Color with Light

There are so many things I love about coloring. I love choosing the image and deciding on the colors that I’ll use. I love that I can be creative and expressive without any pressure. There are no rules to what I can create inside the lines. I have freedom to choose how bright and beautiful the picture will become. When I am coloring I feel so calm and relaxed, it’s the feeling of peace and joy that makes the activity so pleasurable. And in my home, we display artwork on the refrigerator so every day we get to enjoy our creation. I love coloring and have no idea why I don’t do it more often. Why do we deprive ourselves of such good things?

When I think about all the good benefits of coloring it’s very similar to the benefits of following Jesus. Jesus is the man and the image that God created for us to follow. Jesus is God’s example for how he wants us to live our life and when we follow him he promises us peace. God wants us to live in peace and it is available to us if we choose to live within the boundaries of his word. Within those boundaries, you have freedom and creativity to express yourself and create a life that is bright and beautiful as seen through the eyes of God. And don’t worry if you color outside the lines, God is overflowing with love, grace and mercy for you. The results of following Jesus and God’s word is the feelings of real peace and joy that last forever. God wants us to display our lives that he created for others to see so they will follow Jesus. God is good and he wants nothing more than to give you a fresh, clean life to fill in with his beautiful light to glorify Jesus. So why deprive yourself of something so good?

“In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.”
‭‭Matthew‬ ‭5:16‬ ‭NIV‬‬

CHOOSE JOY

In the midst of all the violence, chaos and disorder in our nation today, it is important that we remember to keep our thoughts fixed on Jesus.  Jesus did not die on the cross for your life to be full of fear, anxiety or worry.  He gave up his life for the joy set before him.  The joy being the gift of the Holy Spirit that he knew would be made available to you through his sacrifice.  Jesus died so that your heart may be filled with God’s supreme love, peace and joy.  If Jesus, through God’s strength and comfort, was able to endure the cross focused on joy we certainly should be able to find some joy in our day.  

I know it’s hard to see and hear the violence in the media but we can never lose hope for a brighter and better future.  Nothing is impossible with God involved.  Instead of spreading judgement and hatred we can choose to spread love and understanding.  If every single person made the choice to follow Jesus and decided to put love, kindness and joy first there is no telling what could happen.  There is no limit to the amount of peace and healing that could take place in our homes, communities and in our nation.  Choose to focus on Jesus today. Choose joy. 

Let us fix our eyes on Jesus the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.  Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.  Hebrews 12:2-3

Photo by Bekka Mongeau on Pexels.com

RISE UP

Holy women it is time to rise up and listen.  We are influencers and leaders.  The Lord led me this morning to Isaiah 32: 9-20.  This is a timely and relevant message for women today that we need to listen and heed. In the Name of Jesus, I pray that your eyes, ears and heart are opened to allow the Holy Spirit to minister to you through these words for the glory of the Kingdom of God.  

Isaiah holds nothing back in his very direct and strong message to whom he calls complacent women.  He says, rise up and listen you daughters who feel secure (v. 9).  Complacent women could be defined as women who are proud, self-satisfying, lazy, stuck up, careless, gloating and content.  Those words sound harsh but if we are honest before God and ask, I believe he would reveal to us areas in our souls that he would define as complacent.  We have all areas within us that need his loving touch.  

Isaiah goes on to say that all of you who feel secure will begin to tremble.  All the things in life that have provided you security will be no more.  Everything that you have depended on for fulfillment and satisfaction will no longer exist (v. 10-11).  How relevant is this to our current lives right now with COVID19?  This is another great opportunity for honesty before God.  How many of us are dependent on the accumulation of money, gatherings with people, shopping, eating out and other experiences for fulfillment and satisfaction?  Depending on your circumstances, some or all of these things that you rely on have been temporarily or indefinitely removed.  The result may have you feeling insecure and uncertain about your future.  You may be trembling right now with fear and anxiety.  

