Sometimes Our Only Solution is to STOP!

The morning began like any other with rampant thoughts driving across the synapses of my brain...Lunches need packed. Joshua needs help with his schooling. Sommer needs encouraged. Courtney needs to get her driver's license. Greg needs to know just how incredibly valuable he is to me. Conferences in three states need planned along with 2 more leader lunches, in two separate states, next month. A new dear friend is coming for coffee. The floors need mopped. The Media kits need finalized. The agenda for this evening needs revisited...

AGHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!! Sometimes, I just want to scream..........Stop already! JUST STOP!

But, hey! That's it! The key to life (for me each morning) is to S.T.O.P!!!

• Seek. Matthew 6:33-34, "But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. 34 Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own." (NIV) For me, SEEKING produces SURRENDER which produces HOPE which results in my FREEDOM. My steps are ordered by the Lord. He is with me. Remembering WHO I serve lifts the heavy weights that tend to try to crush me.
• Trust. Psalm 37:5-7, "Commit your way to the LORD; TRUST in him and he will do this: He will make your righteousness shine like the dawn, the justice of your cause like the noonday sun. Be still before the LORD and wait patiently for him." (NIV) WHEW! When I trust in my abilities I get overwhelmed. When I stand before my GIANTS and compare their size with mine...it's overwhelming. But...When I trust in God. When I remember the cross. When I think about His power...my giants become ants when compared with GOD! Not only is God able...but HE LOVES ME! His word will not return void. He will accomplish ALL that HE has PROMISED!!!
• Obey. John 15:10-11, "If you obey my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have obeyed my Father's commands and remain in his love. I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete. (NIV) Obedience produces JOY, FREEDOM, and LIFE. Why? Because our life is not our own anymore. We don't have accomplish and achieve. We simply need to obey and follow. The results are His. The responsibility of the outcome--HIS ALONE! To me, that brings incredible freedom and life.
• Pray. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-24, "Be joyful always; PRAY continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus. Do not put out the Spirit's fire; do not treat prophecies with contempt. Test everything. Hold on to the good. Avoid every kind of evil. May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. The one who calls you is faithful and he will do it." (NIV) Prayer is powerful. It changes us. It invites God to do the miraculous. Prayer brings sweet fellowship. It's the place where God silences all my fears with His Presence.

So, if you feel overwhelmed by your to do lists. If your mind is consumed with fears. If your giants constantly bombard you with accusations of inferiority and imminent doom...

I encourage you to S.T.O.P!