305 Look Up

“Sorrow looks back, Worry looks around, Faith looks up”

― Ralph Waldo Emerson

“I am fundamentally an optimist. Whether that comes from nature or nurture, I cannot say. Part of being optimistic is keeping one’s head pointed toward the sun, one’s feet moving forward. There were many dark moments when my faith in humanity was sorely tested, but I would not and could not give myself up to despair. That way lays defeat and death.”

― Nelson Mandela

I wasn’t always an optimist…

The old motto was “Prepare for the worst and hope for the best.”

But as maturity (read 60’s) came upon me the realization dawned that I needed to make some changes in my way of thinking, namely trusting that God’s plan for my life will be affirmed whether willingly I accept it or choose the arduous road of worry, anxiety, and doubt.

And we have such trust through Christ toward God, not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think anything as of ourselves, but our sufficiency is of God

― 2 Corinthians 3: 4-5

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“There comes a time in your life when you have to choose to turn the page, write another book or simply close it.”

― Shannon L. Alder

Choosing to trust and thereby closing the door of worry, anxiety, and doubt flung open the door to acceptance of God’s guidance.

Accepting God’s guidance in all areas of my life was difficult for my overthinking mind.

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“The two hardest tests on the spiritual road are the patience to wait for the right moment and the courage not to be disappointed with what we encounter.”

― Paul Coelho

Trust and Acceptance increased my Patience.

I wasn’t always patient, just ask anyone who knows me.

I would be amiss in not mentioning that impatience still slips through my cracks, but it is not a welcome guest in my life anymore.

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 “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

“I don’t think that we’re meant to understand it all the time. I think that sometimes we just have to have faith.”

― Nicholas Sparks

Welcoming Trust, Acceptance, and Patience into my daily life increased my Faith.

You may argue that faith is necessary to trust in God’s plan and in a sense you would be correct. However, faith in God was never my issue.

I have believed in God since I was a small child and can recall vividly the moment I raised my hand in my grandparent’s church as a child to accept Jesus Christ as my Savior.

I have always had faith.

But I am stubborn.

From an early age I wanted to understand everything about the world.

My incessant questioning was hard on my parents. I remember asking questions in childhood and watching my mom just shake her head.

I was blessed with two children who take after me.

But questioning everything is a double-edged sword.

The habit has caused me to not always experience the personal relationship with God that has always been the desire of my heart.

Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ,  through whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.  And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance;  and perseverance, character; and character, hope.  Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us.

― Romans 5: 1-5

Welcoming Trust, Acceptance, Patience, and Faith into my daily life increased my Peace.

Lately, instead of questioning I have been asking God for discernment and guidance.

Trusting God and accepting His answers with patience and faith has quieted my overthinking and brought calm and Peace into my heart.

When I was a child, I spoke as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child; but when I became a man, I put away childish things. For now we see in a mirror, dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part, but then I shall know just as I also am known.

And now abide faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love.

1 Corinthians 13: 11-13

When I consider my trials in the last 34 years and my response, falling away from faith for a time and time again but always coming back, the overwhelming Peace and Love I feel in my heart can only come from God

¹³ And since we have the same spirit of faith, according to what is written, “I believed and therefore I spoke,” we also believe and therefore speak, ¹⁴ knowing that He who raised up the Lord Jesus will also raise us up with Jesus, and will present us with you. ¹⁵ For all things are for your sakes, that grace, having spread through the many, may cause thanksgiving to abound to the glory of God.

¹⁶ Therefore we do not lose heart. Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day. ¹⁷ For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory, ¹⁸ while we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal.

2 Corinthians 4:13-18

… and that is all I need.

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⁹ …if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. ¹⁰ For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. ¹¹ For the Scripture says, “Whoever believes on Him will not be put to shame.” ¹² For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek, for the same Lord over all is rich to all who call upon Him. ¹³ For “whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.”

― Romans 10:9-13 NKJV

²⁰ Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me. ²¹ To him who overcomes I will grant to sit with Me on My throne, as I also overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne.

Revelation 3:20-21 NKJV

It is my hope and prayer for this day that everyone who does not know Jesus Christ as their personal Savior will call on Him to experience Trust, Acceptance, Patience, Faith and Peace.

I wish you a happy new year with the abiding peace that with God all things are possible.

I am grateful for you

Happy 2024 to all.

XO Lisa ❤️

Don’t forget to keep an eye on the sky – Look up!