and down, right and left, upside down and right side up. They might seem unpredictable, but really, they are mapped out and planned to go wherever it’s tracks take them. When riding a roller coaster, you might be having the time of your life, you might be scared for your life, or both. 

I think roller coasters are fun, but don’t ask me to go on one that goes upside down. Nope, no thanks, I would rather live a nice and long life.

Some rides make me dizzy, others, I want to ride over and over again. Some rides I am terrified while on them, but when its over, I’ll think that it was super fun! 

I guess what I’m trying to say is, just like the roller coaster goes up and down, right and left, upside down and right side up, so does our emotions when we are on them. 

Isn't this so much like life is? 

That moment you are waiting, not sure of what’s ahead.

That moment you are getting ready.

That moment you are saying a prayer.

That moment you are starting a new season in life.

That moment you are moving slow, but you know that it won’t always be this way.

That moment when you feel like you are on the top of the world.

That moment when you regret a decision.

That moment when life plummets strait down at record speed.

That moment when you are hanging on for dear life.

That moment when it hurts so bad.

That moment when you scream.

That moment when you finally are joyful.

That moment when you are out of the woods.

That moment when you laugh.

That moment when it starts all over again.

Although your life might feel unpredictable and scary at times, always remember that God laid out your life's tracks. He built it and mapped it out just for you, and His ways are always better than what any man-made plan can even begin to compare too.

Enjoy where you are on this crazy roller coaster ride they call life. Because one day you’re going to look back on all that you have been through, all the times that flew by so fast. Times that were fun and times that were terrifying. When that season in life is over, you might even miss it, wishing it back.

Life is like a roller coaster. Take the chance, pray always, and cherish ALL of the ride, both highs and lows. Trust Him with the outcomes of each situation.

Stay rooted to the “tracks” that God has made for you, and thank Him for the carefully laid plan that He has for you, because when we are following God’s plan for us, there is no limit that is too high or too hard for us. 

Do you like roller coasters?

Can you see how roller coaster rides and life are so much alike? 

How can we enjoy this ride, even if it's hard? How can I pray for you? 
Let's talk!

Dirty Dishes and Dog Bowls

I live in a very small house of five people and six dogs. I love my family and our dogs very much, but sometimes life happens and— Dishes get piled high, overflowing the sink. Dog bowls seem to disappear into thin air. It’s not like they have sprouted legs and walked off! Well, here is a simple solution to these occurrences… 

1. Wash your dishes as soon as your done using them. 

2. Have a designated spot for all your dog bowls and put them back when you are done  feeding the dogs.   

It’s as simple as that! But honestly, is it really that easy? Not sometimes. These chores seem so easy yet they usually build. One day of leaving dishes in the sink, and you will have a mountain of dirty dishes the next day. One day of leaving the dog bowls where you fed the dogs, and the next day you will have forgotten where they are! 

Dirty dishes and dog bowls aren’t the only things that seem small but build bigger problems. I could make a very long list! 

Does it get overwhelming? Yes. 

Are these chores always fun or easy to do? No. 

But they are necessary. People and dogs have to eat! So, how do we go about our day and not drag our feet on the jobs that we don’t enjoy? How do we become less busy so that things, big or small, don’t get pushed back? 

To answer the first question, lets look to see what the Bible has to say.

1 Corinthians 10:31

“…whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.”

We are to glorify God in WHATEVER we do! Even in the small tasks like cleaning dishes or feeding the dogs. We are to praise, exalt, honor, and magnify God our Father. God has given us so much to be thankful for! Take washing dishes, for instance. Instead of looking at the mess, look at the blessing. Are you thankful for the food you ate off those dishes? Are you thankful for the help of your dad, mom, or siblings that help you wash the dishes? Are you thankful for a dishwasher? etc…

Also, in Philipians 2:14 with very clear instructions it says, “Do all things without complaining and disputing.” 

Notice it didn’t say do SOME things without complaining, it said do ALL things. This is hard! But, it is really important to stay positive. Complaining just wears us down.

