Fighting Off Fear

        A speeding, reckless driver could have killed us. Fear filled my heart as I saw it about to happen.
        They call it “the hill,” but it’s a ten-mile-long stretch that gains 2,000 foot elevation from Black Canyon City up to Sunset Point. In the rugged mountain terrain the freeway’s two lanes going down are about a mile’s distance from the two lanes going up. A sign warns trucks to stay in the right lane.
        Someone told me the view is really nice along there; I can’t vouch for that since my eyes are glued to the highway and the mirror and the guardrails along the sheer cliff side when Don is driving.
        “Oh, no!” was all I could muster as I glanced in the rear view mirror at dusk one evening as my husband and I were heading up the hill, going home from Phoenix.
        Don was driving in the left-hand lane, overtaking an old, slow-moving car in the right lane. Suddenly, speeding up behind us from around a curve was a red car, way exceeding the speed limit, not slowing down at all.

3 or 4 Words YOU Could Tell Someone

        Be on the lookout for three or four missing words. They are important to you. They affect your daily life, your job, your social connections, your future success.
        These significant words could bring a smile to someone you know — or even a stranger. A smile might grace your face when you speak the words.
        Assess your possibilities; consider who and when and how. The words? “Thank you for” and “Thank you for the.” And of course, the rest of the sentence is dictated by your circumstances.
        In our busy lives we are too often passive. Or, perhaps we’re just overly busy with a task at hand. Whatever.
        Here, the challenge to you gets even more interesting. Who will you tell it to, first? What specific thing, large or small, or what specific deed will you mention?

Worry Opens the Door!

        Worry strutted into the room, and silence claimed the entire space for several long moments. Then the low whistle of a cold breeze signaled what was coming, a swirling wind made its claim, “I am bigger than you are!”
        Softly, a voice in my mind asked me, “Are you surrendering to Worry? If so, he’ll bring that frigid Fear to occupy your heart.”
        Abruptly, I spoke aloud. “What’s going on? Did yesterday put you up to it?” Then with the help of Determination I realized that now was the time to try out Thankfulness. A friend had told me how Thankfulness had fought off Worry so she was able to stand her ground.

Hush Your Mouth

        Old habits can cling like lint on your new black sweater. The mouth seems to go on automatic when the mind is in idle. Clichés run in families. Many times our conversation exposes our total lack of faith in God and our undisciplined mouths. Sometimes our prayers are sprinkled with unbelief.
        Do you recognize yourself in any of the following examples? (If you’re not sure, ask a friend.)

Then, Now, and Coming Soon!

Consider the old,
Plan now for the new;
Challenges are ahead
Soon coming to you.

What needs to be fixed?
What can be rearranged?
What has to be learned?
What has to be changed?

Heading Into the Future

Walking along life’s path
Life is good
And the day is pleasant,
Up and down gentle rolling hills,
      Heading into the future.

But then a mountain looms!
Call out to move the mountain,
But it doesn’t move,
So climb the mountain
      And keep on going.

But at the top there’s a wild animal!
Call out to banish the beast,
But it doesn’t disappear,
So claim your strength
      And keep on going.

God does not give us
An easy path every day;
We get stronger
As we continue ahead longer
      Past what we thought we could do.


Walking along life’s path
Call out to your Maker,
Receive His love,
As you trust and obey Him,
      Heading into the future

By Elaine Hardt ©2012
Photo of Joy Hardt, Africa, © 2003