Duck Syndrome

 

By Andrea Merrell

Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and 

supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests 

be made known to God, 

and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding,

will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

Philippians 4:6-7 NKJV

 

The man always seemed in control. Laid back. Taking things in stride. Nothing appeared to rattle him. Others envied the way he handled whatever life threw at him. But on the inside, he was a powder keg of worry and fear. A bundle of nerves—all of which led to serious health and emotional issues.

Some call it Duck Syndrome. We might see a beautiful bird gliding across the water, calm and serene. But what we don’t see is that underneath the surface of the water, he is paddling like crazy.

According to the experts, this condition describes those who hide all their stress and anxiety behind a veneer of peace and composure while they are falling apart on the inside, struggling to keep their head above water.

These same experts suggest many ways to overcome this problem: Be more aware. Set boundaries. Practice time management. Get counseling.

But for the believer, there is a better way. An old song tells us to “take it to the Lord in prayer.” That means casting our cares over on Him. Laying our burdens at His feet. Then trusting Him for the outcome.

The Bible tells us to be anxious for nothing and to pray about everything. When we do, “the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.”

Sounds like a much better way to live. Let’s not be ducks but doers of the Word.

Photo by Timothy Dykes on Unsplash

 

Salt and Light

 By Andrea Merrell

You are the salt of the earth … You are the light of the world.

Matthew 5:13 & 16a

Jesus called us both salt and light, but what exactly does that mean?

These two basic elements give us practical examples of how we are to serve the Lord and share His presence with those around us.

My grandfather used to say, “Salt brings out the hidden flavors.” This is what the Message translation says (Matthew 5:13):

You’re here to be salt-seasoning that brings out the God-flavors of this earth. If you lose your saltiness, how will people taste godliness?

Light, on the other hand, dispels the darkness. It illuminates the truth and reveals God to a dark and broken world. According to the Message (Matthew 5:14-15):

You’re here to be light, bringing out the God-colors in the world. God is not a secret to be kept … I’m putting you on a lampstand … Shine!

A song by the Williamsons, “Shake the Salt, Shine the Light,” is a fun reminder of how we are to live. I encourage you to take a moment and listen carefully to the simple but powerful words. (See link below.)

Our world is in chaos. Are you shaking the salt and letting your light shine?

 

 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iZXeIY3kX2k

Photo by Lachlan on Unsplash.com

A Lesson from Communion

 

By Andrea Merrell

For this purpose the Son of God was manifested,

that He might destroy the works of the devil.

1 John 3:8 NKJV

 

I raised the small communion cup to my lips and paused—in shock. Floating in the red liquid, symbolic of the shed blood of Jesus, was a dead fly.

My initial response was revulsion, but on the heels of that thought came another. Had I not just prayed and acknowledged the power in the blood of my Lord? This was clearly a practical example of how it destroys the work of the enemy of our soul, the Devil.

As I thought about the precious and priceless blood of our risen Savior, bits and pieces of old hymns came flooding into my mind. The only blood that could set me free. Wonder-working power. It washes away my sin. It’s a matter of placing our complete trust in Him as He shines the light on truth.

Sometimes God will use the smallest and seemingly insignificant scenarios to teach us a powerful lesson. In the same way, Jesus told stories and asked simple questions. He knelt to draw in the dirt, saving a woman’s life. He sent his disciples fishing to pay their taxes. He used mud to heal a blind man. He fed hundreds with a young boy’s lunch. He uses the trappings of our everyday, ordinary life to teach and guide.

I don’t think I’ll ever take communion again without remembering that fly, but more importantly, the words of Jesus: “I have come as a light to shine in this dark world, so that all who put their trust in me will no longer remain in the dark” (John 12:46 NLT).

 Photo by CHUTTERSNAP on Unsplash

 

Three Keys to Finding Your True Self

 

By Andrea Merrell

By His divine power, God has given us everything we need 

for living a godly life.  2 Peter 1:3-4 NLT

For so many years of my life, I struggled with a lack of self-worth. I became a people-pleaser, trying to fit in and gain approval from those I thought had it all together. It was a miserable journey, going nowhere.

When I finally realized and embraced who I am “in Christ,” my perspective changed—along with everything else in my life.

We can search for a lifetime and never find our true identity, always comparing ourselves to others and always feeling less than. Here are three keys to turn that around:

Stop speaking negative words to and about yourself. 

Focus on your strengths instead of your weaknesses. Don’t obsess over your flaws and keep putting yourself down. Change your self-talk.

Don’t compare yourself to others. 

We’re all created by God as special, unique individuals with different gifts, talents, and abilities. We can learn from others, be inspired and encouraged by them, but we should never be envious or want to be someone or something we were never created to be. Be thankful for who you are and who you are becoming.

Find out what God says about you in His Word. 

Let His opinion become your confession. Here are a few to get you started:

• I am a redeemed child of the living God.
• I am forgiven.
• I am the righteousness of God in Christ Jesus.
• I am a new creation in Christ.
• I am loved with an everlasting love.
• I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength.
• I am seated in heavenly places.
• I have the mind of Christ.

Knowing who you are—and what you have—in Christ makes all the difference. You are fully seen, fully known, and fully loved. 

And that’s enough.

 

 Photo courtesy of FreeDigitalPhotos.net and gubgib.

Are You Enjoying Your Life?

 

By Andrea Merrell

 

This day belongs to the Lord! Let's celebrate and be glad today.

Psalm 118:24 CEV

 

I stared at my calendar. The first week of January and my calendar was already filling up. How could I possibly have that much on my plate already?

I had been asking that question for months. As each one passed, the promise of a lighter schedule kept me going.

But it never happened.

At my age, most people are fully retired. Taking it easy. Traveling, Enjoying a slow, uncluttered life. But not me. Along with working part-time (at least I get to work at home) and so many other things that scream for my attention, my calendar keeps filling up almost faster than I can keep up.

A friend commented to me recently that most people my age didn’t have such a busy schedule. Thinking back on our conversation, I wondered how it would be to have that slow, uncluttered life. No agenda. Nothing pressing. No deadlines.

Then I realized how thankful I am for a full life. A busy life filled with purpose and fulfillment. I’m learning to be grateful for my busy schedule and how to navigate it by taking one day at a time. The Bible says, “This day (today) belongs to the Lord.” Our response is to celebrate and be glad in it—no matter what’s on our plate.

Each day is a gift to be enjoyed, not filled with dread or regret. The Bible tells us to trust in the living God who “gives us richly all things to enjoy” (1 Timothy 6:17 NKJV). The choice is ours.

For the record, I might be at the age where it’s okay to sit down and kick back, but I choose to be thankful for the busy life the Lord has given me and enjoy it to the fullest.

How about you?

Photo courtesy of FreeDigitalPhotos.net and tuelekza.