When You've Lost Your Mind

Since recovering from an anxiety disorder I have thought a lot about how I ended up in that place and how to avoid experiencing that again. There’s probably 3 things I’ve adjusted in my life that give me the confidence that I wont...

I know what I have control over and what I do not. I used to believe I had a lot more influence over people. That if someone was in a difficult situation I could do or say something that would pull them out of it. The emphasis being on “I”. Obviously a lot of our words/actions impact other people but there’s so much more going on below the surface of people’s thoughts that’s usually incomprehensible. Not ‘crazy’ but ‘different’ to what we assume. Lol. I can probably count on one hand how many times something I’ve done or said has actually changed anyone’s original course of action. And those times most definitely came out of listening to God and just confirming something He’d already told them.

I know what I can handle and what I cannot. I used to believe I had a lot more tolerance and the ability to handle more stress than I do. I used to think that if I noticed something that needed attention it was up to me to do something. Inevitably I would stretch my resources - time, finance, emotions - between multiple situations and people, only to disappoint them all in some shape or form. Yes, all of them. Again, I’ve discovered that as I spend time listening to God and getting a clear sense of what He’s shaped me to put my resources into, moment by moment, those people and situations have gained so much more than ever before.

I know that I need to laugh and I need to breathe. Sounds obvious? I kid you not - the way I used to function was the opposite. When my heart started beating faster and my mind started racing, I responded with action - go, go, go! These days I am far more active when I’ve had a good laugh and am feeling at peace. When I’m experiencing depression, anger, fear, and a sense of being out-of-control, I've found the opposite comes straight from the Holy Spirit. Rather than take action in those moments, I know I need to stop and tap into Him. Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, self-control...all the good stuff…

Less of me and more of Him feels so much better than losing my mind. Believe me, I’ve been there.

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. Galatians 5:22, 23 NASB

The One Who Never Gives Up

When I was in highschool my relay team qualified to race in the state school sports. We trained most lunchtimes for the 6 weeks leading up to the championships. On the final day of training one of us dropped the baton. Our principal was horrified and decided that we were not allowed to compete! Obviously our parents weren’t happy with this decision and they all jumped on the phone that night demanding a change of heart. He called us all in for one more trial at 6:30am the next day. If we could complete the lap without dropping the baton we could step onto the bus and head to the competition. Thankfully we made it to the championships that day.

I wonder has anyone ever given up on you? When that happens there's a whole gamet of emotions that we go through. Why did I try in the first place? What am I supposed to do now? Should I try again? Were our expectations even the same?

Our principal wanted us to represent the school he was so proud of. If we were going to compete, he wanted us to win. Our parents, on the other hand, just wanted us to be involved, to experience running on the State’s finest track along with hundreds of other kids.

God is not our school principal. He’s not raging on the sidelines, horrified that we keep dropping the baton. He’s cheering us on as we navigate people’s expectations of us and the inevitable emotions that follow. And He will never ever give up.

“Answer me when I call to you, O God who declares me innocent...In peace I will lie down and sleep, for you alone, O Lord, will keep me safe.” Psalms 4:1,8 NLT
"...He who has begun a good work in you will complete it..." Philippians 1:6 NKJV
“And let us not grow weary while doing good for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart.” Galatians 6:9 NKJV
Undone

He's not gonna leave me undone
His palms are still moulding
My heart for the Son
What feels like a breaking’s
Design in the making
He’s not gonna leave me undone

You’ll never, ever, ever walk out on me
You will keep writing each page of my destiny
Never will I ever lose my security
You’ll never give up on me

He’s not gonna leave me undone
His palms are just working on
What I’ll become
What feels like a shaking
Makes beauty breathtaking
He’s not gonna leave me undone

You’ll never, ever, ever walk out on me
You will keep writing each page of my destiny
Never will I ever lose my security
You’ll never give up on me

My Warrior Music Video

Ending a week in Galations

For he who sows to his flesh will of the flesh reap corruption, but he who sows to the Spirit will of the Spirit reap everlasting life. Galatians 6:8 NKJV

I guess this is what this blog is all about - sowing into the Spirit...imagine what could come of it...

Some of that thanks

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law. Galatians 5:22,23 NKJV

Can you imagine being so soaked with God's Spirit that this fruit just falls right off you constantly? Ill have some of that thanks!

The battle to be

Therefore He who supplies the Spirit to you and works miracles among you, does He do it by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith?...Therefore the law was our tutor to bring us to Christ, that we might be justified by faith. Galatians 3:5,24 NKJV

Each day I battle not to do right but to hear right - His Word, His Truth, His Voice - and be in the right place - His Presence, Perspective, and Peace

They glorified God in me

And they glorified God in me. Galatians 1:24 NKJV

Paul, persecutor turned preacher, then they glorified God in him! What testimony of His glory is God writing in your life?