Beat The Worry Habit

A few years ago, I use to worry about every little thing, my worries were so irrational, I knew something had to change. I had to change.

We all have things to think about, we have health, financial, career and family issues. We also need to makes plans about the future but there is a difference between planning and worrying.

Worry eats us up bit by bit and if left unchecked it leads to various diseases, headaches, palpitations, anxiety, depression.

Here are a few indicators that you are a worrier.

• You analyse every possible outcome of any issue.
• You stay awake thinking and when you do fall asleep you have an unsettled rest
• You are not at peace
• Constantly seeking out information from various sources.  For example, googling an illness to see if the symptoms you are having matches.

How do we get out of this habit and dwell in a peaceful and restful place? Below are 5 helpful tips to deal with anxious thoughts.

1. Stop Being Anxious: Philippians 4:6-7 tells us not to be anxious about ANYTHING. Anything means anything. I used to be scare if I was at peace and have nothing to worry about. All I have to do is look around and find something.  This passage was a revelation to me. “Be anxious for nothing” absolutely nothing, But, in everything with prayer make your request known.
2. Pray: In prayer we tell God our problems. Tell him your needs and leave it in his hands trusting that he knows what's best for you and will bring it to pass.
3. Let go. The secret to enjoying life is to let go of every worry and release them to the all-seeing and knowing care of God. He cares for you and knows your future better than you. It is not enough to pray; you have to cede control to him. Do not retain ownership of the problem after praying.  Rather let go of your precious cargo… “The issues of life”. After praying make a conscious and deliberate choice not to think of the very thing you just prayed about. Dwell on the nature and goodness of God.
4. Place your trust in God: Being anxious indicates lack of trust. If you are anxious about your husband cheating it means you don’t trust him. If you trust him, you will not be anxious, no matter the time he gets home. Same with God. Trust in God frees us from worry because we trust him to fulfil his promises concerning us. We take no anxious thoughts for tomorrow, our next pay cheque, kids, economy or health because we trust him and know he cares for us.
5. Protect Your Heart: Close the door on negativity, people may be talking about you, trouble at work, set back in health and finances, stay in the secret place. Where you're protected from the cares of life's and the worries that comes with it.
6. Dwell On Good Things: Worry springs primarily from what we think about. To control your thoughts feed your mind on things which encourages and build you up. (take no thought of yourself)? Why are we told to take no thought? Because persistent thinking leads to worry. Our daily thoughts affect our peace, it's easy to guard your heart if you do not read negative stuff.  

You can take control of your anxiety, you can begin today to modify your heart and be in peace. Decide to let go and trust God to take care of you.

Light and darkness

 

My kids will do anything to avoid going down for the night. 

Often, after our nightly routine of reading, praying, singing, good nights and hugs, comes; Mummy I need to wee, mummy 

One more cuddle,

"Mummy, you did not give us water", 

"Mummy, you did not pray". 

I usually go back and to get them to sleep, do whatever it is they want, letting them know this is the last request I will honor.

So yesterday's line was. 

"I am scared" mummy, began my little girl. "Scared of what I asked?"

Ignoring my question, she carried on, it's too dark. 

"Are you scared of the dark"? 

"Yes" came the answer.

This is a room with a little light glowing in the  corner, so it isn't completely dark. This light comes on every night and stays on till the morning lights appear. Yet another stunt to avoid going down for the night. 

What should we do about the dark I asked, 

Put the light on, which light? I asked, the light is already on, I continued. 

"I want the big light" no darling, it's time to sleep... 

There's something about light that gives reassurance when it's dark, 

Light encourages happiness, hence summer months are filled with gaiety and smiles.

We avoid going through a dark alley, because we don't know what lurks in the dark. 

I don't like leaving my kids in the dark and also do not like the idea of sleeping in the dark. Whenever I am in an unfamiliar environment like hotel rooms, there has to be some form of light before I can fall asleep.

So you will understand when I say, I love the Christmas season because of the different array of lights in every major,  or minor street corner. Blue, red, yellow, green and lights of every colour adore our homes. 

