Tag: #faith

Focal Point

by Angela K. Crow-Mitchell

I recently watched a video, Above Inspiration, in which Joyce Meyer proclaims exciting news- among other encouraging messages—that we can enjoy our lives while God works on our problems.

Meyer also said that what we focus on will be magnified in our lives. I can relate.

Change can lead to loss. Loss leads to grief. Grieving loss is okay, but we shouldn’t allow them to consume us. Instead, we can flip the script and start being thankful for the gains—focus on the positive. This intentional act and prayer for God’s help make a big difference in our daily outlook.

Change brings growth, but that doesn’t mean it is easy. Most change is challenging. Still, we can focus on celebrating the gains and good things during our season of change. When we turn this around, even small gains become significant victories. God knows how to give good gifts—worth celebrating.

Our attitude plays a substantial role in celebrating small victories when we have what seem like huge losses. The gains far outweigh the losses for me and likely most others—it comes down to what we focus on. A thankful heart knows many blessings. If we allow our negative thoughts to take over our minds, we’ll be miserable and make everyone else miserable.

But when we weigh the gains against the losses and see them as victories to celebrate, we win, and the enemy loses. Satan wants to divide, destroy, and keep us from the God-given joy that is ours in Christ (John 10:10). I’ve said it before – Satan is a liar. God is love, and in Him, we find unity and harmony that not even the enemy can take from us if we claim it by the power of the Holy Spirit in Jesus’ mighty name.

God is our almighty refuge in times of trouble (Ps. 46:1).

I am reading Roxanne Parks’s Bible plan, Speaking Life, in which she supplies a fabulous analogy for the importance of what we seek. A hummingbird and a vulture flew over the desert, searching for food. The vulture was looking for dead animals – death, and the hummingbird was looking for nectar – life. They both found what they were looking for. I love this!

She continues to say that our lives will always move in the direction of our most potent thoughts. Maybe this is why Paul advised the Corinthians to take every thought captive to obey Christ (2 Cor. 10:5). What we focus our thoughts on matters.  We can think about the positive, life-giving gifts or the life-sucking negatives the enemy uses to overwhelm us. It’s our choice. Once we focus on the good and Christ – God will help us find peace and joy in our hearts.

Our thoughts and words matter, and what we think about ourselves matters.

As believers, there are life-giving truths about all of us in God’s Word. We are fearfully and wonderfully made (Ps. 139.14)—sons (and daughters) of the King (Rom. 8:14-16) – fellow heirs with Christ (Rom. 8:17).

I don’t know what you are going through, but God does, and He cares for you immensely. Take a moment to ask yourself what you are focusing on; if you need help identifying it, ask God to reveal it to you. Then, see if you can intentionally flip the script by listing all the gains and things you can be thankful for during this season of change. Make Christ your focal point and note your daily attitude to see if it changes your negative thoughts and outlook.

“Here my cry, O God, listen to my prayer; from the end of the earth, I call to you when my heart is faint. Lead me to the rock that is higher than I, for you have been my refuge, a strong tower against the enemy. Let me dwell in your tent forever! Let me take refuge under the shelter of your wings” (Ps. 61:1-4, Emphasis added)!

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus” (Phil. 4:4-7, Emphasis added).

“If you, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him! (Luke 11:13, Emphasis added).

Speak Life

by Angela K. Crow-Mitchell

The Word of God is not just a collection of verses but a living, powerful force. It’s like a sharp sword, cutting through our innermost thoughts and desires, exposing them to the light. This is no coincidence. One of our most potent spiritual weapons is the sword of the Spirit –the Word of God (Eph. 6:16). Paul confirms that we should use prayer and the Word of God to thwart the enemy’s attacks. Combined, they become a mighty two-edged sword, wielded in the power of the Holy Spirit (Eph. 6:16-17; Heb. 4:12).

 When Jesus was tempted in the wilderness, He didn’t rely on His strength. Instead, He used the Word of God to stand firm against the enemy’s tactics, frequently quoting Deuteronomy when Israel failed its wilderness tests (Deut. 6:13). Jesus set an example for His followers by standing firm on the Word of God to resist the devil (Matt. 4:1-11). 

