by wendy | Apr 23, 2020 | Encouragement, Encouragement For Your Heart, Focus on God, Prayer, Trusting God
“Things Above” Artwork by Wendy Custer www.cornercopiafarmandstudio.com
Why is it that my mind never chooses peace? Instead, it chooses to think the worst, wrestle with fear and doubt, and grasp for control. Peace does not come naturally – I must pursue it!
“The mind governed by the flesh is death, but the mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace.”
Romans 8:6
Paul uses the word govern to describe 2 mindsets – the mind set on the flesh (self, human nature, sinful desires) and the mind set on the Spirit (godly thinking). Where we choose to focus, there will our thoughts follow. James 4 tells us that fights and quarrels among people comes from the desires that battle within us, so it should not surprise us that those desires also keep peace from our minds.
The key to pursuing peace is to choose which mindset I will allow to govern or rule in my mind. In Colossians we are told to “Set your minds on things above.” (v. 2) and to “Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts.” (v. 15) Both of these directions begin with words that imply it is up to us to change our minds, but this change requires divine intervention and the power of God.
How can we pursue this power?
First Pray
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.”
Philippians 4:6
Instead of submitting to anxiety, we submit our thoughts and concerns to God, inviting Him to intervene with His power and peace. This is a choice – an action designed to turn us from the powerlessness of ourselves to placing our trust in the all-powerful God. In response to this trust, God gives us His peace – confidence in His power and rest for our anxious minds.
“And the peace of God which transcends all understanding will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.”
Philippians 4:7
Second Change what you think about.
“Whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable – if anything is excellent or praiseworthy – think about such things.”
Philippians 4:8
Once we have submitted our thoughts to God in prayer and He has given us peace, we have another step to follow. We must change our minds by moving our focus from fear to faith. When we choose to partner with him through prayer, He will stand guard and keep the anxious thoughts from sabotaging our peace, but we must continue to partner with Him – not allowing those thoughts to sneak in the back door. We must be steadfast to walk in that trust.
“You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast because they trust in you.”
Isaiah 26:3
A steadfast mind chooses to return to God over and over, trusting that He can do all He says He will do. This takes practice – training our minds to to think godly thoughts – preaching to ourselves. And when we train, we become strong.
“In repentance and rest is your salvation, in quietness and trust is your strength.”
Isaiah 30:15
Peace can prevail in our minds when we continually turn to prayer and change our focus. Trouble will continue to come, difficulty will always find us, but Peace wins out when we trust in the Lord and never cease to pray.
“Surely the righteous will never be shaken … They will have no fear of bad news; their hearts are steadfast, trusting in the LORD. Their hearts are secure, they will have no fear.”
Psalm 112:6-8
by wendy | Apr 2, 2020 | Encouragement, Encouragement For Your Heart, Focus on God, Trusting God
God is constantly at work in my life – and in yours – whether we are aware or not. He is present in the sermons I listen to, the Scripture I read, the songs I hear, the people that encourage me, and in the circumstances of my every day. If I simply coast through my days without paying attention I am likely to miss what He is doing, but if I am intentional about connecting the dots I can begin to see a pattern. Journaling is the key to following the path of His encouragement.
Listed below are 3 journal prompts I use every week to connect the dots:
1. Where have you seen God at work?
Reflect back through the week to see where God has been at work. What prayers were answered? What issues were resolved? What blessings were received? What opportunities to serve came up? Look specifically for God’s protection, provision, and presence.
“My Father is alway at his work to this very day, and I too am working.”
John 5:17
2. What has God taught you through His Word?
Take notes during sermons – we have an incredible opportunity to attend any church we want online during this pandemic, but be certain you are “attending” Bible-preaching churches. Underline specific verses in your devotional and Bible Study. Record verses that jump out to you on social media. Pay close attention to any Scripture that comes up in your week.
“For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.”
Hebrews 4:12
3. What other resources has God used to speak to you?
Think beyond your normal “spiritual activities” of the week. Besides church, Bible Study, and prayer, what else has God used to speak to you this week? God is not limited to any resource, and while we should not put too much stock in any one thing (other than the Bible) God often speaks through other people and our circumstances. We often don’t recognize God in these things until we see them in context of what else He is teaching us.
