Overwhelmed or Prayerful? by Steph Beth Nickel

Wildfires. Hurricanes. Oppression. Political upheaval. And yes, a worldwide pandemic.

Add to that personal challenges and the struggles being experienced by family and friends, and there is a very real temptation to curl up in a corner and hope it all just goes away. It’s no wonder anxiety, depression, and other mental health issues are on the rise.

More than ever before, I’ve recognized that we have to make deliberate choices as to how we’re going to face these tumultuous days.

Keep Our Head Down and Act as If Everything is Fine

Granted, I’d love to live in Happy Bubble Land, but we all know it isn’t a real place—at least not this side of heaven. Still, there are plenty of people who are afraid to look around for fear that they will be swept away by all that’s going on in the world. They do their best to continue on, business as usual. And while it may work for a time, unless we’re living completely “off the grid,” news of the most recent heartbreaking situation is at our fingertips 24/7.

Overextend Ourselves, Taking on More than We Can Handle

Like me, you may care deeply about a wide variety of issues. You wonder what you can do to make things better. You have friends whose passions fuel your own. And then—you overextend. You take up just one more cause. Comment on just one more social media post. Say yes to just one more request. And soon you’re done in. You either work to the point of exhaustion or you leave project after project undone because you just don’t have the wherewithal to complete it.

Succumb to the Temptation to “Doom Scroll”

No matter how many times we tell ourselves we’re not going to read another post about COVID or the online arguments raging on social media or the political mudslinging, it comes across our newsfeed or a family member fills us in on something we’d rather not know. It is important to be informed. However, we can’t do something about everything. And often, too much doom scrolling leads to overwhelm, which leads to ineffectiveness in all areas.

Allow the Anxiety to Get the Upper Hand

I’m not suggesting that overcoming anxiety and other mental health considerations are as simple as flipping a switch. I know full well they’re not. I’ve slept more in the last year and a half than ever before. I’ve watched way more YouTube videos and streamed more TV shows than was wise. I’ve even been on the precipice of panic attacks, something I’ve never experienced before. No judgement here! When mental health issues of any description rear their ugly head, it’s important to reach out and get the help we need. It may be as simple as spending time with a friend, or we may need to see a professional counsellor. It’s important that we don’t let the tide carry us away.

Focus on the Task at Hand While Acknowledging that the Struggle is Real

Do you pick up your phone before you’re even out of bed to see what’s happening in the world? Do you make a long To-Do List every day and then become overwhelmed before you even begin? Do you rehearse the dozen things you still have on your list while you’re working on something else? Although I do make a fairly lengthy To-Do list, I’m learning to focus on the task at hand and celebrate each one that I cross off my list. Am I always successful? Absolutely not. (In fact, I was just notified that I have a message on my phone, and I was tempted to check it before I even finished this paragraph.)

There is one choice that will put all others into perspective …

Become More Prayerful

It may seem obvious, but it’s so easy to “forget” to spend time in God’s presence. We can become so overwhelmed that we can’t formulate a coherent sentence. (It’s okay to simply say, “God, I need you!”) On the other hand, we can be so focused on keeping our head down and accomplishing the task at hand that we don’t make prayer a part of our day.

Recently, I’ve been thinking about the tragedies suffered by those in Old Testament times. The Lord often chastened them for not turning to Him when their world was falling apart. He would often wait to pour out rich blessing until they remembered to go to Him in prayer. I don’t know how long the pandemic will last, when the wildfires will be extinguished, or what the results of the next election will be, but I do know that the Lord offers peace and wisdom to those who spend time in His presence.

May He equip each of us to obey the commands in Philippians 4:4-6: “Rejoice in the Lord always … do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.” We can then hold onto the promise in verse 7: ”And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus” (ESV).

What Are The Odds Of That: Answers To Prayer by Bob Jones

What have I experienced through prayer in my life and writing? Just about everything. Much of what I learned about the principles of prayer came to me from walking with and writing about the life of a young woman named Kristen.

 

As a 28-year old, Kristen was diagnosed with inoperable cancer and given 24 months to live. She was a mom to three boys under five and married to a firefighter. We prayed for her to be healed. In fact many in the congregation I was a pastor to, fasted breakfast and prayed every day for two years. 

 

One Friday afternoon Kristen had a doctor’s appointment. Going to visit an oncology doctor isn't one of most people's favorite things to do on a Friday afternoon. She was dropped off early for her appointment and needed something to help pass the time.

 

Kristen happened into a nearby drugstore store while she waited.

 

She happened to see a kiosk with books.

 

A book on the lowest rack happened to catch her attention. It was a single copy of the book, “Divine Alignment.”

 

“What a coincidence," she thought. "My friend just told me about that book!”

 

A coincidence led her to a book about coincidences.

 

Kristen called me to tell what had just happened and suggested that I should read the book.

