Worry. Little made up scenarios that develop in our minds. Scenes that most likely will never even happen, but they sure do get us, and our blood pressure, all worked up.

God doesn’t want us living like that, guys. You know who does though? The devil.

Because…

When we are worrying – we are not praying. When we are worrying – we are not trusting. When we are worrying – we are not serving.

Next time worry tries to creep in and take over start praying. Start singing. Start worshipping. You can even start running – as long as you are running to God. Whatever you do, DON’T let worry win.

“Cast your cares on the LORD and he will sustain you; he will never let the righteous be shaken.” -Psalm 55:22

You will always be judged.

The way you parent. The way you wife. The way you do your job. What your wear. Your hair. I know – it’s exhausting.

The best thing that we can do — is do the best that we can do. Don’t worry about how others perceive your performance. Just focus on doing the best that you can do for Jesus. He is the ultimate and only judge.

He knows your heart. He knows your intentions. He knows you’re trying.
And while we are trying to overcome the pressures of measuring up to that perfect Pinterest woman – let’s extend grace to all the other females surrounding us. Instead of throwing shade at others, let’s choose to add a little sunshine to their day. Let’s choose compassion.

“Judge not, and you will not be judged; condemn not, and you will not be condemned; forgive, and you will be forgiven;” – Luke 6:37

Grace. When your kid breaks your favorite plate. 
Grace. When your husband eats the last brownie you had stashed away. 
Grace. When someone misses the deadline you set. 
Grace. When that car cuts you off. 
Grace. When someone hurts your feelings. 

Grace. When you slip up – again and again. And God forgives you – again and again.
 
“But he gives us more grace. That is why Scripture says: “God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble.” – James 4:6

Our words. 

To our kids.
Our spouses.
Our friends.

They become their words. They become the truth that they believe. They can shape their hearts and minds into strong, courageous vessels, or they can shred every ounce of confidence that they have. 

Let’s choose our words wisely today. Let’s choose to build up instead of tear down. Let’s choose love. 

“The soothing tongue is a tree of life, but a perverse tongue crushes the spirit.” – Proverbs 15:4

Hey beautiful. 

Yes, you.

Let me tell you something that the devil would love for you to believe – he would love for you to believe that you don’t measure up. That. Isn’t. True. 

I wish every every female reading this today could see the beauty that they hold inside and out – not to be conceited, but to be confident. To be confident that God made you exactly how He wanted you. To know that you are powerful, and special, and amazing, and needed. To know that God’s love and hope radiating from your very being is where your beauty is held. 

I pray that today you will find the beauty within your own heart and soul, and when you do you will use it to make another woman feel just as beautiful. God made you. You are beautiful. 

“It is not fancy hair, gold jewelry, or fine clothes that should make you beautiful. No, your beauty should come from inside you –the beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit. That beauty will never disappear and it is worth very much to God.” — 1 Peter 3:3-4

Pursue. 

Chase. 

Aspire. 

Run eagerly toward. 

Hunt. 

Go after. 

Desire. 

God hasn’t called us to quietly drift though the halls of life. He has called us to fervently show others the love of Jesus manifested in our own lives. In the book of Romans, Paul urges us to eagerly seek ways to build one another up. God knows how powerful one word can be. He knows the lasting imprint of one small act of kindness. 

Guys, life can be hard. We all know this. Let’s be intentional in encouraging our brothers and sisters. Let’s purposefully and passionately seek out ways to build one another up. Let’s serve others through acts of Christ’s love. Let’s be Jesus in a world that so desperately needs Him. 

“Pursue the things which make for peace and the building up of one another.” – Romans 14:19

Courage.

Sometimes it tiptoes. Sometimes it sprints full speed ahead. Either way – it’s there. You just have to grab a hold of it and not let go. 

Faith and courage go hand in hand. Faith makes us fearless when in all actuality we are scared to death. Faith says, “Go ahead. God has this.” Courage whispers, “Ok.” 

Courage is having complete faith that God is in control of your situation. Jesus made it evident in Matthew 8 that we may not be able to control our circumstances, but God can always control the waves. We just have to believe. We have to have faith.
 
If there is something happening in your life that has you apprehensive, confused, or absolutely terrified – I urge you to open up God’s word and just start reading. Let God speak to you. Let Him strengthen your faith and give you the courage you need to face this storm head on. 

“So faith comes from hearing, and hearing from the word of Christ.” Romans 10:17

To the single mom doing it all-

The college student stressed to the max-

The grandmother raising grandbabies-

To the teenager trying to navigate high school-

The daughter taking care of her elderly parents-

The mom with a newborn-

To the wife that feels all alone-

The mother of a child with a disability-

God sees your struggles. He knows you’re overwhelmed. He knows that you’re tired – on the verge of a meltdown. He sees you. He wants to grab your hand, walk you through the situation, and then celebrate with you when you come out victorious on the other side. Let Him help you.

God has you. Don’t forget it. 

“For I am the LORD your God who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you.” Isaiah 41:13

When Is your attitude the worst? What makes you shut down? We all have that one trigger that can cause us to slip off into Slumpville quicker than we can count to three. Mine is when I feel like I’m failing at something. Failure is my nemesis. Whether it be at work or home – if I feel like I can’t fix whatever issue is staring me in the face then I start to shut down, which is the exact opposite of what I need to do. 

It’s important to remember that we are human, and we are prone to buckling under the pressures of life. That doesn’t make us less; it just proves that God is so much more. It’s also important to remember that God will provide us with the support and encouragement we need to conquer whatever problem that’s trying to defeat us. 

Whatever your trigger is, just try to remember that is doesn’t phase God. You just simply have to ask for help. 

“But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.” – 2 Corinthians 12:9

Don’t doubt God. Don’t ever think a situation is too bad, too hard, or too complicated for Him to fix. 

That mountain looks like a hill to Him. 

That ocean – a pond.

That giant – just another broken human being. 

That tarnished relationship that’s been ripped to shreds is merely a small tear to Him. A minute tear that God can seamlessly sew up so that the garment is stronger than it ever was before. 

It’s important to remember that God takes mishaps and turns them into miracles. So, don’t doubt God. He is the Alpha and the Omega. He’s got the whole world in His hands. The whole – wide – world. 

“But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. That person should not expect to receive anything from the Lord.” – James 1:6-7