High Anxiety

June 11

Be careful, or your hearts will be weighed down with … the anxieties

of life.

Luke 21:34

Nothing seemed to faze Merrill. “How can this not frustrate you?!” Vera

demanded, more than a little irritated with her husband. “We owe the govern-

ment 2,402 dollars, and you act as though things will be fine and everything

will work out just peachy! Just where do you think we’re going to get that kind

of money on such short notice?”

“Vera, there’s no need to get so worked up when something comes along

unexpectedly.” Merrill said quietly, trying to reason with his wife. “The world’s

not coming to an end.”

“I can’t believe this doesn’t make you angry!” Vera was angry that Merrill

was always able to take things in stride and remain calm, while she always

stressed out over unforeseen events.

“Honey, right now, I’m not sure about this letter,” he said, rereading it. “But

fretting about it won’t help. You know,” he paused, “as I think about it, I’m not

so sure we owe them anything. I’ll call Barry and see what he thinks.” And with

that, Merrill picked up the phone and dialed his tax attorney’s number. In less

than five minutes Barry was able to ascertain that the IRS letter was in error.

Vera’s anxiety had been all for nothing.

h

There are an innumerable amount of stressors in this world, most of which

do not promote good health. Each one can induce a sense of instability, and

anxiety; they can even release adrenaline into the bloodstream, causing our

heart rate to accelerate!

Jesus suggests we learn to guard ourselves from unnecessary emotion; to

remain alert to the things that matter, yet not become anxious over unantici-

pated events.

An apprehensive attitude leaves no room for peace or joy and hinders the

Holy Spirit’s work in our lives.

We can’t predict the future. However, we can control our response to those

things which catch us by surprise. If this is something you struggle with, ask

God to quiet your heart and give you an optimistic outlook.

Prayer

“Calm my heart, Lord. Help me learn to take things in

stride and allow Your Spirit to work in my life. Cause

me to sense when I am relinquishing control to the

enemy so I can reclaim it. In Jesus’ Name, amen.”

 Be Prepared

June 10

Be prepared in season and out of season … to discharge all the duties

of your ministry.

2 Timothy 4:2, 5

Of the one hundred twenty-one merit badges young men can earn in the

Boy Scouts, Lincoln had amassed ninety-five total badges. Each badge had

increased his experience, knowledge, and skill in a specific discipline, spanning

a broad spectrum from American business to woodworking. Lincoln needed

only one more mandatory badge to meet the twelve-of-fifteen badge require-

ment necessary to attain the rank of Eagle Scout. Today’s review for his Citi-

zenship in the World merit badge would complete that objective.

However, unlike prior reviews, where he’d studied and restudied the rel-

evant material, Lincoln hadn’t spent much time preparing for this badge. He’d

been pressed for time and had assumed he would be alright with a cursory

examination of the issues. Finding he was unprepared, he approached his

counselor, “I’m sorry, Mr. Barns. I’ve been so busy that I didn’t take time to

review the subject matter on international law,” he admitted. “Can I please

reschedule this review?”

“Alright, Lincoln, we’ll reschedule for next week,” Mr. Barns agreed. Then

he added, “And when you come next week, do as our motto says: Be Prepared.”

Following a week of intense study, Lincoln passed his review, obtaining

the rank of Eagle Scout. At the badge presentation, Mr. Barns spoke of the

rescheduling, and the importance of being prepared, “Because you never know

what life might bring.”

h

Like Lincoln, many of us put off preparing for upcoming events, relying on

present knowledge to carry us through, sighting busyness as the reason for our

lapse in judgment. The truth is … we will make time for those things which are

important to us. Un-preparedness, conscious or otherwise, will cause us to fail

the testing of such knowledge.

Paul’s charge to Timothy was that he be prepared for every eventuality in

order that he might be able to discharge all the duties of his ministry.

Put in perspective: our failure to prepare may not only have us asking for

a redo, we could very well miss an opportunity to minister to someone else.

Prayer

“Lord, show me what I need to focus on today to be

ready for what comes my way. In Jesus’ Name, amen.”

 Notes*

June 9

I have loved you with an everlasting love.

Jeremiah 31:3

Sitting down at his computer, Randy immediately saw the note taped to

his monitor. Handwritten on a piece of plain white paper was the acronym

S.H.M.I.L.Y.

He smiled as he pulled it from the screen, folded the tape over the back,

and placed it in his drawer alongside a mounting storehouse of affectionate

compositions from his wife.

