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Daily Bible Study with Purpose

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Guiding Scripture: “God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging.” (Psalm 46:1-3) 

 

🔴 How to Reset When You’re Overwhelmed

Right now, I’m in the middle of an unexpected move. My house is in what I can only describe as a state of barely controlled chaos, and my brain feels like an internet browser with about thirty-seven tabs open at the same time.

Which items should we take, and which ones should we give away? How much will it cost to hire movers? How are the kids coping? How am I managing? Are we all going to get to our new destination with our sanity intact?

The word that best illustrates how I feel at the moment is…overwhelmed.

It is a word that every woman can relate to at some point in her life, especially this year. So many of us are juggling a myriad of challenges: working from home, virtual learning, staying healthy, and a neverending list of household tasks with fewer options and less support. 

It can feel like you’re treading water. You pull yourself up just long enough to get a breath, only to go right back to paddling furiously again. It can feel like the cycle never ends. 
 

And that’s when you need a reset.

 
Whether it be with our careers, our relationships, or even our health, however, you can also choose to reset your life when you’re feeling overwhelmed.
 

Here are some helpful ways to reset:

 
  1. Take care of your most pressing physical needs first. In other words, if you’re exhausted, rearrange your schedule to get sleep as soon as possible. If you’re hungry, drop whatever can wait and eat. If you’re sick, force yourself to rest. I know this is much easier said than done, but the hard truth is that the longer you go without self-care, the more you’ll suffer in the long run.
  2. Find a few minutes to spend time alone with God. Isaiah 26:3 tells us, “You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast because they trust in you.” When you make time with God a priority, he responds by giving you His peace. Not only that, but He also gives you direction about what to do next. Ironically, the times when you’re overwhelmed and think you don’t have time for God are when you need Him most. 
  3. Ask for help. That might be the most challenging step to execute. Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 says, “Two are better than one because they have a good return for their labor: If either of them falls down, one can help the other up. But pity anyone who falls and has no one to help them up.” If you don’t have a support system, building one is a priority. Your local church is a great place to start. And if you do have support, humble yourself and ask for it. Don’t have a nervous breakdown because of pride.

These are a few of the coping mechanisms I use whenever I’m feeling stressed. They may not take my challenges away, but they give me the strength I need to fight another day. I hope they’ll do the same for you.

~Lisa C. Gant

LISA C. GANT: CEO & Founder of Purpose Without Apology, the Podcast. Tune in for weekly podcasts and connect with Lisa on Instagram. Visit www.lisacgant.com for more information. 

 

This devotional was written by Lisa C. Gant a loving contributor to Our Given Purpose®. Edited by Torrie Slaughter in the Commonwealth of Virginia.

© Torrie Slaughter, LLC; Torrie Slaughter Photography, and Our Given Purpose® 

 

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Daily Bible Study with Purpose

Bible Study, Teen Bible Study, , , , , ,

Guiding Scripture: “Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, ‘This is the way; walk in it.’” (Isaiah 30:21)

 

🔴 Making Decisions God’s Way

Not long ago, I was presented with an investment opportunity that looked great on paper. People were gathering together in the spirit of building wealth, and as long as everyone contributed to the greater mission, we would all win. That was the claim, anyway. It seemed incredible, almost too good to be true.

And it was. And I almost fell for it.

At the outset, everything looked legit. A trusted individual invited me to discuss the details, and I presented the proposal to my husband. We were budding investors, but we did our research and felt ready to move forward. 

Until we prayed about it.

 That was when we got a distinct feeling that something was wrong.

Without knowing exactly why, my husband and I decided to back out of the venture, only to discover later that things weren’t what they seemed. That is why you must invite God to help you make decisions, especially major ones.

2020 has been a year full of significant decisions for people around the world. Parents had to decide if and when to send their children to school during a pandemic. Hurting families made tough sacrifices when faced with job losses or rising medical costs. And the United States has faced one of the most contentious political elections of our generation. 

How do we, as Christians, make wise choices during so much chaos?

