Restoring Hearts Blog

“He that has his trust set upon God does not need to dread anything except the weakening or the paralyzing of that trust.” Alexander MacLaren We start down the slippery slope to fear by believing a lie about who God is. Fear leads to unbelief which causes us to distrust the Trustworthy One and steers us to sin. There are four steps to shutting the door to fear: 1. Identify the lie. 2. Remember who God is. 3. Replace the lie with the truth. 4. Remind yourself of the truth. As

“Anxiety has its use, stimulating us to seek with keener longing for that security where peace is complete and unassailable.” St. Augustine of Hippo I awoke early with a paralyzing weight of anxiety on me. I realized I needed to leave my comfort zone to fulfill God’s assignments. I wasn’t fully sure of what God wanted, what it would look like and how much time it would require. Anxiety producing thoughts such as these swirled around my mind: Am I able to do what He’s asked me

“I have a great need for Christ; I have a great Christ for my need.” Charles Spurgeon A few weeks ago, before I went to Arizona to help care for my mom after her surgery, I struggled with feelings of inadequacy. I questioned if I’d have enough energy or wisdom to give Mom the best care and wondered if I would faithfully and cheerfully meet her daily needs. My inadequacies compelled me to ask my friends to pray. The morning before I flew out, I read Hebrews 13:6a. “So we can s

2 “Of all the passions, fear weakens judgment most.” Cardinal de Retz While in college, I lamented over the stress of my classes and couldn’t wait to graduate. But once I landed a full time teaching position and juggled that with my desire to be a good wife, I missed the life of a carefree college student. I was no different than the Israelites in Exodus 14:12 when they fled from their slavery in Egypt and Pharaoh and his troops pursued them in front of the Red Sea. They comp

“What difference does it make to you what someone else becomes, or says, or does? You do not need to answer for others, only for yourself.” Thomas a Kempis Since responsibility is my number one strength, it’s easy for me to take on what is really other people’s responsibility. And when I do that, worry opens the door to my heart, climbs up on the couch, and makes itself right at home. Recently I found myself fretting over a possible outcome for a loved one’s life. I would w

“You have made us for yourself, and our hearts are restless till they find their rest in you.” St. Augustine of Hippo With the holidays right around the corner, our hearts may start singing, “Tis the season to be anxious, Fa-la-la-la-la.” I become stressed when the calendar fills up with too many commitments and I plummet into despair when I can’t fulfill my responsibilities. Some time last summer, my anxiety level climbed to the top of my meter. I can’t even remember what I

“Anxiety is the natural result when our hopes are centered on anything short of God.” Billy Graham Anxiety is on the increase and the times we live in today encourages insecurity. So how can we rise above our fear and live a life full of faith? Try the following suggestions: Starve what feeds your fear. Consider limiting what you read, watch or hear that spurs on more fear. Fear gets stronger when we feed it. Spend time in God’s Presence, knowing He is always with us. Isaiah

“Fear is faith for the things you don’t want.” Unknown Fear plagued me as a little girl. Being shy I was too afraid to talk to the telephone operator. My anxious feelings led to biting my finger nails. I was motivated to stop chewing on them for two weeks by the promise of a pair of white go-go boots. The nibbling restarted though, when my anxiety returned. My dad used to say, “Fear is the most powerful emotion.” I can testify to its power to immobilize me, to the point of di

“It is impossible for that man to despair who remembers that his Helper is omnipotent.” Jeremy Taylor I enjoyed watching chipmunks scurry at my grandparents cabin near Flagstaff, Arizona. We fed them often and they became tame. Once I had one eat out of the palm of my hand. Chipmunks’ perspective is limited; they see what is in front of them. My viewpoint is also inadequate when I focus on the problem. Prior to my heart attack, we moved my Dad out of his apartment into an ind

“I cannot be the man I should be without times of quietness. Stillness is an essential part of growing deeper.” Charles R. Swindoll My family and I went on a short-term mission trip to Kenya, the summer of 1992. While there we learned a phrase in Swahili: “Haraka Haraka Haina Baraka.” This proverb’s translation is: “Hurry, hurry, has no blessings.” I have found this to be true when I rush around or fill up my calendar with a jam-packed schedule. Living under a performance min

“Blessed is he who expects nothing, for he shall never be disappointed.” Alexander Pope It seems many expectations are placed on us during Christmas. For numerous years I hoped to create a picture perfect Christmas for my family, the kind that is a cross between a Norman Rockwell and a Thomas Kinkade painting. I imagined softly fallen snow, joyful children dressed in red, pine trees adorned with homemade ornaments and the scent of holiday cookies baking while Christmas carols

“Faith is to believe what you do not yet see; the reward for this faith is to see what you believe.” St. Augustine of Hippo “You want to do WHAT?” Those words raced through my head when my husband came home during his medical fellowship in Chicago announcing the prospect of not returning to our family and friends back home in Tucson, Arizona. Instead, he considered applying for a job in Omaha, Nebraska. Anger, grief, fear and tears were present as I wrestled with God for a co

“We become troubled because we have not been taking Him into account.” Oswald Chambers I awoke with fear and anxiety gripping my heart on our third day of cycling the Canadian Rockies. I attempted to shake my anxious thoughts away by various means. I tried telling myself the truth about the upcoming fifty-plus mile bike ride for the day. I repented of my fear. I gave God thanks. I quoted Scripture. John and I prayed together and took authority over the spirit of fear. God rem