Randy and Shauna were forever leaving notes for each other. Neither left

the house without leaving the other a note. Most notes revealed their where-

abouts and when they would return. Many times they were terms of endear-

ment, a reminder of their commitment and love for one another. S.H.M.I.L.Y.

was one-such expression.

As Randy began his day’s work, he thought about how to respond to

Shauna’s note. Settling on the one thing he knew would bring a smile to her

face, he slipped away to the field behind the house and picked a bouquet of

wildflowers an hour before she returned home from work. Arranging them in

her favorite vase, he pulled this morning’s note from his drawer, and added a

two so it read: “S.H.M.I.L.Y. 2,” and placed the vase on the kitchen counter

and then returned to work.

They’d both meant every word: See How Much I Love You!

h

Notes are a simple yet wonderful way to communicate with each other. Leav-

ing them to be discovered in strategic locations can be a personal and inspira-

tional way of declaring, “I care.”

Taking time to pen our thoughts or feelings establishes our commitment

to the one for which the note is intended.

God devoted a tremendous amount of work and time writing notes to us

and has left them in strategic places for us to find.

His note to us in Jeremiah 31 says, “I have loved you with an everlasting

love.” Scripture is full of His wonder-filled and personal declarations.

In His note to us in John 17:24, at the climax of His earthly mission, Jesus

prayed for us to be with Him and to see His glory. Translation: “See How

Much I Love You!”

Prayer

“Lord, thank You for Your love that sustains me. Help me love

with a love that is selfless. May I bring affirmation to each

individual You place in my life today. In Jesus’ Name, amen.”

*Dedicated to James and Myrtle Dobson

 The Beginning of Healing

June 8

Wine is a mocker and beer a brawler; whoever is led astray by them

is not wise.

Proverbs 20:1

Sitting at the bar—well, slouching would have been a more accurate description—

Gil realized he’d done it again. He was half drunk and couldn’t tell you

how or why it had happened. He’d stopped here with the intention of having

one drink then going home. Must be my sixth or seventh, he thought, looking at the 

amber liquid in his glass.

It had been two years since he’d had anything to drink. The last episode

had seen him waking up in a holding cell, surrounded by a dozen other men.

He’d served six days in the county lockup for his involvement in a bar fight and

under the direction of the court, attended a few AA meetings.

I’m not a drunk, he’d thought at his first meeting. I only drink once in a great

while. How dare they associate me with a group like this! These people are mostly

bums; some of them are even homeless! This had been his egotistical attitude. Gil

had lost his job as a result of his nefarious behavior and had sworn it would

never happen again. So much for never. If I get arrested again, Belle’s gonna come

unglued! Then, another thought came unbidden. I can’t possibly be a drunk, can

I? Maybe I need help.

h

Addiction is found in all walks of life—teachers, lawyers, preachers, engineers,

public employees, sports writers, evangelists, steel workers, nuns, PTO moms.

The list knows no boundaries.

As future citizens of heaven, we are to be disciplined. Constant obsession

removes that ability. When we give in to cravings, it dishonors God and harms

our witness.

Addictions come in many forms. (Fill in the blank) If you can’t stop _____

when you want, if you find yourself in trouble each time you ____, if your fam-

ily life, relationships, or job suffer when you ____, or if you can’t control your

behavior when you ____, you have a problem. Facing the truth and asking for

help is the beginning of healing.

Prayer

“I submit my life and actions to Your care in this moment,

Lord. Renew my life and set me free. I’m good at hiding, Lord,

so cleanse me from the inside out. In Jesus’ Name, amen.”

 All-Star

June 7

… A people belonging to God …

1 Peter 2:9

He was the premiere player in the league; his followers numbered in the tens

of millions. A good man and role model, every kid wanted to be just like him;

most adults wanted to get to know him. Every corporate group wanted him

to endorse their product. And for good reason. His devoted followers bought

everything he put his name on.

His business manager had needed to hire an assistant to help with the

enormous number of calls asking for an appearance from this sports phenom.

His life had become a series of scheduled appointments. But he didn’t mind; to

him, it was part of his notoriety. He wanted to give back to the sport that had

given him so much.

One night while walking through his old neighborhood, he was wounded

in a drive-by shooting. His career was over.

When his sponsors found out he’d been partially paralyzed, his stock and

appeal plummeted; the endorsements stopped coming.

Tragically, besides his sister, Sheena, only his closest friends stuck by him.

Sheena had always been there. Having kept him grounded in the fame, she

continued to encourage him in this setback.

