Come...bring me your crazy...

One of my favorite sayings is that everyone carries around a sack of crazy. And we do...every last one of us. Some call it baggage...some call it issues...but I prefer to call a spade "a spade." Tip toe around it any which way you want...but we all carry around a sack of crazy.

I love a person with a really big sack of it, too. Maybe it's because it makes mine look smaller, maybe it's because a person who isn't afraid to open their sack and let you peek inside is just honest. And I love honesty.

Why can't we all just lay it out there? None of us are any better or any worse than anyone else. Here....my sack is pretty large....but go ahead. Take a peek.

I've struggled with anxiety half my life...and that's just the tip of my issue iceberg. If we're friends, there's a good chance that I'm wondering at the moment if you're mad at me. If we're not, I'm probably wondering why. I have a great job, and have never been able to really enjoy it. That's because I'm always waiting to get the pink slip. I hate giving my opinion because I don't want to offend anyone. I hate to not give my opinion because then I feel like I'm not standing up for my beliefs.

I worry about everything. EVERYTHING. EVERY. LITTLE. THING. And having children has only made it worse. Don't suggest meds, prozac and I are friends. So one day, I decided to do a little search. I decided to find out how many times in the bible God tells us not to worry. Because did you know that to worry is to live outside of God's will? Seriously...it's means we're not trusting God's plan for our lives. It means we don't have faith that God is in control. I didn't find out exactly how many times He commands us not to fear (it's a lot and I'm still working on it), but I did find some gems that never fail to make me feel better. Please to enjoy...

Isaiah 43:1-2 "But now, O Israel, the LORD who created you says: 'Do not be afraid, for I have ransomed you. I have called you by name; you are mine. When you go through deep waters and great trouble, I will be with you. When you go through rivers of difficulty, you will not drown! When you walk through the fire of oppression, you will not be burned up; the flames will not consume you.' "

That's a wonderful one to send to someone who's lost a job, by the way. And I absolutely LOVE that God has "called you by name; you are mine." Awesome, isn't it? Here's another one to write on your heart...

Isaiah 44:2 "The LORD who made you and helps you says: O Jacob, my servant, do not be afraid. O Israel, my chosen one, do not fear."

Make sure you pay special attention to that - the LORD who made you is also the LORD who helps you.....are you asking for help? Consistantly? Don't be afraid to pray...and pray and pray and pray....
The scripture goes on with verse 3, and it is very helpful to me when I'm in "panicky mother" mode....

Isaiah 44:3 "For I will give you abundant water to quench your thirst and to moisten your parched fields. And I will pour out my Spirit and my blessings on your children. They will thrive like watered grass, like willows on a riverbank."

Here's a great one if you're worried about having enough. Are you contemplating a job change? Debating whether or not to stay home with the kids? Worried about money in general? Then Jesus is speaking to you in Matthew...

Matthew 6:25-27 "So I tell you, don't worry about every day life - whether you have enough food, drink and clothes. Doesn't life consist of more than food and clothing? Look at the birds. They don't need to plant or harvest or put food in barns because your heavenly Father feeds them. And you are far more valuable to Him than they are. Can all your worries add a single moment to your life? Of course not.

He continues....and I think He means it in this one...because He says it twice...

Matthew 6:31-34 "So don't worry about having enough food or drink or clothing. Why be like the pagans who are so deeply concerned about these things? Your heavenly Father already knows your needs, and He will give you all you need from day to day if you live for Him and make the Kingdom of God your primary concern. So don't worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring it's own worries. Today's trouble is enough for today.

That's one to meditate on for a moment. Please pay particular attention to this part - "He will give you all you need from day to day IF YOU LIVE FOR HIM AND MAKE THE KINGDOM OF GOD YOUR PRIMARY CONCERN." If you have a lot of worry and anxiety in your life (and have already determined that there is not a chemical imbalance in play - don't laugh - it's a common thing!), then ask yourself...what is your primary concern? God will bless you...if you are living in His will. If you are seeking refuge in His word. If you are making the Kingdom your primary concern.

That's enough for today. Up next...I'm not sure. Either more on worry, or on LETTING GO. And I capitalized that for a reason. LETTING GO of the sack of crazy we all cart around. It's possible...I promise.

Love to you!!!