Street lights are put up with so much celebration, some shopping malls go to great lengths to pay for celebrities to turn on the light. 

Halls are dressed for the occasion, with

Front pouch is singled out for out door display of sleigh, rains deer and more lights.

Light is beautiful. 

It cannot be hidden. Wherever there is light it glows, it does not matter how small the light, it always displaces darkness.

I do not know the origin of the Christmas display of lights. But I do know one who is the light of the
world. His light is not seasonal, but all year round. He takes the gloom and fills each heart with joy and glory. The stars celebrated his birth, his light drew kings to his presence. 

The heart of men was enlightened by his coming, peace was restored to a broken world. 

The best thing of all is that he lives in those who acknowledged him as Lord and saviour. And will be a light to them. He declared, ' I am the light of the world, whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life. John 8:12

So if we are light, as stated in Matthew 5:14, lets beam out for all to see. There is so much gloom and doom in our world today, man's hatred for each other depicted in grime acts of violence and terror
Causes People to run scared. 

As light, let's be the reassurance, the hope and comfort people seek,  let's shine bright for all to see, so that many will be drawn to His light. 

Jesus came to turn our darkness to light, our despair into hope. We are carriers of hope, so let's portray the light within us, let us live as people of light, igniting hope, purity and truth.

Throughout this season and always. 

 

You and I

You and I
Hand in hand
Through the rain, the stormy clouds and the darkest nights
Plodding on stronger and better
Growing deeper in love

You and I moving on
United in one goal
Advancing in purpose
Our dreams to achieve

You and I
Together as one,
Forging a bond
Of peace and unity
Of love and hope

You and I
Living each day
In the delight of each other’s present
Yielding subtly and steady
To the lure of
Of unending love.

©

He Came To Stay

Isaiah 9:6 6 For unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given; and the government shall be upon His shoulder. And His name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, The Mighty God, The Everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.

Mathew 1:2  Isaiah 7:14: therefore the virgin will conceive and bear a son and he shall be called Immanuel "God with Us",

The phrase 'it came to Pass' is used 456 times in the King James Bible. What does it mean? To me it means an expectation of some sort, a desire which was anticipated which eventually became a reality and is now in the past, but also lives with us in the present.

This phrase reminds me of the Christmas story, Isaiah prophesied about the birth of our saviour, he did not just used nice words, but he declared what the Saviour will be and do. 

In Mathew the angel Gabriel appeared to Mary and told her what would come to pass. That she will be the mother to the Saviour of the world.  The Angels words fulfilled Isaiah's prophecy,  indeed, came to pass when Jesus was born. 

During his time on earth as a man he indeed was a wonderful counsellor, he counsel the tax collector, a man who had been dishonest in his dealings with others. Jesus sat down with him and had a straight talk about his attitude. Jesus was a counsellor to his disciples, he brought peace and hope to Mary and Mattar, when Lazarus died. He restored peace on the high seas while in the boat and out of the boat. 

He also brought peace to many heart by his very presence and the healing he performed. 

Today Jesus is with us in our hearts. He promised not to leave us and we as Christians can tell of His presence in our lives. He's indeed God with us. 

God with us, guiding, directing and helping us here on earths journey till we meet him in heavens shores.

This Christmas we celebrate God with us, now and every day. 

With us, in us, by us his presence so great

His person so real, 

In love birthed 

My Saviour my God, 

No other can rival 

Merry Christmas 

Reaching Out

I reach out when I am wrong and when I am in the right: I do this for several reasons one of which is to maintain a relationship, if I think the relationship is worth maintaining. The other is to keep the peace. I read some where that it takes a mature soul to extend a hand of truce even when they are right.

I have often wondered why people insist on destroying a good relationship because they feel they’ve been wrongly done by. Even if you are in the right and someone has wronged you, if the relationship is one that was previously healthy, you can reach out even if you think you are the one who has been wronged.

I think a lot of the problem we face today in our world can be resolved if people are willing to say I am sorry, I was wrong, or just simply apologise just to make amends and keep a friend or a make a friend out of a foe. (no, we don’t want to be though fools, we have to get even, show them who we are).

