So Many Challenges

The COVID-19 problem has emerged, rapidly spreading.  So many new restrictions, so many new things to worry about.

These challenges bring interruptions to our planned-ahead nice day.  Which can you identify with in YOUR own life?  Which have you observed in others near by ?

Unexpected Changes:  home - school - work - neighbors

Unplanned changes : your salary - auto expenses - a death in the family

Undesirable changes:  political issues in town -  in your state -  national changes

Gradual situations: starting to forget - starting to be allergic - going to new doctor - going to a new dentist

Unpredictable changes:  a friend moved far away -  a new law about ….?

Ongoing Stress:  getting used to a hearing aid -  noisy trucks going down the  street 

Now go back to the categories and see what bright ideas pop into your mind:  challenges that affronted you at some point in your life so far. How did you deal with the challenges ?  

Every situation that butts into your well-planned life is a challenge.  What do you want to do ?  Is anger the answer ?  Can you just ignore it and expect someone else to fix the trouble ?

Each challenge can provide us with an adventure in believing in the Lord.  Pray for His protection, for wisdom in what to do and how to do it.   Pray for your family, neighbors, the medical teams, the government leaders, and the others that come to mind.

     * * * 

by Elaine Hardt ©2020

Approach Each Day With CONFIDENCE

No need to fuss or worry; 
    no need to pout with fear !  
You've accepted Jesus as Savior,
    so your confidence is here.

He demonstrates His love for YOU,
    and you're glad to read His word !
"Every day is different"  --
    the best news you've ever heard.

Yes, for you there's more to learn;
    right now, talk to Him today.
Some day you'll meet Him in Heaven !
    "Thank You, Lord !" is what you'll say ! 
                          : ) 
by Elaine Hardt ©2020

GEORGE SPEAKS UP

         The monthly lunch of the Hungry Heroes was last Tuesday at the Best Breakfast and Brunch cafe.  Everyone was all smiles, except for George.  

        After the waitress took their orders Sam smiled and said, “George, you must have had something to irritate you.  What’s up?”

“Well, ordinarily my feelings don’t take over my face.  But, yesterday! I jotted down some words on my computer sorta quickly.  Now, I wasn’t going to make a big deal of it.  But I did write about it.  So, here goes . . . “

Face Your Aggravations 

Worry is the opposite of Trusting God,

Fear means we lack Faith in God,

Ask Him for directions and energy, too.

Obey what He tells you to do;

He will truly help you.

Sometimes stuff is easy for you to do,

Sometimes you feel overwhelmed with circumstances.

How long do you want to feel so blue?

What have you already tried to do?

Is the whole world looking at you?

Situations in the world are getting worse

Do you remember that God loves you? 

Confess your shortcomings to Him now,

Ask Him to teach you and show you how;

Life is a daily test — now you can do your best.  

It was completely quiet now, some of the guys looking down to avoid making eye contact.  Then Sam said, “My compliments to you, George.  You give all of us something good to think about.” 

                                                            + + +

by Elaine Hardt ©2019

Today Is Not My Very Best Day

Of course, I’m not having a perfect day

and I’m not perfect, either;

what more can I say.

Every day brings challenges, new — and old,

and the choice is up to me:

Worry — or be bold.

I need to ask the LORD for wisdom, too,

calmly assess the issues

and see what to do.

“Improving”  is my decision now;

Tomorrow I’ll do better!

He will show me how.

+ + + 

by Elaine Hardt ©2017

What Can I Tell You About Life, My Child?

Oh, I can't tell you what you ought to be

or ought to do,

but I can tell you how it was for me.

Life is downright daily,

a lot of chores needin' repeatin'

but it frees the mind for thinkin'.

Life is full of waiting' but I finally up and decided

to be thankful for the pauses.

Life is full of decisions, some little spur-of-the-moment

implusive and superficial, and some heart-throbbin'

big and scary life-changin' decisions --

the prayin'-over kind.

Worry? Fuss? Neglect? What YOU Can Do

        Today some bad news comes on the TV news or on social media or some Internet news site? Or, in the neighborhood or downtown?

        Are you accepting complacency?  Choosing to overlook problems?  That aggravation or that problem could be the nudge for you to try a new approach.  Don’t let yourself be buried under a negative snow slide of massive calamity.  

        Maybe there’s no easy way out, no quick fix?  So, go sit in the rocking chair?  What is a considerate person supposed to do?  Quit caring about anybody else? 

        For the careful, concerned person there is something that’s not complicated, not confusing, not time-consuming that you can do.  You don’t need to neglect what YOU can do. Shed your anxiety and save lots of time by not worrying. 

        Right there and then . . . 

Worrying: Yes? or, No!

“Yes, I know I worry,” he said,

“but I think it means I care.

If I don’t worry enough

A careless attitude is there.”

“Hey, you’re missing something,” she said.

“When you trust the LORD you don’t worry.

You keep aware, but you grow in faith;

A new point of view you see.”

He said -- she said -- how about you?

You’ll want to consider -- and pray!

If worrying is something you do

You can learn a better way.

by Elaine Hardt ©2015

No, I Don't Wanna Be - - - !

Can you add to this list any qualities or features that you dislike 
   in other people?  

Can you identify attributes of your own that you want to avoid 
   and list them here? 

What’s your plan to improve on your own attitudes and actions?

If you notice someone with an undesirable attribute they are labeled for prayer.

What a relief to know God forgives the sins we own up to 
   and we want to avoid.

What a relief to know He enables us to do better!                + + + 

by Elaine Hardt ©2015 

Not Enough Time to Worry

I don’t have adequate time to properly worry about what I just heard;

Can we just hit Pause for now?

I need to recuperate from the previous trouble left over from yesterday;

Sometimes I don’t even know how.

God, You see everything that’s happening, all that’s good and all that’s bad,

For each challenge there’s a reason;

I open the Bible to see what wisdom is written for me to learn:

I’m in a growing season.

I don’t want to limp along, following a careless, misbehaving crowd,

I want to achieve something good;

I pray for direction, protection, ability, stability, provision

Show me, help me do what I should. 

Life’s too short to experiment with all that’s alluring us to evil,

I don’t want to reject God’s love.

One of these days will be my last day to breathe here on earth,

I want eternal life, Above.

Forgiveness requires honest repentance, not pretending to believe,

You remind me to trust and obey;

You are Creator of the vast Universe, and You love each of us; 

Show me what to do today.

By Elaine Hardt ©2014 

The Christmas Worry

        I need to tell someone.  Maybe you’d consider this?

         It’s almost Christmas!  People are going to send out some Christmas cards.  It’s an outreach to some relatives and some friends; it’s not just to provide jobs for the postoffice.  These people (that’s you . . . ) need to be encouraged to write — in their own words — about God’s magnificent love that we each desperately need to personally accept.  

        "Aaaack," some will frown or declare or yell.  “I don’t want my relatives and friends to label me a Religious Nut.”  

        (Please be patient and read on.  This is only 654 words long.  You can do it?)

Remember This When You View the TV News!

Keeping informed of all the world’s troubles?

Aggravated to watch the TV news?

We see a few selected quotations

And the scenes to prove what the stations choose. 

What should a caring Christian do?

Uncertainties, Troubles, Bad News, etc.

Some uncertainties snuck into my head
As I prepared to climb into my bed:
“What if — how did — and when and where and why?
Shall I get mad — or get even — or cry?”

I knew I needed to chase them away,
So I began to speak out loud and pray,
“Dear Lord, I reject each troublesome thought!”
And here a bedtime battle was fought.

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.