God Really Does Care For You

We all worry. Some of us worry more than others. I know I am guilty of worrying too much. I pretty much worry about everything there is to worry about, and after that I worry that maybe I forgot to worry about something else.

I have completed my read of "Overcoming Fear, Worry, and Anxiety" by Elyse Fitzpatrick. It was an excellent read and I would like to share what I learned in a couple of different posts.

Since worry is such a struggle for me--although in reading this book I finally understood how fear, worry, and anxiety are all connected--I thought I would start with worry first.

Why Do We Worry? Well...the simple answer is because of sin.

The Lord tells us we don't need to worry in His Word.

I know that you have all read these verses like 40 times. But seriously, take the time to read them again. I'm typing them out so that I read them again as well:

"Don't be worried about your life, as to what you will eat or what you will drink; nor for your body, as to what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds of the air, that they do not sow, nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not worth much more than they? And who of you by being worried can add a single hour to his life? And why are you worried about clothing? Observe the lilies of the field grow; they do not toil nor do they spin, yet I say to you that not even Solomon in all his glory clothed himself like one of these. But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which is alive today and tomorrow is thrown into the furnace, will He not much more clothe you? You of little faith! Do not worry then, saying 'What will we eat?' or 'What will we drink?' or 'What will we wear for clothing?' For the Gentiles eagerly seek all these things; for your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. So do not worry about tomorrow; for tomorrow will care for itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own."
Matthew 6:25-33

I think one of the frustrating things about worry is how easily I am entrapped in the sin. Elyse Fitzpatrick writes, "Worry is so common that we forget that it's actually a sin." I know I am guilty of that. I read this chapter on worry a few weeks ago and already I am creating a cozy little place in my life for worry to hang out.

I just need to "just say no" to worry!

Here are a couple of other verses that exhort us to not worry:

"Cast your burden upon the Lord" (Psalm 55:22)
"Do not worry about how or what you are to say" (Matthew 10:19)
"Be anxious for nothing" (Philippians 4:6)
"..casting all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you" (1 Peter 5:7)

One point that Fitzpatrick made that I took particular comfort in was, "Don't misunderstand: Jesus isn't talking about trying to turn off your brain. He isn't teaching, 'Don't think at all about what you're going to eat, or wear, or your sleeping arrangements,' No what, He's warning us about are those troubling, fearful thoughts that so effortlessly captivate our mind."

I read that sentence a couple of times...."fearful thoughts that so effortlessly captivate our mind." I am so guilty of this. This week's worry is my trip up to Central California for Thanksgiving. I am worrying about every aspect of the drive up there. Will there be traffic? How long is it going to take? Is the baby going to freak out? What if all of these things happen? What if we are late for the meal? What if? What if? What if?

It is tiring being me. I so wish that I could overcome this struggle with worry.

I thought another interesting point that Fitzpatrick made was how amazing our brains are. Our brains are powerful things. "One article states that it is 'reasonable to conclude that the human brain has a raw computational power between 10 to the 13th power and 10 to the 16th power operations per second.'" Basically we are capable of having a million thoughts in one moment! And as Fitzpatrick says, "What's even more astonishing is that the God who created our brain's ability to function in this way has told us to control our thoughts!"

It seems like an insurmountable task. But one thing that I found comforting is that God is exhorting us to control our thoughts, which means it must be POSSIBLE. For God would not want us to labor for something in vain. Will I be able to control all of my thoughts? No. But the knowledge that it is possible was very freeing to an OverThinker like me.

Of course, we need to remember that the only way it is possible to just say no to worry is if we cling to Christ. We must flee to Him. And only Him.

Fitzpatrick references this important verse,

"Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself unless it abides in the vine, so neither can you unless you abide in Me. I am the vine, you are the branches; he who abides in Me and I in him, he bears much fruit, for apart from Me you can do nothing."
John 15:4-5

We can't overcome our worries without Christ's strength and help.

Fitzpatrick spends some time analyzing where worry comes from and why it is sinful. You will have to read the book to learn more about that!

Just keep in mind that at the end of the day, we have no reason to worry. God takes care of the sparrows and the lilies of the field, He will certainly take care of you.

She closes the chapter with some advice on how to overcome worry. I had forgotten that God's Word provided me with a plan on how to overcome worry.