The power of the Word – only God’s Word – has the force to break strongholds (2 Cor. 10:5), create (Gen. 1:1), give life (Ezek. 37:1-4), direct nature (Ps. 147:15-18; 148:8), reveal the glory of God (John 1:14), and demand a decision (John 8:51; 12:47). Moreover, The Holman Bible Dictionary explains that the Word is Jesus’ message; the message about Jesus and Jesus Himself. A pre-existent life-giving person (John 1:1-18).

The next time the enemy tries to steal your joy – speak life. Let us be in the Word enough to pray and quote verses that destroy strongholds. We can start each morning by confirming our thoughts on what we know to be accurate and constant in our lives – God’s grace and His Word –the continuous, irrevocable promises we can claim daily. “True joy is the divine work of the Spirit in a yielded vessel” (Find Joy in the Journey, Teresa Cooper).  This is my favorite quote from a Bible plan I recently completed. The key phrase here is ‘yielded vessel.’

Intentionally surrendering ourselves to God—inviting the Holy Spirit into everything we do – to fight the good fight of the faith and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, steadfastness, and gentleness (I Timothy 4:7, ESV).

“Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things” (Phil. 4:8, emphasis added).

“Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path” (Ps. 119:105).

Don’t Follow Your Heart

by Angela K. Crow-Mitchell

You don’t often hear that statement in a world where people look for what makes them happy to fulfill their inner desires. It is more popular to tell people to follow their heart, which generally means making decisions based on emotions or personal desires rather than solely relying on logic or reason.

But what if I told you this life is not about being happy? It’s about finding joy. There is a difference. Circumstances drive happiness, but joy happens regardless of circumstances. This concept can bring hope and optimism, knowing that joy is not dependent on external factors but can be found within through our connection with God and His love. Jesus said when we keep His commandments, we abide in God’s love, as he did. (John 15:9-10).

“These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full” (John 15:11, emphasis added).

Joy is derived from a spirit-filled heart. In the Bible, the heart refers to human will and emotions. Anytime our feelings are involved, we must be cautious, warned, and prepared not to allow them to take over and disregard reality. The Bible says the heart is deceitful and desperately sick (Jer. 17:19, ESV). Allowing our emotions and desires to override the truth is easy without spiritual discernment.

While following your heart can be rewarding to the flesh, it’s essential to balance it with rational thinking and consider the practical consequences of your choices. Prayerful consideration in decision-making is critical to logical thinking since our emotions can lead us astray.

I remember a season after becoming a Christ-follower when I didn’t trust myself with making decisions because I knew the consequences of my past mistakes. I was reminded that I am not the same person as I was when I made such poor judgment, although I was still valuable and worthwhile in God’s eyes; I am wiser and make better godly choices.

With God’s help, I made a list of all the things I am now that I wasn’t then and came up with eleven things. Such as honesty/truth (I am not hiding secrets anymore), respect for my body, I have boundaries, morals, and a voice to say no, and on and on the list goes.

This is an excellent exercise for anyone questioning themselves, especially for a new Christ-follower. I can trust myself to make decisions because I do not rely on myself. I take all my decisions to God, and this makes a huge difference. So, let’s stop following our hearts, allowing our emotions to make decisions without taking them to God first, and praying for spiritual discernment and the wisdom to stay in step with the Holy Spirit (Gal. 5:25).

“Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires” (Gal. 5:24, emphasis added).

“Walk by the spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh” (Gal. 5:16, emphasis added).

“A sound mind makes for a robust body, but runaway emotions corrode the bones” (Prov. 4:30. MSG, emphasis added).

Amen, Amen

by Angela K. Crow-Mitchell

It’s a joy to share new knowledge. For instance, did you know that the English translation for Amen is truly or verily? In Jewish prayers, amen was used as an affirmative response to a statement of wish, affirming its validity. It’s like saying this is sure, valid, or so be it. As you know, using it at the end of a prayer is common.

