Everyone goes through hard times, at different times and for different reasons. Jesus even told us we would have troubles in this life (John 16:33). Maybe for you, something happened that you weren’t expecting. Maybe you’re confused as to what God is doing in your life. Maybe for whatever reason, things are just plain hard.
But the Lord said to Samuel, “Do not look on his appearance or on the height of his stature, because I have rejected him. For the Lord sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart.” 1 Samuel 16:7
Hannah Kerr, famed singer/songwriter of 'Warrior' (below) and 'Ordinary,' is anything but ordinary. She wears her faith on her sleave, trusts God with her whole heart, and uses the gifts God's given her by encouraging young women all over the globe.
Instagram can easily be a sinister app that can consume our every spare moment if we let it. It is designed to be highly addictive and to keep you consuming its content for as long as possible which ultimately results in more advertising dollars for Facebook (which has owned Instagram since 2012). While there is nothing inherently wrong with using the app and while it has many benefits, it is important for our well-being and peace of mind to keep our usage in check.
Let’s go back a few years together. I was 14 years old, and I’d just lost 50 lbs in a matter of a couple months for no reason other than I'd basically stopped eating. I knew exactly how many calories I was eating at all times, I skipped social gathers where I knew I would be tempted to overindulge, I was in the gym every single day (slightly dizzy, but you better believe I was going to be there). I was consumed with my body image, and then I remember one day looking in the mirror and weighing myself. I was 5 ft. 10 in and 110 pounds. It freaked me out!
About a month ago, five friends of mine and I traveled to Peru. We had this trip planned for months and could not wait to see Macchu Piccu and explore the country. Coworkers would say things like “Good luck getting back” and “I would not go if I was you”. I’m someone who does not choose to live in fear, someone who wants to think positively, and I did not get absorbed into the panic. At the time we were leaving, there was 1 reported case of coronavirus in Peru. It was safer to be there than in the United States, or so I thought.
Jealousy: A third party, a rival, competing for, stealing something that is or should have been yours.
“Love thy neighbors,” scripture says. (Mark 12:31) It’s instinctual for us to think of community and togetherness.
Hugs. Handshakes. “Healing high-fives” -- as my husband would say.
But, in times like these (amidst the coronavirus), how do you express that love to others? When tragedy has spread to every corner of our world and our only solution is separation and isolation -- how do we still love others?
I remember the weight of responsibility that I felt when the doctor handed me my newborn babies so many years ago. I had suddenly become responsible for the physical and emotional well-being of a tiny human! I had collected so many thoughts over the years about what I wanted to do and didn’t want to do when I became a mom, those quiet, mental, vows that I’d made to myself of things I would never do and ways that I didn’t want my children to ever feel. To a certain extent, I could control some of those things.
We all have busy lives. People pulling us in all directions. Children, husbands, family, churches and friends all needing us in one way or the other. As women especially, we feel the need to always meet the needs of those around us. It’s in our nature, and while I am thankful for it, it can be exhausting and draining. We seem to forget about ourselves in the process and who we are tends to get buried into the needs of others.