“To whom can I speak and give warning? Who will listen to me?”
Jeremiah 6:10
Each one of these “God touches” is a point on a path that He is leading us along. When we write these things down, we can be more intentional about connecting the dots and following the path of His encouragement.
by wendy | Mar 30, 2020 | Encouragement, Encouragement For Your Heart, Focus on God, Trusting God
I have always been fascinated with the way trees grow toward the light. Trees were created to adjust and grow in whatever way they need survive and thrive- and so are we.
This year has been a season of pivoting for me – adjusting to change, preparing for a new adventure. I sensed it coming and began to turn – slowly and gradually like a tree growing to the light. I wasn’t really clear about what the changes meant, but I journaled along the way. Now, looking back through my notes, I am just beginning to see a pattern of points that hint at God’s plan for me – a lightly beaten path worn through the thicket that seems to lead in particular direction. Reading my own journal provides a light of encouragement – and I am inclined to grow towards that light.
The world seems to be changing daily right now and we need to know how to adjust so we can survive and thrive. Here are 3 Ways to Grow Toward the Light:
- Look for Patterns of Light in your life. If you are not already journaling, you are limiting the opportunity to see patterns of God at work. For the last year, I have devoted one day a week to looking back at the week before and answering some assessment questions for myself. One of the most valuable questions has been, “Where have you see God at work this week?” This practice has been instrumental in my season of pivoting. At times though, my journaling is simply a list of things that happened each day scribbled in my planner. Social media posts, text messages to friends and family, and even the schedule in your calendar can all serve as journaling as well. Spend some time looking back through your journals, posts, messages, and calendar to see if you notice any patterns of God’s involvement in your life – this is light! Establish a practice of reflecting on those patterns and writing them down.
“He reveals deep and hidden things; he knows what lies in darkness, and light dwells with him.”
Daniel 2:22
- Become familiar with the Source of Light. In John 8:12 Jesus said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” The best way to follow Jesus is to get to know him by reading the Bible. God will never ask you to pivot or adjust in any way opposite from his word – He does not change even when the world is changing drastically every day. The enemy will try to distract us by disguising himself as an “angel of light” (2 Corinthians 11:14); we need to be alert so we are not tricked by the devil’s schemes (Ephesians 6:11).
“God made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of God’s glory displayed in the face of Christ.”
2 Corinthians 4:6
- Pay attention When You Cannot See the Light. Opposition does not always mean that you are not in God’s will. In fact, we will often face difficulty when we are moving in the right direction, but we need discernment to understand if we are being discouraged by the enemy or disciplined by God. Perhaps one of the most well-known adjustments in the Bible is Saul to Paul – pivoting from persecuting Christians to becoming one of the apostles and greatest evangelists. God sent a blinding light to take away Saul’s sight in order to cause him to open his eyes to the calling God had on his life. In Acts 26:18, Jesus announced, “I am sending you to them to open their eyes and turn them from darkness to light.” Though Paul could not see with his physical eyes during that time, the light of Christ shone brightly to lead Paul as he adjusted. In moments when we feel we cannot see the light, we need to press in even more.
“I will lead the blind by ways they have not known, along unfamiliar paths I will guide them; I will turn the darkness into light before them and make the rough places smooth.”
Isaiah 42:16
These days may seem dark and full of fear. In order to adjust – to survive and thrive – we must always turn to the light and grow!
by wendy | Mar 26, 2020 | Encouragement, Encouragement For Your Heart, Focus on God, Godly Relationships
“Like cold water to a weary soul is good news from a distant land.”
Proverbs 25:25
I stumbled onto this proverb the other day when I was looking up the passage for my earlier post about living on the corner of the roof. The reference to a distant land struck me immediately as the new term “social distancing” has become a part of the world’s recent vocabulary. Suddenly, in this particular time, the neighbors house is a distant land, our friend’s homes are distant lands, our co-workers live in a distant land – everywhere beyond our own front porch is distant. But that distance shouldn’t stop us from sharing good news!