Hang tight, because Isaiah gives us direction on what to do when we feel insecure and uncertain.  He says, “Strip off your clothes, put sackcloth around your waists (v. 11).”  The nakedness represents vulnerability and the sackcloth represents servitude.  In times like these, we are to do just as King Jesus did and become a humble servant to the Lord.  Women, we are to bring our insecurities and weaknesses to the Lord.  Isaiah instructs, “Beat your breasts for the pleasant fields, for the fruitful vines and for the land of my people, a land overgrown with thorns and briers- yes mourn for all the houses of merriment and for this city (v. 12-13).  When Isaiah says beat your breasts I think of Tarzan and his loud jungle cry.  It’s funny to imagine but we can pray with the same boldness and confidence just like Tarzan.  We are to pray loud.  We need to get down on our knees and cry out to God for everyone who is suffering right now. For everyone, who is experiencing the effects of the thorns and briers in the land.  We need to pray for blessing and favor over the land and for all people.  Not just for ourselves and our circumstances but for everyone.   We need to pray for a lasting change.  We need to pray because everything that has given us security and protection in the past will no longer be present moving forward.   It will not be the same.  We will not be the same.  

Fortunately, Isaiah’s message is not over.  This is the best part.  Isaiah says everything will be abandoned and uncertain, “till the Spirit is poured upon us from on high, and the desert will become a fertile field, and the fertile field seems like a forest (v. 15).  It is the Holy Spirit alone in all his glory and power, who can take something that is dead and restore it to life.  Not only can he restore it but he can make it better than you could have ever dreamed or imagined.     It is only the Holy Spirit that can heal our land and bring us real peace and security.  “Justice will dwell in the desert and righteousness lives in the fertile field.  The fruit of righteousness will be peace, the effect of righteousness will be quietness and confidence forever (v. 16-17)  The effects of your praying to God, the choice of getting vulnerable and humbling yourself before him will result in peace, justice, righteousness and confidence!  That is the power of prayer.  The Holy Spirit can do amazing works through you when you allow him.  It is amazing how prayer can replace anxiety, worry, doubt and fears and replace it with confidence and boldness that lasts forever.  It is not dependent on circumstances.  Isaiah continues, “My people will live in peaceful dwelling places, in secure homes, in undisturbed places of rest.  Though hail flattens the forest and the city is leveled completely, how blessed you will be, sowing your seed by every stream and letting your cattle and donkeys range free (18-20).  No matter what happens you have the protection and security of the Holy Spirit.  The Spirit through you will continue to sow peace, righteousness, justice, confidence, security and protection all the days of your life and as a result everything that has life that you touch will repeat the benefits.  There will be freedom in the presence of the Lord.  The Spirit of God is the only source that will bring the lasting changes we long to see in our homes, communities and government. 

It is time we take our uncertainties, insecurities, worries, fears and doubts about our future to the Lord in prayer and allow him to work in and through us.  Let us empty the complacent compartments in our souls and let them be filled with the Spirit.  It is time that we return to God and restore prayer in our lives.  It is time to let God lead in our homes, communities and government.  Holy women, it is time we access our full power and authority through the Spirit.  Let us lead with boldness and confidence.  Daughters of God it is time to rise up for our children and future generations. 

“Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever! Amen. “ Ephesians 3:20

“Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.” 2 Corinthians 3:17

For the One forever and always, 

Wynter 

NEVER GIVE UP

Work is hard. It is easy to get overwhelmed in the day to day operations and not see how your hard work is making a difference. It is easy to get tired of doing the same job over and over again. Day after day. But I want to encourage you today that your work does matter and that you are making a difference! No matter what it feels like, remember that Jesus is always watching. He is paying attention to your work ethic, your integrity, and your commitment. He sees you trying your best to make processes and procedures better and safer. He sees you trying to improve and impact the culture in your office or work environment. He sees you and he is paying attention. Don’t forget that Jesus gives the best promotions! Keep working hard and never give up!

Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Galatians 6:9

Simply the Best Help

I finally said it.  It only took six weeks but it finally escaped my mouth quickly and urgently like a confetti bomb at a celebration.  The words many of us have already huffed, puffed and cried a hundred times in the past few weeks.  The strong proclamation came as I was standing in the middle of my living room Friday afternoon after giving the same lecture to my children for the ten thousandth time, “That’s it! I have had it.  I am over COVID and isolation.” I said it and I meant it.  I couldn’t stop it and I didn’t want to.  It had to be released.  I had finally repeated myself enough times to my children that I just couldn’t bear the thought of another minute in isolation with them.  Please don’t get me wrong, I have genuinely loved being home with them, but on this particular day, at the end of this very long week, I had finally reached my limit.  Every single one of us has limits.  We get to a place where we have tried everything and everything has failed.  It is an exhausting and frustrating place to be.  I have to thank God for his help and grace in times such as these.  On this day, I threw my hands up in defeat and asked Jesus for help.  