But no, we insist on our own, we want apologise and the worse thing is that even when we get an apology we just can’t be bothered because we often have made up our minds as to how we want the relationships.

I can happily say I have good friends in my life and regardless of who is wrong or right I have decided to always extend a hand of reconciliation if there is a disagreement. Sadly some of those I call friends have bit off my hand by ignoring my hand of peace, either by refusing to acknowledge it or say point blank that they’ll rather not continue the relationship.. I admire the second group of people because they are bold enough to speak their mind, (/Sadly no one actually fall into this group, most fall into the first category).

Do you fall in the first category, I huge you be bold and speak your mind. If you want to end a relationship say so, directly, not in riddles, but I’ll rather you reach out and give a hand of hope, love, and reconciliation no matter what.. Especially if you feel the relationship is worth it.
Now, you may have some good reasons to want to opt out, do so, but not with malice. Who knows where you may be in years to come. If you end a friendship so easily then it didn’t mean anything to you in the first place, regardless of our reasons. Ending a relationship should be like breaking up a marriage, difficult and with so much pain. Yes people go through divorce, but I don’t think it is an easy decision, no matter the reason for doing so.

What happened to turning the other cheek if you are slapped? Being a peacemaker, being merciful, being meek…….

If we truly seek peace and pursue it, half the world's problem will be resolve.

So straight from my heart is this peace encouraging you to
Reach out whenever, wherever, however,
Take a turn of love when all else fails,
Walk the path which leads to peace

Reach out even when you are right and when you are wrong
Spun your heart to the object of your affection and be all that’s noble
Be decent in thought for within lies eternal joy, peace and life

In moments of pain reach out,
As a flower bloom, and gloom fills the glove,
Be the glow that puts light back on

Reach out to a child in need, a friend who stays away
A hurting mother
A wronged sister
An absent father
An unforgiving brother
A Stray husband
When everything fails draw strength from one who reached out to you when you where still in sin and died for you.
Reach out for in extending your hand, you may ignite hope in one who is tasty for hope and desperate for love. Reach out.

Joyful Always

I recently spent a few days with one of my good friends, we did many things together, we went out we joked, we played, and we prayed, we ate, we talked, it was awesome. I didn’t want to leave after the weekend we had. I enjoy times like this spent with VGFs. (very good friends)
Days after I returned, I was full of life, happy, and just generally felt good about myself, partly due to the fact that I was away for a couple of days and spent time relaxing with someone whose company I enjoy.

This got me thinking: Can it be this way always! Can I be joyful, happy and relax always? Maybe it can, maybe I can. Why can’t it be, if I spend time with my best friend in the whole world, my best friend who is also my dad, my help, my all in all: God my Father? Now imagine what it will be like to always talk with him, walk with him, share jokes with him, giggle with him, listen to him, cry to him, and unburden your heart to him: imagine what that will do to and for you. We can be joyful every minute of every day. It is possible, why? Because we will never leave his presence and in his presence there is fullness of Joy! He said his presence will go with us and he will give us rest.

I came away from the presence of my friend refreshed, this lasted for a couple of days (as all holiday does). Imagine, if I don’t have to leave the presence of the Joy Giver, it means I’ll be Joyful Always! I know, we cannot be happy, hippy all the time, that’s what we’ve been told and we’ve come to believe it. The main reason we are not always joyful is because we leave his presence and pursue our own agenda. We feel a temporal high from being with him and then we leave.

We associate our special prayer times and places of prayer with the presence of God. Often, we finishe praying, get up and carry on as usual, there’s subtle unconsciousness of we’ve finished, “now we can go about our business”, “we are leaving the presence” till our next “prayer time”. The presence of God should be with us everywhere we go, in, during and outside our specific prayer times and place. Staying in his presence is the only sure belt that we can be Joyful All The Time.

