Tough Times

It's difficult sometimes, isn't it, to be able to see things

with spiritual eyes, and watch what is going on in our great nation?
It can be downright scary, right?

I have had to ask my hubby if we could decrease the amount of

"news" that we watch or listen to, because I found myself getting

too stirred up by hearing or seeing the same ickiness time and time again.

In God's Word, He tells us repeatedly to "be strong, and of good courage".

He also tells us that HE has overcome the world.

Do our attitudes and actions show that we believe Him?

                                         

 Do we take Him at His word?

I can say that I do as much as I possibly can, and

for the rest, I ask Him to increase my belief.

If I find myself getting pulled down, overwhelmed with concern,

worry or fear about things I have no control over,

 I begin to capture those thoughts before

I grant them any more power to control me,

and I replace them with scripture verses!

A few I love are...

The Lord is my Light and my salvation, whom shall I fear?
Ps 27:1
~~~~~

For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power

and of love and of a sound mind.  2Timothy 1:7

~~~~~

These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you

may have peace.  In the world you will have
tribulation, but be of good cheer {take courage}

I have overcome the world.  John 16:33 

~~~~~

Before I know it, I am singing praise songs

and am full of the joy of the Lord!

I absolutely love experiencing the victory over

wrong thinking!  No, I still mess up and let my thoughts

get the best of me, but, praise God, I am getting better all the time!!

Blessings to you all!

So glad you stopped by!

Splash some of your joy around this week!

Hugs,

Becky

Showers of Grace

Hi Sweet Friends!

Hope you're enjoying a wonderful weekend,

and that God is just blessing your socks off!

He's been doing a little reckoning with me.

You know, I always want Him to be in control,

yet sometimes I hop in the driver's seat, and

just go for spin!!

And even if nothing goes terribly wrong, I still

just come up empty and feel out of sync.

Well, that is because I AM out of sync.

I'm out of sync with Him and the leading

of His Holy Spirit.

When we take the wheel of our lives,

even if only in seemingly small decisions,

we are exalting ourselves, and that is never good.

God resists the proud,

But gives grace to the humble.
James 4:6

Pride says,  "I can do this.  I can take 
the wheel."  

It exalts us and not Him.

{flower photos via forestwander.com}

I don't know about you, but I want

God's grace all over me!!

Literally, showers of grace
raining down on me...
constantly.

So, when I read in James, Cleanse your hands, you sinners,

and purify your hearts, you double-minded,

I knew He was speaking
straight.  to.  me.

Forgive me Lord, for the times when I don't

seek your leading, and pridefully go my own way.

In my heart I know nothing good comes from it,

yet still I'm prone to wander.

Purify my heart, and strengthen me to seek

and do Your will ONLY.

Then I will experience pure grace,

mercy, love, joy and hope!!

Showers of grace,

rain down on me!

May His grace be with you,
lovely friends!

Hugs and prayers for a wonderful week!

Becky

My Heart's Desire

Hi and welcome to One Joyful Soul!

It is my hope and heart's desire that 

you will find encouragement, hope, beauty,

inspiration, and joy here!

This blog is intended to be a sort

of sanctuary, a place of quietness

and inspiration, and not a place

to debate what I believe.

I welcome your kind and thoughtful
comments and questions,
and will answer them to the best of my ability.

and yes...

{He makes all things beautiful in His time.}
Ecclesiastes 3:11

Do you know that when God says "all", He
really means "ALL"?

Is there anything in your life today that
is looking a bit messy and unmanageable?
Overwhelming?

I know there is in mine.
{I am a work in progress, you know?}

God wants to come alongside you, and walk
with you through it, and bring you out of it into
beauty and rest.

Just chat with Him.
He is available 24/7 with no waiting line!
He knows all about it already,
and has been waiting for you to ask
for His help.  He is the perfect gentleman and
doesn't push Himself on you.

A two word phrase that I love...
just trust.

☺

I will be praying for you and all who visit

One Joyful Soul.

I look forward with delight

to getting to know you,

and to sharing the wonder
of God's amazing grace .

May your day be filled with

gentle blessings,
Hugs,

Becky