There are so many weary souls today. As routines change, jobs become non-essential, supplies become scarce and so do our patience, everyone could use some good news. It might seem difficult to think of any good news to share, but if we can look beyond our circumstances of the moment we will find the good news to be plentiful!
I am inspired as I see friends using their gifts this week to share good news in many ways – here are a few ideas for us all to share:
“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God. For just as the sufferings of Christ overflow to us, so also through Christ our comfort overflows.”
2 Corinthians 1:3-5
I love the way this version describes our comfort as overflowing. When we have experienced the comfort that God offers, we can’t help but want to share that comfort with others. This is especially true when we have a similar suffering. We may all have a unique set of circumstances, but right now, they are still framed by separation from others and the economic consequences of a national shutdown. We can offer comfort because we understand – we are experiencing the same trouble.
What comfort can you share with a weary soul today?
“These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full.”
John 15:11
Jesus certainly knew that his words of God’s love and remaining in that love would bring us joy. We can also share our joy – the joy of remaining in God’s love – and when we do, we can expect that our joy will spill over onto others. Joy is contagious and it is not based on circumstances. With God’s love, we can have joy in spite of our circumstances.
What joy can you share with a weary soul today?
“Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope, in the power of the Holy Spirit.”
Romans 15:13
When we are filled with the joy and peace of God, our hope is for more than this world. Even as everything we know in this life is changing daily, we can have hope that all is well eternally. If I hope for today, that is good, but temporary. If I hope for eternity, then that hope carries me through today – and tomorrow – and every day. I have that hope and I want to share it with the world because that, my friends, is the best news!
What hope can you share with a weary soul today?
In a practical sense, please do not think that your gifts are useless in this time. My friends are sharing music, exercise, reading, teaching, photos, and so much more. There is room for everyone to share – there is no limit to the need for encouragement! As is often said in our Hope*writers group, “You have something to share and the world needs to hear it!” – even if shared from a distance.
by wendy | Mar 23, 2020 | Encouragement, Encouragement For Your Heart, Focus on God, Trusting God
Last spring and summer became seasons of storms – literal storms. It seemed like every week brought severe thunderstorms with thunder and lightening and damaging winds. A frequent activity during that time included standing at the window watching the clouds rolling in and the leaves whipping with gusts that threatened to topple trees and sever power lines. We feared losing the old trees in our yard – particularly those that could fall on our house – and with good cause as one of our largest trees became uprooted in one such disturbance. The power of each storm ushered in a wave of fear with the realization of my own powerlessness, but there was also a certain level of assurance as I watched from the safety of my home. Though I know that my home could sustain damage from the storm, I also trusted that it would shelter me through it – ultimately I felt safe.
A Different Kind of Storm..
This spring brings a different kind of storm. Though the weather is calm, the pandemic we are living through has not been so unlike a severe storm rolling through. As the edge of the dark cloud approached, we had warning of something menacing, but many of us did not anticipate the widespread threat this virus would bring to everyone and everything we know. As uncertain as life feels at this time, we need to run to the shelter that will sustain us!
A Lesson for Them – and Us…
I am reminded of the lesson Jesus’s disciples learned as they experienced a storm. Mark 4 tells the story of Jesus and the disciples in a boat in the middle of the Sea of Galilee. Jesus, exhausted from a long day of ministry, slept through the whipping wind and furious waves while the other men in the boat worried. When they finally woke him, their words echo what I might be tempted to feel even today. “Teacher, don’t you care if we drown?” (Mark 4:38)
Even while I am entertaining the very same sentiment, I am also tempted to judge these men. If they only understood who their traveling companion really was, surely they would not have been afraid. Didn’t they know that God was in control? Couldn’t they see that Jesus was never in danger and, because they were with him, neither were they?
How Should We Respond?
Jesus response was to first calm the storm and then to question their faith. It is important to note that he was never suprised by the disciples’ fear. Instead, his question was to prompt them to consider what they really believed. Their reaction was to ask themselves the question we too must ask. “Who is this?” (Mark 4:41)
Truthfully, though today’s storm is full of real and tangible dangers – sickness, financial instability, shortage of supplies – another enemy is the lack of knowledge and fear of deceit. It is difficult to know who to trust and there is no shortage of false information and fear. The remedy for fear is trust and the antidote for deceit is truth. Thank God we have access to both! Ephesians 4:11-16 reminds us that we have been given people to equip us so that we can understand who God is.
“Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of people in their deceitful scheming.” Ephesians 4:14
We can know God – in fact he wants us know him (see Jeremiah 9:23-24) – and when we know him we can trust that he is able to do what he says he can do. Let us use this time – in the midst of the storm – to run to him and trust his power.
“The name of the LORD is a fortified tower; the righteous run to it and are safe. Proverbs 18:10
Here are some practical tips for weathering our current storm:
- There is a plethora of encouragement on the internet right now. Choose wisely (sound biblical teaching) but use the resources available to receive the encouragement you need – and pass it on. (1 Thessalonians 5:21)
- Read the Bible. Listening to teachers and preachers is valuable, but reading God’s Word yourself is the best way to gird yourself in truth. (Ephesians 6:14)
- Spend time in prayer. Pray for God’s wisdom and guidance, pray for the health and protection of your friends and family, pray for our nation and our world. (Philippians 4:6-7)
- Be an encouragement to others. Reach out – we have an opportunity to connect with people on a deeper level while we are without the distractions of our usual lives. (Hebrews 3:13)
- Look for God in every day and record where you see him at work. There is no better way to encourage yourself than to remind yourself of how God has shown up in your own life. (1 Samuel 30:6)
by wendy | Mar 16, 2020 | Encouragement, Encouragement For Your Heart, Focus on God, Trusting God
“Creek” by Wendy Custer Prints, Cards, Journals available at cornercopiafarmandstudio.com
It is an interesting time. The pandemic is causing a forced slowdown for everyone in some capacity. Many of us are used to our busy lives, and even though we sometimes complain and talk about slowing down, this is startling and unsettling for many. As a result, my family has returned to things we haven’t done in years. One of my favorite “new” routines is the walk we used to take to creek down the road. As we ventured there together yesterday, I was reminded of something I wrote during another slow down in my life. I hope it brings peace and hope into your life today.
The Still Place an excerpt from “A Cup of Encouragement” by Wendy Custer 2007
I walked the creek today. Normally, I am drawn to the places where I can hear the water tumbling over the stones. The noise of the water gurgling, trickling, rushing is a soothing sound to me. I enjoy watching the water find its way around the rocks, forming interesting patterns, carrying with it leaves and twigs. I like to observe what will make its way around the rocks and what will become trapped.
Today, though, I was drawn to a different place. I stopped at an area where the water was quiet, almost still, and for some reason it filled me with wonder. How can the same body of water be rushing before and rushing after, but in the middle be so quiet and almost not moving? The water seemed to form a pool, an oasis of peace in the midst of the busyness. There was no sound. Leaves gently floated instead of tumbling. There were no ripples. It made no sense. Shouldn’t the momentum of before push this water along at the same pace? Didn’t the motion further downstream have to come from this same water? It seemed to say that it is okay to stop and rest for a while. It is alright for life to virtually halt. Peace is good and natural. The busyness and excitement will return in due time.
I noticed that the place where the water was still and quiet was also deeper and clearer. The areas where the water rushed was often shallow, full of rocks, limbs, and other obstacles. Also, the movement of the water itself made it difficult to see below the surface.
In life I often prefer and gravitate towards the rushing water. I find the busyness of life – the patterns, the sounds, stimulating and exciting. But I wonder if it is the distraction that I enjoy most. As I have taken a sabbatical from my life lately, a quietness and stillness has naturally formed. It has been a bit frightening. To give up all of the rushing and the momentum, to be quiet and still, is to give up control. I have to trust that I will be given the opportunity to have that movement again. Am I moving now? Yes, I must be, just as that water in the still place was moving. However, it is a peaceful, contemplative moving with depth and clarity that is not possible in rushing water.
Now, when I get to a place of excitement and tumbling, the movement is no longer mine, but God’s. What freedom to know that I can be still, that I don’t have to keep moving just to keep that momentum going. I can be free to enjoy the peace now and the rushing, tumbling, excitement when it comes.
“He leads me beside quiet waters, He restores my soul.”
Psalm 23:2b-3a