So with the help of the Holy Spirit, practise being in his presence all the time, every day. Find small ways of involving him in your daily activities. Stop and pray in the middle of work. Set little reminders to get you back into his presence and soon it’ll become second nature to you and you’ll find you are full of joy unspeakable All The Time.

So straight from my heart: I encourage you seek his presence more than his presents,
His presence brings peace which passes all understanding, peace in the mist of dire circumstances, which permeates the souls, unleashing it from the tangles of pain, sets it free to be joyful, Joy that trickles as an endless stream which flows from being with him, never ending, always abiding. Always a joy to be joyful always!

Rest In God

I’ve been thinking a lot about this sentence and what it means. Given the current state of the world’s economic, natural and man made disasters, personal turmoil, terminal illness, and difficult situations. Men’s heart fail because of the uncertainty they are faced with, we no longer know what it is like to rest in God. We’ve allowed circumstances within and without to upset our rest in God.

I’ve come to realise that rest in God is not something we achieve overnight. Mastering the habit of resting is a daily, minute by minute task as we are faced with life’s perplexing issues. Once mastered, we can become unshakeable in the face of difficult circumstances.

The rest of God releases us into God’s possibilities. It is only in resting that we are revived, restored and renewed.
How do we rest in God? You may ask, well start by immersing yourself in God’s word, rather than let your heart be troubled by what you read in the media, hear on the radio or see on TV or around you, let your heart be saturated by the truth in God’s word.

God’s word says let not your heart be troubled: are you troubled by the recession, the possibility of loosing your job, your home or your livelihood or your health? If this is the case, it means your reality is bigger than God’s possibility. When we are troubled by our reality, God’s word looses it hold and becomes insignificant if not applied to your reality: Resting means trusting in God regardless of the present and future outcome of whatever we are faced with, trust releases us into a place of calmness, it is in this place we can say like David, though I walk through the valley of shadow of death I will fear no evil. Only a heart of trust and rest can be in the valley of shadow of death and not fear.

God’s word says we are more than conquerors: Do you act that way? Do you see yourself as a conqueror in the face of your present circumstance? I do not know of anyone who is not currently facing some tough time right now, if you are not you may have at some point, if not, one is around the corner. It’s not a cause it’s just the simple fact of life. As one who has conquered, we should walk as victors even when we don’t see it in the physical. It is a done deal.

God’s word is full of wonderful promises, holding on to them releases us into His rest: we will still have trials and tribulations, there will still be cares which unsettles us, but being seated in Christ in Heavenly places means that we can ride through life’s storms anchored to Him:
Christ in us is our Hope of Glory, no matter what is happening right now, we may not be certain of the outcome of our situation, but we can be certain of a God who glorifies His Name in every circumstance we are faced with and works it out for our good.

So I say, enter into his rest, a place of quiet attest, where fear fails and cares are vanquished.
Strive brings discontent which comes with anxious thought of tomorrow’s toil,
Rest in his love, for it assures and releases us to trust
Let the quietness of being with him still your heart and release you to rest.
Enter into his rest, for it is only in resting we can truly abound unto every good works

Reflections.

Have you ever thought about sitting still and reflecting? Lately, I find myself reflecting more, I don’t know why, but I have found it helpful and I have had to let go of some issues I was holding on to.

It is hard not to notice when someone has done something to hurt us, it is hard to ignore a look with seemingly bad intent, and it is hard not to take revenge in our own way. For instance, if someone doesn’t call you or misses an event you’ve organised, our revenge may be to ignore them the next time we see them or be cold, and I think it gives us a certain satisfaction when we get even.

It is these little foxes, I’ve been dealing with lately and by God have I learnt. I’ve learnt that it is not what is done to us that matters, but how we react to what is done to us and also the next step in the process.

I can either hold on to a grudge or hurtful experience and have it eat away at me slowly or reflect over what I thought was wrong, make excuses for the person/persons involved and move on.
I have found the second alternative refreshing and liberating.

I use to think meditating, being quiet for a few minutes is daunting, being a very active and up and about person, I can hardly sit still for a minute, but now I’ve found ways to stop and be still.
I reflect when cleaning my home, walking to and from the station, when having a shower, just allowing the water to drip, I allow my thoughts to drift away and I reflect. The result, I am more at peace with myself and those around me.

