Stress less
Forgive more
Don’t worry
Choose joy

The honest truth, part of that statement is missing for me, because choosing isn’t always easy. What the heck do I do with stress, worry, sadness when it’s here, right before me, on me, in me!!

At times “hollow traditions” tell me to lean on things I can control to find comfort or rooting. Finding my strength in things I do, rhythmic rituals, or people near me instead of Christ alone. Rely on superstitions that disregard the supremacy of Christ, and His authority over all things, all beings, all living creatures! These traditions or rituals can captivate me, and take my heart/mind captive with practices other than a relationship with the living God.

I love food and the great examples I frequently find in food. If I had a cupcake or carrots sitting in front of me, in all honesty and I would probably choose the cupcake. Well, actually I would probably just lick the frosting off of the top of the cupcake and throw the rest away, but I know for sure I would not choose the carrots until after the cupcake was gone.

In the same way, if I have disappointment, anger, fear, jealousy, envy, or any other kind of emotion sitting before me it becomes very difficult for me to not to rest in those feelings, even if it is just for a little bit…. even to taste just a bite of it. I am reminded of the verse “taste and see that the Lord is good.” We must taste and see that what He has for us is good what he wants for us is good, but we can’t have His “food” and other food in our mouth at the same time, it causes overcrowding!!

This is how we are firm in our faith, encouraged in our heart, filled with love, and are alive in Him.

So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness. See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the elemental spiritual forces of this world rather than on Christ.
‭‭Colossians‬ ‭2:6-8‬ ‭

When those feeling contrary to His good fruit are creeping in, lurking near, smelling good for the moment, encouraging my own self-worth. I must clean my house out…. Like cleaning out the left over birthday cake!!
I sit letting Jesus know what I have tasted, giving it to Him. I must be honest with Him, repenting I have tasted anger, bitterness, envy, disappointment, unforgiveness.

My pride tells me “oh, you got this.” Truth is, I don’t! I never have and never will!!

Let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Hebrews‬ ‭12:1‬ ‭
I have learned the sin that easily entangles me, and it’s not though shalt not steal or murder! It’s the fruit that looks like I can take just a bite without having it completely entangle me. Before I know it, I am captive to those thoughts and emotions…..

Psalm 146 begins by telling my soul to sing,
“Praise the Lord. Praise the Lord, my soul.”

“Return to your rest, my soul, for the Lord has been good to you.”
‭‭Psalm‬ ‭116:7‬ ‭

“Praise the Lord, my soul; all my inmost being, praise his holy name.”
‭‭Psalm‬ ‭103:1‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Once my mind/heart/soul is clean, I ask Him to fill me with the thoughts that align with His perfect will and His good gifts. I again taste and see He is indeed good!!

Then my soul itself must sing and rejoice for all His benefits!!
“Praise the Lord, my soul; all my inmost being, praise his holy name.”
‭‭Psalm‬ ‭103:1‬ ‭

Give Jesus my stress, worry, sadness, anger, envy, jealousy, pride…. Truly sit and give it to Him. Then He helps me choose His joy, His forgiveness, His love, and all His benefits come to me.