Another verse that goes hand in hand with this is Philipians 4:11 “…for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content:”

Paul says to the believers of Philippi that he has learned to be content. Having contentment means to be in a state of peaceful happiness. To be satisfied. I’m still learning this, myself.

So, how do we go about our day and not drag our feet on the jobs we don’t enjoy? We have to learn to be content where we are at. Complaining gets us nowhere. If we focus on giving thanks to God for His many blessings, then we might not even notice the things that used to make us drag our feet.

The last question was, how do we become less busy so that things, big or small, don’t get pushed back? Everyone struggles with being busy. Sometimes having a busy schedule is a good thing, but not when it takes away from your goals, your chores, your family time, and most importantly your time spent with God. 

How do we keep this from happening? This answer is different for everyone. Ask yourself these questions. What do I choose to spend my time doing? Does it strengthen or weaken my relationship with God? What comes first in my life? What can I say “No” to, so I can have more time for the things that are important to me? 

Time management is important! There is only 24 hours in a day, so we need to be spending that time on the things that really matter.

Colossians 3:23

 “And Whatever you do, do it heartily, as unto the LORD and not to men,”

To sum up, dirty dishes and dog bowls, though small tasks, may grow to be giants. But hang in there, God defeats giants! Don’t complain about your mundane tasks, choose to be in a state of peaceful happiness. Think through your time management. And throughout it all, praise God from whom all blessings flow!

Have you ever felt like small everyday tasks can easily become overwhelming? How do you manage your time? How can we find peaceful happiness, or joy even when doing the jobs we don't like? 
What was your favorite bible verse from this post? 

How do you like the graphic for this post?? Would y'all like reading a wrap-up/highlights/end of summer/end of August/etc. post next Wednesday?
Lets chat in the comments! :)
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Stress Paralyzed, It's a Thing!

Y’all, being stress paralyzed is a thing. 

If you haven't watched Mom’s Night Out already, then go watch it! It’s a really awesome movie! My family and I, well, we like to quote movies every chance we get, and the one we use a lot from Mom’s Night Out is this, “I’m stress paralyzed!” In the movie there was kind of a mini debate on whether being stress paralyzed is truly a thing, but for me, there is no doubt that being stress paralyzed is a thing! 

Have you ever felt so stressed out that you can’t move, all you can do is stare at nothing in particular while your mind is racing? This is what it feels like to be stress paralyzed! 

Life gets busy, with to-do lists galore, schedule’s to keep, places to be, jobs to go to, until everything gets pushed back, put off, and thrown into a pile that rivals Laundry Mountain.

Sometimes everything gets so heavy, and we get tired of dragging our feet. We miss out on the little things of life. The things that we buzz by in our attempt to conquer our to-do list(s). We get so busy, that we sit at the end of our beds, overwhelmed and tired. This is when we become stress paralyzed. 

So how do we NOT feel stress paralyzed?

Well, first, I think we have to realize that our to-do lists won’t magically end when you have everything crossed off. It is a never ending list that just keeps growing. It’s like walking on a treadmill. Your legs are moving, running as fast as they can. The machine tells you that you’ve gone X amount of miles. Your exhausted and sweating, but the thing is, you are running on the same belt that just goes round and round. It is a never ending cycle unless you push the off button!

Lets take the treadmill analogy and say that the treadmill is ALL of the things that stress you out. Whether it be school, your job, your future, your worries, you name it. Think about it, ALL of the things you are stressing over, all of what you are obsessing over, all of the worries. No matter where you are at, there is always going to be something. The treadmill won’t stop unless you stop it. 

I'm not saying that you should throw your hands in the air and stop everything that is causing you stress, nope, that’s not how it works. Instead of giving up on everything, we should be giving it up to God. By pushing the off button, you aren’t stopping the stress, your giving the stress to Someone who already knows how everything is going to turn out. The thing is, nobody else can push that button for you. YOU have to make that decision to give it to God. 

