When Things Don't Go Your Way

I started this morning in a real mood. Do you know the kind I’m talking about? I felt like immediately things weren’t going my way, and that before the sun was up, it was going to be a long day.

It’s amazing how the silliest little things can set us off track. Like I’m just looking for a fight, looking for something to push me over the edge.

Yikes.

What do you do in those moments?

I’m sad to say that I let myself stew for a while. I let myself feel annoyed, frustrated, angry. I even let out a few tears. I was honestly feeling sorry for myself. And for what? For the fact that the morning hadn’t gone exactly my way? 

Life wasn’t meant to go our way. In fact, Jesus tells us that He is the way, the truth, and the life. When I’m caught up in my own way, I need to remember Christ. I need to confess my frustration, my pettiness, my anger. I need to surrender it all to my Father above, who is always ready to forgive me and love me through my brokenness.

This week marked the start of a new Bible study with my church on the book of Jonah. We’re going through Priscilla Shirer’s book, so aptly subtitled “Navigating A Life Interrupted.” A quick summary:

Interruptions. They're aggravating. Sometimes infuriating. But how we handle interruptions actually tell us more about ourselves. What do we do when God interrupts our lives? Many times, like Jonah, we run! Priscilla redefines interruption and shows that interruption is actually God's invitation to do something beyond our wildest dreams. When Jonah was willing to allow God to interrupt his life, the result was revival in an entire city.

This year has brought more interruptions and unplanned circumstances than I could have ever anticipated. We’re all navigating a global pandemic as well as unrest in our country. This year, my husband and I have been sharing one car. I’ve honestly been feeling bitter about it, even though I know we are still so fortunate and privileged to have it. Also this year, the various groups and activities that my son and I were involved in have changed to virtual—hardly the same as in-person when you're trying to make friends and have a little bit of adult conversation. And one of the biggest surprises of my year was a falling-out with my best friend. I’m still not sure what went wrong in our relationship. So, yes, I’m familiar with interruptions.

And I’m sure you are, too. Health problems, financial difficulties, job changes or disappointments, broken relationships, unmet desires and expectations.  

Interruptions—whether good or bad—are nothing new. Throughout the Bible, we see men and women face unexpected situations. Noah was asked to build an ark before God sent a flood over the earth. A teenage Mary was asked to be the mother of Christ, and she humbly obeyed. Jesus told Peter and Andrew to leave behind their fishing nets because he would make them “fishers of men.” Saul—persecutor of Christians—is confronted by God and becomes Paul, one of the greatest missionaries of all time.

As believers, it’s so comforting that we have this “great cloud of witnesses” who’ve gone before us, and the Holy Spirit within us to encourage us.

“Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us…”

— Hebrews 12:1

The question is: What are we going to do with interruptions? What are we going to do when life doesn’t go our way? Or even when we’re given good things but they’re unexpected? 

Satan wants to use them to bring us down by making us question God. He wants us to have a negative attitude and long for control apart from God. The enemy’s subtle tactics will slowly but surely distract us, disable us, and ultimately divide us from God. 

We need to be willing to fight for contentment. We need to fight for our joy and trust that God is for us, no matter what our circumstances look like. 

I’m preaching this to myself as I write it here. Are you with me? 

The song below from Bethel Music is on repeat in my home these days. I need the truth of the Gospel constantly in my mind when the world wants to tell me the opposite. It’s the only way I can have joy and peace. So, “from the moment that I wake up, until I lay my head, I will sing of the goodness of God.”

7 Ways to Stay Connected Right Now

If you’re like me, you’re probably craving connection right now. Pandemic life is strange, but this looks like it’s going to be our new normal (at least for a while). So how do you stay in touch with friends, meet new people, and get out safely? Here are seven easy ideas. And I’d love to hear what you’ve been up to and how you’re staying connected! Leave me a comment below.

1. Check out your local church.

Our church reopened a few months ago, and we’ve been so thankful. Worship services are definitely different than they used to be, especially without a children’s ministry. But there’s simply no replacement for being around other believers on a Sunday morning. If you haven’t yet found a church in your neighborhood, I’d recommend checking out churches near you in the Acts29 Network, SBC, and Redeemer Church’s City to City Network. Most of these churches stream services live on Sundays and record sermon podcasts each week.

Your church might even be offering home Bible studies where you can safely meet with others in person. Many churches also have life groups or community groups, as well as various support groups. And don’t forget about Biblical counseling—a great way to connect when you’re feeling anxious, depressed, overwhelmed, or just need a bit of extra support. 

2. Register for MOPS or BSF.

These organizations were integral in helping me maintain a sense of normalcy last year as a new mom. MOPS (Mothers of Preschoolers) and BSF (Bible Study Fellowship) both have groups throughout the country. Depending on where you live, you might even be able to meet in person.

3. Go outside.

Fall is upon us, and there’s no better time to get outside. We’ve loved playing tennis, taking walks, and going to the playground. My sister actually started a tennis “club” with three of her girlfriends—a free, safe, and easy way to stay connected. (Plus, who doesn’t love the endorphins from exercise?) Ask a friend to join you outdoors or look into local sports leagues to hone your competitive side.

4. Join the gym.

If using an elliptical while wearing a mask sounds like your worst nightmare, take heart! Many group fitness classes are moving outdoors this fall. Our local recreation center has dance, yoga, HIIT, and other classes in various parks. See what your gym has to offer. This is a great way to stay active and meet new people.

