TOMORROW

“. . . Do not fear or be dismayed; Tomorrow go out against them, for the Lord is with you.” ~ ~~2 Chronicles 20:17


There’s an old adage that says “Tomorrow never comes.” And people of various backgrounds and cultures take these words to heart and live their lives based on the belief that there's no such thing as tomorrow.

Even though there is a progression of time from one day to the next, the notion of no tomorrow lingers in the hearts of many. What we decide to do, or not to do, while clinging to this mindset can make a world of difference in the way we handle our daily stresses.

The idea of not being able to pick up where we leave off, or not having the option to pursue a desired path can frazzle our nerves and create endless hours of aggitation.

During a time of much uncertainty and stress, the Lord gave King Jehoshaphat and all the people of Judah instructions on what to do--and He specifically told them to do it “tomorrow.” Honestly, if God acknowledges tomorrow, then tomorrow surely exist.

As we align our affairs from day to day, do we address our tomorrows with doubts and fears? Are we positively focused as we plan for the future? Or are we slightly superstitious as we entertain the flak of frivolous people?

Whether we tell ourselves we’re just kidding or we actually believe "tomorrow never comes," our challenge is to accept the facts of what God says about our future and start doing as He has commanded.

When we take the time to seriously think about it, there is something that God has instructed each of us to do--tomorrow.


Peace I leave with you . . .

MIND OVER MATTER

And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind . . .
~ Romans 12:2


Are there certain obligations that you’d rather take a whipping than tackle? Ever had things on your mind and dreaded doing them so badly, you stressed out just thinking of the matter?

Resistance and regret can back us into the worst kind of stressful corners. Because it’s our prerogative to decide how, when, and what to do, we often cater to negative thought patterns that generate high levels of stress.

Although the world screams, “Do whatever you want to,” circumstances and situations don’t always agree. Many times freedom of choice lures us between a rock and a hard place.

Our elders preached an incredible message on “Putting mind over matter.” According to the aged generation, it’s absolutely imperative to set the mind to do what needs to be done, over and above any ill feelings for undesirable matters.

To see how effective this philosophy is, select a couple of dreaded things that must be done. While proceeding to do them, speak the words “mind over matter” to yourself . . . convincingly, again and again.

Renew your mind and notice how stressful symptoms gradually fade away.

Because we are the masters of our minds, we must take authority over our minds . . . never ever vice-versa.


Peace I leave with you . . .

THE HANDS OF TIME

Throughout the years, we've wrestled with time. Over and over again, a great number of us have regretfully moaned, "If I could turn back the hands of time."

Stressing day after day over what didn't turn out like it was supposed to, and who didn't do as they'd promised to, will not change the past. While we're stressing with perils of the past, we're sadly being blinded to God's blessings in the here and now.

Thanks to a good friend, just recently, I was reminded of the godly wisdom King Solomon gives concerning the hands of time.


Ecclesiastes 3:1-8

To everything there is a season,
A time for every purpose under heaven:

A time to be born, And a time to die;

A time to plant, And a time to pluck what is planted;

A time to kill, And a time to heal;

A time to break down, And a time to build up;

A time to weep, And a time to laugh;

A time to mourn, And a time to dance;

A time to cast away stones, And a time to gather stones;

A time to embrace, And a time to refrain from embracing;

A time to gain, And a time to lose;

A time to keep, And a time to throw away;

A time to tear, And a time to sew;

A time to keep silence, And a time to speak;

A time to love, And a time to hate;

A time of war, And a time of Peace.


Whatever the time, whatever the season, thank God for the time, the season . . . and the reason.


Peace I leave with you . . .

WHAT HAPPENED?

The race is not to the swift or the battle to the strong, nor does food come to the wise or wealth to the brilliant or favor to the learned; but time and chance happen to them all. ~Ecclesiastes 9:11~

911 was one of the most stressful times in our history. People from all walks of life suffered tragedy and death. Millions cried out to the Lord as they struggled with sorrow and wondered "What happened?"

Maybe in the year of 2001, by the grace of God, we escaped that 911 tragedy. Nevertheless, we've witnessed other incidents that have caused us remarkable stress and left us wondering "What happend?"

Out of habit, we stress ourselves, questioning every source we can imagine. We want to know who or what brought about the terrible heartache, or pain, or sorrow, or injustice, or lack--And why?

The more we stress and search for answers, the more we end up right back where we started from, yet wondering "What happened?" As badly as we want them, answers don't come.

In Ecclesiastes 9:11, King Solomon shares an answer that pretty much addresses most of our devastating nightmares . . ."time and chance happen to them all."

Sure, there are exceptions. But for the most part, there are times in each of our lives where things just happen. Contary to popular belief, man does not have all the answers. The secret things belong to the Lord" (Deut. 29:29).

So stop stressing and start striving to do what 1 Thessalonians 5:18 says, "In everything give thanks."


Peace I leave with you . . .

THE MAIN THING

"Martha, Martha," the Lord answered, "you are worried and upset about many things, but only one thing is needed . . ."


Remember the time when Martha was stressing because she was so busy and had so much to do? Remember how she complained to the Lord that she was doing all the work while her sister Mary sat at the Lord's feet? (Luke 10:38-42)

Pay close attention to the Lord's reply, especially the part where He says, "But only one thing is needed."

He told Martha, plain and simple, with all the hustle and bustle and busy doing this and that, only one thing was necessary--exactly what her sister Mary was doing--sitting and spending time with Him.

Have you noticed how busy our lives have become? And how overloaded and how far behind we seem to be with so many important things. And how stressed we are as a result of all this?

Regardless of who is doing what for whom, according to the Lord, the main thing is that we embrace a one-on-one relationship with Him. That we spend unselfish and uncluttered and unhurried time in His presence.

Slow down. . .Sit down. . .Stress less. Running around in circles all the time, as Mama used to say "Like a chicken with its head cut off," will sooner or later cause even the strongest of us to cave in to stress.

If God said it, we who are wise will believe it. And make every effort to do it.


Peace I leave with you . . .