When you feel like you can’t hold the weight of your stress any longer, when you feel stress paralyzed, you have got to say, “Lord, you know where I’m at. You know what I’m going through right now. And I trust that you know best. Take my stress, take my worries, my fears, this heavy burden. I'm lifting it up to you.” No matter what wording you use, just give him your stress.

By letting God handle your stress, you are saying NO to the stress treadmill. Next time you feel stress paralyzed, talk to God. God is the best listener. 

Psalm 55:22

“Cast your burden on the LORD, And He shall sustain you; He shall never permit the righteous to be moved.”

 Matthew 11:28

“Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.”     

         

Have you ever felt stress paralyzed? How do you handle stressful situations? 

What is your favorite bible verse that talks about rest?

Guys, can you believe that the next post will be in August?? This month has seriously flown by!!! What are you excited about this coming week? 

Lets talk about it! Comment below!

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Amidst the Storm

Amidst the Storm 

Written by Brooklyne

You are here amidst the storm

Wind, thunder, and sky a blazing

You make, mold, and transform 

Your mighty power amazing 

You are here amidst the storm

"Peace, be still" and the waves obey

Your presence comforts and warm

Those who are weary and astray 

You are here amidst the storm 

Lift and keep your eyes on Jesus

To the world, do not conform 

In perfect peace He will keep us

You are here amidst the storm

Asking us to walk on water

You save us from sinking harm

You are our Heavenly Father

Matthew 14:27-31

"But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, 'Be of good cheer! It is I; do not be afraid.' And Perer answered Him and said, 'Lord, if it is You, command me to come to You on water.' So He said, 'Come.' 

And when Peter had come down out of the boat, he walked on water to go to Jesus. But when he saw that the wind was boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink he cried out, saying, 'Lord, save me!' 

And immediately, Jesus stretched out His hand and caught him, and said to him, 'O you of little faith, why did you doubt?' 

And when they got into the boat, the wind ceased."

We all go through storms in our lives, and sometimes we doubt. We become afraid of the boisterous wind. As soon as we take our eyes off of Jesus, we start to sink. But we cry out to Him, and He stretches out His hand and saves us! 

Jesus was walking on water with Peter. Jesus was amidst the storm with Peter. And He is amidst the storm with us as well. He will never leave us to overcome our storms by ourselves, but instead, He will be right along side us! When Jesus is in the same boat as us, the wind will cease.

Have you ever felt like you were sinking in life's storms? Have you ever doubted that He could save you? How can we build our faith? 

How is everyones May going? What are some things you are looking forward to this month? Lets talk! 

P.S. Stay tuned for next weeks post titled, Miracles and Angels, where I share with you a story of how God actually saved my life.

Always

Always

Written by Brooklyne

Same hope that will anchor 

Steadfast and sure 

Ready to conquer 

Still the same, always

Same love that never fails

Patient and kind

Its presence prevails 

Still the same, always

Same care that will comfort

Never leaving 

Helping our efforts 

Still the same, always

Same peace that surpasses 

Quiet, calm, still

While the storm passes

Still the same, always 

Same glory that is shown 

Its bright beauty 

We have all known

Still the same, always

Same grace that is given

To all who ask 

They are forgiven 

Still the same, always

Same faith that moves mountains 

Trusting and bold

Come to His fountain 

Still the same, always 

Same strength that is able

To lift us up

He's reliable 

Still the same, always 

Same truth that it's telling

In the Bible 

Stories compelling 

Still the same, always

Hebrews 13:8

"Jesus Christ is the same yesterday,

today, and forever." 

James 1:17

"Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above,

and comes down from the Father of lights,

with whom there is no variation 

or shadow of turning."

Jesus never changes and His love for us never changes, it is still the same, always. 

Thank you for reading my poem, Always! Believe it or not, the inspiration for this poem came when I was listening to a country song.

What inspires you to write poetry? What are your thoughts on this poem? What is one of your favorite things about our loving Heavenly Father that never changes? Lets talk in the comments below!