The next day during my morning bible study I read Psalm 69 and it was so timely and relevant to my situation.  I believe that so many of us can relate to this feeling right now.  The feeling of being at your wits end to the point that you feel like you are suffocating in your home.  That you are dying in this desolate wilderness called social isolation.  I love David’s honesty with God.  He starts by saying, “Save me, O God, for the waters have come up to my neck.  I sink in the miry depths, where there is no foothold. I have come into the deep waters; the floods have engulfed me.  I am worn out from calling for help; my throat is parched.  My eyes fail, looking for my God (v. 1-3). David is at his limit.  He feels like he has lost control to the point of drowning and death!   He is exhausted from crying and can’t see the light.  David desperately needs help and fortunately for him he knows God.  He knows that God will rescue and protect him from being consumed and destroyed by his circumstances.  If you go on reading, he is so confident that he actually praises God before he receives his relief.  That is amazing faith to be in the midst of pain and suffering yet be thanking and praising God for what he is going to do.  We can definitely learn a lesson in faith and trust from David! 

My favorite verse from this Psalm that is super relevant to COVID and the daily suffering that some of us are experiencing is when David says, “ The Lord hears the needy and does not despise his captive people (v. 33).”  I absolutely love this.  We are literally captives in our homes and I feel safe to say that for the most part many of us are miserable and groaning a lot.  And our God is so good that even in our grumbling and complaining he is never burdened by hearing our voices.  The Lord loves you no matter what and I believe he is thrilled that you are calling on his name for help! So do it and do it often if that is what you need.  He loves to help us and he wants nothing more than to help us.  The Lord should be our first call for help not our last!  It’s easier to say than it is to practice. Trust me I know.  Life gets crazy at times and it’s easy to get caught up in the chaos but we must not forget our best help is found in Jesus.  

So while you are in this difficult season, don’t forget that your best help comes from Jesus.  So like David, keep on calling on the name of Jesus for help and don’t forget to thank and praise him for everything he has done, is doing and that he is going to do for you and your family now and forever. Thank you Jesus for your never failing love, compassion, kindness and strength. You are simply the best.   

So this week we are not just going to survive.  We are going to raise our hands in praise! We are going to sing louder! We will keep our heads up and our eyes fixed on Jesus!  We will remember his faithfulness!  And we are going to continue pressing forward!! Keep up the great work! You are amazing!!! 

For the One,
Wynter 

OCEAN DAZE

Nothing beats a trip to the beach!  It is absolutely, positively one of my most favorite places to  visit with my family.  Living in Virginia, we usually vacation on the beautiful coast of North Carolina.  I love sheltering in for a week with my kids and having no commitments other than loving and taking care of them!  Vacation allows me to rest and focus solely on being Cole and Jolie’s mom.  Today I was scrolling through photos and videos of our trip this past summer to Emerald Isle and was reminiscing on what a great week we had.  The weather was absolutely gorgeous!  I don’t recall one single day of rain.  We enjoyed all the usual beach activities together such as bike riding, shell hunting, boogie boarding, playing in the sand, hanging out by the pool, surf and pier fishing, eating delicious seafood and ice cream of course! We really had the best time.  It was our best beach vacation yet! It pains me to think that we may not be able to go this summer due to possible lingering restrictions due to the COVID-19 virus.  I am hopeful that will not be the case but time will tell.

