Snow Globe Syndrome

No, not this: https://www.nvisioncenters.com/conditions/visual-snow/

I was asked this morning by the senior pastor of our church, how my week had been going. I responded with, “Have you ever felt as if you were inside a snow globe? Everything is all calm and serene when suddenly someone comes along and gives it a really hard shake?”After being told that was a good analogy, I continued with, “It hasn’t really been bad, just more confusing than anything else.”

 In all of the swirling confusion, there are concerns over family members and their health issues. My finances. Concerns over my parents and my son. Do we ever stop being concerned over our children? Never mind, I know the answer to that already. The pandemic, the world in general. The list goes on and on and on.. The swirling mess has yet to settle onto some built in landscape.

The message that he shared with us this morning, could not have been more directed at me, more of an answer to my prayers, than if an angel had appeared and said, “Hey Rebecca, listen up.”

From the book of Philippians, chapter 4 verses 2-9

The Title of the message, Making the Choice to Press on and Find Joy.

I did not take notes during the services this morning. I need to get back in the habit of that, as it was, I was in a state of humbled awe, that I was sitting there, listening to a message I needed to hear. I have since came home and watched the online video and took notes. I have sought out more deeply, what my heart needed. 

1) Choose to have the same mind as Christians.
      Agree, in the Lord, rejoice in the Lord, know the Peace of God, in Jesus.  United, by faith His righteousness, becomes ours. Keep working for the Gospel, Keep seeking God, rejoice in that your name, is written in the Book of Life. (more in Philippians 2:2 and 2:5)

2)Choose to rejoice consciously not reflexively.
  Be determined to be joyous in all things. Focus on what brings you joy. Develop a habit and pattern of rejoicing.
Philippians 2:18 and 3:1 Focus, on the presence of Christ.

3) Gentleness (reasonableness) over vindictiveness.

Being courteous, merciful, lenient  even in facing persecution.

4) Choose to focus on the nearness of the Lord over the nearness of problems. 

      The return of Christ is near. Whether by our death, or His return. We are closer now than ever. 
Romans 13:11.   and Matthew 28; 20 Jesus word that He is always with us.
   Do not be anxious, know He is with us and hand it all over to Him.

5) Choose prayer over being anxious.   

  Let our request be known to God through prayer and supplication. Pray, with thanksgiving. Honest, authentic, deep, real, prayer.  We have no control over what causes us to feel anxious, we can control our responses. Through prayer, we receive the peace of God, that surpasses all understanding. It is not however, a one and done deal. We will have days of darkness, prayer must become a process and practice. Choosing prayer, belief, thankfulness, gives you the power to go through dark times and move forward.

https://biblehub.com/1_peter/5-7.htm

6) Choose what you think about.    

Verse eight gives eight qualities that go together. Each should be looked at and defined as God would. A defining found in the Word of God. All things, work together through the lens of the Word.

7) Choose to put what you learned into practice.

The peace of God and the God of peace will be with you every step of the way. Focus, on the nearness of the Lord.

I have to admit, it was amazing being handed so many answers to some of the very questions that have flooded my mind in recent days. I was given a blueprint and instruction guide on how to calm an anxious mind over things I have no control over.

What I can do, is pray. What I can do, is allow the power of those prayers to calm my mind and spirit and draw me closer to the One who does have the answers and can take care of the issues at hand.

 I knew the strength in prayer. It is not unusual for me to get out and away to have those quiet moments. But sometimes when that snow globe has been shaken a little harder and the snow refuses to settle, sometimes, you need that reminder that you are being heard.