According to The Illustrated Bible Dictionary, in the NT, Jesus used it at the beginning of His statements to affirm its validity. He prefaced His own words to proclaim the Kingdom of God is bound up with His person and emphasize the authority of what He said (Brand, 56).

You know all those verses that begin with truly, truly – that is really Amen, Amen. Jesus is God’s reliable and faithful witness. He is mentioned in Isaiah as the “God of Amen” (Is. 65:16, ESV) and is also called “The Amen” (Rev. 3:14).

This led me to think about my prayers. It is easy to get into a habit of repeating the exact words to God. I wondered about the importance of always saying ‘In Jesus’ name, Amen” at the end. John teaches that God will grant whatever we ask in Jesus’ name (John 16:23-24), and the ESV Study Bible notes say this is not a requirement (John 14:13). Still, effective prayer must ask for and desire the things Jesus delights in (I John 5:15). We are to seek God’s will, not ours. God is wiser than us. I will continue to pray in Jesus’ name. Still, it made me think about why I do it instead of repeating it mindlessly.

Prayer is the essence of communion with God—whether it’s a petition, such as The Lord’s Prayer (Matt. 6: 9-13), or the great examples in Psalm 86, proclaiming praise, asking pardon, or seeking communion (V63), protection (V57), retribution (V107), or healing (V6)—our words to our Abba are intimate conversations, sincere petitions, and thanksgiving. This communion brings us closer to God and fills our spirits with peace and fulfillment.

Prayer is not throwing words at God—like darts—hoping to hit the mark. We can talk to Him like a Friend and Father, trusting that He knows best, even if we don’t get what we ask for. Our priority is being with God. He is Jehovah—Jireh. The Lord will provide for our every need (Phil. 4:19). The important thing is to seek the Kingdom of God first, and then all things will be added to us (Matt. 6:33). When we don’t know what to say or ask for – the Holy Spirit intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words (Rom. 8:26).

Seeking the Kingdom of God continually means being cautious in our communications and actions. We shouldn’t try to make ourselves look good before men but humbly please God alone. Sometimes, our pride gets in the way, but we need to be alert to it and bold enough to honor God in all circumstances as God-pleasers—not people-pleasers. Let’s be inspired to seek the Kingdom of God first, and then all things will be added to us.

Another issue is that we must be reminded to pause before we speak. I pray for God to help me not react so quickly with offense or try to defend myself and say the first thing out of my mouth—which usually leads to tension instead of kindness and grace. A simple whisper – Jesus, help me or help me, Holy Spirit – does the trick. The hard part is being mindful of this before I speak.

Jesus said those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted (Matt. 23:12). We can rise above the rest by lowering ourselves at Jesus’ feet. Let’s be bold and courageous enough to take a chance on looking bad before others—if it is righteous acts/obedience to God’s Word and character— we will be exalted in the end when it matters most.

Let us glorify God through acts of love in all circumstances, not just when it is easy. Amen.

Fruits of the Spirit: Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control (Gal. 5:22-23).

Compassion and Unity

by Angela K. Crow-Mitchell

Both compassion and unity have been on my mind recently. At first, I thought of them exclusively, but the more I read and think about them, the more I realize they are not mutually exclusive – instead, they are the threads that weave us together. We cannot truly experience unity without compassion for others; we connect through compassion.

Jesus, our ultimate role model, demonstrated compassion to the highest degree. The Illustrated Bible Dictionary explains that compassion is a fundamental Christian asset that should guide every believer’s life (Brand, 326). It captures the very character of God, who is the source of every believer’s capacity to have genuine compassion (325). This divine origin of compassion reassures us of our connection to God and each other. Peter listed compassion among the essential Christan virtues (I Pet. 3:8, ESV).

Paul reminds us that the demand for compassion is rooted in God’s very nature. “But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ – by grace you have been saved – and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus” (Eph. 2:4-6, Emphasis,).

‘But God’ – is a powerful phrase not to be taken lightly. Please don’t skip over this when you are reading Scripture. It is significant each time it is used and demands our full attention and engagement. The ESV Study Bible notes that when things look the grimmest, Paul utters the most remarkable short phrase in the history of human speech. God’s mercy is undeniably from His loving heart – not from anything anyone does to deserve it. Only by grace!