Slowly, with determination, he began to get better. As a Christian, the

same inner strength that had served him in his sports career fueled his determination
to rise above his so-called disability. He was, in fact, an all-star.

h

When the dust settles on our lives, what’s left is who we are. What each of

us needs to know is that we belong to God. He has given each of us a unique

gift, and we are expected to contribute to society. Just because we don’t excel

in sports, have a net worth in the millions, or do something exciting does not

negate our usefulness.

We may not picture ourselves as a tremendous success, but that does not

exclude nor exempt us from being productive members of society. Whatever

your disability, perceived or real, you are to make an impact on those you come

in contact with. You belong to a God big enough to make you an all-star. It’s

up to you to get in the game.

Prayer

“I want to feel like I make a difference, Lord.

Change my perspective of who I am and use me

to affect lives for Your kingdom. Amen.”

 Wherever I’m At

June 6

Whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is

pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable … think about such

things.

Philippians 4:8

Brenan bumped in to Myrt at the post office. “How ya doin’, Myrt?” he asked.

“Just marvelous, Brenan. The sun’s not so hot just now!” she responded,

referencing them having been seated beside each other at a football game the

evening before. Early September games were played under the waning summer

sun. It could, and often did, get into the nineties. Yesterday evening had been

one such occasion.

Myrt was one of the community’s long-term residents, having lived her

entire life here. Brenan knew her to be cheery, with as positive an outlook as

anyone he knew. He enjoyed bumping into her and spending time in conversa-

tion; she was well spoken, always upbeat, with constructive thought and an

encouraging word for whomever she encountered.

As Brenan turned to leave, he said, “As always, Myrt, it was good to see

you. Enjoy yourself today and have fun.”

“Wherever I’m at, I have fun, Brenan!” she responded with a laugh. As he

left, Brenan recognized the truth in her comment. He smiled as he thought to

himself, Yes, Myrt, life has never beaten you down. I have yet to hear you complain

or speak negatively in all the years I’ve known you.

h

We have a choice in how we approach life, in how we portray ourselves to oth-

ers, and our convictions are displayed in our attitude. We can, and do, display

optimism or pessimism, hope, or hopelessness. Our outlook will help or hinder,

encourage or discourage.

Unquestionably, people can read in our actions how we feel about matters

we deem important or issues of consequence. So what are they hearing when

our actions speak?

Though we should not allow what others think about us declare or define

who we are, we should care that they have a brighter outlook upon leaving our

presence.

Paul suggests we can do that by thinking about the right things. The axiom,

“Garbage in, garbage out” is relevant ‘wherever I’m at’.

Prayer

“Lord, let the light that comes from me be an illuminating

light and not a blinding one. In Jesus’ Name, amen.”

 Nothing Is Something

June 5

Lift your eyes and look to the heavens.

Isaiah 40:26

Jill’s father turned his head toward her and quietly whispered, “It’s close to

bedtime, kiddo. Five more minutes then we gotta land this spacecraft, and you

gotta hit the books.” Jill’s passion for lying under the night sky had been passed

on to her by her father. He saw relevance in his and his daughter’s stargazing.

His own father had not seen things that way. “Get in this house and get

your homework done now!” he would scold. It seemed he couldn’t understand

his son’s fascination. He said the same thing every time. “There’s more to life

than watchin’ stars, boy. Go do somethin’ worthwhile!”

“Well, Dad,” he whispered into the night, “as far as I’m concerned, watch-

ing stars is doing something.” He wished his father could have understood his

interest. “And as long as Jill has a love for the heavens, I’m going to encourage

her.”

A few minutes later, Jill squealed with delight. A huge green blaze had just

arced from one side of the sky to the other! “Oh, Daddy, that’s the brightest

shooting star ever! I’m glad we saw it together!” She couldn’t see his smile but

could hear him say, “Me too, honey! Me too. Maybe someday you’ll get a closer

look from space. You just keep lookin’ up.”

h

Doing things that to some appear senseless or serve no relevant purpose does

not necessarily equate to doing nothing.

Not all of us are called to become astronauts, yet many of them had their

interest piqued by watching the night sky. The stars are beautiful, and seeing a

falling star fascinates each of us. You don’t have to aspire to be launched into

space to enjoy the stars.

Just because we don’t see the value of something does not negate it. With

an eternal perspective, seemingly meaningless things can have vast significance.

Prayer

“Lord, help me see the value in things that don’t necessarily

interest me. Help me encourage others to seek the things

that bring them joy in Your kingdom. Amen.”