Don't You Care?

"Lord, don't you care?"

Martha said it...  when all the demands started to make her feel overwhelmed. The long to-do list of running a household, taking care of her family, entertaining guests.   "But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. She came to him and asked, "Lord, don't you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!" (Luke 10.40)

The disciples said it... when the storm felt too big, too strong, and they feared they would be overtaken. "A furious squall came up, and the waves broke over the boat, so that it was nearly swamped.  
Jesus was in the stern, sleeping on a cushion. The disciples woke him and said to him, 'Teacher, don't you care if we drown?'" (Mark 4.37-38)

And most of us at some point or another have probably said it.  When all the demands press down on us. When the storm raged around us.  When we feel buried under our worries.  Leaving us overwhelmed, tired, confused.

"Lord, don't you care?"

photo - publicdomainpictures.net

"Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you." (1 Peter 5.7)

Yes, He cares.

Even when you feel lost and alone.  He's there. When it feels hopeless. He's working it out for good.

"And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose." (Romans 8.28)

Take your eyes off the circumstances.  Stop focusing on the many things. Stay focused on the One thing that matters.  The One who can quiet the storms.

You can find me connecting at these Blog Hops and Link Ups
 The Dwelling Tree: Let's Be Friends
Cornerstone Confessions: Titus 2 Tuesday
Rich Faith Rising: Unite!
Growing Home: Growing Homemakers
Yesterfood: Treasure Box Tuesday
 Juana Mickels: Wednesday's Prayer Girls
WholeHearted Home: Wholehearted Wednesdays Linkup
We Are THAT Family: Works For Me Wednesdays
Woman to Woman: Word-filled Wednesday
A Little R & R: A Little R&R Wednesdays
Joy Dare Blog: Capture Your Journey Link Up 
My Daily Walk in His Grace: Winsome Wednesday 
So Much at Home Linkup Party 
Holley Gerth: Coffee for Your Heart 
Adorned From Above: Wednesday Link Party
Mom's Morning Coffee: Coffee & Conversation 

My One Word: FEARLESS

When I first began thinking and praying on my one word for 2014 I never imagined that fearless would be revealed to me. In all honesty, when I began thinking along the lines of "fearless" - I had a moment.

 I mean...Fearless?

Really?

You must have the wrong gal.  If there is one thing I am not - it's fearless.

But it kept coming up:

"Do not be afraid, do not be discouraged" (Joshua 8:1).

"For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love, and self-discipline" (2 Timothy 1:7)

"So we say with confidence, "The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can mere mortals do to me?" (Hebrews 13:6)

"Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you" (1 Peter 5:7)

"But the angel said to them, 'Do not be afraid. I bring you good news, that will cause great joy for all people'" (Luke 2:10)

Everywhere I turned, the message of fearlessness, courage, and bravery seemed to be in my face. Why, even the women's Bible study at my church for the new year is "I am BOLDER than..."


So apparently there it is... my word for 2014: Fearless.

To live free from the "what ifs".  Free from worry.  Free from anxiety - about what could happen, might happen, or should happen.

It is trusting. Trusting God's plan for my life. Trusting His word.  Having faith that He has plans to prosper me and not to bring me harm (Jeremiah 29:11).Belief that He came so I could live an abundant life. (John 10:10) That he will supply for all my needs (Philippians 4:19).

It means facing situations and circumstances that scare me.  Taking a deep breath and stepping into the fear - in faith.  Knowing that while I might not be strong or courageous enough on my own, I can do all things through Christ (Philippians 4:13)

Not letting the fear of failure stop me from doing what I feel called to do.  Knowing that if it is meant to be, I can't fail. And if I fall on my face, it wasn't meant to be and the Lord will pick me up and set me back on the right path.

Trusting in God's plan for me.  Walking in obedience.  Using the Lord as my strength and shield. (Psalm 28:7) My refuge and my help (Psalm 91:2).

Living a year of faith, abundance, strength, and obedience.

Fearless.

Tearing Down The House

The wise woman builds her house, but with her own hands the foolish one tears hers down. ~ Proverb 14:1

My temper can be a problem. 

And the way I can hold onto hurt, disappointment, and frustrations.

When I get upset, my feelings get hurt, or I feel overlooked or unappreciated - I tend to press things down.  I pout over them.  I stew on them.  I let them multiply until it all becomes too much and I blow up over any and every little thing. 

Tearing my house down with my own hands - or words, as the case may be.

"In your anger do not sin. Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, and do not give the devil a foothold" ~ Ephesians 4:26-27

This is an unhappy experience to everyone in the house.  Not just to my family, who suddenly find themselves tiptoeing around wondering what set me off.  It's also hurting me.  The woman letting these feelings dominate me instead of me controlling them.  Once again trying to handle things all by myself.  Instead of holding onto these things, I need to release them to God.  To trust that He is in control.  And while maybe I can't handle all of it - He can! 

"Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you." ~ 1 Peter 5:7
I need to lean on His strength and trust Him to get me through and help me deal with all the little hurts and slights before they boil over into one big mess.