Does Your Heart Need a Defibrillator (Your Spiritual Heart, that is)?

A few days ago I shared about the rhythms of our lives and if we trust God, He will set the tempo and even when there's ups and downs, we'll understand all the various rhythms can be by God's design. I knew I was supposed to move to Texas when my home in Tulsa sold with little effort. Maybe I was disillusioned into thinking I was moving to my Promised Land, to a "land flowing with milk and honey" instead of giants in the land. (Okay -- I'm thinking about Joshua and his spies checking out their Promised Land again.)

While I've had my share of "milk and honey", I've also run into some distractions (like the hail damage to my home, property insurance issues, a misjudgment on how close a car was in front of me that led to a collision, a flu bug that landed on me, indecisiveness about some other decisions, etc.), that my mind went into a "tilt" mode and I actually started thinking "Is this all because I moved to Texas?" Hmm! That also sounds like Joshua's crowd "Yes, there's milk and honey there, but we're like grasshoppers compared to them!" This "side" was supposed to have been the "greener" side. Wah! Wah! Wah! Doesn't that sound like Debbie "Downer"? LOL!

It wasn't long before I knew I was exactly in the place God wanted me to be OR the enemy wouldn't be nagging at me so much. I needed to heed my Father's words, from the outset, "Trust Me!" Those adversities had me out of rhythm. It occurred to me -- I wasn't handling the adversity the right way, because adversity can actually restore our prayer and praise rhythm and resurrect our relationship with our Father Who loves us, cares for us and knows what's best for us. When we apply the "defibrillator" of praying AND praising, those dead emotions and attitudes of defeat will be destroyed and replaced by unstoppable and audacious faith in God's Word and promises that we MUST HAVE in the days we're living in!

I shared that my car had to be towed into the Buick dealership because it wouldn't start. Of all things, it wouldn't start because the gas tank was empty, even though the indicator said there was gas in it. I was facing an $1100 repair. My heart got its heartbeat back when I started praying and praising AND when I was told "The $1100 will be taken care of by your extended warranty!" It was like the Jericho walls came tumbling down. Yes, I prayed, but I needed to praise after I prayed -- because I could trust in Him who said "Trust Me!" Prayer is asking God to do something (future tense) and praise is believing that God has already done it -- past tense -- just like when God told Joshua (before the walls came down) "“Look! I have given Jericho over to your control" (Joshua 6:2). The defibrillator of prayer and praise set Joshua and his troops to walking, and my feet dancing and my heart pumping strong on God's unfailing love and grace.

Proverbs 3:5-6 "Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths."

Peace is my Governor

Yesterday, a sweet new friend I've met here in Austin, asked me for the website for my daily blog. Not only do I blog on my Google website, but I also post it here on Facebook: http://livinginthepeacezone.blogspot.com/

I started blogging years ago, back when it would have seemed I had every right in the world to be in turmoil, anxiety and fear. But, like little David, the shepherd boy, I faced those giants and slung my "peace" stones at them. I started blogging and, quite frankly, not only have I experienced almost unexplainable peace during those worst of times, but I've been able to convey to others how they, too, can live in God's sweet peace.

If there's anything I protect and hold most precious to my heart, it's peace. That peace is what has been my dearest ally and friend for many years. When I wake in the morning, I know peace is with me. When I go to bed at night, I sure don't watch the evening news or some horror flick. I go to bed with peace. When I wake in the middle of the night and turmoil tries to overwhelm me, I go to the scripture "Him I will keep in perfect peace whose mind is STAYED on Me." Isaiah 26:3. I steer clear of conflict at all costs.

I know that peace is God’s will. That heavenly peace is a state of absolute tranquility right in the midst of what could be the worst situation. It speaks of comfort when life is extremely UN-comfortable. Fear can be lurking behind every corner, but a state of peace looks at fear and laughs at it.

That peace isn't something that comes and goes -- depending on our circumstances. The peace I'm talking about is "the governor" of our lives. I've heard "governor" used in describing a device that governs a machine or engine that is used to provide automatic control of speed, pressure or temperature. Honestly, peace is my governor. This kind of peace should GOVERN our lives in all things at all times. When the things of life disturb us — that stack of bills, a negative health report, the troubled relationship, anxious feelings of our own inadequacy -- is when we need to submit to the governor of peace.

Here’s the good news: We can have that kind of peace. Jesus told His disciples, "Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid." John 14:27.

The peace Christ gives is fully satisfying. It’s peace of mind, heart, body and soul. It’s contentment knowing that no matter what happens, we are in the care of the Almighty. Psalm 29:11, "The LORD gives strength to his people; the LORD blesses his people with peace."