Listening to worship music as I pray has been instrumental in how my heart and mind fix on truth. This past week I decided to start typing out my prayers rather than write. My eyes can close, I can ponder , and I can type so much faster than I write. I have been struggling lately, unable to find words to adequately describe where my soul has been.

My counselor told me, rather than get overwhelmed by the areas of your body that hurt, focus on the areas that do not. An example, my body can feel like every area is hurting, but I know I can find areas that do not. So give thanks for the areas that do not hurt.

This relates significantly to how I need to approach my life. It feels like every area hurts and I get very overwhelmed. I cry and I beg God. Rather, my time in prayer this morning, I remember the blessings of my life. They are many. and it’s not a magic pill, but my mind and heart begin to turn to praise.

Colossians 3:1-2 “So if you have been raised, with Christ, seek the things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your mind on the things above, not on earthly things.” So, I turn my head, I turn my mind, I turn my eyes to seek the things of Christ. I set (turn my focus) on Christ. Not on these earthly things. My faith is not built on feelings, nor are they built on what I see. So critical to remind myself of this.

I have been plagued by this recent carnage in Texas, all the children. Now, the finger pointing begins. It’s heartbreaking. It’s his fault. It’s their fault. We like to make sense of the heartache we see, in a bizarre way it’s our way to distance ourselves from the reality. If my focus is on finding fault, then I can make sense and see that it could never happen to me.

Except it might. I need to stop all my negotiations with the Lord God Almighty. I know I have been raised with Christ, so I see the things above. This means prayer. This means service. This means giving. This isn’t bargaining. This isn’t me trying to insure that tragedy won’t hit me.

When I stop hiding and explain what is happening in my life to my family in Christ, then the body can come alongside of me and my family and surround me with their stories. Their prayers. Their love. Tell your stories. Let people tell you theirs.

God is so much bigger than pain, heartache in life and sorrow. He is with us always. His Spirit indwells.

Colossians 3:12-117 “Therefore, as God’s chosen ones, holy and dearly loved, put on compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience, bearing with one another and forgiving one another if anyone has a grievance against another, just as the Lord has forgive you, so you are also to forgive. Also put on love, which is the perfect bond of unity. And the peace of Christ, to which you were also called in one body, rule your hearts. And be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell richly among you, in all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another through psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts. And whatever you do, in word or in deed do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God, the Father through him.”

Amen. Come Lord Jesus.