This leads me to unity:  a circumstance of harmony (Brand, 1621). To achieve harmony, we must share the same love, which originates from God. Paul emphasizes a shared concern for one another (I Cor. 12:25) and encourages us to live out our life in Christ and the Spirit by living in unity (Phil. 2:1-2). “For Paul, the unity of the church reflects the unity of the Godhead: one God (I Cor. 12:6), one Lord (Rom. 10:12, I Cor. 12:5, Eph 4:5), and one Spirit (I Cor. 12:4-11; Acts 11:17)” (Brand 1621).

In today’s divided world, we need more people to come together in love and compassion. We can be a beacon in someone’s life in small ways—even a smile can brighten someone’s day. This reminds me of the Hello Human Kindness commercials, which are probably the best TV commercials, in my opinion. They are sure to make you smile and maybe even cry.

The power of prayer is often underestimated. When God’s people band together in unity, miraculous things can happen. It is crucial that we pray for our country and the hurting people around us who need to know Christ. So many marriages end in divorce, leaving kids without an all-too-important father figure.

All problems arise from our heart condition; Christ is the only remedy.

I challenge you to pray for unity and harmony that stem from compassion and are rooted in Christ.

I am sure everyone knows someone who is struggling with their marriage. Fill in the blank: Father God, I pray for unity and harmony in ______________’s marriage’ that they would know Christ and have compassion for each other. In Jesus Christ’s mighty name – Amen.

“Search me, O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts” (Ps. 139:23-24, ESV, emphasis added)!

“Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you” (Eph. 4:32, emphasis added).

What Does Freedom Mean to You?

by Angela K. Crow-Mitchell

Although the Fourth of July may be over (until next year), the fireworks continue to keep us up at night. Celebrating freedom comes at a cost –not just the loss of sleep.  

Like our freedom in Christ, Jesus paid the price at a high cost, which means substantially more than losing a few nights of sleep. Still, the celebration of freedom we enjoy each day can sometimes be taken for granted.

One of my favorite verses from Paul’s words, “Where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom” (2 Cor. 3:17, ESV, emphasis added), holds a profound meaning. The ESV Study Bible explains that this freedom is the multi-faceted liberation that comes with salvation in Christ and the presence of the Holy Spirit, which is freedom from condemnation, sin, guilt, and death. This freedom also gives us access to the loving presence of God as it does away with the old covenant. It invites us into a relationship with our Heavenly Father. Something I did not know existed for most of my life.

After many years of bondage, Christ showed me a different way. With God’s help, I broke out of the lies that kept me in captivity. The horrific, suffocating cycle I was stuck in no longer held me imprisoned. It took a tragic accident to jolt me awake from my self-induced stupor. But God gave me the power and freedom to say no, set boundaries, and begin to peel back the layers of my past that led to healing.

During a difficult season in my life, I thought God was punishing me for my poor choices. The mental anguish that followed was destructive, but I now realize it was the consequences of my bad decisions – not God’s punishment. God was always rooting for me. He didn’t wait for me to clean myself up to take me in His arms. He took me in His arms first and then helped me make the necessary changes to align with His will.

As achronic people-pleaser, I had a lot to learn. I can certainly relate to Paul when he writes, “If I were still trying to please man, I would not be a servant of Christ” (Gal. 1:10, emphasis added).

Absolute freedom comes from surrendering everything to Christ and keeping Him at the center. Once I figured this out, everything else fell into place. I am free from shame and the lack of self-worth, and I find my identity as a daughter of the King.

Who are you trying to please – man or God? What does freedom mean to you?

The Transformative Word of God

by Angela K. Crow-Mitchell

The Word of God is not just a text; it’s a potent force that can transform lives. In 2 Cor. 10: 4-5, Paul urges the Corinthians to seize every thought and make it obedient to Christ. This transformative power of the Word is our key, offering us hope and inspiration. With the guidance of the Holy Spirit, we, like Paul, can dismantle strongholds of wrong thinking and behavior, paving the way for a more enlightened and hopeful future.