Don't worry about anything; instead pray about everything; tell God your needs and don't forget to thank Him for His answers. If you do this you will experience God's peace, which is far more wonderful than the human mind can understand. His peace will keep your thoughts and your hearts quiet and at rest as you trust in Christ Jesus....Fix your thoughts on what is true and good and right. Think about things that are pure and lovely, and dwell on the fine, good things in others. Think about all you can praise God for and be glad about. Keep putting into practice all you learned from me and saw me doing, and the God of peace will be with you.
Philippians 4:6-9 (The Living Bible)

I had read these verses many times, but not from the perspective of controlling my thoughts. And man....that was convicting! God wants me to dwell on what is "true and good and right." And I know for a fact that I am not always doing that.

Much like your elementary school teacher talked about "thinking caps," Fitzpatrick encourages us to put on "thought filters."

After we have prayed with thanksgiving (!) about all our concerns, we need to learn (by God's grace of course) to control our thoughts.

"Paul tells us that there are eight filters through which we should judge our thoughts.

Thought Filters, Ask Yourself:

True: Is what I am thinking true about God, particularly His fatherly care for me?

Honorable: Do my thoughts honor God? Do they reflect the knowledge that He is wonderful, kind, loving, wise, and powerful?

Right: Are my thoughts holy, righteous, or just? Are they the kind that the Lord Himself would think?

Pure: Do my thoughts cast doubt on God's goodness or the truth of His promises? Do they elevate my own importance or desire?

Lovely: Do my thoughts flow from a heart filled with tenderness and affection for the Lord? Would my thoughts bring Him pleasure?

Of Good Repute: Are my thoughts of good repute? Are they grounded in faith?

Excellent: Do my thoughts cause me to be fearful, or do they fill my heart with courage and strong commitment to virtuous living?

Praiseworthy: Would the Lord commend my thoughts? Would they bring Him glory?"

Is this quest to no longer worry going to be accomplished overnight? Nope. Paul says in Philippians that we must "practice." We are going to fail. But we need to keep trying. Fitzpatrick points out that God will give us peace in this endeavor.

"The peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus," and "the God of peace will be with you" (Philippians 4:7-9)

Lastly, Fitzpatrick also points out that all of this doesn't mean we are going to be protected and won't have to suffer through any trials or storms. What it does mean is that God will give us the peace and strength we need to endure them.

Are you ready to accept that peace? I know I am! Join me as I say NO to worry and try to control my millions of thoughts.

2-4-6-8 Who Do We Appreciate??

Ahh....I can't seem to keep up with this blog. I have to get better. I really am trying! Everyday, I think about what I want to write...and then I never get to it. Oh well.

I have been reading a FANTASTIC book by Elyse Fitzpatrick, called "Overcoming Fear, Worry, and Anxiety." Sometimes I think she wrote it just for me! I am so thankful for this book. It is teaching me to think in new ways. It is teaching me to have better control of my thoughts (I didn't even know that you could have control of your thoughts...but that is for another post). And all of that is very EXCITING for an over-thinker.

A few weeks ago, I read her thoughts on Appreciation. We all want it. How many times have you been cleaning your kitchen sink, folding laundry, or doing a menial task for someone else and start thinking thoughts like, "why am I doing this?" or "I hate doing this" or "why doesn't so and so appreciate me for doing this?" or my personal favorite, "why doesn't so and so THANK me for doing the task that I am doing right now?" It makes the task you are doing that much more lame when you have those thoughts.

Here are some scriptures/words of wisdom from Elyse Fitzpatrick on the subject:

*God has called me to be a servant, not a queen who is owed adoration or praise. (Luke 22:26)

*I have been commanded to love and appreciate others, not to be love or appreciated (John 13 and 15; 2 Corinthians 2:8)

*Since others have been commanded to love me, I must seek to make their task easy by serving and caring for them (Matthew 22:38-40).

*My desire for the praise of man is just that: a desire. It isn't a need. Everything that I truly need has been given to me in Christ (Luke 12:29-30; 2 Peter 1:2-4).

*I need to be focused more on being thankful for what the Lord and others have done for me (Psalm 28:7)

*I must seek to lay down my life in response to God's lovingkindness (Luke 9:23-24)

*The desire for praise is an avenue for sin that I must guard against (the book of Esther, Matthew 27:18)

*When I believe that I need praise, appreciate, or acceptance from others I become enslaved to their opinions. That slavery will hinder my ability to speak the truth in love to them (John 12:42-43).