Our journey to the beach is not terribly long but is long enough with two kids.  We leave early in the morning and time the trip perfectly so that we can stop and enjoy lunch at our favorite family owned and operated N.C. bbq restaurant.  We fill up on delicious homemade southern food then we grab our fishing licenses at the sports shop next door before setting off on the last leg of our trip.  Traveling to our vacation destination always feels like work.  I have to pay attention to directions and keep my children occupied and content in a confined space for hours.  Trying to keep the peace can be challenging and exhausting at times.  It can feel nothing like rest and relaxation that is promised on vacation.  So for me in our travels, vacation starts the moment we hit the bridge leading us onto the island.  At that moment, the radio goes off and the car windows go down.  It is almost necessary that I immerse myself immediately in the fresh salty ocean air.  The sense of joy and relaxation I experience in that moment alone erases the hardships of the journey and has me excited for the week to come!   

I love the ocean.  A beach is not a beach without an ocean in my opinion.  I have sat on many imposter beaches besides lakes and rivers before and they don’t even begin to compare to the feeling I get when I am at the beach beside the ocean.  It is the ocean alone that makes the beach worth the trip. While the experience on the bridge is good, it is still not enough to satisfy me for long.  So as soon as we get to our rental home, one of the first things I like to do before unpacking the car is run to the beach and celebrate by putting my eyes on the ocean!  I want to see it, I want to feel it and I want to hear it.  I just love being beside the ocean.  I could sit and watch the ocean all day long.  I love the sound of the waves crashing against the shore and the feeling of the water lovingly rushing up the beach to catch my feet.  I just absolutely love it.  The power and beauty of the ocean captivates me and awakens all my senses.  It amazes me how the same ocean can look and feel so different each and every day. It is incredible and I take in as much of it as I possibly can.  I feel so carefree and so calm but at the same time I am full and overflowing with excitement and joy.  I feel my very best beside the ocean and when I leave I feel so refreshed and restored.  The only other thing I can begin to  compare it to is the daily presence of God in my life.  The best thing about God is that I don’t have to travel hours to experience those same feelings of freedom and peace.  And I don’t have to wait a year to experience the joy and the excitement again.  I can feel like I am beside the ocean every single day of my life when I am with God.  God loves us and he wants us to feel our best every single day. In so many ways, the ocean is a beautiful representation of God and his character.  

Standing on the beach, dazing out into the ocean you can not see the end of it.  It goes on forever almost as if the ocean and sky become one.  It’s width and depths greater than anything we could ever fully explore or understand in our lifetime.  It reminds me of the Bible verse, “And may you have the power to understand, as all God’s people should, how wide, how long, how high and how deep his love is.” Ephesians 3:18.  God’s love is like the ocean in that it is beyond our understanding but it is present and it is never ending and it is deep and wide.  There is no height nor depths that can separate you from God’s love.  He is bigger than the ocean because he created the ocean.  And beyond the serene surface,there is a rich abundance of life found in the depths that He created.  There is an entire ecosystem completely independent and unlike any life found on land.  Fish are painted the most beautiful vibrant colors and some actually that have electric powers! The life found in the ocean alone is amazing!  

The ocean deserves enormous respect for its life and its power.  It is strong and mighty and like God, the ocean water is always moving.  It is always in motion, even the water you see at a distance that looks still is moving.  There is never a moment when the water stops.  The water never grows tired. You may grow tired swimming but even when you rest the water is still moving.  We must learn that when we are tired, that we must rest on the shore and let God come to us and refresh us. If we are not careful, we can exhaust ourselves swimming and do more harm than good.  You can drown in the water when you are tired.  You need proper rest.  There is a serious responsibility that comes with enjoying the ocean.  You must heed its warnings and be aware of your own condition, or it could cost you your life or the lives of others.  God is like the ocean in that it is serious and deserves your respect.  

So while we respect and appreciate the ocean for its love, power and strength,  we are also privileged to have the opportunity to stand in its presence and receive the peace and calmness that it offers. And it is the same with God.  We head to the ocean for rest and restoration from our work.  We can sit beside God like we can sit beside the ocean every single day.  At the ocean you can sit and watch the waves repeatedly crash onto the shore and watch as the water rushes up to meet you where you are and gently attempts to pull you in.  That is so much like God, he will meet you wherever you are and try to gently lure you into the water.  Closer to him.  And while the waves are beautiful, it is really the sound of the waves that calms our inner storms and soothes us.  It is the rolling soft sound of the waves that we crave and love so much.  The ocean provides a constant breeze that refreshes you from the heat of the sun.  Just like you sit on the beach and enjoy the ocean, God wants you to sit and enjoy him.  He wants you to sit quietly and enjoy all the great benefits of his love for your mind, body and your soul. 