John’s writing tells us that Jesus Christ is the living Word that reveals the glory of God—a pre-existing life-giving person (John 1:1-18, NLT).

The Word of God possesses the strength to create everything around us – including us – and demolish strongholds, a testament to its unparalleled power. The Holman Illustrated Bible Dictionary expounds that it represents Jesus’ message, the message about Jesus and Jesus Himself (Brand 1666).

The book of Psalms paints a majestic picture of how the Word, with its remarkable power, directs nature and comes to the aid of His people. This power is a testament to the divine origin of the Word and its ability to bring about miraculous changes in our lives.

“He sends his orders to the world – how swiftly his word flies! He sends snow like white wool; he scatters frost upon the ground like ashes. He hurls the hail like stones. Who can stand against his freezing cold? Then, at his command, it all melts. He sends his winds, and the ice thaws (Ps. 147: 15-18, emphasis added).

“He sent out his word and healed them, snatching them from the door of death” (Ps. 107:20, emphasis added).

The Word of God is not a passive entity; it is described as living, active, sharp, piercing, and discerning (Hebrews 4:12)—God’s utterance delivers awe-inspiring results, engaging us in a dynamic relationship with our faith.

Hebrews records that God’s promise and oath are unchangeable because God can’t lie. We can have confidence in our hope in Christ (Hebrews 6:18). The Word, as the Gospel message, gives us steadfast hope that is strong and trustworthy, like an anchor for our souls (v19).

With this in mind, we can claim every promise that is ours as His children and heirs with Christ (Gal. 3:29). Abraham never hesitated in believing God’s promises. He was convinced that God would do whatever He promised (Romans 4:20-21). We can have the same confidence today because God’s Word is God. God is Love (I John 4:8). He is the same yesterday, today, and forever (Heb. 13:8), providing us with a reliable anchor for our faith.

When He ascended to heaven, Jesus left us the gift of peace for our hearts and minds—one of many promises we can claim—something the world cannot give (John 14:27).

When we accept Christ, we receive a new heart and spirit. The Holy Spirit Jesus speaks of as our Advocate who reminds us of these promises and gives us hope to persevere. The OT also speaks of this, pointing to Christ when God showed Ezekiel in a vision that He can bring dry bones to life (Ezek. 37:1-14). The breath in this passage is the Spirit. These passages often end with God’s promise that He has spoken and will do what He says (36:36; 37:14).

When I surrendered my life to Christ, these dry bones came to life for the first time. The weight I was carrying from my past lifted immediately with the utterance of one question—God, what do you want? I had never asked this before because I was focused on what I wanted (or thought I wanted).

Can you relate?

Maybe it’s time to ask God what He wants for you.

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light” (Matt. 11:28-30, NIV, Emphasis added).

“From his abundance, we have all received one gracious blessing after another. For the law was given through Moses, but God’s unfailing love and faithfulness came through Jesus Christ” (John 1:16-17, NLT, Emphasis added).

The Gift of Reconciliation

by Angela K. Crow-Mitchell

According to The Holman Illustrated Bible Dictionary, reconciliation is the bringing together of two parties, a change or exchange (Brand, 1337).

We can all relate to reconciliation in some form or fashion, whether it be our bank statements that we end up dumping a few dollars into ‘reconciliation discrepancies’ or those who spend hours painstakingly looking for a few cents. Then there are the number of marriages that chalk their divorces up to irreconcilable differences.

The stark truth is that, according to Divorce.com, a significant 57.7% of divorces are labeled as irreconcilable differences. It’s a call to action that some of these couples might have spent more time balancing their bank accounts for a few cents than nurturing their marriages.  

If any relationship merits this category, it would be humans with God after the Fall. Yet, in His profound love for us (Romans 5:8) and his unwavering desire to be in a relationship with His people (Hebrews 8:10), God made a way for us to be reconciled to Him by the gift of grace through Christ (2 Cor. 5:20, ESV).