I encourage you to read the verses that go along with these statements. Because the verses really seal the deal on this concept.

I never thought about how the need to feel appreciated goes hand in hand with being concerned (or fearing/worrying) what others think of you. And that verse in 2 Peter--God really does supply us with all that we need.

His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness.

I hope that you are encouraged by these verses. And the next time you are serving someone by taking out the trash, ironing a shirt (uh...i don't iron at all), keeping your part of the bathroom clean--whatever it is you struggle doing with a servant's heart--try to remember some of these thoughts.

The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and I am helped. My heart leaps for joy and I will give thanks to him in song. Psalm 28:7

Weeknight Coq Au Vin

I know...I am a slacker. What can I say? things got busy.

I have not really been interested in chicken thighs and drumsticks....but I finally saw a recipe that looked interesting...so I thought I would try it out.

The results were super fabulous!

Weeknight Coq Au Vin is very easy to make....

potpourri

for the few people that actually check in here every so often, sorry that i have been neglecting even my flavor fridays.

here is something for that:

Black Bean Tomato Soup and Quesadillas

I made this meal again tonight and it was great. I recommend going easy on the chili powder. And you could serve Margaritas if you wanted to get really crazy...or if you are able to drink them.

I also had this revelation that quesadillas are freaking easy to make. Out of all the things I cook, how have I not made these before? It could not be easier. Faster than a grilled cheese sandwich even. Amazing.

**

Transitioning to solid foods with Peter has been more of an adjustment for me than for him I think. I knew the whole adage about how just when you are used to a certain routine the kid changes it up on you. I think I forgot about it....I couldn't quite figure out how his new schedule should look like and I suffered through a couple of frustrating days when I couldn't get it quite right. Thanks to the help of some dear friends that are probably tired of hearing me update them on his status, things are going a lot better.

We're up to 3 meals of solids a day now and he is doing great....I am sure things will change again soon. But for the moment, I am enjoying the steadiness.

**

Have you thought about how great God's forgiveness is? Maybe you haven't thought about it today...or maybe you haven't thought about it for awhile. But His mercies are so wonderful. The fact that He has offered us a way out, that He has provided us with a Savior....I know that it sounds simple and that this is such a basic tenet of Christianity.

But seriously...have you thought about how awesome it is that God forgives us when we fall short? I pray that I can truly appreciate His forgiveness for me some day. I don't think it has quite hit me yet...I have been reading Psalm 51 a lot recently and also listening to a series from Dr. B on the heart. I was reminded last night that God does not delight in sacrifice. He just wants our broken hearts. There is nothing I can bring to Him. Except my brokenness.

...i pray that those that read this will be able to appreciate God's forgiveness....and accept it. for me that is the hardest part I think....

**

very excited that we are going on our first vacation together as a family. it will be a short and sweet trip but much needed. thankful that we have already had some opportunities in the past few months to take baby p on "sleepovers" so I already am confident that he will do pretty well sleeping in another location....

.....that's all i have got for now...will try to re-dedicate myself to keeping this thing more current.

Flavor Friday

It has been a busy week here...I made something new, but I didn't really like how it turned out...so I won't promote it here. I have got a couple of yummy stuff planned out for next week that I am already excited over!

Company is in town for the weekend which means a lot of cooking but I will be making our favorite things so that is fine. I have already posted much of what I am making this weekend...

So, is it lazy of me to confess what my favorite frozen pizza is as of late? You can pick it up at Trader Joe's (sorry to those foreign readers). It is called Pizza Parlano...it is yummy! I make it when we have had a long day and I just don't have time or inclination to do some cooking.

....enjoy your weekend...I hope it is not full of labor...but full of relaxation...

Flavor Friday

little late here but who will notice....this sandwich is awesome....

artichoke bacon chicken salad sandwich

it is easy and you can make it in advance. and for those that don't like rosemary, you can ditch that and it will still taste good.

Flavor Friday

Pesto is great, because it is easy. Mash up a bunch of basil and garlic and you are set. But what about adding pistachios? Pistachios are a beloved nut in our household, so when I came upon this recipe, I knew it was going to be a must. Any excuse to get pistachios into the main entree!

I followed another suggested menu from Cooking Light. It suggested to serve the Fusili with Pistachio Pesto with melon and garlic bread. The melon really complemented the flavors in the pesto. And it took no cooking, which was nice.

It was a nice summer meal....enjoy!