5. Sign up for LO Sister.

Is there anything Sadie Robertson can’t do? Girlfriend shares the word of God in a way that’s full of passion and fire. I love it. She also has a heart for connecting women with other women, which led her to create the Live Original Sister online community. It’s for women of all ages and walks of life, with a focus on sisterhood, relationships, and mentorship. Check it out here.

6. Make a VidHug.

My cousin introduced me to VidHug—the 21st century, COVID-era way to give a hug. To start a VidHug, you can send a link to family and friends, asking them to record a short video with their message for the receipt. Happy birthday, happy anniversary, congratulations, you name it. Once they submit their videos, VidHug turns them into a beautiful montage for you to share. It’s easy and fun, especially if your friends are long-distance. We’re hoping to make one of these for my grandma when she turns 95 next month.

7. Call a friend and send snail mail.

Last but not least, call a friend or mail a letter! Two of the oldest ways to connect with people are still the best. Hearing a friend’s voice is always better than texting. And you’ll make someone’s day by sending a card or letter. If you want to design your own cards, you can usually find cardstock and colored pencils at Target or Walmart for less than $5. Dollar Tree and Trader Joe’s also have adorable options that are always $1.

Have fun staying connected!

An Anchor for Our Souls

I’ve been shaken lately by the state of our country and our world. Shaken by the hatred people keep spewing at each other; by COVID-19 and the reality of our new normal; by our divisive political system; by racism, racial tension, and riots. I could go on and on. I am shaken, but I am not overwhelmed. 

There’s only one reason I can live today without total fear, anxiety, and disappointment:

Jesus. 

He is my hope, as firm and secure as anchor.

“For when God made a promise to Abraham, since he had no one greater to swear by, he swore by himself: I will indeed bless you, and I will greatly multiply you. And so, after waiting patiently, Abraham obtained the promise. For people swear by something greater than themselves, and for them a confirming oath ends every dispute. Because God wanted to show his unchangeable purpose even more clearly to the heirs of the promise, he guaranteed it with an oath, so that through two unchangeable things, in which it is impossible for God to lie, we who have fled for refuge might have strong encouragement to seize the hope set before us. We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure. It enters the inner sanctuary behind the curtain. Jesus has entered there on our behalf as a forerunner, because he has become a high priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek.” (Hebrews 6:13-20)

I am easily tempted to put my hope in changing, temporary things. Even as a believer, I still fail to trust God, and I still look to earthly things to satisfy me. Here’s a few that tend to make the rotation. Perhaps you can relate:

• Work

• Money

• Home

• Stability

• Comfort

• Control

• Relationships

• Marriage

• Children

• Health

• Government 

These things are fading away. This world is not our permanent home. Our citizenship is in heaven (Philippians 3:20). We desire a better country, that is, a heavenly one (Hebrews 11:16). God tells us to not love the world or the things in the world (1 John 2:15). Instead, “be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.” (Romans 12:2)

Christ is on the throne. He is unchanging, and He is always true. He keeps His promises. As the author of Hebrews writes, God wanted to show his unchangeable promise even more clearly so he guaranteed it with an oath. What does that mean?

To see the full picture here, we need to start in the Old Testament. Tim Keller’s sermon “A Covenant Relationship” has helped me understand this oath more clearly. In Genesis 15, God tells Abram that He will bless him and make his offspring as numerous as the stars. Abram believes God but wants to know how he can be sure. Remember Abram is old, likely in his 70s at this point, and his wife Sarah is barren.

So God asks Abram to arrange dead animals, cut in half, in two rows. Abram thought he was setting up what a typical oath would look like: A servant would kill the animals, divide them, and arrange them in two rows. Then the servant would walk between the pieces to swear loyalty to their master. The servant is essentially saying if they don’t keep their promise, may they be cut into pieces like those animals. 

What instead happens is that God Himself passes between the pieces. Keller explains, God is promising that He will bless Abram, and He says He will die if He doesn’t fulfill this! Furthermore, God doesn’t ask Abram to walk through the pieces. Abram doesn’t make an oath whatsoever. This is all God.

God made this oath with us. He gave us Jesus, and our hope as believers is firm and secure.

As Keller perfectly states, “Jesus Christ absolutely fulfilled the conditions of the law so that God could love you absolutely unconditionally.”

If you’re feeling overwhelmed or lost, maybe it’s time to turn off the news, delete your social media apps, and look to God’s Word. (Hello, preaching to myself here.) Jesus’ kingdom is not of this world (John 18:36). If we want peace, we have to look beyond this planet. We have to trust in the promises of God and take encouragement from His great hope.

If you’re not a believer in Jesus or you don’t know what to think about all this, will you message me? I’m praying this crazy time leads you and many others to love God and live for Him.

And if you are a Christian, then let’s remember to lift one another up by the hope of the gospel. By the fact that God took on the curse we deserve and still guarantees us the blessing, by faith through grace. Let’s be the light this world needs.

Writing for "Revive Our Hearts"

Recently, I was honored to write a series of posts for Revive Our Hearts, a women’s ministry dedicated to helping women thrive in Christ. Their mission is close to my own, and I’m so thankful I could write about body image and eating disorders for their audience. You can read the posts by clicking the links below.

(Have ideas for future articles? I’d love to hear from you. Shoot me an email or leave me a comment below!)

What Does God Say About Body Image?

The Truth About Dieting—From Dietitians

Root Your Identity in Christ—Not Food or Exercise

How to Talk to a Friend With an Eating Disorder