There are two examples in the Bible where the person who hurt someone takes the initiative to reconcile the relationship (Matt. 5:24; I Cor. 7:11). The ESV Study Bible notes that the opposite is true about God. In our case, the injured party (God) takes the initiative to restore the relationship between Himself and humanity. This unexpected twist is the result of Jesus Christ bringing together God and man with the result of salvation (2 Cor. 5:19).

Only through this union are attitudes transformed, and we humbly and gratefully receive the gift of reconciliation God has already achieved in Christ (Rom. 5:11).

Still, suppose we don’t recognize our sinful nature and need for a Savior. In that case, we won’t seek God or the relationship Christ offers or receive the wonderful gift of reconciliation because of His love for us. Take a moment to reflect on someone you know who may need to hear the message of God’s love – or see it in how we show them love.

“For I am convinced that nothing can separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow – not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love” (Romans 8:38, NLT, Emphasis added).

Bubble Wand

by Angela K. Crow-Mitchell

On my last few walks, I noticed a bubble wand on the sidewalk in front of one of my neighbors’ houses. For some reason, it made me think of the game show Let’s Make a Deal when they ask for random items from a pocket or purse. I am unsure why my brain instantly thought of this item as a potential article in someone’s bag, but I thought of my mom from there.

She would have been the perfect candidate for the game show, as she had multiple random items in her pocketbook on any given day, from bobby pins to ink pens and anything in between. Nevertheless, my favorite memory is that Mom kept snacks in her purse. Not just any ole snacks, either.  I remember many road trips where she pulled out a chicken leg, usually wrapped in a napkin or tin foil, freshly sliced homemade bread with butter, and a wet washcloth wrapped in plastic wrap for our greasy fingers. She thought of everything.

Now, mind you, it was not uncommon for our mom to feed others as well—at ballgames, events, and school. It was sometimes embarrassing for us, but our friends liked sitting near her in the stands. As a room mother for five children, she spent considerable time at school over multiple years—so much so that my classmates thought she was a teacher. And she was—she just wasn’t on the payroll.  And I would be remiss not to mention her famous sugar cookies.


My memories of Mom go far beyond her excellent cooking skills. She was also a prankster. She loved April Fool’s Day and Halloween. Although she never thought so, she had many skills and talents. Her ability to make others laugh, smile, or jump out of their skin (mostly Dad) was an incredible art form.

Although I think of her as a caretaker, prankster, baker, nurse, teacher, wife, mother, sister, friend, farmer, salesperson, and so much more – her identity was not found in any of those things. As I have discovered on my journey, when I identify myself only by the things I do or the titles I hold, there is no real meaning when things go awry. It can feel like we are losing pieces of ourselves.

The only way I can keep my sanity as I go through the trials and troubles of this life is to remember whose child I am – and I am not talking about my mom. When I remind myself that my identity is not found in the titles and talents I may or may not have but solely in Jesus Christ, as a daughter of the King, I am better equipped to get through the challenging days.

When we rely on temporary circumstances to make us feel complete, we can be devastated when those conditions disappear. But if we focus on the One who will never leave us, we can cope with bad grades, changing titles, losing jobs, and whatever else comes our way. It is not always easy, but with God, it is possible (Matt. 19:26, ESV).

As with Israel’s blindness to God’s identity, Isaiah records God reminding them He is their Savior, and for that reason alone, they should not fear—because they are His. Their guilty blindness does not define them, but the grace of the One who says, “You are mine” (Exodus 6:7; Is. 43:1).  Isaiah 43:4 assures them and us that we are precious in God’s eyes, and He loves us. (V5) “Fear not, for I am with you.”

Therefore, our identity is not in temporal things that can disappear tomorrow but in God, who never leaves or forsakes us (Deut. 31:8). No matter what changes in this life, nothing can ever take that away if we have accepted Christ in our hearts (Romans 8:39).

Maybe the bubble wand reminds us that this life is temporary; no matter how magnificent it is, it only produces limited results that will burst on impact—gone forever. Still, when we are kingdom-minded and seek Christ above all else, we are forever His now and in eternity, and we can find joy in that no matter our circumstances.

Let’s make a deal: Make sure Christ is always at the top of the list of things we carry with us—just in case anyone asks.

