"The seed falling among the thorns refers to someone who hears the word, but the worries of this life and the deceitfulness of weatlh choke the word, making it unfruitful." ~ Matthew 13:22 This passage from Matthew has always terrified me. I have obsessive-compulsive disorder , which means anxiety is a constant in my life. My brain is hardwired to worry. Does this mean I won't be fruitful? Will the worries of this life choke the word in me? They don't have to. I have a say in

"Suddenly a furious storm came up on the lake, so that the waves swept over the boat. But Jesus was sleeping. The disciples went and woke him, saying, 'Lord, save us! We're going to drown!' He replied, 'You of little faith, why are you so afraid?' Then he got up and rebuked the winds and the waves, and it was completely calm." ~ Matthew 8:24-26 A massive winter storm is heading my way as I type. I have plenty of food, water, kerosene for the emergency heater, and power banks

"...I always pray with joy... being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus." ~ Philippians 1:4,6 Twice in my adult life I've had anxiety and panic attacks knock my legs out from under me. The first time it happened as I was nearing menopause in 2022. My therapist credited the fluctuating hormones for kicking the panic up as high as it went, but I actually credit God for letting it get the better of

"Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord." ~ Psalm 27:14 Patience has never been one of my strengths. When I've done the MBTI, or Myers Briggs assessment , I am an SJ, meaning I prefer Sensing and Judging. One characteristic of SJs is acting quickly to solve a problem - we see what's wrong, get initial data, and act quickly on solving the problem as the data indicates. An example of this can be needing to buy a car. The SJ type of person will feel th

Crying is a healthy way to release hard emotions like grief.

Why do I even worry? Jesus has my back. I need only to lift up my concerns to him and do that which he directs me to do.