 

I owe her. As a result of Kristen’s experience and reading the book I added the term, "GodWink" into my vocabulary and worldview of prayer.

 

GodWinks are experiences that people would call a coincidence, an answered prayer, or simply an encounter where you'd say, "What are the odds of that!"

 

4 Things I Learned About Prayer, GodWinks, and Life

 

1. A "GodWink" is a message of reassurance from God directly to you, usually related to something you have prayed about.

 

Through all of Kristen’s pain, setbacks, and disappointments, she was not perplexed. She had multiple reassurances of God's faithfulness through "GodWinks."

 

In June 2013 she texted me about one of those GodWinks. She was being transported by an ambulance attendant to Edmonton’s Cross Cancer Hospital for a chemo treatment. The attendant’s name was Ken and he had a story to tell Kristen.

 

Ken, the EMS worker, happened to attend North Pointe, Kristen's church. Ken and his wife Rebecca actually chose North Pointe as their church because of Kristen. 

 

They were new to the area and looking for a church. On their first visit they happened to hear Kristen share her story of faith. They were impressed. They wanted to be a part of a church that was attended by people like Kristen.

 

Ken's story touched Kristen deeply that day. It was like God had allowed her to see her influence. What are the odds?

 

2. GodWinks are not replacements for miracles.

 

People in crisis want a miracle not a wink.

 

Kristen wanted a miracle. She wanted to be healed so she would live and God would be glorified. She also wanted others to know that if things did not work out for her as she hoped, she would trust God until the end - because the end would be her new eternal beginning.

 

Eternity is heaven was the greatest miracle in her estimation.

 

3. In times of UNCERTAINTY what we need more than anything else is CERTAINTY.

 

We crave certainty when we get a dire medical report. We long for certainty in our relationships. We crave the certainty that we'll have enough in the checking account to make it through the month.

 

GodWinks shore up certainty.

 

GodWinks are intentional reminders that God cares; that He is at work, daily directing and providing for your life.

 

My favorite chapter in "Ornament" – a book I wrote about Kristen - is the one about GodWinks.

 

4. GodWinks are the fingerprints of God on the circumstances of your life.

 

Look back on your life. You will find God's fingerprints on the details - dates, numbers, timing, names, places, words.

 

God's fingerprints are assurances that He is in control in a seemingly out-of-control world.

 

Are you praying about something? No answers yet? Watch for a GodWink today. God wants to bring you assurance of his ever faithful presence and unfailing provision.

 

God's got His eye on you.

 

 I write to grow hope, inspire people to be real, forge an authentic faith in Jesus, and discover their life purpose.

Please follow my writing at REVwords.com

I would love to hear from you.

Book Review: Writers on Writing by Kimberley Payne - (review by Allison Lynn)

This review was originally posted at www.AllisonLynn.blogspot.com 

Last year, I joined Inscribe Christian Writers' Fellowship to be part of a national writing community. In addition to finding lots of writing opportunities and inspiration, it's also been a great way to discover new books! 

When Kimberley Payne started talking about her new book, I knew I wanted to read and review it.

Writers On Writing - Interviews With Writers of Faith is a collection of writer profiles compiled from the Koinonia community. This Medium-based publication features "stories by Christian writers to encourage, entertain, and empower you in your faith, food, fitness, family, friendship, and fun." The editors have been hosting interviews with their 350+ contributors to provide a "snapshot into the lives of writers of faith." This collection features 35 interviews from this series.

The writers represent a wide spectrum of ages, backgrounds, nationalities, and experience levels. Their common ground is a love of both writing and the Gospel.

Each writer was asked such questions as: 

- What inspires you? 

- What do you like most/least about writing?

- How do you balance professional time with personal time?

- What makes you unique?

- How is your faith reflected in your writing?

Owing to the original online format, many of the answers to these questions are quite short. This isn't a collection of long-form essays on writing. It is, however, a wonderful collection of writer profiles, emphasizing the diversity and passion of Christian writers. The answers are straightforward and honest. You can easily read the whole book in a day, or read an interview a day for a month's worth of inspiration. Some will connect with you more than others (as is the case in any collection), but every interview has some gem that you'll want to underline and bookmark for further reflection.

I think this would be an especially fantastic book for the newer writer of faith - either for the writer to buy, or for a supportive friend to offer as a gift! 

You can learn more about Kimberley Payne at https://www.kimberleypayne.com

You can follow the Koinonia community at https://medium.com/koinonia 

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Allison Lynn has the heart of a storyteller. Whether in her early work as an actor, or in her current role as singer, songwriter, worship leader, blogger, and band manager, Allison is drawn to the power of story to grow hearts and communities. Allison and her husband, Gerald Flemming, form the award-winning duo, Infinitely More.