 The Bible gives us several precise steps to take:

  1. Ask God for wisdom. James 1:5 tells us, “If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.” God isn’t some cold deity in the sky, watching and laughing at us as we struggle through life. He is deeply concerned about our needs and more than willing to supply the wisdom we need to make the right decisions. But first, we must ask Him for help.
  2. Seek advice from sources/people you can trust. It’s dangerous to make all of your most important decisions alone. God designed us to function in a community. Proverbs 11:14 says, “Without wise leadership, a nation falls; there is safety in having many advisers.” Just make sure your inner circle includes people who are mature, discreet, and willing to disagree with you when necessary.
  3. Let God’s peace lead you. Philippians 4:6-7 instructs us, “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” That is arguably the most critical step in making significant decisions. If you have sought wisdom from God and others and still don’t have peace, that is often a red flag. Either your lack of peace is being caused by your fear (which needs to be cast out), or it’s a warning from God about your decision. 

Are you facing a significant decision in your life right now? If so, take some quiet time to follow the steps listed above. Whether you look to the right or the left, I can promise you’ll hear the Lord telling you which way to go. You just need to listen.

~Lisa C. Gant

LISA C. GANT: CEO & Founder of Purpose Without Apology, the Podcast. Tune in for weekly podcasts and connect with Lisa on Instagram. Visit www.lisacgant.com for more information. 

 

This devotional was written by Lisa C. Gant a loving contributor to Our Given Purpose®. Edited by Torrie Slaughter in the Commonwealth of Virginia.

© Torrie Slaughter, LLC; Torrie Slaughter Photography, and Our Given Purpose® 

 

 

Daily Bible Study with Purpose

Bible Study, Teen Bible Study, , , , ,

Guiding Scripture: “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33)

 

🔴 How Can Christians Cope in Uncertain Times?

I remember it like it was yesterday, the day my husband lost his job.

I was sitting down at the computer to get some writing done when he came into our bedroom, looking like he weighted the world on his shoulders. He smiled at me, but the smile didn’t reach his eyes.

I glanced at the clock. It was 10 in the morning. My husband never came home from work at 10 in the morning.

“Sweetheart,” he said, “I have some bad news. I just got laid off, but we’re going to be okay. I need you to trust me.”

My stomach dropped. My husband has been the breadwinner for most of our marriage, allowing me to stay home with our two kids and work part-time as a writer, editor, and podcaster. For a two-income household, a job loss is challenging but usually survivable. For us, it was devastating.

The next three years were an emotional rollercoaster for our family, a series of disappointments and frustrations as job offers appeared and then fell apart just as quickly. It was a time of wild uncertainty for us, and only the grace of God got us through it.

Sounds a lot like this year, doesn’t it? Between a global pandemic, a flailing economy, severe racial unrest, and one of the most vicious presidential elections in recent history, 2020 has been all about uncertainty. No matter who you are or what your status, your world has been turned upside-down this year. How are we as Christians supposed to handle it all?

Fortunately, Jesus told us that days like this would come, and He has already given us everything we need to endure and thrive.

Three ways for us to cope as followers of Christ:

  • Trust God and seek Him in prayer. As Philippians 4:6-7 reminds us, “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Whenever we feel overwhelmed by events that seem out of our control, our first response should be to go to our Heavenly Father.

 

  • Step away from social media and the news. Studies show that higher amounts of screen time are related to higher levels of anxiety and depression. Try limiting your screen time to certain times of the day, or a certain length of time each day. Avoid checking your phone first thing in the morning or right before bed.

 

  • Meditate on promises in God’s word that apply to your specific situation. Many theologians claim that God has made thousands of commitments to us in His Word literally. No matter what kind of obstacle you’re facing, there is probably a promise in the Bible that speaks directly to it. Lately, I’ve been meditating on:

2 Chronicles 7:14, “If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.”

As the old saying goes, “We may not know what tomorrow knows, but we know who holds tomorrow.” In other words, while we may not be able to change these uncertain times we’re living in, we can always find rest and hope in Jesus. He has overcome the world, and because He lives in us, we will too. 

~Lisa C. Gant

LISA C. GANT: CEO & Founder of Purpose Without Apology, the Podcast. Tune in for weekly podcasts and connect with Lisa on Instagram. Visit www.lisacgant.com for more information. 

 

This devotional was written by Lisa C. Gant a loving contributor to Our Given Purpose®. Edited by Torrie Slaughter in the Commonwealth of Virginia.

© Torrie Slaughter, LLC; Torrie Slaughter Photography, and Our Given Purpose®