“But in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect” (I Peter 3:15, Emphasis added).

Triggers

by Angela K. Crow-Mitchell



According to The
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in their Campus
Health newsletter, “A trigger is a stimulus that elicits a reaction. In the context of mental illness, “trigger” is
often used to mean something that brings on or worsens symptoms. This often
happens to people with a history of trauma.”

Triggers can show up when we least expect them. The above article
also provides more information about triggers and responses to them that may be
helpful. Someone recently said that a trigger is an area where healing must
occur. That can be true for some, but for others who have received healing, it
can be a warning – perhaps it is like when we touch a hot burner – if we’ve been
burned before, our reaction is imminent.

Triggers can also act as signals, alerting us to potential
harm. With self-awareness and discernment, we can heed the messages our body
and brain are sending. Often, a red light flashes, indicating a situation that
mirrors a past experience of pain or hurt.

That is not to say that the person or thing triggering the
alert always intends to harm us, but spiritual discernment is necessary. So,
how do we know if the situation is harmful or if the trigger is negatively
affecting our emotions and causing the reaction?   

Our emotions can sometimes lead us astray, but we can always
take a step back, breathe, and seek the truth. Are the person’s actions and
words in harmony? Do they align with the principles of love from a biblical
perspective (I Cor. 13:4-7)? If these truths are evident, are we allowing the
fear of being hurt again to cloud our judgment? This is a tactic of the enemy.
Satan would love to sow discord in godly relationships. If you give him an
inch, he’ll take a mile. That’s why it’s crucial to recognize his strategies
and ask God to remove anything not of Him – or, as I like to say – shoot him in
the foot.

Reminding ourselves of God’s promises and who He is also
helpful. There are many, but three things immediately come to mind: peace,
comfort, and trust. Our God is an everlasting rock (Is. 26:4,
ESV), whom we can trust.  He comforts those
seeking Him and pursuing righteousness (Is. 51:1-3). He offers perfect peace to
those who have faith in the promises of God (Is. 26:3).

The promise of God finds their Yes and Amen in Jesus Christ
(2 Cor. 1;20).

Jesus told His disciples – “Peace I leave with you; my
peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your
hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid” (John 14:27, emphasis added).
 That is also a promise for us. Instead
of worrying, we can be thankful and pray in all circumstances (I Thes. 5:18), releasing
it to God, who can carry the weight. I often find myself praying for God to take
all the things that are too heavy for me, which ends up being most things – but
that is okay – He is a good Father who delights in lifting our burdens and
giving us rest (Matt. 11:30).

When the Lord comforts Zion through Isaiah, he reminds them
to look to the rock from which they were hewn and to the quarry from which they
were dug (Is. 51:1). It may seem like a strange statement, but those seeking
the Lord can take great comfort in these words, knowing that we are secure in
the One who created us. We can be reassured that “Jesus Christ is the same
yesterday and today and forever” (Heb. 13:8). The Rock is a source of protection.

If you have sensitive triggers from past hurts, like me, take
time to sift through your emotions, ask God what is true, look to the Word for
comfort, and pray for discernment. Use your spiritual weapons to cut off
anything not of God, and cling to His promises for ultimate peace and relief as
you put your trust in the only One who can carry the burdens for you.

Triggers are not all bad, but they must be discerned as we
keep our emotions in check, not allowing them to take over our thoughts and
keep us from living our best lives in the moment without worrying about what
might happen tomorrow. As a friend recently said at church, ‘Tomorrow is not
promised.’ (His mom said it when he was growing up, and now he can relate). What
a fantastic perspective to adopt.

Triggers are real, and I am not dismissing them or the
painful emotions they cause. Instead, I want to share these truths and the hope
that we can overcome them through a relationship with Christ, our Rock, and
Redeemer of all things. It’s not always easy – but it is possible with God’s
help.  

“Do not be anxious about anything, 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 your minds in Christ Jesus” (Phil. 4:6-7, emphasis added).

“Your Word is a lamp to guide my feet and a light for my
path” (Ps. 119:105, emphasis added).