This prolific duo is currently recording their 9th studio album. Infinitely More has been nominated for 15 national awards, including winning two Covenant Awards from GMA Canada. Their nationally touring ministry travels over 40,000 KM annually, serving churches of all denominations. Allison’s true story - “Aunt Pauline and The Little Easter” - was published in Inscribe’s 2021 anthology Easter: Stories & More.  www.InfinitelyMore.ca 

Let's Pray by Susan Barclay

Like this vice, circumstances can crush us

I’ve always believed in prayer,  though I haven’t always “put my  money where my mouth is.” That  is to say, even though I believe  prayer “works,” I’ve had seasons  where my prayer life has been dry or I’ve felt too busy to pray. Maybe you’ve had those seasons too. But the reality is, if we’re not on our knees now—when we don’t feel like it, when we already have a lot on our plates—we’ll be on our knees eventually. At some point, life is going to hand us something we can’t handle, something too big for us, something that may even have the power to crush us. And then, we’ll respond one of two ways: we’ll walk away from God or we’ll turn toward Him.

It’s been five years since our son informed us that he no longer believed in God or was sure that there was one. Three years since our daughter made a similar declaration. The last few years have also held various eldercare challenges with regard to my mom. Any thought of doing without a prayer life has gone out the proverbial window. Together and individually my husband and I have wept over our prodigals, cried out to God for their healing as well as for my mother’s, and cast all of our cares at His feet, knowing He cares for us (I Peter 5:7). I read a lot about prayer, I participate in prayer groups, but the most important thing I do is to actually spend time in God’s presence. 

Whether or not we think we need God, we do. Whether or not we think we need to pray, we do. The person who wants it the least, likely needs it the most.

God cares about wandering sheep and so should we

Other than feeling the world closing in, why pray? We pray because Jesus did and He’s our model for how to live. He prioritized prayer and left behind multitudes of people with needs both great and small to spend time with His Father. He got up early in the morning to be alone with Him. These hours were essential to His ministry. They filled His “cup.” It was during these conversations (talking and listening) and meditation periods that He received His instructions, wisdom, and guidance. It was in prayer that He was refreshed, renewed, and restored. If Jesus needed to pray, how much more do we?

Getting alone with God is the most important "thing" we can do

Jesus’s prayer times were so inspiring and anointed that the disciples asked Him to teach them to pray.

In Matthew 6, verses 9 to 13, we learn some things from what is commonly known as The Lord’s Prayer (TLP). First, prayer involves relationship. The very first line describes the connection between us and God: He’s our Father. In fact, this is what gives us the right, the authorization, to approach His throne of love, grace, mercy, and justice. He’s not a stranger, not an acquaintance, not someone we’ve heard about from someone else. We’re His kids, and He cares about us. He wants to us to come to Him; He wants to hear from us. He longs to give us good gifts, and He wants us to share what’s on our hearts. “You do not have because you do not ask,” says James 4:2. “Ask and you shall receive,” it says in several other places.

We also learn that we must come to prayer with the right attitude. “Hallowed be Your name,” Jesus says. We recognize that God is holy, He is pure, He is far above us in all of His ways. We approach Him boldly in the sense that He is our Father, but we also come humbly, knowing He is God, Creator of all things and vastly superior to us.

Because of who He is (omniscient, knowing what is best, seeing the big picture), we pray His will, not our own—“Your kingdom come, Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven” (italics mine). The scriptures that advise us to ask God also talk about praying with right motives (James 4:3) and praying in agreement with God’s heart. Ours is not a prosperity gospel, seeking wealth, comfort, and ease. In John 16:33, Jesus assures us that in this world we will have trouble. Instead, we’re to seek God’s best, for every person, in every situation. “Rejoice always,” 1 Thessalonians 5:16 tells us; “pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus” (vv. 17-18).

Some requests that line up with God’s heart are spelled out in TLP: praying for the meeting of physical needs (“daily bread.” Other examples might be shelter, rest, employment, even breath); praying for forgiveness of sin and for the ability to forgive others; and praying for protection and deliverance from evil. And of course, we can never go wrong when we pray for the salvation of others. It’s not God’s desire that any should perish (2 Peter 3:9), but did it ever occur to you that their salvation may depend on prayer? I think of that sometimes when I pray for random people I pass on the street (a form of praying without ceasing). I may be the only person who has ever prayed for them. Won’t it be something if I meet them in heaven one day and discover they are there because of my prayer? It’s not impossible!

I invite you to join me in prayer today, worshipping our awesome God, seeking His wisdom and guidance, praying for the needs of others as well as your own. Don't wait for life to put you in its chokehold before beginning. Through the groups in which I participate, I bear witness to the power of the One to whom we pray. He is working, always working (John 5:17), and although His ways and timing are not according to our preferences, they are better than all we could ask or imagine (Ephesians 3:20). He turns our mourning into dancing (Psalm 30:11) and puts a new song on our lips. Then many will see and revere and trust in the Lord (Psalm 40:3). Let it be so!

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For more about Susan Barclay and her writing, please visit www.susan-barclay.blogspot.com