Worry is a Thief, Fight the Good Fight, Love One Another...
I'm home sick today. I've had a busting sinus headache since Monday and it finally got the best of me. Heading to CVS in a bit to sign my life away for some Sudafed and get my 100-mile long receipt. When I got up this morning at 5am to get ready for work (have I mentioned I'm not a fan of summer hours?) I immediately knew something wasn't right when I leaned violently to the left. Thankfully my room is a piled up mess right now so instead of just falling down I pinballed my way to the bathroom. Apparently, this sinus mess has made its way to my inner ear. This happens a few times a year and there's nothing to be done about it but decongest and try not to move my head suddenly. So, I took a sick day...as if I have any of those left at this point! Yep, apparently, my sarcasm is indeed fully intact today though. Sorry in advance.
This past week I gave in to worry again. I noticed my collar bone is sore. Now, of course, for most people you just think, oh I strained a muscle or I bumped it on something...whatever. But for me, and I suppose for the rest of my life, I immediately think, what if it's cancer. So, I messaged my Doctor who decided an x-ray would put our minds at ease. I had my x-ray Tuesday afternoon and Wednesday morning got the message that it was normal. Hallelujah! It is most likely scar tissue, caused by my port surgery and/or radiation. I didn't even think of that. The catheter from my chemo port I had in my upper chest was weaved under my collar bone in the same area where I am sore. I have a lot of scar tissue that can be felt through the skin there and most likely around and under my collar bone. I can deal with that. But this brings to light something you may not realize about anyone who has fought cancer or any other chronic illness. The fight is never over but worry is a thief, and that is not where my focus needs to be.
When you think about it, we all have a fight to fight. Yours may not be cancer. It might be depression, or a chronic illness, a phobia, loneliness or bitterness. Whatever your fight, the answer to doing battle is simple. Keep your eyes on God. There is absolutely nothing He cannot do. When you stare fear & death in the face as someone who has accepted Christ's gift of salvation, you know that in the end, whether you survive your earthly battle or not, you WIN. Because once you leave this earth behind, you will walk into His arms and be surrounded by His love forever. I'm not ready to leave here yet, but when I do, I know where I'm headed. Do you?
For now, He still has work for me to do here on this Earth. Using the gifts and talents He has given me to point more people to Christ. To show more people how much He loves them & wants them to accept the gift of eternal life He offers to everyone who believes & trusts in Him. No matter what they've done. No matter who they are. No. Matter. What.
Which leads me to my next point...
There is so much negativity about "Christians" in the media today. They always seem to focus on the ones who promote judgment and in the process, hate. To God, sin is sin. He's not like us. He doesn't have levels of sin that are worse than others. It's just sin, and sin separates us from Him. That's why He sent Jesus to die for our sins...ALL of them, and even once we accept that gift we don't magically stop sinning. It's not possible for a human to be perfect. We will still goof up. We will still sin. The difference is, our sins are forgiven & our eternity secure. That's not a license to go out and sin all we want though, knowing we are forgiven. We may be forgiven, but we are not free from the consequences of sin here on Earth. It is not our job to judge other's sin. It is our job to show them God's love & forgiveness. He will judge their sins. Who are we to think we can when we are just as guilty? Who are we to hold a grudge or hatred for someone in our hearts when God has freely forgiven us? It's humbling to think about, isn't it?
Repeat after me...Worry is a Thief. Keep Fighting the Good Fight. Love One Another.
Love,
Amy
Today's Prayer Requests:
Today's Verses:
This past week I gave in to worry again. I noticed my collar bone is sore. Now, of course, for most people you just think, oh I strained a muscle or I bumped it on something...whatever. But for me, and I suppose for the rest of my life, I immediately think, what if it's cancer. So, I messaged my Doctor who decided an x-ray would put our minds at ease. I had my x-ray Tuesday afternoon and Wednesday morning got the message that it was normal. Hallelujah! It is most likely scar tissue, caused by my port surgery and/or radiation. I didn't even think of that. The catheter from my chemo port I had in my upper chest was weaved under my collar bone in the same area where I am sore. I have a lot of scar tissue that can be felt through the skin there and most likely around and under my collar bone. I can deal with that. But this brings to light something you may not realize about anyone who has fought cancer or any other chronic illness. The fight is never over but worry is a thief, and that is not where my focus needs to be.
When you think about it, we all have a fight to fight. Yours may not be cancer. It might be depression, or a chronic illness, a phobia, loneliness or bitterness. Whatever your fight, the answer to doing battle is simple. Keep your eyes on God. There is absolutely nothing He cannot do. When you stare fear & death in the face as someone who has accepted Christ's gift of salvation, you know that in the end, whether you survive your earthly battle or not, you WIN. Because once you leave this earth behind, you will walk into His arms and be surrounded by His love forever. I'm not ready to leave here yet, but when I do, I know where I'm headed. Do you?
For now, He still has work for me to do here on this Earth. Using the gifts and talents He has given me to point more people to Christ. To show more people how much He loves them & wants them to accept the gift of eternal life He offers to everyone who believes & trusts in Him. No matter what they've done. No matter who they are. No. Matter. What.
Which leads me to my next point...
There is so much negativity about "Christians" in the media today. They always seem to focus on the ones who promote judgment and in the process, hate. To God, sin is sin. He's not like us. He doesn't have levels of sin that are worse than others. It's just sin, and sin separates us from Him. That's why He sent Jesus to die for our sins...ALL of them, and even once we accept that gift we don't magically stop sinning. It's not possible for a human to be perfect. We will still goof up. We will still sin. The difference is, our sins are forgiven & our eternity secure. That's not a license to go out and sin all we want though, knowing we are forgiven. We may be forgiven, but we are not free from the consequences of sin here on Earth. It is not our job to judge other's sin. It is our job to show them God's love & forgiveness. He will judge their sins. Who are we to think we can when we are just as guilty? Who are we to hold a grudge or hatred for someone in our hearts when God has freely forgiven us? It's humbling to think about, isn't it?
Repeat after me...Worry is a Thief. Keep Fighting the Good Fight. Love One Another.
Love,
Amy
Today's Prayer Requests:
- Pray for continued strength to fight the good fight for me and for those who are currently fighting their own battles.
- Pray for peace of mind and continued reliance on God's provision for me and for those who are currently struggling.
- Pray that God would give me the ability to show His love to everyone I meet, no matter what the circumstances.
- Please pray for my Grandmother & my Mom as she cares for her.
Today's Verses:
1 Peter 3:8-9 Easy-to-Read Version (ERV)
8 So all of you should live together in peace. Try to understand each other. Love each other like brothers and sisters. Be kind and humble.9 Don’t do wrong to anyone to pay them back for doing wrong to you. Or don’t insult anyone to pay them back for insulting you. But ask God to bless them. Do this because you yourselves were chosen to receive a blessing.
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