Author: pleadinginprayer

The Blessing of Food Issues

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A while back I shared my story about “Contentment with Flooding“.  Today I want to share about another challenge that God put in my path and how He has used it to my benefit.

Some years ago I had been getting sick frequently.   Too frequently.  I floundered for a while, but finally wondered if I had food issues due to an article I had read about gluten sensitivity.  I also talked to a friend who has Celiac’s Disease and found we had health issues in common.  I decided I needed to try eating gluten free to see if that would make a difference.  Wow, did it ever!  I had more energy than I had in a long time and didn’t get sick as much.  I started losing weight (that needed to come off) and could tell I was healthier.

As hard as I tried,  I felt it impossible to consistently have good food habits.  I am learning to change my thinking about food.  Food should be fuel  for my body (which is the temple of the Holy Spirit according to 1 Corinthians 6:19-20) and not used to make me feel good.  God blessed by taking away the convenience foods that I tended to run to when life was crazy (which is often).  Food is still a battle, but God has blessed in making it possible to get the foods I need and encouragement from friends to have right thinking.

Sometimes blessings come in the form of difficulties.  I still struggle counting trials joy (especially when I want pizza), but God is patient and lovingly brings me back to the right path.

God is so good!

Make God Your Everything

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The tagline for my blog is “Make God Your Everything.”   This thought has been rolling around my head for the last few years.  I am learning that God should not only be at the center of my life, but my entire life.  Nothing is worthwhile without Him.

Unfortunately, my selfish personality wants my life to be all about me.  I am thankful God gives reminders that He is worthy of my loyalty.  His love patiently brings me back to the place I need to be.

He must increase; I must disappear. (John 3:30)

Make God Everything

Picture: Matanuska Glacier, Alaska (2005)

Sleeping Lady – again

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If you have read my blog and looked at the pictures, you may have noticed how much I enjoy Susitna (Sleeping Lady) in Anchorage, AK.  I have been going down memory lane by looking at pictures from my two trips to Alaska so I wanted to post another Sleeping Lady picture.

This photo isn’t as clear and distinct as some.  This was taken on my first trip in 2005 with the last film camera I had.  (This was also right before sunset and there was some haze in front of Sleeping Lady.)  Those were special memories that I wanted to share.

May God give you His rest tonight.

Psalm 3 5

 

 

Worried?

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Have you ever worried?  I certainly have.

I love this picture.  Pretty flowers with a beautiful, blue sky background.  However, life is not always this pretty.  Sometimes it is downright ugly.  There is much trouble.  But worrying about the trouble (especially tomorrow’s trouble) doesn’t help me.  In fact, it can be a great hindrance to what I need to accomplish today.  Worry also doubts God’s ability to provide.

I am thankful God has given us passages like Matthew 6:25-34.  My loving Heavenly Father takes care of the lilies and the birds.  He will take care of me.  He has promised.  God always (yes, always) keeps His promises.

I am thankful for God’s promises. They are encouraging, but sometimes I still worry.  The best remedy I know for worry is pleading in prayer.  I know God will listen and provide.

Matthew 6 34

Holding On or Letting Go

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Holding On:  Many times we find ourselves holding on to what we want.  Our dreams, hopes, aspirations.

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Letting Go:  Sometimes God gives us what we desire, but sometimes He has other plans for us.  I have prayed that God would replace my desires with His (Psalm 37:4).

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Sometimes I struggle telling the difference between what I should hold on to and what I should let go of.  Is this what God is giving me?  Is this what He wants?  During those times I hold on tight to the promises of God.  Pleading in prayer.

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Remembering How Much God Loves Us

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I was recently reminded of a story from my time of teaching K4.  One of my students needed to have heart surgery which was scheduled for mid-December.  As a class we prayed for him at the beginning of every school day.  I know how easy it is to look at difficult circumstances and think that God doesn’t love me.  I also know that a 4 year old doesn’t have deep theological understanding.  I wanted to pray something that my students could understand.  Each time we prayed I asked for God’s help for the surgery and that God would remind this boy and his family how much God loved them.

When times get tough it is, unfortunately, easy to question if God loves us.  I know.  I have been there.  However, for those of us who have trusted Jesus Christ as our Savior, He has lovingly handpicked each challenge to help us become more like Him.

If you do not know Jesus Christ as your personal Savior, know this. His burden is lighter than your pleasure.  Knowing Him is the only way to find true and lasting happiness.

My prayer for you today, no matter what you are facing, is that God helps you to remember how much He loves you.  I know He will.