God is love and he created the ocean out of love.  He created you out of love.  His reach and depths is greater than our understanding.  He is full of beauty and life.  He is strong and powerful.  He is worthy of our respect and admiration.  He is peaceful and gentle.  He loves you so much.  He desires you.  He wants you.  He wants you to desire him and come sit with him every day and give him the opportunity to gently pull you closer to him.  He wants to fill you with his joy and peace that will protect you and keep you safe throughout your day.  Please let me encourage you to take a trip to the ocean every day and experience the fullness of life with God.  “May you experience the love of Christ, though it is too great to understand fully.  Then you will be made complete with all the fullness of life and power that come from God.” Ephesians 3:19

For the One, 

Wynter xoxo 

Jesus is Understanding

I know I could benefit from more understanding of myself, others and situations each and every day.  You really can’t have enough understanding. One thing I love about Jesus is how much he understands.  Jesus is understanding. He lived a real life and dealt with real people. Life is hard and he understands because he lived it himself.  He understands our problems. He understands our fears. He understands our worries. He understands how we feel overwhelmed. He understands why we can’t sleep.  He understands when we make mistakes. He understands you better than anyone! Jesus simply asks that you take time to understand him. Understanding Jesus is the beginning of your journey to living your best life with him!

It is written in Proverbs, understanding is the fountain of life to those who have it.  Jesus is the fountain of life because he is understanding. A fountain is defined as a source from which something proceeds or is supplied.  Jesus is the source of whatever you need today in your life.  He understands what you need! Jesus himself said, “I am the way and the truth and the life.”  The easiest way to access your source for your needs today is to start understanding Jesus. Ask him to help you understand.  He already understands you.  

Understanding is the fountain of life to those who have it. Proverbs 16:22

Jesus answered, I am the way and the truth and the life.  John 14:6

Action Step: Download the YouVersion Bible App on your phone and just get familiar with it.  

Make JOY a Priority Today

Yesterday we celebrated Easter.  The death and resurrection of Jesus.  Jesus died so we could live. Paul, Jesus’s disciple, tells us that he endured the cross for the JOY set before him (Hebrews 12:2).  Jesus knew that God was JOY and heaven was JOY. Jesus taught us to pray, God let your will be done on earth as it is in heaven (Matthew 6:10).  In other words, God let your JOY that is felt in heaven be felt on earth. God created the world out of JOY and he created you out of JOY. He wants you to enJOY life to the fullest as if you were living in heaven.   Doesn’t heaven on earth sound amazing?!?!?  It does to me! I believe that it is possible for you to feel JOY on earth like heaven in your current life and in your current circumstances without changing a single thing.  Webster’s definition of JOY is the passion or emotion excited by the acquisition or expectation of good; pleasurable feelings or emotions caused by success, good fortune, and the like, or by a rational prospect of possessing what we love or desire.  JOY is the possibility or belief that we can have what we love or desire. Jesus died so you can have the hope that you can have everything that you love and desire if you simply choose to acknowledge and seek him in your life.  If you simply choose to learn about Jesus and what he came into the world to teach, he can transform your life. In all your searching for happiness and change you are missing the most important piece of the puzzle. Jesus 

I don’t care who you are, you are seeking something in an effort to find more happiness, more success or more fulfillment.  Maybe it’s a spouse, maybe it’s a degree, maybe it’s a better job, maybe it’s a better body, maybe it’s a better friend, maybe it’s a better car, maybe it’s a better house, maybe it’s retirement, maybe it’s more money, maybe it’s none of these.  I don’t know what you are seeking but I do know that it is likely that once you get what you want you will not be satisfied and you will want more or something newer. You spend your whole life seeking fulfillment and pleasure in temporary pleasures and you are completely neglecting the long term JOY found in God and in Jesus.  You completely ignore your spirituality and spiritual health and you seek your pleasures in meaningless things. I know because I’ve done it. I have lived the majority of my life this way and I was miserable and unhappy. It wasn’t until I understood Jesus and what he came to do that I finally stopped seeking my happiness in my circumstances and started seeking my JOY in Jesus and making my spiritual health a priority.  So I am saying to you that if you are tired and overwhelmed with life and the hamster wheel of seeking and searching, you need to start investing in Jesus and your spiritual health now. You can experience JOY in Jesus and JOY in your home and JOY in your work and JOY in your family. It is really truly possible. It is not rocket science. It is easy. All you have to do is stop focusing on how it seems impossible and start understanding who made it possible.  