So straight from my heart is this piece to encourage you to find time to sort out your thoughts, release yourself to the beauty of reflection, mediate on the wonders of you and nature and you will find strength to carry on.

I sit in silence pondering the meandering waves of the seas,and marvel at the birds and the whales.
Amidst the busyness of life and seas of wondering thoughts, my consciousness is restraint and stirred in the paths of quiet terrain.
A sweet reprieve I find in the stillness of time, reflecting on the goodness of nature and the wonders of the mind.
Strength I gain when I reflect on the wonders of God, and peace restored when in truth I release the clogs of dirt that blocked my mind.

Yesterday

My yesterday,
A shadow of my past

looms steadily over my future

yesterday a present and constant reminder of

all that might have been

of failures and under achievements.

Of regrets,
And wishes bore on the wings of despair.

Though failures abound in my yesterday

so too does success and pleasures.

But blinded by helplessness

I fail to see through the mist of despair

to the beauty that abounds in yesterday.

Then hope was reborn

in the warmth of my lover's arms
He secures me from the mistakes of yesterday
From the hurt, pain and regrets of a blighted past

He becomes my rear guard

a guide through shrubs of difficulties

As he leads me into the future

not with haste

but with delightsome springs of assurance

though my yesterday may hold broken dreams

and irreversible blunders

one thing is sure

with his gentle guidance

I am assured of a certain future
Not tarnished by the dread of yesterday.

© Deboo January 2009.

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Best Laid Plans

What do you do when your plans fall through?

Do you throw in the towel and hang you head in despair?

Do you feel ashamed, angry and organise a pity party?

Do you feel the world and God have conspired to truncate your plans?

How do you think Mary and Joseph felt?

They were engaged to be married. Their plan was to settle down and have a small family and continue as "normal couple". Whatever that is.

Not only were their plans messed up, it felt like the whole world was against them, the king was after them, their families must have ostracise them. They may have asked themselves a thousand times Why God, why us? They didn't understand it then but later did.

Just like Mary and Joseph your plans for 2008 may have fallen through. Your dreams became your worse nightmare, you feel you’ve been badly messed up and you really can't understand what God is up to and you would love to understand. Some things that happen to us are not God's perfect plans for our lives, true. Things like Sickness, rape, injustice, war, hatred, e.t.c. these are not his perfect will. So when things are not going according to God's plan for our lives he changes our plans.

According to Rick Warren, when God changes our plan he is trying to do 3 things in our life

1. Get our attention. In our pain God speaks. Seek him through whatever you are going through and you will find him.

2. He has a better plan. He doesn't change your plans unless he has a better plan. Just as he did for Mary and Joseph -His is bigger, better and more rewarding than ours. It may be harder sometimes, but it is better. Mary and Joseph's plan turned out right after all and they later understood what God was up to. That is why we are here today celebrating God's perfect plan for Mary and Joseph's life.

3. He wants us to learn to seek and trust him through the changes. Seek him for his perfect plan for your life in 2009. If you are worried about 2009, anxious about the current economic situation or any other situation in your life, trust him to bring his best plan to pass for your life and our Nation. Seek him, not the solution to the problem or an explanation to the situation, but when you seek him for who he is as a saviour, he comes and brings with him the solution and explanation.

As you celebrate today, ponder in your heart the gift of God's dear son to us. Look to the future with hope and believe that in 2009 he will bring his perfect plan for your life to pass. I urge you to seek his plan for your life and not your plan for your life because his plans are the best laid plans.

My will for yours given in surrender

My choices for what you choose letting go of self

My desires for what you want only your best will do

Lord my everything for all of you.
© Deboo December 2008

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Storms!

