Holding it Together

Do you feel sometimes that it’s getting too hard to hold it all together?

Let it go.

Yep, really. Let go. Take a deep breath. Talk to God. If you are stressed out about overload, you’ll need to have a deep conversation.

God is the One Who holds all things, and Who holds all things together.

Colossians 1.15 – 17 The Son is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. For in Him all things were created, things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities. All things were created through Him and for Him. He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together.

These verses in Colossians remind us that

1. Jesus is God
2. all things were created by Him – ALL things, whether seen or unseen
3. All things were created through Him and for Him
4. He has gone before all things (He knows what’s going on and what’s going to happen, and how it all turns out)
5. He is holding it all together.

Consider also Hebrews Chapter 4, that famous passage dealing with resting in God.

Hebrews 4.10, 11 For whoever enters God’s rest also rests from his own work, just as God did from His. Let us, therefore, make every effort to enter that rest, so that no one will fall by following the same pattern of disobedience.

God desires, invites, us to enter His rest. We do that by obedience.

And then there’s that fascinating passage tucked right in there:

Hebrews 4.12, 13 For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it pierces even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow. It judges the thoughts and intentions of the heart. Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight; everything is uncovered and exposed before the eyes of Him to whom we must give account.

God knows what obedience looks like, and He knows our hearts. Are you rushing around with a full plate, stuff spilling off in all directions? Are you feverishly covering that plate with all your might, trying to hold it all together? Are you trying to make that plate look pretty for anyone who is watching?

Drop the plate.

Let God clean up that mess. Kneel down on the floor with Him as He goes through each spill. HE KNOWS YOUR HEART. He designed you. He knows what delights you, what stresses you out, where your comfort zone is, where you need to go to strengthen your heart, and He knows your limits.

Things might look like a mess as you sort all this out with God. People might see you. They might smirk, or offer to help, or look away, or give a hug. Other’s responses are not your territory. That’s between them and God.

Deal with God. Find out what He’d like to see on that plate. Find out how He’d like you to divvy up your time and energy. His wisdom includes being able to see the Big Picture. Ask God why you cherish the things on your plate. Did you think you were doing them all for Him? Psalm 37.4 Delight thyself also in the LORD; and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart. It’s true; it’s always been true. Find your delight in God. Ask God what delights you. He created you and knows you; He wants to delight you. Ask Him to help you delete those things that are not delightful, but that are hard to give up. [You can try to find out why you like to hold onto them if you want, but it’s not necessary.]

Study carefully those things that God wants on your plate. The Holy Spirit will fill you with energy and a desire to accomplish those things. Lean on the Lord, draw from His strength, follow His guidance.

Find God’s rest. Delight in Him.

You don’t have to hold it all together; you just have to hold onto God.

What are your Lions?

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God promises throughout His Word that we will face trials, tribulations, and sufferings. He also promises salvation, joy, and peace. How can all this co-exist in the same realm?

Daniel was thrown into a den of lions. That’s some tribulation. Yet Daniel went in with perfect peace. He had perfect trust in his Heavenly Father. If he died, it was God’s will; if he lived, it was God’s will.

We have lions prowling about us, seeking to devour us: 1 Peter 5.8 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour. Satan may work with his minions, or he may use people to carry out his plans.

Do you have lions in your life? A bully? Someone wearing continually on your raw nerves? Sickness or death? Stress in the family or at work? Memories?

God to the rescue. Just look for Him, and you will find Him.

God works to bless us and guide us in many ways. He may work through His Spirit or His Word. He may work through other people.

He can also work through His angels. [Side note: I have often wondered why God created angels. I mean, He can do any work He wants, all by Himself; it’s not like He needs the help. But sometimes He sends His angels to do the work. I think there must be a glorious reason for the work of angels, something so fantastic and wonderful that I can’t even imagine it.] Hebrews 1.7, 14 And of the angels he saith, Who maketh his angels spirits, and his ministers a flame of fire… Are they not all ministering spirits, sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation? Hebrews 13.2 Be not forgetful to entertain strangers: for thereby some have entertained angels unawares.

When you face your lions, read Chapter 6 in the book of Daniel. God gives us human examples of faith all through the Bible. (Another great one is in 2 Kings Ch 6.) He wants us to pay attention and learn.

Daniel 6.26, 27 … men tremble and fear before the God of Daniel: for he is the living God, and stedfast for ever, and his kingdom that which shall not be destroyed, and his dominion shall be even unto the end. He delivereth and rescueth, and he worketh signs and wonders in heaven and in earth, who hath delivered Daniel from the power of the lions.

*image from the Internet

Alzheimer’s Webinar

I have been attending an online, free webinar addressing Alzheimer’s, hosted by Dr. David Perlmutter. The series discusses the known causes of the disease, as well as practical steps we can take to avoid contracting it.

The topic of today’s session, Session 8, is the effects of stress on our brains and bodies. Several doctors are interviewed, and they give valid evidence of what our modern lifestyle is working in our bodies.

I was reminded, several times while I listened, of God’s admonitions throughout His Word – Old Testament and New Testament – not to worry, not to fear. God wants health for us, and part of that includes our responsibility to obey Him.

The webinar is free. You will need to sign up and give an e-mail address (I’ve had no issues of them selling or sharing or misusing my e-mail). It is a series of 1-a-day, half-hourish videos, but if you’re busy while listening, you won’t lose a lot by not watching, and only using it for the audio.

Here is the link: https://scienceofprevention.com/alz/stress-alzheimers/