I am passionate that if you learn about Jesus he will transform your life just like he has mine.  My desire to teach you about Jesus is so that you can understand that you can have JOY today just as you are! You need Jesus. Your family needs Jesus. The world Jesus.  We need heaven to come on earth because people in the world are suffering. We need Jesus to show us how to make it better. You can help the world by starting to learn about the man named Jesus. He was real. He lived in the world.  He endured pain, he endured hardships, he endured bad friends, and endured loss just like you and me. He was kind and he was compassionate and loving. He was a leader and a teacher. When you begin to read to discover for who he is you will be amazed and wonder how he managed to keep it all together. He is amazing. He is who I am striving to be and who I desperately want you to know. 

God is JOY and God is good.  He is nothing to fear. God is all about love and relationships.  He loved us so much he sent Jesus to earth to teach us about his love.  If we want real change in the world, we have to stop being afraid of God, Jesus and our spirit and start acknowledging them first.  Our souls were formed before anything else. We need to start taking care of our hearts and our souls.  

You can start learning about Jesus today in the Bible.  You can buy one or you can download the YouVersion Bible App on your phone for free.  The life of Jesus is documented by his disciples in Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. You do not need to go to church.  You can discover Jesus in the privacy and comforts of your own home. You can do it alone. I recommend reading it out loud.  It helps me with focus, understanding and retention. Read it to learn and understand about how Jesus interacted and talked to people.  Pay attention and listen to his qualities and his character. If you discover any that you like, say kindness for example, make an effort to apply kindness to your day.  I suggest reading first thing in the morning so you have all day to practice with your family and friends but do it when time allows. What’s best is what works for you and what is more important is consistently.  Keep it short and sweet, start with 5-10 minutes. There is no right or wrong way. Just do it every day even if you only have a minute. I believe with my whole heart that this is the best investment you will make for yourself and your family. It is such a beautiful gift that is made to be enJOYed!!

Make JOY a priority today! 

All for Jesus, 

Wynter 

SUNDAY MORNING DELIGHT

One of my favorite hobbies is baking! I love trying new recipes especially healthy ones that cater to my gluten allergy and the littles. Cole loves banana bread! Jolie is not much of a bread eater so she pitched in to assist me with mixing the batter. Both of my kiddos love helping me in the kitchen. This morning Jolie said while she was mixing, “Mommy I love baking with you.”. It was such a sweet moment we shared that I will never forget! It was sweeter than honey for sure!!

Baking is a great opportunity to teach children about the different ingredients and their role in making the yummy treats! Kinda like home economics and chemistry all in one!! It was fun and these bars are delicious. We talked about how eggs bind and how quinoa is not a grain and is very healthy. I substituted the coconut sugar with honey and flax meal with eggs. Make sure you look up the correct substitute for honey if you do that because it’s a liquid and can upset the balance of your recipe.

I give these bars two thumbs up! Jo wasn’t interested in trying them and Cole hasn’t tried one yet because he’s out with Mimi pulling weeds but I’m positive he will love them! If he doesn’t, I will let you know! He’s going through a growth spurt right now and would probably eat a cardboard box so odds are in my favor!

I am super thankful for the morning spent with my family in the kitchen and Alyssa @ simplyquinoa.com for sharing her love for baking, this super pseduo-grain and her recipe.

Here are some photos of our morning! If you make these, I’d love to hear what you think and let Alyssa know too!!! Enjoy your day!

Super simple recipe!! I had everything in my cabinets except the flax which I substituted with eggs.
My sweet helper!
Ready for the heat!
Ready to eat!
Great book to learn more about how to eat better!! I use it as a resource regularly!

