How to calm a busy mind or heart

 

I love flowers, I love how something so small is so beautiful. It brings a peace to any room.

Is your mind always on play? Are you always thinking about something, even when you should be resting, meditating? I feel that way too sometimes. Not sure why, but it comes up at the worse times, like when I am trying to sleep. Especially when I wake up in the middle of the night to pee and try to go back to sleep. My mind wonders. Here is some of the things I think about: 

• How am I going to take out the dog to pee at the new house? Our new house back door is like a second floor (we will have a walk out basement). and I just know that ole Riley will not walk out and down the deck stairs to go pee at 2:30 am!
• Crazy dreams of swimming through my house while it floods inside but nothing outside!
• Where am I going to put my furniture and how am I going to decorate my house
• Did I miss something at work and replaying my work day

My mind won't turn off! Today, while listening to a sermon podcast, the minister asked chat GPT a question and I thought I would do the same. He asked "If you were the devil, what would you do?"  And the answer is shocking!

It said: The devils goals would to involve undermining what is good, true or just. And it would do it by: Distorting the truth, encourage division, Promote instant gratification, exploit technology, undermine integrity by rewarding dishonesty, convince people life is meaningless, make evil look normal. Doesn't this sound like our world now?

I know the devil is trying all of this with me. I mean, just with my mindless color by number app on my phone. I am distracted when I am on it and before you know it, it has been an hour. But I have to say my pictures do turn out really good! But it is an hour I can't get back, an hour that I could have been praying, reading the bible or spending with my family. The devil makes evil look normal, like in the movies and shows we watch. I loved the show Yellowstone and now when I think about it, the language and story line normalized a lot of things that I would never do. We get immune to what goes against our beliefs that it is just normal to us to see or hear it. (BTW, I only watched it because of Rip!)

So, Autumn, how do you get through this? Say his name. 

One time I was driving to work, and I don't know what came over me, but all of a sudden I started to have a panic attack. Anxiety just came over me and I don't know why. All I could do was just say the name of Jesus over and over. And you know what? My anxiety started to go away. Just saying the name of Jesus will drive away any evil or demons. 

Recite the bible. Whenever I am laying in bed and can't get to sleep or can't turn off my mind because of those crazy dreams or thoughts, I say a few verses. I have a few verses that I have memorized and recite. My go-to ones is Psalms 23, Isaiah 40:25-31; or everyone's favorite that works every time is John 3:16.   I wish I knew more, and that is something that I need to work on. I guess I could do that instead of coloring!

So when you feel that anxiety creeping on you, say his name, recite his promises. And that fear, anxiety, HE will take it away.

Psalm 23:4 NIV; "Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.

Love to all,

Cancer sucks!

Cancer sucks! and I can say that because I have lived through it. This is a throwback of me in 2012 after I had lost my hair from chemo and me trying to cope with the loss of it, trying to stay positive throughout chemo, radiation and the changes in my body and appearance, all the while working as a nurse. It was hard, but with God all things are possible.

But enough about me. All I want to do is just scream at cancer..WHY!!! I have some family and friends that are going through this right now, with brain cancer, skin cancer and thyroid cancer. I just hate this!

I try to bring something positive to my words in my blog, but today I can't find them, I feel so sad and angry. I want my family to be healed, now, I don't want them to have to go through treatment and the feeling of ick that comes with it. 

My story, my experience has made me stronger, but it has also given me a fear, the fear that it will return, with every scan each year. I can't say that it is like that for everyone, but I pray for my family and friends going through this, BE STRONG, BE COURAGEOUS and FIGHT!

Next week, my next blog, I will be more entertaining. Today, I just want to say, CANCER SUCKS! And for those going through it, whether it is you with cancer, or someone you love, You got this! Pray, cry, scream, but know you are loved. You are strong, even when you feel weak. God is with you.

Joshua 1:9, which says, "Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go". 

Love to all,