In recent weeks, we’ve listened to the forecast of storms around the coast of the American, Cuba and the shores of the West Indies and the devastation hurricane “Ike” and “Hanna” left in the Caribbean islands, the floods in the shores of India and the Asia regions. I was fascinated by the forecast as reporter after reporter bombarded us with the dreaded news of what is to come. I understand they have to report the news to make those residents of New Orleans who think they can ride out the storm think again. And did it worked! by the time the storm came New Orleans was a ghost town!

The hurricane gathered momentum and strengthens hence it is classified as category 1 which is less severe, category 2 becomes a state of alertness, category 3, which is definitely a killer hurricane and category 4 which means ……. Just think of the “Tsunami” and Hurricane “Kathrin”.

Reminds me of the storms we go through in life…. The onset of problems and issues in our lives is category 1, we feel a little discomfort, mutter a few prayers, as the problems persist and increases, we sit up and take notice category 2, and then it gathers momentum when all that can wrong begin to go wrong, bills become over due, teenage children become uncontrollable, job on the line, marriage break down, sickness strikes, friends desert us, this can be classed as category 3 “Severe” and then disaster strikes, sickness and diseases ravages, house repossessed, and all hell breaks loose, category 4….. All the while you may have been praying, fasting, calling on fellow brothers and sisters to uphold you, as you recognise you need divine intervention.

During this time our faith may be shaken, you may find yourself questioning your faith, or lack of it, you may repent over and over again of sins of the past, present and future. And until the hurricane subsides, you will go through series of emotional turmoil. It is hard to remain positive, optimistic and hopeful during such times, no matter how hard we try, but our faithful master gently stirs us safely to the shores of peaceful calm. When the tide has ended, and we look around the devastation there was, we will indeed see his hand and smile knowing that he “kept us” in the mist of it all.

So “Straight from my heart” is this piece, to encourage you whatever situation represents a hurricane in your life right now” hang in there the tide will turn, calm will be restored and with it, hope renewed in the knowledge of his love.

Fog so dense, obscuring view from beneath
Signs splash across the skies as hope fade,
Storms gather above as a deluge of rain is forecast.
At its appearing,
It washed off all in its path,
Of ferocious winds, gathering strength in its wake,
The signs are real,
The prospects are sure,
Fear instilled in the hearts of frail men.
But then, fog disappear, storm become calmer,
As the dizzyingly rain frizzles out,
Hope restored and vision becomes brighter.
As we dream again amidst the aftermath of the onslaught of rain.

© Deboo September 2008.

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Relief

Melodious songs of summer
Spring forth from the shores.....

Beds of pure blue seas
Spread across a thousand miles.....

Sparrows make a wimper
As the dusk of day appear

Soothing calm of peace beckcons
Beyond the grey of a cold winter's bay.

Now the rain is ended,
Cracks appear in the skies

Of the colours of promises
Of rainbrows, that assure of peace

Now the drops are few, but it's clear and sweet as honey
For now the rain is over

Creatures come out of their nest
With a glow so bright
From the torrential pour

Feeling a freshness of being replenished
from the dought that once was.

© Deboo August 2008.

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Another World

Still on the theme of “our world”, I want to introduce you to a world I desire to live in some day. I know it is not believed by many, but it does exist, because I personally do not believe that this is as good as it gets! There is something better, more beautiful and peaceful that our current world. So here’s my piece on "another world", straight from my heart.


A world not seen
But often talked about
Referred to in phrases

A world that signifies peace, abundance, love, serenity and fulfilment
Yet, claim by many to be none existent

A world beyond now, too wonderful to grasp
Too remote to fathom
Is a world called heaven

Its streets are paved with gold
Its light of glistering sliver, made so by the maker.

A world where no ill will dwells,
Where war ceases, sorrow lay bare and cares are vanquished

Some claim to live it here on earth….
Nay, not so! For earth is
Riddle with pain and injustice
Earth, few truly experience pure wealth and bliss.

But in this world I talk about
All who will live there will experience
Unexplained and uncontained joy, love and peace.
Its pleasures will be
Lived by all
Tasted by all
Enjoyed by all
This world, is not comparable to earth’s greatest and finite riches
In this world there will be, no dawning of day
For there will be no night there.

© Deboo March 2008.