The Root

Happy Saturday!!  Hope you are feeling well and enjoying some much needed rest! It’s a cool rainy morning here in Virginia. We are about two weeks into social isolation due to the Coronavirus and I am enjoying the rest and extra time at home with the kids and hopefully you are too! You know with the good usually comes some bad so while overall it has been great, I confess I have started to struggle. 

So let me shed some light on what is going with me and maybe you can relate.  My mind is working overtime which historically for me can create problems in my heart which then starts to overflows into my faith.  When my faith gets weak, I can easily settle back into my old ways and old mindset. Which is not good. 

Like many of you, I stay busy and often don’t get around to dealing with emotional or relational baggage that we tend to collect as we stroll through life. Sometimes the baggage is heavy and unpleasant to deal with and so staying busy allows us to press our feelings down and put them on the back burner. So now with a week of rest and extra time on my hands all that energy has now seemed to have shifted into my thoughts. I’m in my head now more than ever and with that has crept in doubts and fears about my life. The life God has promised me.  My old mindset is beginning to rear its ugly head and trying to bring me down to a place I was so happy to leave behind!! I don’t want to go back to that place ever!  That place was destructive. That place was sadness. That place was lonely. That place was isolating. That place was miserable. That place was bitter. That place was hopeless.  I thank Jesus everyday for saving me from that hell. I am so much better with him, so why does my heart and mind tend to revert back to that mindset even when I know better? I have a hard time understanding. Don’t you? 

My conclusion is that I’m only human and life is hard. Jesus understands our troubles and temptations and that is why he so graciously extends his mercy to us on the daily. While it is his heart’s desire, he understands that we won’t always stay strong in faith.  He understands because he lived on earth and endured stress, temptation, and people lol. Even the disciples, who walked with Jesus and touched him, the very closest people to him dealt with weak faith. They saw miracles being performed right in front of their eyes and they still dealt with doubt and unbelief!!!  

For example, in Matthew 17: 14-20, the disciples tried to heal a demon possessed boy and had no success.  The boy’s father then went to Jesus and asked for his help. Jesus responded to the father and healed the boy.  The disciples couldn’t understand why they couldn’t heal the boy, Jesus told them they had access to God’s power and he sent them out to heal.  So why couldn’t they? Jesus very directly told the disciples it’s because they had so little faith. Their doubt and unbelief was preventing them from receiving the gift of healing power to help the boy.  

Jesus then tells them that they can have faith as small as a mustard seed and still have the power to move a mountain.  He says nothing will be impossible for you! That’s pretty hard to imagine right. Nothing? Really Jesus?  

Yes really! While God’s power is strong enough to physically move the mountain that he created Jesus is also talking about the huge mountains in your relationships, your work, your family and in your mind.  Some of you are trying to move mountains in your life with your own strength or the strength of others and all you have done is exhausted yourself and given up. Then your mental head game comes into play and your heart is a goner.  Doubt wins. Jesus loses. But wait, I am on Team Jesus and I just set him up for a loss? Yep, you sure did! Not only does Jesus lose but so do all the people who need you and Jesus. 

Friends, it’s not complicated.  The root of faith is belief. Jesus asks us simply to believe.  If the disciples would have believed, the boy could have received his healing sooner than he did.  The boy endured suffering longer because the disciples couldn’t get out of their thoughts and see beyond themselves and their abilities.  

So this week, use your free time and increase your belief and your faith.  Do not give into the thoughts and feelings in your mind that poison your heart and keep you from Jesus and your best life.  Believe that he is in control of the Coronavirus and in control of your life. Just believe.  

I believe there are three simple things you can do each morning to strengthen your daily belief.  The first, is to acknowledge Jesus and thank him for waking you up and giving you life. The second, pledge your allegiance to him.  Let him know that you are on his team and working for him today. And third, read the Bible every morning. He will teach and prepare you for your day.  You will start your day strong in belief and faith! Jesus said, “But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness and everything you need will be given to you.” Matthew 6:33

Let us not delay healings and blessings for ourselves or for others any longer. Let us make a choice today to simply believe. Believing increases faith. Faith is the source of your power.  You have the power and strength to overcome the thoughts that are troubling you. The thoughts that are filling your heart with doubts and fear. Choose belief today.

Peace to you in Jesus Name, 

Wynter